CatShark22: Sertraline and Bupropion XL Low Dose Taper

[CatShark22]

Hi All. I have a really long story so I will just summarize for now.

 

1. I started on Zoloft 50mg in 2012, but was a zombie I went back to my doctor
2. lowered to 25mg until 2015 or 2016 and tapered off
   1. Quick taper, breaking tablets in half for a week. Quarters the following week
3. I was then introduced to the lovely side effect of brain zaps. I decided to take quarter portions of Zoloft (6.25mg) until the zaps, tinnitus and vertigo diminished and then went off completely
   1. This took a really long time, maybe 2-3 months

 

 

Second doctor and drug experience-Jan 2018

 

1. Moderate depression (due to job change, moving out of parents house, financial issues)
2. Went to a new physician, nurse practitioner with training in mental health
   1. She wanted me to see a psychologist and knew of a good fit for me. She was right, and I still see my therapist as needed.
   2. Prescribed Lexapro 2.5mg, to go up to 5mg after 1 week.
3. She said that I should feel a difference in a few weeks and then decide if I want to stay on it
   1. Switched to Zoloft 25mg in 2019.
   2. Added Wellbutrin XL 150 for focus and cognitive issues
   3. Klonopin .5mg PRN as needed

 

Taper experiences

 

1. 3 Zoloft 25mg taper experiences 2012-2016
2. 3 Lexapro 2.5mg taper experiences 2019
   1. Really difficult because the tablets were so small
3. 4-5 Zoloft and Wellbutrin taper experiences in 2020-2021
   1. NP recomended tapering Zoloft by half each week
   2. Recommended tapering Wellbutrin XL by taking every other day for 2 weeks, and every 3rd day for 2 weeks

 

 

I hate these drugs. I hate that they took my inner life from me.  I hate my flattened emotions, and loss of spirituality. My soul feels completely numb if that makes sense. My sense of love is waning.

 

The last time I tapered off slowly I felt all those things coming back. Then I felt like I HAD to go back on the drugs.

 

Now it's obvious after reading the forum and watching Medicating Normal that I was tapering way too fast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CatShark22]

Klonopin was pretty bad too. I felt a lot of relief the first few times I took it. Now I take it and get almost no relief, and the next morning I feel depressed and don't want to get out of bed. I try not to take it anymore. I haven't taken it at all in a couple of weeks.

 

I took Propranolol for a few months in 2018. It was decent because it helped my shakiness from anxiety. But then again talk therapy has done the best job for my anxiety. The more I see that I can correct wrong beliefs, my anxiety and depression gets better.

 

Exercise and nature always made me feel good before meds. Now I feel kind of flat from them.

 

Music and guitar don't make me feel good like they did before medications. It's like I am experiencing a two dimensional version of them.

I would rather have anxiety and depression any day than the horrible effects of these drugs. Without a doubt the meds caused these issues. Even when I was at my worst depression wise there were things that still made me feel good.

[CatShark22]

I am so happy I have found this forum. For years I have been searching and searching. I found the BPD Family forum that helped me through a really bad breakup with someone who suffers from NPD, BPD and Bipolar. I feel just as optimistic as when I found that forum.

[Kiasofia]

Welcome @CatShark22

I'm so sorry for all you have gone through and are going through, but relieved you have found us. Thank you for creating a signature.

 

Can you please add the following to your signature:

date you reduced to 12.5mg Zoloft and the dose you reduced from

any other medications and/or supplements you take

 

Have you started tapering Wellbutrin? Have you noticed a change in symptoms from reducing Zoloft?

 

About tapering:

Tips for tapering off sertraline (Zoloft)

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

NEVER SKIP DOSES TO TAPER

The lower doses are harder to taper than higher doses. This explains why: Why taper? Importance of gradual change in plasma concentration

 

Unfortunately most  medical professionals have a poor understanding of how these drugs affect people. I found this post helpful to understand how these drugs actually work, why a slow taper is important and why healing can take time:

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

Coming off these drugs can cause many different withdrawal symptoms, often leading to doctors thinking the original condition is returning or that another mental illness has emerged.

What is withdrawal syndrome?

Dr. Joseph Glenmullen's withdrawal symptom checklist

 

When we recover, there are times of feeling OK mixed in with times of feeling bad.  This is called windows and waves.

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Aside from a high quality fish oil and magnesium, be careful with supplements. Your central nervous system (CNS) has become sensitized from psychiatric drug use and can react unpredictably. Alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and other mind altering substances can make the condition worse.

Important topics about tests, supplements, treatments, diet

 

Here is our symptoms and self care section, you may find some useful ideas to help manage symptoms as you recover. 

Symptoms and self care topics

 

This is your Introductory topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here!

Edited December 9, 2021 by Kiasofia

[CatShark22]

I updated my profile I am hoping it makes sense now.

