anna7887: Please help me with taper plans

[Altostrata]

From your signature "Upped Zoloft to 75mg and trazadone to 50mg for 1.5 weeks ...felt suicidal & reduced dose. Switched to brand of Zoloft for 2 weeks and I felt ramped up..."

 

I guess it's possible you became sensitized to trazodone's metabolite MCPP when you increased both trazodone and Zoloft. This would affect you the next morning after you take trazodone. You might feel "ramped up" from it.

 

One way to find out if MCPP is your problem is by reducing trazodone slightly.

[anna7887]

I'm losing hope fast. I continue to feel like I'm in severe benzo w/d everyday ( but I never went this long without windows in benzo w/d). I continue to feel like I've developed side effects to the trazadone and need to get off but I don't know if that's rational.

 

I'm also beginning to become paranoid the stopping and starting the traz a few days at the end of June did not really do anything ( maybe my hormones changed/ stress caught up with me and I became tolerant to the drugs). It just doesn't make sense after all this time I still can't stabilize. I feel like I'm living in a dream world..I am so scared and frightened by this. I tried to take slightly less traz to see if it could perhaps be interacting with my Zoloft but that didn't make a difference.

 

Now I'm back to thinking maybe I need to take more trazadone to try to stabilize...I just want to get off all drugs and back to the life I had before I was ever rx'ed anything but I think tapering while I already feel like I've c/t off something isn't smart. I honestly don't know what to do...

[Jemima]

Give it some more time.  You've only been on a reduced dose for two days at most, if I'm reading things right. It takes at least four full days for a dosage change to have any effect.

[anna7887]

Yes, but considering I've taken the current dose of Zoloft and traz for 3 years without issues I cant see this being the problem. It was over 1 month ago when I tried to increase my Zoloft...

[anna7887]

Do you think its possible to have feeling of w/d due to taking the klonopin every 2 weeks for 6 weeks. I haven't taken one in over 3 weeks but this is exactly how I used to feel during benzo w/d....

[Nikki]

Hi Anna

 

Anna there is someone else on the site who is having difficulty with trazadone.  Up and down and not feeling better like you.

I don't remember who it is, but you can type trazadone in the search box and see what comes up.

 

I don't know about tapering zoloft or trazadone, however my daughter did take trazadone about 4 years ago and she wanted to get off of it.  She tapered it over a few weeks, had some WD and then was okay.  She was not altering her dose of Imipramine at the time - just the trazadone.

 

Could be the issue for you or the only one I can think of.  You got off K and have changed your zoloft doses. 

 

Hope you find a suitable dose to stabilize on...

[anna7887]

Thanks Nikki...I'm finding myself obsessing over this. I don't understand how this can be withdrawal if I've been stabilizing on 25mg of traz since June...I'm beginning to think my Zoloft may have "pooped out." I don't believe there is a magic pill to cure withdrawal...but at the same time if I'm not tapering , and don't believe I'm in withdrawal, maybe I should try another ssri. I feel hopeless, scared, confused.

[Petunia]

 I don't understand how this can be withdrawal if I've been stabilizing on 25mg of traz since June.......

 

 

 

..............maybe I should try another ssri. I feel hopeless, scared, confused.

 

Hi Anna,

 

I've felt hopeless, scared and confused lots of times through my withdrawal process, I know how bad it can get.  The worst part about it is when we get so scared and confused, we are not able to think straight, our memory doesn't work properly and we start to panic.

 

Take some time and read back through your thread at what you have written and you will see that while you may have been 'trying' to stabilize since June, that's not what has been happening.  You have actually been making irregular changes in all 3 of the medications you take. 

 

All of these medications  effect our brain and nervous system and each change in any of them adds to the the destabilization stress load.  I know this from my own experience, but also from reading about the experiences of other people here.

 

Once your nervous system becomes destabilized, it can take a long time for it to settle down again, even if you really are taking exactly the same amount of each medication every day.  Everyone is different, but several months isn't unusual.  In some situations it can take even longer.

 

Try and accept that you are not going to feel well for a while.  Do what you can to take care of yourself during that time.

 

Petu.

[anna7887]

Thanks Petu. I hope you're right. Is it normal to feel worse weeks into the stabilization process? I guess my fear is my body is reacting poorly to my current meds and instead of reaching stability things will get worse. Is this logical? Considering I was on these meds for 3 years odds are I didn't randomly develop side effects...but it's not unheard of ...especially with the trazadone....how can I be sure taking the medication isn't what is hurting me?

