Lilywhite: CT from Benzo and Antidepressant at the same time.

[Lilywhite]

Xanax- 1.5 mg - 36yrs

clonazepam 1.5 mg -3yrs

Lorazepam 2mg- 3yrs

clonazepam 1.5 mg- 7 months 

 

I’ve been on many antidepressants over the past 40 years as well.

CT off 200mg Zoloft in February 2021 along with 2mg Lorazepam 

 

Hypersensitive CNS Reinstated on Benzo. I haven’t stabilized. Should I reinstate on antidepressant?

[arbor]

Hello @Lilywhite,

Welcome to SA.

 

I'm sorry you're having a rough go with CT from Zoloft and Lorazepam.  This link will further help you set up your signature so that others reading it will readily see the drugs, dosages, dates, dosages, and discontinuations & reinstatements in a list format at the bottom of your signature:

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

How are you doing with your symptoms right now?  I can relate to the upheaval of going off psycho-drugs, especially CT.  It can be grueling for sure.  Again, I'm so sorry you're also going through it.  Here are links you might find informative:

Cold Turkey and Too Fast Tapers

Cold Turkey

 

What symptoms in particular are feeling?  Have you noticed any changes in them--getting worse, staying the same, improving?  Have you noticed any windows?  This link addresses a general pattern that people may experience as they recover:

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

To help you decide whether you wish to reinstate Zoloft, these two links can help:

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

Tips for tapering Zoloft (sertraline) 

 

As you may be aware, reinstatement becomes more risky the further out you are from the date you quit.  With a small reinstatement you may find a lessening of symptoms so that you can stabilize and continue your taper, or a reinstatement can also run the risk of worsening the situation.  Have you been able to talk with your doctor?  

How to talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

What I have learnt from helping thousands of ... - PubMed

The last link above is by Alto, SA's founder.

 

When you have had a chance to respond to the questions and consider your options, I can share your further questions with the other moderators.

 

In the meantime, here is a link to help you with your current situation:

 symptoms and self care

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 3 that many of us find helpful are magnesium, omega-3, and melatonin. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you.   

 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

Melatonin

 

This is your Introduction site where you can ask questions and connect with other members.

I'm glad you've found us. 

Arbor

[Lilywhite]

Since creating my signature in September 2021 I would like to update what is going on at present and get some feedback please. Forgive me if I don’t post this correctly. 
I am 14 months CT off 200 mags Zoloft I took for 5 yrs. I’m familiar with the definition of windows and waves but this far out I have to say my “ windows “ are far and few in between.I really have never had a window in the true sense of the word. My CNS is still so hyper sensitive I’m so very careful as what I put in my body. That being said…. I know the brain and CNS have to heal from this criminal act of cold turkey that was put upon me but dear zGod in heaven can anyone tell me are the symptoms I’m experiencing all due from the antidepressant CT.. I don’t know if I’m supposed to list the symptoms here or where. I just feel so hopeless of ever having some quality of life back. 
Thank you for your reply. 

[ChessieCat]

There is no drug signature currently showing.  When you joined SA your were asked for your drug history, which is only visible to staff.  The drug signature, just a list of drug name, doses and date you started that dose (ie no symptoms or extra explanations)  is different and appears below every post you make.  Please following these instructions:

 

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature

 

This link goes straight to your own signature.  Remember to click Save.

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

Edited April 14, 2022 by ChessieCat

[Lilywhite]

Xanax 1.5 mg 1984-2015

Celexa 1990-2008

Gabapentin- 400mg 2006

clonazepam  1.5 mg 2015-2018

Lexapro  20 mg 2008-2015

Zoloft 200mg 2015-2021

Ativan 1.5mg 2018-2021

Klonopin 2021- at present 

Mirtazipine 2021 15mg- at present 

Gabapentin 400mg -at present 

Cold turkey from 200mg Zoloft 2021

Cold turkey from 2mg Ativan 2021

 

 

[ChessieCat]

I've copied and pasted the above information into your drug signature.

[Lilywhite]

1 hour ago, ChessieCat said:

I've copied and pasted the above information into your drug signature.

Thank you so much for your help. I’m still not sure how to navigate the site. I’m still very ill but would like answers today some questions I have. 

[ChessieCat]

What symptoms are you currently experiencing?

 

How is your sleep?

 

When someone experience worsening of symptoms it is a good idea to be your own detective and look to see what else might have caused it.

 

Have you taken antibiotics recently?  If yes, please tell us what type and when.

 

Have you had a Covid vaccination recently?

 

Have you had Covid recently?

 

Have you had any other sickness recently?

