amstrong Medication Free- over a year later Sertraline/Zoloft withdrawal journey SUCCESS (11 years on)

[amstrong]

I have been on Sertraline (Zoloft) over the last 11 years. These were prescribed by a physician in an effort to treat my GAD/panic condition caused from high stress levels in college. Prescribed within a 10 minute appointment. I was 20 years old. And with no information on how long to take it or how to stop taking it. "Take this, it will help."

 

The medication seemed to work OK for a few years. However, my experience over the last 2.5 years on this medication and with the psychiatry system has been a complete mess.

 

My symptoms of anxiety (and the addition of depression) were exacerbated with many new symptoms and side effects: heightened anxiety, suicidal ideations, uncontrollable movements, cognitive impairment, and many others. I continued to speak to my psychiatrist about all these symptoms and my deep sense that we were on the wrong track. In fact I showed up in tears to the office. I was told I needed to increase my dosage, as I had more than likely become tolerant to my current dose. So as a good patient would, I listened to my doctor’s recommendation- increase from 50mg to 100mg. I increased to 75mg, had a follow-up appointment and relayed that I was feeling ‘OK’, but not great. So, I threw out an idea. How about this? Since increasing isn’t making me “better”, I’m going to reduce and taper off. Do the opposite. My psychiatrist was hesitant, but agreed if I wanted to take that journey then she’d support my decision and want me to continue check-ins.

 

Was I given any advice or direction from the psychiatrist on tapering? Not really. I researched myself. I read many testimonials and clinical trials about the challenges of tapering off medications. I was ready for what I thought might be a very bumpy ride and determined I would decrease slowly over many months. I made myself a plan. Make a reduction every 6-8 weeks, so I have time to acclimate in between reductions. So I did just that. I also journaled my symptoms- physical, mental and emotional feelings daily. It wasn’t a fun process (def had some issues), but it wasn’t all that terrible. The added global pandemic definitely did not help the situation (super great time to come off medication).

 

My last dose taken May 31, 2020. Six weeks go by and I’m doing pretty good. THEN, like a freight train, I’m hit with delayed post withdrawal. The most horrendous physical, mental and emotional pain I’ve ever experienced in my life. Nerve shocks, body aches, headaches, cognitive disorientation, tremors, severe insomnia, panic, crying spells, chest pain, no appetite, extreme anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Things I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Overall I lost 10 pounds. I cried every day. The insomnia got so bad (only slept 2 hrs each night), I was put on Trazodone for a short period. I was in a tailspin. I felt so alone. This lasted a very long 3 weeks. And honestly without my support system, this forum, and my stubborn attitude I don’t think I would have gotten through it.

 

After those 3 weeks, I could feel myself getting closer to the surface again. I still struggled, but each day got a little better. A little more healed. Symptoms still lingered, but things were subsiding slowly. My body working out the kinks. 

 

I started feeling real improvements and larger windows at the 6 month mark. Still some bumps in the road, the occasional stress induced anxiety symptoms, but overall better. Every day got a little brighter. I now genuinely know the medication was the culprit in making me ill- inflaming all of my anxieties.

 

Today I have been 1 year 3 months without any medication. Last dose taken on May 31, 2020. I can wholeheartedly tell you it does get better. I feel the best I’ve felt in years. My symptoms have all subsided. I still have general anxiety, but it is very minor in comparison to being on the medication. I have learned so much about myself, my strength and the coping mechanisms/exercises that work for me. And I’m still healing.

 

Everyone’s story and timeline is different, however I hope sharing my experience gives you hope. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. You can and will weather the storm and get through this journey. You may not see it now, but there is an end in sight. And it’s beautiful. Keep going.

 

**On a personal note, THANK YOU to those of you that have also shared your experiences on this forum, as this undoubtedly helped me hang on during my journey of tapering and withdrawal.**

 

XX

Amber

[Onmyway]

👏 How wonderful to read your story Armstrong!

Congrats on making it to the other side and thank you for coming back to give us hope!

☀️☀️☀️

 

[Mia1]

That’s fantastic, I’m really happy for you. Enjoy your new life 💗

[benesh]

Excellent, wonderful, bravo. Thanks for giving a shot of hope as I wrestle oh sooo slowly to the end of these dastardly medications. Thank you for posting.

[JesusSavemefromWD]

Congratulations from another Zoloft sufferer ……

[Kate2301]

Wow so great that you have come back here to post your success!

im just getting to the point where I sometimes feel like myself again but my brain / mind feels weird sometimes, nervous I would call it? Did u feel like this?  And does this clear x

[amstrong]

@Kate2301 Yes I felt disoriented at times- kind of dizzy and a brain fog. I also had a good amount of disassociation. Which then would make me feel anxious because I didn't "feel normal". It does go away over time. Best advice I can give is to do things or hobbies that can distract you from focusing on the feelings. I wish you the best xx

[Mutfael]

I like the person who is patient and struggles and suffers for success.. in the midst of withdrawal you are in the middle of the sea there is no retreat there is only swimming to shore or drowning..so thank you for the motivation and forward

[Onmyway]

Hi Armstrong, 

 

How long have you been feeling back to normal? 