[Petunia]

....how can I be sure taking the medication isn't what is hurting me?

 

With these medications, no one can be sure of anything, you just have to make the best decision you can with the advise and information you have.

 

Feeling worse after a period of feeling better is quite common, you might find our 'windows and waves' topic helpful to explain more about this:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/82-the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-recovery/

[anna7887]

So I've reduced my dose over the past few days from 25mg to about 18 & I'm actually feeling better... Wondering if I should keep on going. My gut is telling me I developed a bad reaction a few months back when I stopped and started and increased my dose...

[anna7887]

Sorry, I would like to elaborate a bit more....I reduced my 25mg dose to less than 20mg on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. I was feeling slightly better both days...Thursday probably feeling my best. I met with my doc on Thursday and she agreed I needed to get off the trazadone safely and I should hold at 20mg for 1-2 weeks. So , last night I was meticulous about taking exactly 20mg (titrated in water) ..probably a bit more than what I took in the previous 2 days.

 

Well, today I was feeling great up until about 3pm and then BAM, sudden weakness, ear pressure, feeling if impending doom, nausea..the works..I've been immobile and on bed rest since 3pm.

 

So while it is my initial reaction (due to my benzo experience) to believe these "cuts" these last few days are catching up with me...my gut is telling I am actually reacting poorly to the trazadone and would do better on a lower dose.

 

I know withdrawal from my klonopin experience...while this mimics it somewhat this is FAR more physical..I am so weak/ tired I can't get out of bed.

 

Anyhow...I would appreciate some advice. What I would like to do is take about 12mg tonight and see how I feel tomorrow ...if I feel a lot better maybe I'll have my answer...thoughts?

[anna7887]

Update...feeling a lot better today...no ear pressure whatsoever ...just feel caffeinated !

[Altostrata]

anna, it's up to you.

[anna7887]

I understand I was looking more for someone's opinion or recommendation. I am very confused how to proceed.

[Altostrata]

What I would like to do is take about 12mg tonight and see how I feel tomorrow ...if I feel a lot better maybe I'll have my answer...thoughts?

 

None of us can tell the future. If you want to reduce again, it's your decision.

 

You also have the option to reduce by a smaller amount.

[anna7887]

Yes but is it too aggressive in your opinion?

[Altostrata]

I wouldn't make such a big change, but I've said that before and you disregarded it. All I can do is give you my opinion. The decision is up to you.

[anna7887]

You suggested reducing trazadone slightly ... Not sure what you mean by disregard it ..,

[Jemima]

You suggested reducing trazadone slightly ... Not sure what you mean by disregard it ..,

 

Alto and I have both offered the best advice that we have.  However, you continue to question it, come up with different ideas, and argue about what to do next.  If you still don't understand, you might read back through this thread from beginning to end to see what we mean.

 

I've given you the best ideas that I have and I believe Alto has done the same. I can't speak for her, but I'm out of suggestions and I have no idea what the changes you're considering will do for or to you.

[anna7887]

I'm not arguing anything ... You suggested I reduce slightly and hold ... Which I've done. What I'm questioning is the major difference in physical symptoms getting better taking less... And wanted more advice since I've done so

[Altostrata]

Sorry, I would like to elaborate a bit more....I reduced my 25mg dose to less than 20mg on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. I was feeling slightly better both days...Thursday probably feeling my best. I met with my doc on Thursday and she agreed I needed to get off the trazadone safely and I should hold at 20mg for 1-2 weeks. So , last night I was meticulous about taking exactly 20mg (titrated in water) ..probably a bit more than what I took in the previous 2 days.

 

....

 

Anyhow...I would appreciate some advice. What I would like to do is take about 12mg tonight and see how I feel tomorrow ...if I feel a lot better maybe I'll have my answer...thoughts?

We've said repeatedly to reduce slightly. You reduced from 25mg to 20mg, a 20% reduction.

 

Now you're going to hold for a couple of weeks and reduce from 20mg to 12mg, an additional 40% reduction.

 

You'll have gone from 25mg to 12mg in two weeks -- overall, a 52% reduction.

 

That is not what we would call a slight reduction. We recommend tapering more cautiously to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

 

However, it's up to you to negotiate this with your nervous system, not with us. Your plan may be fine for you or it may not, we cannot predict how it will go.

