Upnorth: reinstating

[Upnorth]

I have been off zoloft for 14 months and still have nausea and anxiety.  I am considering reinstatement but have read on the forum that it might be a bad idea after such a long time. . I'm scared to try it and make matters worse.  

[Frogie]

Hi @Upnorth

 

I'm sorry you are going through this but  glad you found SA. Welcome to the site.

 

This your main page to ask any questions or make comments.

 

Could you please create a signature.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature
 

 

How long were you on Zoloft?

 

How fast was your taper?

 

What were your symptoms, if you had any, during your taper?

 

After 14 months, it could be a risk taker to try to reinstate.

 

I'm going to give you some links to look read.

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's Withdrawal Symptoms

 

What is Withdrawal Syndrome?

 

Digestive problems:  Nausea, Diarrhoea, Bloating, GERD

 

You could try a small amount of Magnesium and Omega. Just start with a small amount of each take one at a time and wait a few days before trying the other to see if you have any relief or reactions. Magnesium does help with anxiety.

 

Magnesium

 

Omega-3 Fish Oil

 

After you create your signature, read the above links and please let us know if you have any questions that we can help you with.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

 

 

Edited December 20, 2021 by Frogie

[Upnorth]

My symptoms were like many others on the site . Severe anxiety, poor apetite, fragmented sleep and waking in the morning with the cortisol spike which sent me into anxiety attack. I  was taking ativan in July and August at 0.5 per day as needed but have not taken any since Sept.  I also have relentless nausea and some vertigo, this and the flu like feeling never seem to change. I don't feel like the person I used to be. .never had anxiety issues like this before and I'm convinced that the problem is from the chemical imbalance from the ssri.  Is there anything that works for nausea?  I take magnesium and probiotics and some ginger gravel and occasionally antinausea pills.  If I would've known this trip thru hell was gonna be this bad. ..I think I would've stayed on the pills.

[Upnorth]

Reinstating ?

 

I've been off zoloft for 14 months and still struggling with nausea and anxiety/sleep  and gi problems.  I am considering reinstating but am scared and unsure. Just want some kind of life back.  This is no way to live. .

 

Edited December 21, 2021 by ChessieCat
added Intro topic title before merging with intro topic

[Frogie]

9 hours ago, Upnorth said:

I  was taking ativan in July and August at 0.5 per day as needed but have not taken any since Sept.

If you took Ativan regularly for this amount of time, your body became dependent on it. It takes approximately 2 weeks for your body to become dependent on a benzo. Did you take it consistently in July and August? Unfortunately, if you took it for that long you can't just stop it. That could be some of the problem also.

 

I agree this is no way to live and I feel for you.

 

I'm going to ask another moderator that has more experience with Zoloft than I do.

 

Hang in there.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @Upnorth 

 

Did your symptoms change after you went off Ativan?

 

Do you have any Zoloft tablets left?

 

Did you tell your prescriber that you were having these symptoms of classic antidepressant withdrawal syndrome?

[Upnorth]

I wasn't taking the ativan daily. Tried to only use it when necessary. I was prescribed 1mg but was cutting it in half.  Probably did take it for too long but it did work well for the wd I was having. .Dr said I should stop taking them unless it's an emergency situation so I  haven't taken any since Sept 12. Symptoms did change a little because I was really trying hard to not take any and I  think there was some wd.

When it was prescribed in June. .my symptoms where unbearable. .major anxiety, felt like I couldn't breath. Could hardly function. 

Terrible sleep, very fragmented. Then when I took 0.5 ativan I could actually have a calmer day. I would only take it once a day when needed and never tried it for the sleep issue cuz I didn't want to get hooked on them.  It was hard to stay away from them knowing how well they work.

I do have some zoloft 25 mg. The Dr prescribed them last month but after reading on this site about reinstatement I have been scared to take them for fear of making things worse.  I don't think I could handle worse. 

 I did tell my Dr about the wd earlier this summer but not sure if he believed me or maybe didn't know what I should do. 

The last time I seen him he said I should take the 25mg zoloft and if I have trouble with it to take an 0.5 ativan. 

I think he should recommend 12.5 zoloft? 

I think he is changing his opinion a bit because he said his wife is currently trying to quit effexor. .

Anyway. .I am at a loss and don't know what to do.  It's been 14 months off the zoloft and the wd is unbearable most of the time.  Some days later in the evening, after about 9 pm, the symptoms ease up a bit and I can watch TV or come to  this site and look for answers.  Most of my day I am nauseous,  some vertigo and feel like I have a chronic flu.  My wife doesn't understand and thinks I should just go back on the zoloft.  I don't think she knows the extent of the wd and thinks it should be done by now. 

I should also mention that last year at Christmas when the symptoms started, I thought I was having a heart attack so I went to the er and they checked me out and said nope and gave me ativan.  I only took 1. Even after that visit I felt I couldn't breath so on Jan 13th I quit smoking.  This has not helped my air hunger much and I think is also part of the wd issues. 

[Upnorth]

As much as I really don't want to, do you think I should maybe try 0.25 ativan? 

