Karman: Zoloft withdrawal

[Karman]

I’ve suffered most of my adult life  from anxiety mostly, with occasional depression. I’d like to come off my daily Zoloft 100 mg dose. I’ve tried by reducing my daily dose by half, but after about a week, I begin to feel more anxious. I’ve recently added  2 good herbal supplements daily to aid in the transition: tulsi-holy basil & ashwagandha. They have had a noticeable gentle calming effect. 

I’m hoping to now be able to gradually transition of the Zoloft.

[Gridley]

Welcome, Karman,

 

Your drop from 100mg to 50mg was a 50% cut, a very steep drop, and very likely is the cause of of your increased anxiety.  At Surviving Antidepressants, it is recommended that a person taper by no more than 10% of their current dose with at least a four week hold in-between decreases.  The 10% taper recommendation is a harm reduction approach to going off psychiatric drugs.  Some people may have to taper at a more conservative rate as they are sensitive to even the smallest drops.

 
Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline)

 

However, before you taper any more, I suggest you hold where you are for at least three months to let your nervous system stabilize.  Please keep us updated on how you're doing.

Sometimes withdrawal symptoms are delayed, and if your symptoms worsen, you might want to consider reinstatement of a very small dosage of the Zoloft.  Please don't reinstate without checking with us first for a recommended dosage, as reinstatement of too large a dosage can be destabilizing.

 

Regarding the two herbs you are taking, Google SurvivingAntidepressants plus the name of the herb for information about them.  

 

 

 

[Karman]

Thank you for this information.

I reinstated my dose when my anxiety began to rise, so my correct dose is 100 mg. 

I will try again at a 10% reduction. 

[manymoretodays]

Hi Karman,

And welcome aboard.

Please put your withdrawal history in your signature

This is the portion that you see under posts(unless viewing from a phone device).  Just follow the information in the ^ link and you can still create a signature if you are phone posting and viewing. 

 

This is now your introduction/journal page.  Your introduction to the community, as well as a place to ask questions specific to your situation, journal, and communicate with other members.

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

[Lolita]

Hi karman

 

I know its hard but Im also in a taper from zoloft. Going  slow is the best way to go!

Have you been stabilise from zoloft with your anxiety in those past years?

I was on lot of différents meds for 11 years for anxiety also but seems they dont work on me anymore so I had a breakdown while on it a year ago and since, I changed med with no success ...but lots of symptoms and side effects !!!

 

Take care and try to go one day at a time and...slow!

[Karman]

Hi Lolita,

Thank you for post. I’ve been stable most of the time. Was on a lower dose before that.

So glad to now have guidance and a fellow traveler to help me along the way.

K

[shespark]

Hi Karman,

Its hard but. I just started tapering from zoloft from 100mg to 50mg on 8-1 was the beginning.  

Ive been on variety of AD for 13 years because of a trauma I went through. Ive never felt the same on AD. 

Just take it one day at a time.

Take Care 

Patty 

[Karman]

Hi Patty,

Thank you for your words of encouragement.

I officially started my taper yesterday. Now at 90 mg daily, hopefully for the next month. 

K

[ChessieCat]

Hi Karman, and welcome to SA from me too,

 

Please create your drug signature.  Please keep it simple - NO symptoms or diagnoses.  Please update it whenever you make a change.  Thank you.

• Details for the last 2 years - dates, ALL drugs, doses
• Summary for older than 2 years - just years and ALL drugs

   

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

On 9/23/2018 at 12:50 AM, Karman said:

I’ve recently added  2 good herbal supplements daily to aid in the transition: tulsi-holy basil & ashwagandha. They have had a noticeable gentle calming effect. 

I’m hoping to now be able to gradually transition of the Zoloft.

 

holy-basil-or-tulsi-ocimum-sanctum

 

From this topic ashwagandha-herb-for-anxiety-stress-and-toxic-overload

 

On 7/31/2013 at 9:19 PM, GiaK said:

I used to take ashwaganda daily...it's one of many supplements that went south on me...it's now agitating and very unpleasant...just FYI

 

[Karman]

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