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Laineyk: back for another shot of antidepressant freedom


laineyk

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I just had my 1st true panic attack in years. Please someone tell me should I take 50mgs tonight and get the oral suspension and then start the 10% wean after I get the oral suspension prescribed for me.?  Tonight would be day 6 of being on 25mgs and I can't do this obviously.

 

Should have listened to you all and never listened to the stinking Dr.

 

but now I don't know whether to stay here at 25 or updose because this is BAD

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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I am the biggest pain on this site but I just had a panic attack which I have not had in years so I really need an answer quick.

 

I am SOOOOOOO going to listen to the advice that has been given to me here (especially Alto)

 

but heres the dilemma, I went from 50mgs to 25mg (DR.s orders)  5 days ago. I know that I HAVE to go in 10% increments because this is not working

 

So I take my next dose of Zoloft at 8:00pm  should I just take the 50mgs and tomorrow have dr write me script for oral suspension and then start weaning.?  Or do I just stick it out on the 25mgs

 

yesterday and today HAVE BEEN HELL

 

WAITING TO GET ANSWER

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Click this link and scroll down a bit, on the left hand side there is a red 

button, it's the panic button. Click it and follow what it says.  You are 

naturally very anxious about this, it's scary stuff. Try it. 

 

http://llttf.com/

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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  • Administrator

No, I don't want you to do whatever I tell you to do.

 

If you're going to ask for it, I want you to consider the advice you get here and figure out what's best for you.

 

If I were you, I'd take 50mg in tablets now. There is no reason to wait for a liquid. You'll be on the 50mg for a month or so anyway.

 

And please do NOT start topics titled in all capital letters. That's considered shouting on the Web.

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.

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ok so finally got my head out of my you know what, and am listening to what you all know is true. Took 50mgs last night and will continue to do so until I see Dr. in January. will get script for liquid Zoloft and then will begin the slow process.

 

My body/mind is so sensitive after what I have done to it, my own fault I am in this predicament, so with God as my guide and all of you as my sounding board I will continue on this path of "Surviving antidepressants"

 

thank you MammaP for your kind words and thanks to all of you for being patient with me

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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  • Administrator

Please do not count on tapering in January. When you taper again depends on how you feel, if you stabilize on 50mg Zoloft.

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.

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If by "stabilize" you mean without adverse symptoms, then I will have to say I am not stable on any dose I have tried in the last year, thus the need for benzo's

 

I will say that by cutting it to 25mgs was way to  much for me now that my CNS is so screwy.

 

and the literature says it take approx. 4-5 days for the medicine to leave your body and sure enough my symptoms were right on time with that one.

 

I guess "stabilize" for me will be not feeling like I do as of the last three days. way worse then before dropping to 25mgs.

 

I have all the time in the world, been playing this game for so long it should be second nature to me....NOT...ugh

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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You are not the biggest pain on this site....I am :D Being patient and understanding is what makes all of us so fond of one another.

We aren't patient with ourselves so we need one another to do it.  More often than not, it is trial and error with these meds.

So now you will try a different approach.......

 

Hugs

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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L, that was an extremely sweet apology. I hope you will post regularly...I think it might make it easier to stay on track and we would enjoy getting to know you in a deeper way.

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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thank you all, I need help and do not want to make anyone annoyed (which I already have done)any longer.

 

so woke with a lot of anxiety and didn't sleep hardly at all. took Xanax at 6:30 am and will try my best to get through on just that but if like yesterday I need to I will take .25mg in afternoon.

 

My IBS has flared so bad going back up on the Zoloft. I have had the runs all day and already all morning today. But I just keep pounding down the water and popping pepto bismol

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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  • Administrator

Please don't expect to get back to normal quickly. It might take quite a while.

 

You may wish to try to deal with the gut issues with probiotics, too.

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.

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have been using probiotics for awhile now.

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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haven't a clue why I thought this would be a good time of year to try messing with my meds more. But that's all water under the bridge

 

got a question. I have been on the Xanax for 8 days and I feel that it clearly is no better then the clonazepam, other then I am not a complete zombie, just a twitching, heart racing, trembling blob.

