Olivia: Zoloft Taper after Xanax Taper

[Olivia]

Good Afternoon

 

Was recommended to this site since I have to taper 100mg of Zoloft in the future.

 

I completed a 17 month taper off of 3mg of Xanax in November 2013,Started 05/12

Tapering Xanax with complex dose reduction issues. Tried the current modality of Psych Dr

.25mg cut(s) every 10 days, ending in a seizure in 06/12. Switched to .25mg every 14-21 days

being bedridden from 6/12-10/12. Ending at 1 mg of X, holding for two months.

Taper began a new in 01/13, with dose reductions of .0625mg regular X pills. Too much variation.

Switch to .0625mg compounded Xanax Capsules. I was then able to finish my Xanax taper

using these compounded caps with more control over the entire tapering process.

 

Require advice, direction in regards to the Zoloft taper. Questions are great, as I have 

zero understanding of how to go about tapering an antidepressant. 

 

Olivia 

 

[Marie]

Hi Olivia.

 

I'm glad you're here. It's so great you managed to get off your benzo. Xanax can be a tough one as many here can talk about.

 

How long were you on Xanax?

 

Well, I'm actually on klonopin with no ADs, but just wanted to welcome you here to this forum.

 

I'm not in anyway as knowledgable about ADs or Zoloft as most of the forum members here are, and unable to give you tapering advice. But you've come to the right place for that.

 

So I'm hoping some of that advice will be forthcoming.

 

Marie

[Olivia]

Thanks for your welcome and reply to my intro.

 

I was on Xanax for 17 years. Zoloft was added to "help" with the

depression I may have had along with the "advice" that an AD

would benefit me while tapering. Question about that.

 

How are you doing on the Klonopin?

Looking forward to hearing back from you and others.

 

Olivia

[bubble]

Welcome Olivia,

 

I'm happy for you that you have come to such a good place in preparation for your taper. I'm delighted with teh level of knowledge and support on this site.

 

Before one of the moderators welcomes you, I'm just attaching you the link to tapering zoloft below. 

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1441-tips-for-tapering-off-zoloft-sertraline/

 

I find it very useful to read stories of other members and also other extermely useful advice on symptoms and sef-care and tapering section of this forum. There you will find topics such as why reduce by 10 % (to avoid the hell you went through while tapering Xanax, congrats on that!!!), waves and windows pattern of recovery, etc.

 

Once again, welcome.

 

bubble

[mammaP]

Hi Olivia, welcome to SA. It's great that you came here before you started your taper, most of

us arrived here suffering with withdrawal symptoms from going too fast or cold turkey    .

 

As you were on xanax for such a long time and only stopped about 8 weeks ago

I would hold off staring to taper zoloft a while longer to let  your nervous system settle.

You have done great tapering after such a bad start it would be a shame to start another

taper too soon. I don't know anything about benzo withdrawal but if you did get some delayed

withdrawal symptoms it would be hard to tell where they are coming from if you are tapering

the zoloft.  Bubble has given you the link to tapering zoloft, read through it and you will be

prepared for starting your taper.   

[Marie]

Hi Olivia.

 

MammaP answered the question I myself wondered about. And that was whether a taper on Zoloft should start sooner rather than waiting for your CNS to settle down from your benzo taper.

 

And I thought it might be so as she advised, but being a "benzo person" here and taking no ADs, I will always hesitate to make any recommendations about ADs.

 

Thank you mammaP for answering that question as it surely makes sense.

 

Right now, Olivia, I am doing a lengthy hold on the klonopin I am taking in order to settle my CNS due to too many disruptions with benzos to answer your previous question.

 

Well, once again, I know you're in the right place here on this forum, as these people know this subject with great acumen, and I'm just glad you're here.

