Morgan: starting back on 25mg sertraline

[Morgan]

9 years ago, I was prescribed 10mg of generic Prozac after a traumatic incident in my life that left me nearly catatonic. I continued on that dose for 7 years. 

 

Approximately 2 years ago, after a stressful work situation, my primary care doctor suggested I switch my antidepressant as he thought it became ineffective after so many years. He switched me to a dosage equivalent of generic Lexapro for a short time. I complained about a spike in anxiety so he then switched me to 50 mg of generic Zoloft. 
 

Shortly thereafter, I experienced major depersonalization and brain fog. I eventually went down to 25 mg of Zoloft and, somewhere in the midst of this, I experienced some other obscure health symptoms (pressure in head, tinnitus, dizziness, fatigue, neck and head pain, etc). I saw many specialists who all said my health checked out. I ultimately decided I wanted off of my antidepressant and my doctor recommended halving my dose for a week, and another, then stopping.

 

I experienced some peculiar insomnia/hypomania, agitation and flatness the first few weeks, but, overall, I faired well. It wasn’t until about 2-3 months later, I would know literal hell. 
 

I have been imploding with anxiety, trembling, not eating, experiencing an avalanche of panic attacks, and not sleeping for 24 hours at a time- during which time I have rapid, intrusive thoughts teetering on hallucinations. I can feel my nervous system destabilizing and have an overwhelming feeling of dread. It has felt as if I’m on the precipice of permanent insanity. 

 

Sunday, I went to urgent care where I was prescribed Hydroxyzine for sleep and I was told I could not experience withdrawals 2-3 months after discontinuation; I was told I was experiencing a relapse. I have never experienced this kind of insomnia and anxiety prior to antidepressants.

 

Yesterday, I started back on 25 mg of Zoloft. Today, I was prescribed 7.5 of Mirtazapine for sleep until the Zoloft takes effect.

 

I will eventually address tapering again, but it won’t be through the suggestions of healthcare providers. Hopefully, I can rely on another’s experience for a successful taper. 
 

For now, I feel highly skeptical and disappointed in modern practitioners. I am hoping to stabilize my nervous system soon. 

 

 

[Morgan]

Questions about Reinstating Sertraline

 

Hello,

 

I have been off of 25mg of Sertraline for about 3 months. My withdrawal symptoms have become unbearable: insomnia, constant panic attacks, anxiety, nausea, etc…

 

Two days ago, I started back on 25 mg. Is this too much in reinstating Sertraline? I figured I would reinstate it, stabilize and then try tapering again. However, I’m now reading one should not reinstate at the last dose? Is this correct? Does it matter that I’ve now taken that dose for two days after three months of none?

 

TIA,

Morgan

 

Edited August 2, 2022 by ChessieCat
added Intro topic title before merging with intro topic

[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 glad you found us.  I can completely understand why you feel skeptical of health care professionals.  Many of us here feel the same way, and feel betrayed by them.  Let me give you some basic info, and then try to answer your questions at the end.   When you dropped your dose of sertraline from 50 mg to 25 mg, did your depersonalization and brain fog improve or go away?  I'm trying to determine if these symptoms were from an adverse reaction to the sertraline, or withdrawal symptoms from your previous drugs (Prozac or Lexapro). 

 

Can you please briefly summarize your drug history, giving 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.  I need to know what dates you went to the Lexapro, and then switched to the Zoloft.  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

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

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

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

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

 

On 8/2/2022 at 1:11 PM, Morgan said:

Two days ago, I started back on 25 mg. Is this too much in reinstating Sertraline? I figured I would reinstate it, stabilize and then try tapering again. However, I’m now reading one should not reinstate at the last dose? Is this correct? Does it matter that I’ve now taken that dose for two days after three months of none?

If you have only been on the 25 mg sertraline reinstatement since July 31, 2022, then I think you could try reducing your reinstatement dose.  Don't wait, because the longer you are on the 25 mg, the harder it will be for your brain to adjust to yet another dose or drug change.  We at SA take a harm reduction approach, and usually suggest a very low reinstatement dose.  I need more information from you about dates, so I can give you a suggested reinstatement dose to take. I don't know what dates you were on the Zoloft, and for how long you were on it,.  What dates were you on the 50 mg, and what dates were you on the 25 mg?  Also it would help to have dates of when you went on, and then off, the Lexapro. 

 

As soon as we hear back from you, we can advise you on what do do with your reinstatement.  