 

I switched from .5mg kloni BID to Xanax over night

 

should I beable to switch back to kloni without ill effects? Called pdoc and left 2 messages. No reply have an appt. on the 9th with her.

 

wondering if switching right from one to the other was messing my brain more. Dr. assured me it was fine, that they equal in potency so you cn go right from one to the other, but have read others here that say that may not be entirely true.

 

May I just say ...I HATE WINTER!!!! I need to move where its warm and sunny all year round. NY is miserable this time of year

 

also can we forgo with "Daylight Savings Time"

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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Well, my vote is to just have DST all year. I have two favorite holidays: winter solstice and Dec. 26. Take heart...the sun is headed back.

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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  • Moderator Emeritus

oh lainely, I've just read your whole thread and it was painful as you can imagine ;)

 

But we all need some time to understand that with psycotropic medication doctor's words don't mean anything. Not true:they are actually very dangerous because their extreme ignorance comes with authority.

 

And it's hard to shake the habit of trusting a doctor...no matter how many times our painful experience proved them wrong.

 

Reading your thread, I started, among other things, wondering if you read threads of other people. Although they are not dealing with the same evil I am, experiences of other people are extremely useful so you don't have to use your skin for learning.

 

I think I saw you wrote on the thread of a 'novice' imploring him to listen to Alto to avoid making the same mistakes you did;) That was so nice.

 

I've been on this site for 3 months only and waiting for 3 months to stabilise. I'm using this time to educate myself from the wealth of resources gathered here.

 

Among many things I've learnt is that I shouldn't say I will start tapering again in 2 weeks, 2 months or in February:my body will tell me. And the way it will tell me will be that I will stop obsessing about my symptoms,supplements and medication and be focused more on other aspects of my life. then I'll know I'm ready.

 

I think I have a lot of reasons to rush my taper:I will soon turn 37 and being on drugs since I was 24 I was never able to have a child. now I feel like I'm running out of biological time and yearning to have a baby and be a mother. But I've learnt here that I will get there sooner the more I slow down.

 

I hope you understand what I mean ;)

 

The other thing that drew my attention in your case is your issue with benzos. Most of us have it, me included. While it seems you have decided to hold a certain dose of Zoloft to allow your nervous system to stabilise (regardless of the symptoms!), it seems to me that with benzos you are stilll out of control... As if you focus all your attention on Zoloft and blame it for all the symptoms (together with GI issues) and leave benzos out of the picture.

 

I created a thread on the benzo sub-forum on this forum and I'm focusing on my Xanax with equal energy as on the AD. Actually most of the time Xanax gives me much more problems than the AD.

 

So my warm advice for you would be to look into your pattern with benzos and focus on that more. I would also warmly recommend the benzo sub-section. Rhi and Skyler, among others, are amazing and they helped me tremendously.

 

I'm happy you are back on the track and sure you'll get there;) Paradoxically, the less we try, the faster it happens. Winter is the hardest for all of us. but as Meimei reminded us, the sun has just started travelling in our direction again, the worst is over ;)

 

Best,

bubble

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

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Bubble, that was a gracious note. and I loved when you said how you would know it was time to taper, the not obsessing part is what has me.

 

I saw the pdoc today and she was in agreement to try not changing anything for awhile, except the clonazepam I went back to today...my husband said "DO NOT PUT A XANAX IN YOUR MOUTH" so as a good and submissive wife I did not put another Xanax into my mouth.

 

actually gave them to the pdoc to dispose of.

 

when I wrote down again how many times I have fluctuated with Zoloft it is the craziest thing you could read. I haven't added to my signature all the changes I have done just since Sept. 2013.

 

So this is where I am at 50mgs for another 4-8 weeks if still not feeling more stable will go back to 100mgs That's the dose I was on for the longest and actually started having much more lucid moments. So of course as soon as that happened .."well got to change the dose time"

 

although I am MUCH older then you we have both been on meds approx. the same length of time.

 

I wish you well but I want to let you know that changing two meds at the same time is frowned upon. personally (and of course no one should take my advice) would to get off the Lexapro 1st and then you will know what is causing what symptoms.

 

right now my mind is like a bomb shelter....