[anna7887]

Thank you...and I apologize if it seems as if I'm arguing..really don't mean anything by it and I really appreciate your opinions. I'm just struggling to find answers and as someone who has been through a benzo micro-taper I am very cautious with my speed. I guess this just feels much different is all. Thanks

[anna7887]

Hello all. Thought I'd provide an update:

 

It's now been about 5 weeks since I've stopped taking trazodone. I tapered off 25mg in about 4 weeks. I do not recommend this whatsoever but I feel like I didn't have a choice. Immediately stopping the pill my ear pressure stopped, dizziness, terror in bones feeling, anxiety, etc .lots of weird symptoms I was experiencing vanished. However, I still have a long way to go and I constantly question if I am still feeling withdrawal or if it is some other medical condition. My taper from klonopin a few years back was a cake walk compared to this; it felt controlled, predictable ; I had it down to a science! This is so different as there is no end in site for me...I am just trying to learn and accept my "condition." Again, I still question daily if this is in fact withdrawal or maybe I am experiencing severe organic depression and need to be further medicated. 

 

I am still taking 50mg of Zoloft daily. 

 

My main symptoms are lack of energy, SEVERE fatigue, and depression. Trying to just accept the pain and work through it.

 

Love & healing to all.  

[Meimeiquest]

Hi Anna, I am glad you are doing as well as you are. Negotiating between withdrawal and side effects is not fun, and it is hard to decide what to do. I am having a lot of fatigue now that I am off my AD as well. It is basically the story of my life...the symptom I have from anything. BUT I read a book that is helping me with depression...it's a book to train therapists in helping patients manage depression or bipolar by keeping a very strict schedule, particularly in what time they get up in the morning. I started doing it right after Thanksgiving (not that long), and my mood has been much more stable. I don't know if it will hold, but hey, it's free

[flower]

Anna how are you..I know first hand how wicked traz is to taper....it is the hardest drug ever for me...its hard to stabilize if you ever really do...I hope since you're not feeding the beast it gets easier....

[anna7887]

Hello all...checking in. I was doing really well but about 10 days ago got slammed with what initially felt like withdrawal, ear clogging, fatigue, anxiety, dizziness, etc. I felt this was in the past and it usually lets up in 5 days or so but each passing day its getting worse. I went to a walk in clinic today for blood work. 

 

I can barely get dressed in the morning I feel like a zombie and so nervous I have brain damage or some disease. Not much had changed in my lifestyle although I started training for a marathon and was running extensively ( 25 miles/ week)...not sure if this triggered something. 

 

I hope I start to feel better. I am currently not even tapering anything:( Thanks for listening. 

[Petunia]

Hi Anna,

I'm sorry to hear that you've been hit with a wave.  Overdoing exercise can bring one on, many people have found that symptoms get worse with physical stress.  Or it could just be a random wave, its hard to tell.  Could you cut down your training for a while and see if you start to feel better?

 

Petu.

[anna7887]

Gosh at 28-years-old I feel like I've endured so much physical and emotional pain I don't know where to begin! I used to frequent this forum and am forever grateful for the ongoing support. Using the 10% rule I was able to get off of klonopin and trazadone. My last and final taper will be getting off of the 50mg of zoloft I've been on for 6 years.

 

The last 6 years have been a blur of ups and downs: I have battled an almost zoloft induced mania whereby days I won't sleep, will need to calm myself down with alcohol, etc. For years I've been in denial that it's okay to feel the way I do...and that working hard and playing hard was an acceptable mentality to have in my twenties ( in nyc nonetheless). Deep down inside I new I couldn't possibly sustain the roller coaster ride but I pushed and pushed myself. Until this past summer I got very sick. After a very intense and stressful year of work ( 15-16 hour days)...things were finally calming down so in my manic state I decided to sign up for a marathon. I was midway in my training this past July and I woke up with the most debilitating muscle aches of my life. It was as if my body was shutting down. I started getting intense chronic fatigue, fevers, throat infections, etc. I literally felt like I was dying. Since then I have tried every holistic trick out there to try to heal ( getting my root canals extracted, taking colloidal silver, ozone, antibiotic therapy etc.) and although Im better than I was I don't feel nearly like my old self. I still suffer from daily aches in my muscles and fear I will never heal. Aside from Fibromaylagia I've never been given an official diagnosis. Many of the doctors I've met believe it is depression and want to change my medication. I don't want to fall victim to yet another drug. Unfortunately,  in these last few months I've started drinking alcohol again to try to cope with the depression of feeling so sick, not having a concrete path. Somehow I've managed to keep my high paying  job but every minute of every day is a struggle of keeping my eyes open and feeling well enough to sit at a desk or meeting. 