Also, what do you think about the anti nausea pills dimenhydrinate? 

[Upnorth]

Would benadryl help? Is there anything that helps with the morning cortisol spikes? 

Also been reading about ketamine and magic mushrooms. .or would this be dangerous with the dysregulated nerves?  

This is hard to accept. .I used to drive a logging truck in steep mountainous terrain for 35 years, in some severe weather at times and had very little anxiety and now I  have a tuff time driving uptown to check the mail. I hope there is something I can do. .not sure how I will get thru Christmas like this.

I know everyone is busy. .hope to hear from someone. .

[ChessieCat]

There are many existing topics on SA.  You can use the site search function or use the internet search engine and add site:survivingantidepressants.org to the search term.

 

The only supplements that SA does recommend are magnesium and omega 3 fish oil.  When trying something new start with a small amount and only try one thing at a time.

 

the-rule-of-3kis-keep-it-simple-keep-it-slow-keep-it-stable

 

Magnesium

Omega-3 Fish Oil

 

Cortisol spikes can happen at any time of the day, but there might be helpful information in this topic:

 

early-morning-waking-managing-the-morning-cortisol-spike

 

antihistamines-for-withdrawal-insomnia-diphenhydramine-doxylamine-hydroxyzine

 

ketamine-and-esketamine-treatment

 

psychedelic-mushrooms-ayahuasca-and-other-hallucinogens

 

mushroom-supplements-lions-mane-reishi-shiitake-ahcc

 

Edited December 23, 2021 by ChessieCat

[Upnorth]

Thanks for your reply ChessieCat. 

Thought every one abandoned me.  I have read some of the links you mentioned but will read some more.  I was hoping to get some advice on using the ativan or lower dose of zoloft. I posted some info but Altostrata is probably very busy.  My anxiety is terrible and I'm not sleeping much. 

[JesusSavemefromWD]

I am sorry you are going through this. We discontinued Zoloft same time (Oct 2020). I ll be praying for healing for both of us …. 

[Upnorth]

Thanks. .it is awful.  I don't want to take any ativan but this nausea and anxiety plus the flu feeling is brutal. 

It will be hard to be around family over the holidays and I'm not sure what to do. .

[Upnorth]

 

Is this the right place to post stuff?  Doesn't seem to be many replies.

[Altostrata]

On 12/21/2021 at 9:18 PM, Upnorth said:

I do have some zoloft 25 mg. The Dr prescribed them last month but after reading on this site about reinstatement

....

I think he is changing his opinion a bit because he said his wife is currently trying to quit effexor. .

 

Well, that's interesting!

 

He's on the right track, but he should read further. When we suggest reinstatement, we suggest trying a very small dose, such as 1mg Zoloft, maybe going up to 5mg. This limits risk of an adverse reaction. We often see these very small doses are effective. You'd taper off by minute amounts later.

 

Zoloft comes in a prescription liquid so you can take very small amounts, or you can make your own liquid, see Tips for tapering off sertraline (Zoloft)

[Upnorth]

I'm starting to wonder if I have akathasia or is it anxiety from wd?

So you wouldn't recommend the 25mg? 

What about taking some ativan? 

[Upnorth]

I just read about making my own suspension of zoloft. 

If I do this properly, should I start at 1mg and how long would I hold at that amount?  I'm concerned about trying this but I need to do something. .

Or take some ativan?

[Altostrata]

If you try 1mg, we have to see what you do before figuring out what to do next. Reinstatement and then tapering off is more likely to take 6 months or longer than less time. If it works as we expect, you'd feel a lot better during the process.

 

We do not recommend adding a benzo if you can help it, benzos are also difficult to taper off and doctors are antsy about prescribing them.

[Upnorth]

Thanks Altostrata. 

Too bad there wasn't something that could take the edge off.  I only slept 3 hours last. Hard to function.

The feeling in the pit of stomach from the anxiety is awful. .

[Upnorth]

Thanks for your reply  thelongestroadhome. . Always good to have more input .. Altostrata has left some reinstatement guidelines... 

If I could get this nausea and anxiety and fragmented sleep under control then I wouldn't think of reinstatement .

 

[Dominique]

@Upnorthlet me know if you proceed with reinstatement… I’m only 8 month out but in exactly the same boat. No sleep at unbearable anxiety. I hope you get the relief you are looking for 🙏🏼

[Upnorth]

I'm totally confused and unsure of what to do.  I just reread the reinstatement post.  I think I can make a suspension out of the capsules and use 1ml as a trial but my frazzled mind is scared.  Hard to make a decision but maybe I should just try it .. any thoughts would be appreciated. . guess I'm just looking for support and feeling vulnerable at this point. .

Hard to believe a person could feel this sick for this long. .

[Upnorth]

Will the moderators follow me here when I start this process or do I have to post somewhere else? 

[Upnorth]

Are there any moderators available?   Alto? 

I'm concerned about kindling. . I know my nervous system is hypersensitive because I have nausea all the time don't get much sleep. .wake up with the cortisol spike and never feel rested. 