 

But I have strong faith in God to hold my hand and help me along.

 

Praise God we are headed in the right direction for summer now :D

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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  • 4 weeks later...

hi , haven't been on for awhile. decided to just stay with the Zoloft till summer.

 

found out I have severe adrenal fatigue. so am treating that with diet, supplements and trying to de-stress...lololo what a joke that is.

 

anyway I did drop my clonazepam from 1mg to .75mgs ONLY because of the adrenal fatigue. will stay put until summer when I would like to continue weaning from it in increments of 1-10%.

 

the clonazepam was making me more tired yet still wired. so need to try other strategies for the anxiety.

 

I am on day 12 and was doing rather well until this morning, woke up with raging anxiety...but I breathed through it and waited till my appointed time (10:00am) to take my clonazepam.

 

after 12 days I thought I was homefree but NOT. oh well I am not going back to 1mg. I will suffer through and pray to stabilize soon.

 

Adrenal fatigue is serious and should not be ignored. It could lead to Addisons which is life threatening although very rare, if your adrenals are being taxed continuesly then theres no doubt you have some AF

 

easy tests you can perform on yourself to see...google blood pressure and pupil tests for AF...its kind of weird but scarey too

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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  • 1 year later...

Hi all, I used to be on this board ages ago and drove poor Altostrata bonkers...so sorry.

 

I tried getting off klonopin and was using Ashton method which c/o from .75mg kpin to 15mg diazepam.

 

well long story short...it practically killed me and I went to lorazepam (1.25mg a day) which helped a lot.

 

I had been on Zoloft (sertraline) since 2000 and had come off it three times to go right back on it.

 

By 2012 it just wasn't doing anything for me (anxiety wise) so I foolishly played with the dose a total of 29xs in 24 month period (thus driving the moderators crazy)

 

ok so I finally said enough with the Zoloft I have to get serious...so I tapered from 50mgs to zero in a little over a month...I KNOW...to fast....been there done that. I really felt no new sx from this until maybe now....been off 5 weeks.

 

I am getting dizzy/light headed, eyes are/have been sore and blurred  ugh I just figure sx have increased since being off of it.

 

could this be protracted w/d? I have absolutely NO intention of ever getting back on especially since I am still on lorazepam.

 

I guess if I know its the w/d I won't fret as much.

 

Psych NP & rheumatologist wanted me to try Gabapentin for my fibromyalgia and anxiety.

 

I started that 8 days ago and then decided to research it more...no way...that is as bad to get off as all the rest of these meds. so tonight no more of that (wasn't helping me at all anyway)

 

I will wait to read any replies I may get, thank you in advance

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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  • Administrator

lainey, here's your topic.

 

I hope this isn't going to be lather-rinse-repeat from your going off Zoloft too fast again.

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.

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Well, five weeks off, you don't have prolonged withdrawal....just plain old withdrawal.

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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  • Moderator Emeritus

hi lainey, 

welcome back!

 

As meimei says, you haven't been off long enough to have protracted withdrawal - but lets try to AVOID it becoming protracted.

 

what are your symptoms?  Were you ever stable over the last 18 months on Zoloft?  You know we are going to suggest you reinstate and then recommence a more controlled withdrawal.  It makes absolutely no sense to stay in withdrawal knowing that your nervous system is screaming at you.

 

I would think given your previous history It's highly unlikely that it is going to get better in the short term.  You have to look after your nervous system.

 

I would reinstate at least 12.5 mg, possibly even 25 - stabilise (or stay there for 6 weeks at least) and then do the 10%.

Started in 2000 - On 150mg most of the time, (but up to 225mg at highest dose for 6 months in the beginning)
Reduced off easily first time - but got depressed (not too much anxiety) 6 months later
Back on effexor for another 9 months.
Reduced off again with no immediate w/d - suddenly got depressed and anxious ++ again 3 or 4 months later.
Back on effexor - this time for 3 years
Reduced off over a month - 6 weeks later terrible anxiety - back on.
Rinse and repeat 4 more times - each time the period before the anxiety comes back got shorter and shorter
Jan - July 2012 75mg down to 37.5mg;, 8/3/12 - 35mg. 8/25/12 - 32mg. 9/11- 28mg, 10/2 - 25mg, 10/29 - 22mg, 11/19 - 19.8mg; 12/11 - 17m,
1/1- 15.5mg; 1/22 -14mg, 2/7 14.9mg, 2/18 - 17.8mg - crashed big time: back to 75mg where i sat for 2 years....