What were your symptoms? What symptoms went away first? What were the more difficult ones? 

What non-drug techniques were helpful in managing your symptoms?
 

Thank you for sharing your experience here! 
OMW

 

[lookingrelief]

@amstrongI see that you have CBD listed in your suppliments. Do you think that has helped with the withdrawl symtoms? 

[amstrong]

@Onmyway I answered your questions below:

 

How long have you been feeling back to normal? Larger windows began at the 6 month med free mark. I still had heightened anxiety moments and some days of depression, but overall things improved from there. I think I really hit a good stride at the 10 month mark.

What were your symptoms? What symptoms went away first? What were the more difficult ones? I mentioned all the post withdrawal symptoms, which were terrible at the time. General anxiety overall. I experienced sever panic attacks (numerous ones a day), insomnia and lingering chest tightness- these 3 were the worst of everything. I got in a tailspin of anxiety during the day, insomnia at night which just made things absolutely terrible because I wasn't getting a "break". Endless cycle. It got so bad I was put on trazadone to help. It took about 4 weeks for me to finally start falling asleep on my own and sleeping more each night. That's when I stopped taking it. Anxiety came and went depending on the days, but did subside over time. I do still have general anxiety I have to deal with based upon life stresses, but that's normal. The chest tightness lingered the longest. Nothing helped with that, I just had to wait it out day by day unfortunately.

What non-drug techniques were helpful in managing your symptoms? Exercise- I walked or did spin bike rides almost daily. I began therapy. I also meditated daily (app called Insight Timer recommended by my therapist). I practiced cold therapy and Wim Hof breathing techniques as well- the breathing really helps me get in a meditative state and the cold therapy really helped me learn to control my response/reaction to high stress. Cold therapy can be something as quick as taking a cold shower or advanced as an ice bath or cryo chamber- would definitely suggestive researching the benefits (there are a lot).

 

Hope this helps  

[amstrong]

@lookingrelief I do think the CBD helped during my state of withdrawal. I used it pretty regularly. I will say I do not use it as much now, only on occasion if I'm feeling overwhelmed. 

[lookingrelief]

@amstrong did you use it for sleep or just for anxiety?  did you ever use CBN?  I have been thinking about getting some and was not sure what to look for. I had an adverse reaction to the Delta 8 gummies as they had THC in them which increases my anxiety.

Thank you for your help

[amstrong]

@lookingrelief I used it for anxiety. There is an overwhelming amount of CBD brands out there. Depending on how you take it, I've listed some I've used below. 

 

For tinctures:

Sisters of the Valley

Lazarus Naturals (very affordable)

 

For cartridge- smoking cbd:

For the People 

Americana uncut 

*These brands offer uncut cbd, so they have stronger results. You can buy them at a site called purecbdvapors.com 

 

For pre-rolls:

Plain Jane Hemp

Terpy J's

 

I have read about CBN, but not tried it yet. Hope this helps xx

[DaBro]

Hi @amstrong and congratulations. I noted you had delayed onset of symptoms, which was the same for me, though mine was almost 1 year out before the WD train hit me. 
 

I wondered if there was a trigger at 6 weeks for you when it all started. For me I saw patterns in early WD that when I needed to perform, I performed. For example I remember being ok at a family wedding, on vacations and actually at work doing presentations, but when I had an easy day, like weekends or the first day back from holiday I got WD bad. In fact the onset of WD ‘proper’ started as soon as I quit my job. It seemed to me my mind/brain knew the days it could take time out and heal (which is what I think WD is - healing). 
 

just wondered if you had aligned the point of WD starting at 6 weeks out with any seminal event?

 

wishing you happy healing 

[Granny]

your story gives me Hope. i have been tapering off zoloft since january 2021,  ive been  on zoloft for 30 years now., since 1992. thank you so much !!

[PattyTKG]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences, it gives me some hope as I am experiencing terrible WD after coming off of 2 years at 25mg of zoloft per day. I've had almost all of the symptoms, but the scariest one over the last few days has been a terrible pressure in the back of my head, like my brain is inflamed and going to burst, followed by a soreness in the back of my head that is tender to the touch. Has this happened anyone? I don't know if it's signs of an aneurysm or something serious, but it's almost making me feel light headed and dizzy, with some waves of nausea. My doctor gave terrible advice when coming off, saying that I was on such a "low" dose (25mg), I only needed to taper for a week, which is what I did. Then the WD hit really hard about a week after my past pill and got worse over 3 weeks. So about 4 days ago I started taking 12.5 mg per day to try and help, so far I don't feel any relief. I want to come off the drugs and I want to feel normal again, but mostly right now, I want to make sure I don't need to go to the hospital because of the inflammation I feel in my head

[Freja]

this is great! I’m so happy to hesr you’ve finally recovered and in a better place  i’m also doing Wim hof but just the breathing exercises. Do you feel like the cold showers helps anxiety too?