 

As the New Year approaches I've decided to fight harder than I've ever fought. I want to stop drinking alcohol, eat clean, and hopefully taper off zoloft. Ever since I started zoloft 6 years ago I feel like it's had this stimulating affect on me. To this day, I have such horrible sleeping issues due to zoloft but I've become accustomed to sleeping 4-5 hours during the week for years.

 

I am looking for support through this journey. I realize my story may be more complex as I am battling other health issues. If anyone can relate I would appreciate your feedback.

 

I am hoping to use a water suspension liquid method decreasing my 10%. I am hoping to start Feb 1st . I will spend 1 month prior to try to stabilize as much as possible through diet and exercise.  

 

Thank you. 

[KarenB]

Hello Anna,

 

Is nice to meet you now that you are 'out of the woodwork' so to speak.  It's good to hear about your successful tapers - they must be encouraging for you as you head towards your last taper. 

 

I was just reading up about Zoloft.  It's interesting you mention alcohol because although alcohol works as a depressive, when in combination with Zoloft it can actually ramp up your symptoms.  Zoloft all on it's own can cause mania, and SSRIs in general can worsen depression.  It may be that you are starting to experience adverse effects. 

 

Your plan to prepare to taper is a good idea.  Reducing your dosage will hopefully bring some relief from those side-effects.

 

You've probably seen this, but just for the record here's the link for tapering Zoloft.

 

Others might be able to comment on the other things going on for you.

 

Best wishes,

KarenB

[KarenB]

Hey again Anna,

 

Have merged your intro topics, as it is one intro per member. 

 

Cheers,

Karen

[anna7887]

I had previously used this forum to help with a trazadone taper a few years back. Before that I had successfully weaned myself off klonopin. Now after 7 years I am finally ready to start my Zoloft taper.

 

Zoloft has always had stimulating effect on me. Since the very beginning I felt restless on it and caffeinated but for the first year I was given klonopin to combat those side effects. Once I finished the nightmare taper off klonopin my doctor somehow talked me into trazadone to help with my insomnia. It didn't take long for the trazadone to stop working when I finally said enough. I was able to get off the trazadone and used melatonin and magnesium to help with my insomnia. However, over the years I really only average 5-6 hours of sleep per night which has been detrimental to my overall well being. I've also had bouts of alcohol abuse due to zolofts stimulating effect. In fact, before Zoloft I didn't even like to drink..

 

To make matters worse, a little over a year ago I started to develop auto-immune issues. I woke up with a throat infection one day that antibiotics couldn't cure, extreme muscle aches, relentless fatigue, a feeling of toxicity. I am finally feeling somewhat better and am being treated for lyme and heavy metal poisoning. I follow a strict diet, take antibiotics, load of herbals...it truly has been a nightmare. My doctors feel I won't be able to fully heal until I fix my sleep issues which means I have to get off Zoloft once and for all.

 

I plan to go at a snails pace given my other health issues. I am currently on 50mg. I was thinking of taking 25mg pill along with 25mg mixed in water. I would switch to this regimen and take the full 50mg (half in water) for 1-2 months before starting my taper. From there, I was start to slowly titrate the 25mg in water and go from there. Does that seem like a solid plan? I prefer this to pill cutting, weighing etc. Once I get to 25mg I would then reassess my methodology and maybe switch to the liquid rx form or work with a compounding pharmacy.

 

How does this sound? Thank you for your support!

Edited December 19, 2016 by scallywag
moved from 2nd intro topic

[scallywag]

anna -- Welcome back to Surviving Antidepressants (SA).

 

I've moved your post/question about Zoloft to your previous introduction topic so that all your information, questions and answers are in one place.

 

Would you update your signature to show

- your klonopin and trazodone tapers as complete and

- your current Zoloft dose?

 

Keeping the dose constant while you switch to a liquid is a very good idea. You've suggested starting at 50% liquid; if you find that you start to get w/d symptoms, you can scale back to the liquid proportion of your dose 25%.

 

You can, as you've suggested, increase the liquid proportion over several or many weeks until you are taking all 50 mg as liquid.  After stabilizing on that, you can titrate dose by 10% using liquid. 

 

something to consider for later: You could do a liquid titration all the way down to 0 instead of switching to a compounded dose.

 

For reference:

Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline).