SwassyK Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 Hi. I recently went off 50mg of zoloft cold turkey. Yes, I now know that my doctors were wrong. Here's my intro: I have been on anti-depressants since I was in college. About 15 years. I've had various doctors and have been on various drugs from paxil to celexa to zoloft. About two months ago I took myself off of zoloft. I was on 50 mg and I went off cold-turkey. Various doctors had told me that I could stop whenever and didn't have to taper. I now know that were wrong. I've been off for 2 months have been going through various withdrawals... nausea, dizziness, crying spells, suicidal thoughts, high anxiety, and oncoming panic attacks. I've recently read articles about long-term withdrawal symptoms from pysch drugs. I forgot what it's called. I'm hoping to beat this, but it's very, very hard. My trigger is time. There is no time. From trying to get my kids out the door in time, to so much to do before school starts, to Christmas is approaching and I'm not ready! Sometimes it seems it would be easier to just go back on zoloft for the sake of my family. I'm seeing a naturopath now and I'm on a very strict no sugar diet. She suggested I try 5-htp to help with the anxiety and says the anxiety should clear up on this diet. I think she means well, but I fear there is more to it than a clean diet. Thank you. Link to comment
SwassyK Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 My question is this... I've been off zoloft cold turkey for about 2 months. Should I go back on it and taper slowly? Or is it too late? Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted August 13, 2013 Administrator Share Posted August 13, 2013 Welcome, SwassyK. How has the pattern of your symptoms changed over the two months? Be very careful with 5-HTP, it may exacerbate your symptoms. Try a very small amount first, a fraction of a capsule, to see how it affects you. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
SwassyK Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 They seem to be getting worse. At about 3-4 weeks after getting off of it I was dizzy, nauseous, and lightheaded. That subsided in a few days. Not sure if it was related. My anxiety has cranked up 100 fold in the past couple of weeks. It would spike, but would level back off, but now it's constant. I can try to control it with Dr. Mercola's Emotional Freedom Technique and essential oils (frankincense) which helps some. However, after reading all of this today, I've been in panic attack mode. My naturopath also has me on supplements for candida and parasites. The withdrawals and die off from that isn't helping things. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted August 13, 2013 Administrator Share Posted August 13, 2013 Did you have tests showing you have candida and parasites? If you don't have them, there is no reason to subject your system to the stress of treatment for them. You might want to try reinstating a very small amount of Zoloft, 5mg for example. See http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1441-tips-for-tapering-off-zoloft-sertraline/ for how to titrate small amounts. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
SwassyK Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 How long to should I be on the 5mg since I've been off of it for a bit? My naturopath did muscle testing. Thank you. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted August 13, 2013 Administrator Share Posted August 13, 2013 I would question muscle testing as diagnostic for candida or parasites, which can be seen under a microscope. You would stay on a very small amount of Zoloft until you stabilize, which means symptoms get better or fit a predictable pattern. This can take a few months. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
SwassyK Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 My doctor won't rx me liquid zoloft until I go in for an appointment. I can't get in until mid September. I have 100mg pills (was taking 50mg) so I guess I'll be making a suspension. Thanks for all of the info. Link to comment
SwassyK Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 I made up 100mg of zoloft (generic) in 100ml of water. That wasn't too difficult. Took 5 ml of it. Between my regular doctor and my naturopath, I don't think either of them have a clue as to what I need. Thank you SO much for your site. It feels good just to know I'm not alone. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus tezza Posted August 13, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 13, 2013 Welcome SwassyK! You've come to a very good place. There's a wealth of information here and people who care, too! You're definitely not alone... http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1644-tezza-risperdal-withdrawal/ Seroquel and Mirtazipine Link to comment
Administrator Karma Posted August 14, 2013 Administrator Share Posted August 14, 2013 Hi SwassyK Welcome to the forum. When you get a chance please add your brief withdrawal history in your signature like so: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/ As you continue to post questions and updates your signature will post and our moderators and members will be able to quickly recall what your history has been and provide you with better suggestions. I've had good success with nutritionists and alternative care providers, but that was before experiencing withdrawals from trying to come off of Effexor a little too fast. When we experience withdrawal symptoms, like you've experienced, we tend to become a bit hypersensitive. Best advice is to only change on thing at a time and see how it effects you. As Alto said, with supplements start with a small amount and monitor your reaction so you can tell whether it is helping or hurting. I recommend logging your symtpoms daily so you can see how you are doing: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1779-rate-symptoms-daily-to-catch-withdrawal-early/. Congratulations on making the liquid with your zoloft capsules. I think you'll find that small amount will begin to resolve some of the uncomfortable symptoms you have been experiencing. Karma 2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax 200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg; 1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers Link to comment
SwassyK Posted August 14, 2013 Author Share Posted August 14, 2013 Thank you so much. Should the liquid I made be kept in the fridge? Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Skyler Posted August 14, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 14, 2013 Thank you so much. Should the liquid I made be kept in the fridge? Hey there Sassy, welcome to the forum and congrats on making a liquid suspension. Yes, you need to keep the solution in the fridge as it will otherwise lose potency. As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule. Requip - 3/16 ZERO Total time on 25 years. Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10) Total time on 25 years. Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section. "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin Link to comment
SwassyK Posted August 14, 2013 Author Share Posted August 14, 2013 Thank you. I potentially have 19 more doses I can get out of this one pill mixture. Should I make fresh after a few days though? Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted August 14, 2013 Administrator Share Posted August 14, 2013 Yes, make fresh after a few days. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
SwassyK Posted August 14, 2013 Author Share Posted August 14, 2013 I'm feeling much better today. After two panic attacks yesterday. Might be the lavender/epsom salt bath late last night or the good nights sleep or just knowing that hopefully I'm on my way to getting better. Link to comment
SwassyK Posted August 15, 2013 Author Share Posted August 15, 2013 Question. I may be really bad at math, but this does not make sense to me: "As it is in a 20mg per mL concentration, this means using an oral syringe to measure out the proper amount. If you are taking 50mg and wish to reduce by 10%, you would take 2.5mL from the bottle, drop it in a small glass of water, etc., and drink it all." Wouldn't 2.5mL be the same as 50mg? How is that reducing it by 10%? Wouldn't you want only 45mg? So you would only want 2.25mL? My head hurts. So if I only wanted 5mg at 20mg/mL I would only use .25mL. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted August 16, 2013 Administrator Share Posted August 16, 2013 Good question! I've corrected http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1441-tips-for-tapering-off-zoloft-sertraline/ as follows As it is in a 20mg per mL concentration, this means using an oral syringe to measure out the proper amount. If you wish to take 50mg, you would take 2.5mL from the bottle, drop it in a small glass of water, etc., and drink it all. If you are taking 50mg and wish to reduce by 10% (5mg), you would take 2.25mL (45mg) from the bottle, drop it in a small glass of water, etc., and drink it all.Thank you. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
SwassyK Posted August 16, 2013 Author Share Posted August 16, 2013 Thought I was losing my mind for a minute. Link to comment
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