 

Marie

[Olivia]

Bubble and MammaP

 

Thank you for your timely response(s). The information you have provided has definitely shown that I do need to wait a while before

tapering any Zoloft. This site has excellent resource information. Tapering any type of Benzo puts one on "high alert" to tapering any

further brain altering medications. I am sure an A/D taper would be the same. Xanax taper was a learning experience, one I do not want

to repeat ever. I am easily "rattled", emotional, strange "quirks" that only I had are still appearing/disappearing randomly etc. I appreciate

the insight you have given MammP, in regards to "holding" off a while. Eight weeks is a short time, after 17 month taper off of X. I will let

my CNS settle.

 

Thank you  Marie for your follow up comment in regards to this, as you have prior experience with this process of Benzo Tapering.

Reading your signature line, I cannot help but admire you for even trying to taper off the Klonopin.

 

 I need to start reading and educating myself before any further attempts at tapering Zoloft, as Bubble has indicated a good thread to start~

 

Olivia

[tezza]

Welcome, Olivia!

 

I agree that you should wait for a good length of time before starting another taper of any sort. I'd be sure those "strange quirks" you've been experiencing have resolved first. You've accomplished a major discontinuation in a relatively, short period of time. Congratulations! Now be very gentle with your CNS and give it plenty of time to heal

 

While you are waiting to begin your AD taper, please, browse the forums here. You will find more valuable information here than you will find in any one place, elsewhere, IMHO!

 

We are glad you are here but sorry you needed to be.

 

Do you have any lingering, persistent WD symptoms?

[Olivia]

Tezza:~

 

   Thank you for your welcome. I just started to read the thread that MammP directed me too. A lot of info to absorb. I will NOT start any AD taper

   now, for sure.

 

   I am experiencing W/D symptoms from the Xanax Taper that I finished on Nov 28th. They tend to come on in a "cyclic" manner. As in feeling good

   then sx's ramp up. The "quirks" that are representative in my taper from Xanax (I believe most have them, MOHO) and lingering.

   Gritting ones teeth, which for me is odd.

   Myclonic jerks, very infrequent, but did notice a "ramp" up when I "tried" the Dr.s suggestion of dose reduction of .25mg of Zoloft.

   Depression: Odd since I am on an A/D.

   Nervousness

   Headaches: I do have a prior dx of TGN (Trigeminal Neuralgia), cluster headaches (not migraine). When these symptoms appear, its an indicator

   to me that I am experiencing temporary Withdrawal(s). I have had 9 major facial surgeries, but that in itself is whole other story, and how I began on

   Xanax, Zoloft, Wellbutrin(not taking).

 

   This clearly shows me that my CNS is still in its "infancy" stage of healing.

  

   Question: Waiting 6 months longer, I could start a Micro taper of not more than 10% of my current dose?

 

   Olivia

[mammaP]

I wouldn't put a time on it Olivia, you will know when your body is ready to start again but

I think that saying no sooner than 6 months is a good thing. Being on an anti depressant does not 

mean you won't get depressed unfortunately. A lot of the actually cause depression! 

 

Cluster headaches, I have those too but they started after I started taking effexor and I haven't had a 

bad attack for over a year, when I had reduced the dose considerably! That says a lot! 

 

Knowing what I know now, and experiencing tapering and withdrawal, if I had to start another taper I 

would do a micro mega slow taper of 5% to start with and see how things go. We do recommend no

more than 10% but the smaller cuts usually mean fewer withdrawal symptoms. It would probably take

just as long as a taper with bigger cuts because you would have to hold longer in between with a bigger

cut if that makes sense.

[tezza]

I wouldn't put a time on it Olivia, you will know when your body is ready to start again but

I think that saying no sooner than 6 months is a good thing. Being on an anti depressant does not 

mean you won't get depressed unfortunately.

Agree

[Olivia]

Thank you for the valuable information you all have given me. Will take a while to educate myself with the knowledge that

is offered here.

 

Great Site, so glad I am here~

 

Peace~~

Oliva

[Olivia]

Decided to hold off the A D taper. I'm not sure how I would

Like to taper though. Any suggestions? Reason for this is due to my

Xanax taper being done without prior stabilization.This is one thing I

am sure of. Xanax just took a lot out of me,my life. I'm tired. Can

anyone relate?