 

Are you drinking alcohol?  Any supplements?

 

Are you still taking Klonopin?  If yes, are you taking it every day?  What dose?  How many times a day?  What times?

 

Have you experienced any additional stressors?  For example, death of a relative, friend or pet.  Loss of job, financial stress, moving house, relationship issues.

 

[Lilywhite]

Currently I experience daily weakness and mental distress. Nothing about my life is normal. I wake up every morning never knowing to what degree my suffering will entail. I am weak and suffer from what I call jello legs. 
I currently take 1.5 mg Klonopin, 15 mg Mirtazapine, 400 mg Gabapentin, 3000 iu of vitamin E, 1000 of Vitamin C and zinc. 
I have not had COVID although when I received my booster after being cold turkeyed from the AD- 200 mg of Zoloft it put me in mental distress and I got shingles!!!!! When I was in the psych hospital I was floxxed for a UTI. Levaquin. 
Please tell me there’s hope from recovering from this injury. I feel as though my life is ruined and the suffering is intolerable. Please any feedback is appreciated. 

[Lilywhite]

Please someone reply to my post. 
CT’d off 200 mg Zoloft 15 months ago. Please tell me things get better. I’m in mental distress daily and feel hopeless. 

[arbor]

Dear @Lilywhite

I can so related to your distress.  I have been focusing on coping with the destructive effects of w/d on my functioning life, and therefore didn't discover your post until now.  How are you doing?  Let me tell you right now that things get better.   In my case, it has been almost unbearably slow.  Hell, is what it has been.  I went for months without windows.  Hopefully, you won't have to have as long a stretch as I have, as you weren't on the drugs as long as I was.  I am confident finally (f.i.n.a.l.l.y) that I am improving.  By my standards I'm even in a window.  I know that I will continue out of w/d to a happier, healthier state.  I know you will recover, and I'm happy to hold that knowledge for you when you're not able to feel it.  Please stay in touch.  What you're dealing with is unimaginable to anyone who hasn't experienced it.  It's outside normal human experience.

  

On 4/22/2022 at 7:41 AM, Lilywhite said:

I am weak and suffer from what I call jello legs. 

 

I had this too.  It is better.   

With SA I recommend 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

Melatonin

 

On 4/22/2022 at 7:41 AM, Lilywhite said:

when I received my booster after being cold turkeyed from the AD- 200 mg of Zoloft it put me in mental distress and I got shingles!!!!! When I was in the psych hospital I was floxxed for a UTI. Levaquin. 

 

How truly awful for you.  No wonder your brain is feeling distressed.  It will pass.  It really will.  In the meantime, you may benefit from visiting symptoms and self care.  

If you can, avoid people and situations you find stressful. 

On 4/22/2022 at 7:41 AM, Lilywhite said:

I feel as though my life is ruined and the suffering is intolerable.

 

Yes, I sure do know this thought.  Ignore it.  Here's a link that I hope you will find useful:

"Change the channel" - dealing with cognitive symptoms

Again, keep us informed.  I will be looking for your tag, or post.  

How to use this site - questions and answers - Page 7

Select the name you wish to tag and will show up like @Artistic. ...

 

I send you hugs, Lilywhite, and am thinking of you,

Arbor

[Lilywhite]

Thank you Arbor for your reply. Your words give me hope. I’m CT’d off the Zoloft 15 months now and their are only glimpses of what you call a window. Most days I’m bedridden by 5. I have been on antidepressants for over 30 yrs, Zoloft for just the past 6 yrs. Everything I read says your brain heals but this far out from what they did to me I have to say is slowly taking me into the trenches of hell. I feel sick, am very, very weak and battle intrusive thoughts. You have to keep in mind I was als CT’d from a Benzo and floxxed at the same time. I reinstated on the Benzo but as you’re well aware reinstating on the antidepressant did not work. It put me in a medication induced distress that so dark and indescribable. While I have improved…… it’s at a snails pace. I cannot begin to taper the Benzo until I stabilize. It looks like it may take me awhile for that to happen. My faith sustains me. I pray a lot. Please anything else you can suggest would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. 

[arbor]

I'm glad you're taking it one drug at a time @Lilywhite.  It likely could be rough for awhile.  Everyone is different.  But I find it a relief that here, we know what w/d is like and can commiserate.  You've come a long way.  It's a tremendous accomplishment.  Have you had a chance to explore the site and visit other people's  threads?  You may also find reading the Success Stories helpful.  Here are some links:  

How to find SA Members who are in the process of recovering

 

Success stories

 

You are not alone🙏🕊️💗

Arbor