Jayde: Zoloft withdrawal

[Jayde]

I started zoloft for severe panic disoder w disassociation for 3 months. I was on 75mg for 6 weeks and I never once felt relief from my anxiety and the medication gave me severe deppresion I didn't struggle with at first. I stopped after tapering down from 75mg for 50mg for 4 days 25mg for 3 days and than 12mg for 3 days than 6mg for 3 days. It's been 3 weeks and the fatigue is KILLING me I wonder when it is going to end it is not something ever dealt with before the zoloft and I'm starting to thinking there's something wrong with me and it has nothing too do with the withdrawl. I don't know has anyone else experienced this after such a short amount of time on a ssri. I got my genesight tests back and they said that I do not tolerate any ssris because my brain does not respond to them so I will not be trying another one.. I just feel so lost my doctor said its impossible for me too feel withdrawl but I know something is wrong. 

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  I'm sorry that this Zoloft is giving you such trouble.  It may be that you are having these symptoms from tapering off too quickly.  Have you been on any other drugs?  What other symptoms are you having besides severe fatigue? I believe that this is probably a result of going off the Zoloft quickly - the links below will help you understand why this is likely.  

 

Can you please give us specific information in your signature about your drug history for all drugs you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  It would be especially helpful to have the details of your drugs in a concise vertical list (no symptoms), only drug names, specific dates (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day) and dosages of each medication decrease or increase.  Use this format:

 

Drug name: date, dose, date, dose, date, dose…

Drug name: date, dose, date, dose, date, dose…

Etcetera

 

Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

It only takes 4 week for our brains to become dependent upon psych meds.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications.

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. 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

 

You might consider reinstating a low dose of the drug to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, then gradually tapering off of this after you stabilize.  It looks like you've had adverse effects from the drug (depression, continued anxiety), but a very low dose may relieve your withdrawal symptoms, and give you minimal to no adverse effects.  

Reinstatement is best done very carefully.  There is some risk involved, and we need more specifics about your drug history before we can suggest a good dose at which to reinstate.  Here is some information about reinstatement.  

 

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

 

I've given you quite a bit of information here.  Please read through it, and mull it over, and we will take it from there. In the meantime, take care of yourself, and take heart.  We in this forum have been through this, and we understand first hand the pain and discomfort you are going through.  Please know that the brain is amazing in it's healing abilities.  It takes time, but healing can and will happen. 

Edited February 28, 2022 by getofflex

[getofflex]

Here is a post about fatigue in withdrawal.

 

Fatigue