caffeineplease: Has anyone tried taking SSRI's again during withdrawal?

[caffeineplease]

Hi everyone!

 

I'm 27, I've been going through Zoloft withdrawal for about a month and a half (been on them for 1.5 years) Withdrawal aside, my life is extremely stressful and depressing. WITH the withdrawal it is unbearable. I'm always busy and have so much to deal with. Has anyone ever started taking SSRI's again during withdrawal? I clearly made a mistake by tapering too fast and seriously regret it now ( I didn't know). If I took a small dose again for the following months would this ease symptoms? I've already spoken to my therapist, she doesn't know anything and thinks withdrawal is only like 4 days or something. Or should I just power through the next .... however long it will take....

 

 

Edited May 2, 2020 by manymoretodays
moved from S and S care, name added to tile

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, caffeineplease.  

 

I need a little more information, please.

 

1.  What was your original dose of Zoloft?

 

2.  How fast was your taper?

 

3.  What was your final dose a month ago?

 

Reinstatement is certainly a possibility.  Reinstatement of a very small dose of the original drug (in your case  Zoloft) is the only known way to help alleviate withdrawal syndrome.  The only other alternative is to try and wait out the symptoms and manage as best you can until your central nervous system returns to homeostasis.  Unfortunately no one can give you an exact timeline as to when you will start feeling better and while some do recover relatively easily, for others it can take many months or longer.  

 

Reinstatement isn't a guarantee of diminished symptoms for everyone but it's the best tactic available.  You're still in the time period where reinstatement predictably works, up to 3 months after last dose.  We usually suggest a much smaller reinstatement dose than your last dose.  These drugs are strong, and when reinstating it is better to start with a small amount.  Your system has become sensitized and If you take too much it may be too much for your brain and can cause you become unstable.   Then, once you've stabilized on the reinstated  dosage, which can take several months,  you can begin a 10% per month taper down to zero.   Please read:

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms. -- at least the first page of the topic

 

Once you've answered my questions, I can suggest a reinstatement dose.  Please do not reinstate without allowing us to suggest a dose.

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium (glycerinate is a good form) and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can answer my questions, ask your own questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.