4th  March 2015 - 67.5mg;   31st March - 60mg;  24th April - 53mg; 13th May - 48mg; 26th May - 45mg;  9th June - 41mg; 1 July- 37.5mg; 20 July - 34mg; 11 August - 31mg; 1st Sept - 28mg;  1st Dec - 25.8mg;  28th Dec - 23.2mg; 23rd Jan-21.9mg; Feb 7th- 21mg; March 1st - 20.1mg, March 30th - 18mg

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Really?    Reinstate?   I was doing fine until I got completely off of it. My symptoms are the same as when I was on it actually.

I know he Zoloft was doing nothing for me

 

I have some more burning skin and feeling like I need my Ativan earlier then usual   but I was feeling like this at times while on the Zoloft.

 

 

I understand that I came off to fast. But Dr told me that Gabapentin would cover any problems I might have doing so....wrong!!!!

 

thanks for coming by and I will let you all know how I am doing......I don't even think the dr I see now would believe in slow tapering off the Zoloft.

 

Just want to be done with it and if that means more lorazepam for a while.....

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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oh forgot to answer whether I was ever "stable" the last 18months...no no no.......have had to be on benzo the entire time

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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  • Moderator Emeritus

LaineyK,

 

My guess - its withdrawal, probably exacerbated by starting a new psych med.  But, we cant offer you much support given anything we have to say will be based on a number of our key principles which you dont seem to share - 1) throwing psychotropic meds at a problem doesnt fix it, 2) always go slow and steady in dropping doses 3) listen to your nervous system 4) new psych meds wont stop withdrawal 5) very conservative reinstatement might help.

 

I don't mean to be disrespectful but you have to think through why you are here.

 

D

Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist.

Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014.

Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September.

Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015.

Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15).

Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past.

 

DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017

 

>My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan

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dalsaan, no disrespect. If you are referring to new psych meds being the Gabapentin. that was prescribed to me by rheumatologist for fibromyalgia.

Psych NP said it was helpful with anxiety too. SO I wasn't taking it to take the place of Zoloft....just thought that I would try a different med instead of Zoloft.

 

I have been on benzos for several years already

 

I have been off the Zoloft 5 weeks how would I do a "conservative reinstatement"

 

I apologize...I do not want to not sleep and burn all night...so I am scared of whats going to happen to me

 

I was doing well since I started the lorazepam in March......now I am crashing

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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  • Administrator

 

....

We're still recommending the 10% decrease per month. Zoloft still comes in a liquid.

....

 

I've read your entire topic over again. It seems you ask advice here when you're feeling poorly, but you don't follow it. Then you come back when you're feeling poorly, ask advice, and don't follow it.

 

Why ask advice? If you want to do it your own way, do it your own way. Taper any way you wish. Please don't ask what I think of it.

 

If you want to go off Zoloft any which way, and you choose to cope with withdrawal syndromes, read topics in the Symptoms and Self-care forum http://tinyurl.com/3hq949z

and do what you think is best.

 

 

 

Alto; Please except my apology. You are absolutely right. I just read this past whole posts and I can not believe how I have been. Some kinda lunatic for sure.

 

  I made a promise to God, my husband, myself and to YOU that I am going to follow your reccomendations...I journal and just pulled out the last years, all I do is do whatever I want bACK AND FORTH BACK AND FORTH , have felt like CRAP the entire time.

 

So I changed to Xanax because that's what the Doctor told me to do......sorry

 

Ok so here I am "putty in your palm", I will check out getting the liquid Zoloft. I WILL stay put for at least 4 weeks (not two) and then I will go to the 10% drop.

 

Unless of course you think I should go to 37.5 for a couple weeks....oh my stupid question...shut up Lainey!!!!!

 

so I am at your mercy because I am and have been a pain in the %$#.  Again I ask that you forgive me and please keep giving me support.