Probably a dumb question but if I make a suspension solution and try 1ml. .will this trigger a kindling and make matters worse or is it a low enough dosage and might reduce my wd?  

I have been struggling with this decision and just want some input.  Thanks. 

[Believer]

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/#comment-33809

Hi @Upnorth,

Have you read the information about reinstating?  See the attached link above. It might help answer some of your questions.

 

To ensure that a moderator sees your post, (or anyone in particular) you need to include the @ symbol before their name. 
 

I’m sorry you are struggling so much. I am in a similar situation, but I am still tapering.     It is a difficult journey, for sure.

 

Congratulations on quitting smoking!

 

Hang in there.

 

Believer

 

 

[Upnorth]

Thanks. .still trying to figure out how to use the site. 

I have read some of the reinstatement stuff. .just confused. .scared. .frustrated. .

[Altostrata]

On 1/6/2022 at 3:11 PM, Upnorth said:

if I make a suspension solution and try 1ml. .will this trigger a kindling and make matters worse or is it a low enough dosage and might reduce my wd?

 

We don't know until you try it. If you get a marked adverse reaction from one dose, you can stop it. Any upset probably will go away in a week or so.

 

Despite much deserved dread on the Interwebs, akathisia is not an inevitable reaction.

 

Are you currently hypersensitive to foods, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs?

[Upnorth]

@Altostrata

Not sure. I know my nervous system seems to be hypersensitive. 

I have been taking aspirin for the headaches and no reaction.  I've also been using anti nausea. . Dimenhydrinate. . and no adverse reaction. 

I don't seem to be having noticeable problems with the few supplements,  vitamin c,magnesium, probiotic,vitamin d.  But I am taking less and cutting down cause I'm trying to keep it simple. .as you suggest. 

Just hoping to find some relief. .

[Altostrata]

You may do fine with 1mg. If this makes you nervous, you might want to try 0.5mg.

[Upnorth]

@Altostratathanks. 

Hopefully this will help. .the anxiety and nausea are brutal. I don't get much sleep. .maybe 3 hours and the morning spikes are no fun.  The only time I kinda feel comfortable is after 10 pm.  Makes me want to stay up all night cuz the morning and afternoon are hard to get through. Just be nice to see some stability. .

[UserMan1775]

On 12/23/2021 at 10:33 PM, Upnorth said:

Thanks. .it is awful.  I don't want to take any ativan but this nausea and anxiety plus the flu feeling is brutal. 

It will be hard to be around family over the holidays and I'm not sure what to do. .

 The ativan helped with your naeusae right? It is supposed to and helped me at least when I had it

[UserMan1775]

17 minutes ago, Upnorth said:

@Altostratathanks. 

Hopefully this will help. .the anxiety and nausea are brutal. I don't get much sleep. .maybe 3 hours and the morning spikes are no fun.  The only time I kinda feel comfortable is after 10 pm.  Makes me want to stay up all night cuz the morning and afternoon are hard to get through. 

 Actually,

 

I have a questions on this, If I slept during the day and stayed up at night, would the cortisol thing be lower?

 

I should right?

[UserMan1775]

34 minutes ago, Upnorth said:

@Altostrata

Not sure. I know my nervous system seems to be hypersensitive. 

I have been taking aspirin for the headaches and no reaction.  I've also been using anti nausea. . Dimenhydrinate. . and no adverse reaction. 

I don't seem to be having noticeable problems with the few supplements,  vitamin c,magnesium, probiotic,vitamin d.  But I am taking less and cutting down cause I'm trying to keep it simple. .as you suggest. 

Just hoping to find some relief. .

Same, no problem with sugar, if i take (a lot) of caffiene it does, tylenol or advil I am not sure, they definitely don't do anything extreme when I take it, but I am not sure if they ever really helped me with headache, if anything makes headaches slightly worse, had no problem with the 200mg of magnesium either, started that straight away, i tried both .5 and 1mg and 2 mg of melatonin, unfortunately didnt do anything but also no bad effect, it really seems like it is only prozac and MAYBE diet drinks but I am not 100% on it, I havent had one for a while, it seemed like it was only prozac giving me the pounding headches, which was so bizarre, but I am struggling with the cortisol thing over night, its not much better, but sometimes but my first block of sleep is 3-5 hours and before it was like 1 1/2, so that is something i suppose

[Upnorth]

@UserMan1775  

I have wondered the same thing.  Night time is the only time that I feel close to normal.  I usually stay up till 3 am because I don't feel tired. I dread the mornings. .

Used to enjoy mornings but the withdrawal has ruined that. .

[UserMan1775]

4 minutes ago, Upnorth said:

@UserMan1775  

I have wondered the same thing.  Night time is the only time that I feel close to normal.  I usually stay up till 3 am because I don't feel tired. I dread the mornings. .

Used to enjoy mornings but the withdrawal has ruined that. .

Honestly, The evening feels so great for me, so I feel you, sent you a message!

[Upnorth]

@Altostrata  I seen the Dr yesterday and he is getting some liquid zoloft made up up. 

My question is. . should I wait for the liquid or is the homemade suspension as good. ?  Also, is there a difference in strength?