Edited August 4, 2022 by getofflex

[Morgan]

Hi and thank you for the reply,

 

Fluoxetine: July 2013, 10mg, September 2020, 0

 

Lexapro: September/October 2020, 10mg, June 2021, 5mg, July 2021, 0

 

Sertraline: June 2021, 25mg, July 2021, 50mg, February 2022, 25mg, April/May 12.5mg, May, 0, July 31, 25mg

[manymoretodays]

Hi Morgan,

19 hours ago, getofflex said:

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

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

You'll see a link to Account Settings, in the above link, which will take you to your Signature.  See if you can access that and let us know if you have problems.  Once you've typed in your information to the signature, and SAVED, shortly after it should show up below your posts.

 

On 8/1/2022 at 8:58 PM, Morgan said:

Yesterday, I started back on 25 mg of Zoloft. Today, I was prescribed 7.5 of Mirtazapine for sleep until the Zoloft takes effect.

 

Have you started the Mirtazapine?  This would also be needed in your signature, date, name of drug and dose.

 

Let us know if you are having problems, accessing your signature please.  Thanks.

 

Welcome aboard, Love, peace, healing, and growth,  manymoretodays(mmt)

[getofflex]

For the past six months of your drug history,Can you please give me some idea of the days, not just the months and years that you went on and off these drugs as I requested in my initial post?  We really do need to see some detailed information about your drug history to help you safely.  Please put these in your signature box as requested using the link that manymorerodays posted.  

 

Here is an example: Lexapro: 2022: Mar 15 - 5 mg, Apr 20 - 4.5 mg, May 31 - 4.1 mg

 

 

Edited August 5, 2022 by getofflex

[Morgan]

Hi there and thank you. Here is a more detailed med history: 

 

Sertraline: 2022: June 17, 50mg, February 14, 25mg, April 6, 12.5mg, April, 16, 0, July 31-August 5, 25mg, August 6, 0

Buspar: 2022: February 22, 5mg, April 6, 0, August 6-present

Mitrazapine: 2022: August 1, 7.5, August 2, 7.5

Trazodone: 2022, August 3, 50mg, 

Seroquel: 2022, August 4, 50mg, August 6, 50mg, August 7, O

Klonopin: 2022: August 5-6, 1mg, August 7, 1.5mg

 

 

[getofflex]

This is excellent - thank you.  

 

Please be really careful with klonopin - as a benzodiazepine, it is highly addictive.  People get addicted with only taking it for 2 weeks, and can even become dependent taking it 3 times per week. 

 

You took Seroquel for only 2 days - what made you decide to stop that?  Did you have a bad reaction to it? 

 

I'm assuming you were on Lexapro only a few days or a week or 2?  Or were you on it longer?  If you were on it for 4 weeks or longer, your brain would have become dependent on it, and it could cause long term issues.  That's why we ask for specific dates.  

9 hours ago, Morgan said:

Mitrazapine: 2022: August 1, 7.5, August 2, 7.5

 

So you only took mirtazapine the 2 days?  Have you stopped taking it? 

 

Now you are off the Buspar? 

 

Did you stop taking the reinstatement of sertraline? 

 

What drugs are you currently taking?  

 

It sounds to me as if your nervous system is significantly destabilized from so many psych drug changes in a short period of time.  I strongly suggest your try to stick to a regular drug schedule, and give your nervous system a chance to stabilize for a long time before making any more drug changes.  

 

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by getofflex

[Morgan]

Yes, I only took the Mirtazapine for two nights. I have stopped taking it. 
 

I stopped taking the Sertraline reinstatement because it seemed to make everything worse. 
 

The Seroquel and klonipin were given to me at a hospital I went to this week for having not slept for a week (dealing with akathisia). I stopped taking the Seroquel out of anxiety (since it’s an antipsychotic better know for akathisia— I was given it for sleep, but still have a PRN for it). The klonipin seems to have helped me sleep. It basically became a life and death situation at that point. 
 

I am now currently on Buspar and Klonipin. 

[getofflex]

I'm not saying this in any way to shame or judge you, just trying to be plain spoken, and tell it as I see it.  You have been on a massive psychiatric drug carousel over the past 11 months or so.  Any time we go on a psych drug, go off a psych drug, or change the dose of it, even for just a very short time, it tends to destabilize and confuse the brain more and more.  The brain is extremely complex, and intricately interwoven with every system of the body.  It is basically the command center for your body, and mind.  (your thoughts, emotions, etc). Your brain is screaming for stability. Please read these links, they are very important.

 

Stability

 

Considerations About Stability

 

Unless you are having a major adverse effect to the Buspar or Klonopin, I suggest you do not make any more changes to your drugs for a very, very long time.  And, please stay completely away from alcohol, other mind altering substances, caffeine, or supplements besides possibly omega 3 or magnesium.  In fact, if you wanted to, you could try magnesium now, to help you calm your system.  Just start with a small amount, and see how it affects you.  Don't add omega 3 just yet.  Here is our thread about magnesium: 

 

Magnesium

Here is a good magnesium powder that I use: 

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007Q7MUF8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

If it were me, unless it were a physical life threatening emergency, I would be very cautious about going to the hospital. Unfortunately, our health care system these days is all about drugs, and they are quite likely to just put you on more drugs, and this puts you at risk of exacerbating your situation.  Be aware that you have every right to make your own choices about what you put into your body, regardless of what a doctor prescribes.  Our health care system is woefully and shamefully ill informed and in denial about the dangers of these drugs, and the suffering they cause for so many people.  