 

My husband says "enough, this is it, no more of this. You are getting off this poison once and for all and I will be here for you every step of the way"

Got to Love him.

 

Hope you will respond since I deserved to be told to get with the program.

 

 

Lainey, I'm sorry, I don't have the patience to go through this again with you. If you don't wish to reinstate Zoloft and wish to deal with your withdrawal symptoms and sleep problems, read Important topics about symptoms, including sleep problems

 

Please do not pester me with questions. Good luck.

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.

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wow....alrighty then. sorry. I did not realize that there is a limit to how many times one can be foolish on this site before they get the boot.

 

I see my Dr on the 13th...she is going to give me a real hard time about going back on the Zoloft to wean off slower. She does not believe for a second that this is w/d

 

of course she wants to throw me onto another drug.....NOT going to happen

 

I think that I may have to tough this out and just hope that I can get some encouragement as I suffer through the w/d

 

I hope I can find ppl here who got through without reinstating.   I will most certainly try to convince Dr that's what I need to do but since as my history proves...I am not that reliant so chances are slim.

 

Here I go.....praying for the best

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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BTW I did taper off very slowly and still hit the hell wall   I did take the advice that was given to me here and I still was sick as ever

 

I guess I thought what difference does it make after all these failed attempts

 

Zoloft has ruined my brain and I have to except that

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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  • Administrator

I'm only human, lainey. Have some respect for my time and effort.

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.

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How much zoloft did you drop from?

 

Why not reinstate a tiny amount just? Can imagine how bad it must be..

2000 - sertraline for job anxiety low confidence (17 years old) ..which turned the next 16 years into nightmare!

 

On/off sertraline severe withdrawals every time. 2014 - felt better as reduced dose of sertraline no more inner restlessness. Doctor rushed off again. Hit severe withdrawal. Lost the little I had in life. Couldn't get stable again on 12.5mg. Was switched to prozac. Had severe reaction to prozac..came off in November 2015 at 6mg as felt more confused and damaged on it..Even more withdrawal ..rage, depression, dyphoria, near constant suicidal ideation, self harm impulses, doom, concrete block in head, unable to do much of anything with this feeling in head..went back on 6mg of sertraline to see if would alleviate anything. It didn't..reduced from December to June 2016 came off at 2.5mg sertraline as was hospitalised for the severe rage, suicidal impulses, and put on 50mg lofepramine which in 2nd week reduced all symptoms but gave insomnia which still have..psych stopped lofepramine cold turkey..no increased withdrawal symptoms new symptoms from lofepramine except persistant insomnia which has as side effect.

 

Taking Ativan for 8 months for the severe rage self harm impulses 1-3 times a week (mostly 2 times a week) at .5mg. Two months (I'm unsure exactly when the interdose started to happen) ago interdose withdrawal seemed to happen..2 days I think after the Ativan.

 

 

Nightmare that could have been avoided!

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  • Moderator Emeritus

lainey, your sig says you tapered off Zoloft in 4 weeks and then crashed 5 weeks later. That is not slowly.  I did suggest that you reinstate a small amount and then go off slowly and you said you were going fine until completely off. It's hard for us to give advice because you change your reports, one moment you say you were unstable the whole time and the next you say you were fine until you went completely off.

 

Regardless, dropping Zoloft 50mg in 4 weeks is going to cause havoc in an unstable nervous system - our only advice can be to reinstate and then go slowly - one drug at a time.

Started in 2000 - On 150mg most of the time, (but up to 225mg at highest dose for 6 months in the beginning)
Reduced off easily first time - but got depressed (not too much anxiety) 6 months later
Back on effexor for another 9 months.
Reduced off again with no immediate w/d - suddenly got depressed and anxious ++ again 3 or 4 months later.
Back on effexor - this time for 3 years
Reduced off over a month - 6 weeks later terrible anxiety - back on.
Rinse and repeat 4 more times - each time the period before the anxiety comes back got shorter and shorter
Jan - July 2012 75mg down to 37.5mg;, 8/3/12 - 35mg. 8/25/12 - 32mg. 9/11- 28mg, 10/2 - 25mg, 10/29 - 22mg, 11/19 - 19.8mg; 12/11 - 17m,
1/1- 15.5mg; 1/22 -14mg, 2/7 14.9mg, 2/18 - 17.8mg - crashed big time: back to 75mg where i sat for 2 years....