Olivia

[moodyblues78]

Hi Olivia.

 

Please look at the link bubble gave you. That should give you plenty information on tapering Zoloft. I would wait until I`m stable before beginning.

 

At least don`t do what I did. Seriously.

 

Welcome. You have come to the right place to get information and support. 

[Olivia]

What did you do MB? I read your thread and understand you are having great difficulty with sx. I know sx will just come out of the "blue" so to speak.

 

I will not just "drop" the Zoloft in .25mg increments. Glad I found this site.

 

Do hope you start feeling better, MB~

 

Peace ~

Olivia

[moodyblues78]

I took 50% drops every few weeks. Basically a cold turkey finish.

[Olivia]

Back with more questions regarding Tapering Zoloft

 

I was prescribed Zoloft as I was tapering Xanax in 2012. 25, 50,75, and 100mg . I had taken Zoloft prior to this misadventure.

 

Arrived at a point were I was agoraphobic, severe depression,  in bed due to a shift to a huge paradoxal reaction to Xanax: Ie, The more I took, the worst

my panic/anxiety was. I had to taper off of this drug. Tapered to zero in November 2013.

I was placed on Zoloft at the time of this episode, due to my depressive state.  I can say it helped, but I would not know otherwise.

I was in a precarious position at the time of my initial consult.

 

Reading this forum has opened my eyes, as to what I should have not done. Adding the Zoloft.  I cannot go back, but forward.

 

I am 4 + months out from my taper off of Xanax. Realizing that I need to be really stable OFF of Xanax at this point. I am still having w/d

symptoms. Getting much better.

 

My Dr. is versed in Benzo tapering, albeit the "standard" at first until he sees you are serious. Maybe a mind play, but the Dr. has helped me tremendously

as time has shown him how much I have learned, along with him being an advocate to tapering my pace. Even though at first it was horrendous. I know he

had to get me down in mg of Xanax before I could feel better. Which did happen the less and less Xanax I was ingesting.

 

Looks like I need to be tapering Zoloft in the near future with all I have read here. I just hope that I can do this WITHOUT adding any further medications to

the list. Worried about the withdrawal sx like sleep, etc since this is a "accelerator" drug.

 

Feel free to post any suggestions, concern, questions, as I am here to not only taper but learn.

 

Thank you, Alostrata and your team whom have done so much for those here.

 

Olivia

[Altostrata]

Thank you, Olivia.

 

Paradoxical reactions to benzos are a major under-recognized drawback of that drug class.

 

In the meantime, please look in our Symptoms and Self-care forum for ways to deal with withdrawal symptoms -- they apply to benzo withdrawal, too.

 

And -- welcome to our community!

[Rhiannon]

Olivia, I think as long as you wait until you're stable from your Xanax withdrawal, you're going to find this Zoloft taper much more manageable than your fears are telling you. You will have control and you can take it as slowly as you need to. If you make a cut that's a bit too large, you'll realize it quickly and you can adjust as necessary. 

 

When the time comes, I recommend starting with extra small cuts and extra long holds, so you will be completely in control and you'll learn how your body is going to react. Once you have a sense of what your body's limits are, you can experiment with speeding up, to tolerance.

 

You'll find that doing a slow, careful taper, listening to your body, is going to be very different from when you got off the Xanax. I can certainly understand why you're a bit worried. I've had some pretty horrific experiences coming off meds too fast myself and I know that it can shake you to your core. But a slow, controlled taper is quite different. It's going to be better than you think.

[Olivia]

Altostrata,

Thank you for the kind welcome. I agree with your statement concerning

the paradoxical reactions associated with this class of drugs. The majority

of individuals say it's "tolerance" but that is completely incorrect.

Yes, you can and will need "more of the drug" if your taking regularly.

You do get " tolerance" to the original dose. Paradoxical is completely

over looked. Thank you for recognizing this, Altostrata.

 

Rhi

Thank you for the kind words.

Your posts leaves me feeling better. It's just heck to have to

Taper resulting in a form of "stress syndrome". The good news is I am

reaching out and this site.