 

This link will help you to get through the tough times, I hope you read it.  

 

Steps for Managing WD Symptoms

 

Go check out this link with many non drug coping techniques: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Please keep in mind that this is only temporary.  I know it is extremely difficult, but what you really need at this time is time, and natural, non drug self care.  Please read some of the success stories for hope and encouragement.  

 

Success Stories

[getofflex]

1 hour ago, Morgan said:

I am now currently on Buspar and Klonipin

What is the dose of each?  

[Sophdamom]

Hi Morgan ! 
 

i just want to chime in here . 
i know that when you are asked to supply all this info it can be overwhelming , but @getofflexhas helped me more than any doctor or fb group could have . It’s worth it 💕💕 

 

 

[Morgan]

Klonipin 1mg/day, but really as needed. I know it is terrible but it has been the only way I can sleep and stay sane so far. 
 

Buspar 5mg. I have been taking this since Saturday (although I have taken this briefly in the past indicated in my med signature). 
 

It sounds as though I should keep on these (klonipin and Buspar) for a while to stabilize. I did get b6, but I should maybe stay away from it… ? I also have magnesium that I will start. 
 

I appreciate you all so very much. It is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel right now. 

[getofflex]

55 minutes ago, Morgan said:

I did get b6, but I should maybe stay away from it… ?

Personally, I would stay away from it.  The B vitamins can be activating to the nervous system, which we don't want in withdrawal.  In a healthy nervous system they give a person energy, but with our destabilized systems, this can equate to insomnia, anxiety, etc.  

 

B Vitamins

[Morgan]

Are probiotic yogurts okay?

[Morgan]

Oh, and melatonin? I’ve taken melatonin for a very long time, but stopped once this all started happening since it didn’t work for sleep anymore. I did take some last night, though. 

[getofflex]

2 hours ago, Morgan said:

Are probiotic yogurts okay?

Yes, that's fine. 

 

Did the melatonin help last night?  How much did you take?  See this link, a common problem is people taking too much of it: 

 

Melatonin for Sleep

[Altostrata]

Hello, @Morgan

On 8/1/2022 at 7:58 PM, Morgan said:

I complained about a spike in anxiety so he then switched me to 50 mg of generic Zoloft. 
 

Shortly thereafter, I experienced major depersonalization and brain fog. I eventually went down to 25 mg of Zoloft and, somewhere in the midst of this, I experienced some other obscure health symptoms (pressure in head, tinnitus, dizziness, fatigue, neck and head pain, etc).

 

It sound like your switch from Prozac to Lexapro was unsuccessful, and those obscure health symptoms were either withdrawal symptoms from Prozac or adverse effects of Zoloft. Did you ever feel better on Zoloft?

 

If not, if I were you, I'd get the liquid form of fluoxetine (Prozac) and take 1mg to see the effect. 

 

What effect do you feel from the Buspar? I would not continue to take mirtazapine, trazodone, Seroquel, or Klonopin.

 

I would not take any further advice about psychiatric drugs from your GP, he doesn't know what he's doing, and you would be assisting in his education by telling him so.

 

 

 

[NardilTime]

You absolutely can suffer withdrawal months after stopping the medication. I stopped venlafaxine over the course of 6 weeks and felt fine for 2 months. Then suddenly out of nowhere everything exploded. Full blown akathisia. These people know nothing about these medications. You’re right not to follow their advice next time you taper. Pulling for you. 

[Morgan]

I’m pretty sure the obscure health symptoms happened when I tapered from 50mg to 25mg on Zoloft. However, neither Lexapro or Zoloft ever felt quite right. 

[Morgan]

Where does one get liquid Prozac?

[Morgan]

@NardilTime how long did akathisia last? Was it accompanied by ruthless insomnia?

[Altostrata]

 

On 8/1/2022 at 7:58 PM, Morgan said:

He switched me to a dosage equivalent of generic Lexapro for a short time. I complained about a spike in anxiety so he then switched me to 50 mg of generic Zoloft. 

 

You had problems with the switch to Lexapro. It might have taken over a month for Prozac withdrawal to occur.

 

12 minutes ago, Morgan said:

Where does one get liquid Prozac?

 

Your doctor can prescribe it, or you can make it yourself. Tips for tapering off fluoxetine (Prozac)

 

[NardilTime]

1 hour ago, Morgan said:

@NardilTime how long did akathisia last? Was it accompanied by ruthless insomnia?