4th  March 2015 - 67.5mg;   31st March - 60mg;  24th April - 53mg; 13th May - 48mg; 26th May - 45mg;  9th June - 41mg; 1 July- 37.5mg; 20 July - 34mg; 11 August - 31mg; 1st Sept - 28mg;  1st Dec - 25.8mg;  28th Dec - 23.2mg; 23rd Jan-21.9mg; Feb 7th- 21mg; March 1st - 20.1mg, March 30th - 18mg

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  • 2 weeks later...

thank you all, truly, I mean it.   I guess my verbage  is confusing...what I meant to say is that while on the Zoloft/Sertraline I was not getting relief from my anxiety

 

as I came off the Zoloft I was not getting hit with any real bad sx...Lorazepam was covering it I guess.

 

but as the weeks went on after my last dose then I started to feel the ill effects.

 

Peggy I see by your sig that you too have been on and off several xs... so I feel as if you can relate.

I have been off over 7 weeks now so I suffer or suggest to Dr that I go back on and try once again...Would I get relief right away? hmmmmm.  I would try going to just 25mgs  and see if that will suffice.  Somehow I will have to SURVIVE ANTIDEPRESSANTS. I will not even think of coming off the lorazepam for a good long time.

 

Have to let my brain get some rest eventually

 

ALTO, I do thank you and I know only to well how ppl like me can be so frustrating. 

I am back here for support...to be told that what I am feeling is "normal" under the circumstances   and that Someday I will be free.

 

God bless you all

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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Hi Laney,

 

So you have been off Zoloft about two months? If so, 25mg might be a bit much for a reinstatement. I would guess maybe start with 5mg for four days and see how you feel, then titrate up a bit more if you still aren't okay. Your brain has already done a lot of readjusting. Did you already read the thread on reinstatement? Once you stabilize with reinstatement you need to hold for a good long time before doing a slow taper off...your nervous system has been through a lot. Good luck!

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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well that was a bust...DR will NOT reinstate me...says that I am NOT having w/d after 8 weeks being off.....

 

So I have to ride this wave all on my own and with the help of Lorazepam

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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  • Moderator Emeritus

maybe find a new dr....he sounds like a jerk

Started in 2000 - On 150mg most of the time, (but up to 225mg at highest dose for 6 months in the beginning)
Reduced off easily first time - but got depressed (not too much anxiety) 6 months later
Back on effexor for another 9 months.
Reduced off again with no immediate w/d - suddenly got depressed and anxious ++ again 3 or 4 months later.
Back on effexor - this time for 3 years
Reduced off over a month - 6 weeks later terrible anxiety - back on.
Rinse and repeat 4 more times - each time the period before the anxiety comes back got shorter and shorter
Jan - July 2012 75mg down to 37.5mg;, 8/3/12 - 35mg. 8/25/12 - 32mg. 9/11- 28mg, 10/2 - 25mg, 10/29 - 22mg, 11/19 - 19.8mg; 12/11 - 17m,
1/1- 15.5mg; 1/22 -14mg, 2/7 14.9mg, 2/18 - 17.8mg - crashed big time: back to 75mg where i sat for 2 years....

4th  March 2015 - 67.5mg;   31st March - 60mg;  24th April - 53mg; 13th May - 48mg; 26th May - 45mg;  9th June - 41mg; 1 July- 37.5mg; 20 July - 34mg; 11 August - 31mg; 1st Sept - 28mg;  1st Dec - 25.8mg;  28th Dec - 23.2mg; 23rd Jan-21.9mg; Feb 7th- 21mg; March 1st - 20.1mg, March 30th - 18mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

well that was a bust...DR will NOT reinstate me...says that I am NOT having w/d after 8 weeks being off.....

 

So I have to ride this wave all on my own and with the help of Lorazepam

 

How about finding another doctor? PCs can prescribe ADs.  This doctor is putting you at risk for considerable dysfunction, not a small matter.

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

 

 

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