 

I had confused my dosage in the signature. I was actually down to 25mg on Zoloft, not 12.5mg So I corrected the error. I've been having increasing withdrawal symptoms from tapering too quickly and now I am up to 37.5mg to restart my taper more slowly.

 

No wonder why I have been stuck on these meds so long. My Nurse Practitioner isn't even bad at all, and still unaware of the ideas presented here.

 

I have a microgram scale on the way and have a plan of lowering my dosages. I think it's called the brass monkey method.

[CatShark22]

I read the article on what to taper first, and I was confused. Does it actually mean Klonopin can help with my withdrawal symptoms of SSRI?

 

Wellbutrin doesn't seem as hard to taper off of for me. I have minimal effects that I am aware of. However I am wondering if XL becomes immediate release if you cut the tablets like SR does? I would like to taper from 150mg down instead of skipping doses. Thanks.

[Kiasofia]

Sorry, I didn't see your post. To make sure I or someone sees your question, tag them by writing @ and then start typing their username. A drop down menu will appear. Click on their username and it will turn blue.

 

Can you show in your signature when you reduced to 25mg and then increased to 37.5mg Zoloft?

 

On 12/9/2021 at 7:52 PM, CatShark22 said:

I would like to taper from 150mg down instead of skipping doses.

Are you currently taking 150mg every day

? It is very important to take the same dose each day.

 

Tips for tapering off buproprion (Wellbutrin, SR, XR, XL)

Be aware that the lower doses are harder to taper than higher doses. This explains why: 

Why taper? Importance of gradual change in plasma concentration

 

On 12/9/2021 at 7:52 PM, CatShark22 said:

I read the article on what to taper first, and I was confused. Does it actually mean Klonopin can help with my withdrawal symptoms of SSRI?

For those who have developed dependency of a benzo, it can often be good to wait with tapering it, because the benzo's calming effect could be helpful. However, if you have not developed dependency then the rule is to take as low a dose as rarely as possible in the hopes of avoiding dependency.

How often do you take Klonopin?

[CatShark22]

Hi @Kiasofia

 

Thanks for the help on this board. Reading the information here and elsewhere has helped me make sound decisions in stopping psychiatric medications.

 

I am off of Klonopin and Wellbutrin XL completely at this point and feeling very good. Depersonalization gone. My limbs feel attached to me. I think clearly and am not disturbed by my thoughts.

 

This week ~5mg of Zoloft. I weigh them weekly with a milligram scale, and put them in a pill case.

 

The tablets of Zoloft are very small at this point. Tapering at 20% per week and doing great. (My last failed taper was 50% per week). 

 

Very few side effects this time around.

 

I had a physical with my Physician last week, and she said I should discontinue Zoloft.

 

She doesn't understand why I would want to take such a low dose, and doesn't know about the literature behind a slow taper. 50% to her is slow enough.

 

I've seen studies and analysis from Harvard, and others, saying a slow taper is now the ideal way to go.

 

I tried to explain that when I suddenly discontinue even at low doses I need to get back on the medication, because of numerous issues. She was merciful and changed the subject.

 

I also asked for liquid Sertraline however she is not aware of it and doesn't want to prescribe it for me.

 

Frankly her attitude with me has changed over the years. She was late to our appointment and rushed me out. My entire physical was about 5 minutes.

Still, it is without a doubt to me, slow taper is the way to go.

 

Obviously common advice, "talk to your doctor", isn't enough. We need to be educated on our bodies and the things we put in them.

 

(Since the Zoloft taper has been gone so well, this week I am starting to taper Caffeine. I don't want to be a daily coffee drinker anymore and I want to alleviate symptoms of muscle tightness and the jittery feeling. My intake on average is about 450mg per day from coffee and soda. I eliminated soda and only drinking one small coffee in the morning about 125mg of caffeine. Next week I hope to taper down more. Eventually getting to the occasional coffee. )

 

Be well and best regards.
CatShark

 

[Kiasofia]

Hi @CatShark22

Has the reduction from 37.5mg zoloft to 6mg zoloft and the reduction from 150mg wellbutrin to 0mg happened in the last 4 weeks?  Please show in your signature how and when you have been reducing the two drugs.

[CatShark22]

Sorry - I had to get home to check my taper chart.

For some reason the hold weeks are 50% drop. I did have side effects for a few days. ( week 3-4

The values are the weight of the tablets

 

1	1	108.80
1	2	81.60
1	3	54.40
1	4	27.20
1	5	27.20
1	6	21.76 <-I am Here
1	7	16.32
1	8	10.88
1	9	5.44
1	10	5.44
1	11	4.35
1	12	3.26
1	13	2.18
1	14	1.09
1	15	1.09
1	16	0.87
1	17	0.65
1	18	0.44
1	19	0.22
1	20	0.22
1	21	0.17
1	22	0.13
1	23	0.09
1	24	0.04
1	25	0.04