I reinstated a few weeks after the akathisia started but it still last for 8 months and I ended up hospitalized. I certainly would not have been hospitalized if I had a competent doctor telling me what was happening to me and giving me proper instruction on how to get off my medications. I thought I was crazy which made it a million times worse. After reinstatement I eventually stabilized and I stayed on the drugs for 2 more years. I then slowly tapered off using the advice I got on this website. It took me 8 months to get off and I am a year clean from psych drugs. I am still in withdrawal but it is much MUCH better. The akathisia never came back, but I had a whole host of other symptoms. I’d say I’m about 70% healed at this point but I still have waves. The methods that have been developed by @Altostrata and others on this website absolutely work. I listened to my doctors for ten years and I suffered horribly. Hospitalized twice and they almost killed me. 18 months following the advice of survivingantidepressants.org and I’m almost healed. 

[Morgan]

@Altostratado you think 2 years later these could still be Prozac withdrawals or related to the more recent discontinuation of Zoloft?

[getofflex]

Yes, it could still be Prozac withdrawals. There is such a thing as protracted withdrawal, which can take years to resolve.  When Lexapro, Zoloft, and the other drugs were added to the mix, this could further confuse destabilize the nervous system.  See this link: 

 

Protracted Withdrawal or PAWS

 

This thread explains why it takes so long for the nervous system to recover from psych drugs.  Please give it a read.

 

What is Happening in Your Brain? (Explains why recovery takes so long)

 

 

[Altostrata]

20 hours ago, Morgan said:

@Altostratado you think 2 years later these could still be Prozac withdrawals or related to the more recent discontinuation of Zoloft?

 

Did you feel well while you were taking Zoloft?

[Morgan]

No, hell broke loose it seemed when I tapered down on Zoloft. 

[Altostrata]

Did you feel well while you were taking Zoloft, before you reduced the dosage?

 

Please fix your signature, I can't follow the dates you've put for sertraline events. Did you start it in 2021?

[Morgan]

If I were try to reinstate Zoloft to see, and I was originally on a 50mg dose, what would be a safe reinstatement?

[Altostrata]

15 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Did you feel well while you were taking Zoloft, before you reduced the dosage?

 

Please fix your signature, I can't follow the dates you've put for sertraline events. Did you start it in 2021?

 

[Morgan]

@Altostrata sorry about that. 
 

I’m currently in a whirlwind of terror and desperation on the psych med carousel. Signature is updated. Would something like 2.5mg be a reasonable reinstatement for Sertraline? 
 

I seemed to have had an adverse reaction to the 25mg reinstatement. 

[Morgan]

Reinstating with other SSRI

 

I’m just curious: has anyone tried reinstating with another SSRI?

 

Edited August 14, 2022 by ChessieCat
added Intro topic title before merging with intro topic

[Altostrata]

Quote

Sertraline: 2021: June 17, 50mg, February 14, 25mg, April 6, 12.5mg, April, 16, 0, July 31-August 5, 25mg, August 6, 0

 

Did all these events occur in 2021? Is June 17 supposed to be January 17?

 

6 hours ago, Morgan said:

....

I seemed to have had an adverse reaction to the 25mg reinstatement. 

 

You're taking 25mg sertraline? What is the adverse reaction?

 

On 8/8/2022 at 5:06 PM, Altostrata said:

If not, if I were you, I'd get the liquid form of fluoxetine (Prozac) and take 1mg to see the effect. 

 

[West]

Hi Morgan, I’m sorry you’re feeling so terribly. I’m popping in because I did successfully reinstate with a different SSRI—I experienced withdrawal from Prozac, and then 5 months later I reinstated 12.5mg of Zoloft. This turned out well for me (I am currently nearly back to my old self) but I don’t know if I could advise someone else to try it because our experiences sound different and I believe that I may have just gotten lucky.

 

When reinstating, I took the lowest dosage of Zoloft that I knew of (psychiatrists start dosages at 12.5mg and I hadn’t come across this site yet, so I didn’t know you could go even lower using a liquid solution). Nevertheless, getting back on was tough—I was vomiting regularly and lost my appetite for a long time. After about 3 months, I started recovering and am currently holding at that dosage to give myself time to get my strength back completely.

 

But like I said… I don’t know if this would be the right route for you because I have also heard of others who tried reinstating and got sicker. The mods likely understand this topic better than me, since they’ve seen so many cases. But if you have any questions about my experience, feel free to ask. I hope your suffering eases a bit soon.

[Morgan]

Topic title:  How to become a member

 

How do I become a member? 

 

I wanted to ask: what is the difference between reinstatement and therapeutic dose? Are they the same?

 

Edited August 16, 2022 by ChessieCat
added intro topic title before merging with intro topic