More later.

Olivia

[Olivia]

Learning about tapering Zoloft before I actually proceed is my mission right now. I had a rough taper off of Xanax.

I definitely want to Taper off of Zoloft with as much information as possible.

 

My system picks up "miniscule" dose reductions, as the X taper went in that direction.

I compounded X into the exact amount of Xanax caps which I then finished my taper.

My dose schedule for Xanax was 8 times in 24 hours, dosing every 3 hours.

 

 

My concern here:

 

  1) Currently taking Zoloft @ 7 am using 2 X 50mg tablets equates to 100mg. 1 Time a Day.

 

  2) Should I change my dosage schedule to taking 1 50mg tablet in AM, then 1 50mg at noon?

       Stabilize on the change first?

 

  3)  If I decide to use liquid to taper the Zoloft, I would then need to stabilize on the above amounts in

       the liquid solution First before I start decreasing my Zoloft?

 

  I have read the information regarding tapering Zoloft, as well as how to prepare a liquid suspension.

 

  Decided to taper this way, as my Dr. does not recognize AD withdrawal problems. Which leaves me

  not needing his "interference" with the actual Taper off of the Zoloft. Surviving Antidepressants has

  given me a profound hope that I can do this on my own.

 

 

   Advice needed, before I start my taper.

 

   Thank you~

 

   Olivia

 

 

 

 

 

[Babydust]

I'm also in the "prepping to taper" mode for Zoloft. I'm on 200mg. How long do you think it would take to stabilize if you switch from once a day to twice a day without changing dosage?

[Olivia]

Hi Babydust,

 

One could "hope" that it wouldn't take very long.

Looks like I need to find out on my own, here. Everyone is different as you know.

 

Wishing you lots of luck, Babydust.

 

Olivia

[Rhiannon]

Right, it's hard for anyone to say what is going to happen for you, you'll need to listen to your own body. Just make changes small and slow, so if you run into trouble you can correct easily.

 

I would say start with the change to twice a day dosing and get used to that, then switch to the liquid and get used to that, both before making any cuts. Once you're stable on the liquid twice a day then you can try a small reduction.

 

Interesting that you did your Xanax in eight shots, every three hours, that's how I do mine too.

[Olivia]

Hi Rhi

 

Thank you for the sound advice. I will switch my times, stabilize. Then stabilize on the Liquid Zoloft before commencing.

I am still in the "learning" stages of this journey. I can tell I am in the right place, here.

 

Interesting to know you too  dose 8 times a day for Xanax. My husband actually came up with "dose" schedule for me.

He does "micro titration" for our farming operations for everything. The nutrients are slowly introduced into the crop

for optimal uptake. Ours is the reverse, the theory is the same. Looked at my Spread Sheet, found I dosed every 2 hours

at the beginning. Then spread the dose schedule out the lower I got, as symptoms would indicate that change.

 

My plan of "attack" as I like to call it looked like this: Starting Dose: 1 mg of X, using .0625mg compounded capsules.

Dosing hours (which is so important to keep on track): 6,8,10,12,2,4,6,8. Each time had a two dose tier, as I utilized

.125mg / 2 = .0625mg each dose reduction. I started with the 6 am dose, reducing the .125mg by .0625mg which still

left a .0625mg there, then I would alternate to afternoon, back and forth. Worked well for my body.

 

When I got down to .50mg I went to every three hours, including setting my alarm to take Xanax in the middle of the night.

I was NOT prescribed Xanax for sleep, but PRN, which caused a huge problem for me at the beginning. 

 

Really noticed changes if the dose(s) reductions, amounts and times were NOT adhered to. It was a very structured taper

schedule. I cannot emphasize the importance of keeping on track. No matter what you taper.

 

What does your taper look like? How do you taper multiple medications?

 

Olivia

[Altostrata]

Olivia, I merged the Zoloft-Xanax dosing conversation here because it became very particular to your situation.

[Olivia]

Thank you Altostrata

 

Olivia