Tkcring Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Hello. I'm a new member. Not sure If I'm doing this topic thing correctly. Found this site and all your stories are helping me. Tapered a bit too fast off ZOLOFT. Only took it for 8 weeks. Severe insomnia and that's basically my worse symptom. I am 7 weeks out and cannot get any rest. I can handle the diarrhea, night sweats, anxiety etc but the insomnia is killing me. I am 38 years old, female and very depressed. Is this normal at 7 weeks clean of sertaline (ZOLOFT). I was on only 50mg for four weeks, went to 25mg for 3 weeks then tapered too fast. I am scared to reinstate and probably won't. It is getting a bit better. I apologize if I'm not posting this correctly. Thank you all for your stories. I've been up reading all of these and it helps immensely. Took zoloft for 8 weeks. Tapered off, but not very well. Highest dose was 50mg for 4 weeks, then 25mg for three, then tapered too fast. I am 7 weeks being off completely, but seriously crippling insomnia. I can deal with every single other symptom but the insomnia is slowly killing me. I am on magnesium and occasional holy basil. That seems to help. I feel like I am going crazy. I am a photographer and hygienist and need my energy my two kids and my work. Also took Tylenol PM for 20 years. Have been off of that completely for 4 months. I am sure that is part of the problem, for I understand that histamine is also a neurotransmitter. What have I done to myself :/ Link to comment
Athena Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Hello Tkcring and welcome! You are doing the topic introduction perfectly! I'm sorry you are feeling these bad symptoms. I know that 8 weeks of taking the drug is not a lot, but I think it is enough for your system to have been used to it. Some people are more sensitive to these drugs than others. And your symptoms look very much like WD to me. Are you sleeping at all? When you say it is getting a bit better, is it in terms of hours of sleep? If it is getting better I would hold and see if it gets better some more. But people with more expertise will come and give you their opinions. Hang in there! You have come to the right place! 2000-2001: Effexor 2005-2012: Celexa, Zoloft, Effexor, desipramin, Wellbutrin, mirtazepin, Lamictal, Remeron, Abilify, nortriptylin, Cipralex, Cymbalta, and others I don't remember. Really bad side effects to all. Sept-Nov 2012: Paxil 20mg, Wellbutrin 100mg, Imovane 5mg Nov 2012: Paxil 20mg --> 10mg Dec 2012: Paxil 10mg-->0; 1 week later: HUGE WD symptoms. Started to get informed on the internet and back to 10mg Paxil. Dec 2012-Jan 2013: Paxil 10mg, Wellbutrin 100mg, Imovane 2.5mg End Jan 2013: P 9mg, W 100mg, I 2.0mg Feb 2013: P 8mg, W 100mg, I 1.5mg April 2013: P 7mg, W 100mg, I 1.25mg May 2013: P 7mg, W 90mg, I 1mg June 2013: P 7mg, W 80mg, I 0mg July 1/2013: P 7, W 70 July 22/2013: P 7, W 60 Aug 2013: P 7, W 50 Sept 2013: P 6.1, W 50 Oct 2013: P up to 6.3, W 50 Nov 2013: P 6.2 to 5.9, W 50 Dec 2013: P 5.9, W 40 Jan 2014: P 5.3, W40 Feb 2014: P 5.3, W 30 March-April 2014: P 5.3, W 26 May 2014: P 5.3, W 20 June 2014: P 5.3 W 15 July 2014: P 5.3, W 14 Aug 2014: P 5.3, W up to 15 Sept 2014: P 5.3, W 14 Oct 2014: P 4.8, W 14 Nov 2014: P 4.3, W 14 Dec 2014-Jan 2015: P 3.9, W 14 Feb 2015: P 3.9, W 12 March 2015: P 3.6, W 12 April-May 2015: P 3.3, W 12 June 2015: P 3.3, W 10 July 2015: P 3.3, W 8 Aug-Sept 2015: P 3.3, W 6 Oct 2015: P 3.0, W 6 Nov 2015: P 2.7, W 6 Dec 2015: P 2.4, W 6 Jan-Feb 2016: P 2.4, W 5 March 2016: P 2.2, W 5 April 2016: P 2.2, W 4 May-June 2016: P 2.2, W 3 July 2016: P 2.2, W 2 Aug 2016: P 2.2, W 1 Sept 2016: P 2.2, W 0!! Oct 2016: P 2.0 Nov 2016-Jan 2017: P 1.8 Feb-Mar 2017: P 1.9 April-May 2017: P 1.8 June 2017: P 1.6 July-Dec 2017: P 1.5 Jan-April 2018: P 1.6 Others: Cytomel 25mcg (thyroid), vit. C, vit D, Omega-3 fish oil, Magnesium bisglycinate , Melatonin 1mg, 81mg Aspirin, Milk peptides, L-theanine, Valericalm tincture mix, scullcap tincture, Suan Zao Ren (jujube seeds) Link to comment
Tkcring Posted December 18, 2014 Author Share Posted December 18, 2014 I cannot thank you ENOUGH for replying. Some nights, I will wake up every hour, then maybe totaling 4-5 hours total. Every now and then, once every two weeks, I will sleep four hours straight, then be up two hours in a mad panic attack and cannot fall asleep for the life of me. Most nights average 3-4 hours of sleep. So frustrating. But I love all of these people here. Thank you again for replying. I guess I should add to my signature, for 20 years I took Tylenol PM (normal dose) and have been off of that for 4 months. So I am not sure if that is part of it. Probably. I will add that to my signature. Took zoloft for 8 weeks. Tapered off, but not very well. Highest dose was 50mg for 4 weeks, then 25mg for three, then tapered too fast. I am 7 weeks being off completely, but seriously crippling insomnia. I can deal with every single other symptom but the insomnia is slowly killing me. I am on magnesium and occasional holy basil. That seems to help. I feel like I am going crazy. I am a photographer and hygienist and need my energy my two kids and my work. Also took Tylenol PM for 20 years. Have been off of that completely for 4 months. I am sure that is part of the problem, for I understand that histamine is also a neurotransmitter. What have I done to myself :/ Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ten0275 Posted December 18, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 18, 2014 Tkcring, hello. I am really sorry to hear you are suffering. I well-understand the need for restorative sleep with a career and children. I also understand your fear of reinstatement. During my benzodiazepine and remeron withdrawal, I did relent and return to the remeron until I was stable enough to more pragmatically taper. And that happened. I stabilized and I continue to taper. I experienced every single symptom you listed. They have much abated. And though I have been on Remeron longer than I wish during my taper, I am ultimately glad I reinstated. I will see this through. One way or another, you will achieve healing. You've come to a really great place with amazing and supportive people. I have visited this site for years and only recently signed into it. Hang in there. Dave 1996 - .5mg Ativan as needed, 7.5mg Remeron daily2008 - .5mg Xanax, Ativan discontinued, Remeron continued2012 - .5mg Xanax, .25mg Ativan 3x daily, Remeron continued2/2012 - Jumped from Remeron, continued .5mg Xanax .25mg Ativan 3x daily4/2012 - Began rapid taper of .5mg Xanax .25mg Ativan 3x daily6/2012 - Jumped from Xanax and Ativan, voluntary hospitalization followed7/2012 - 2nd voluntary hospitalization, reinstated Remeron, bumped to 30mg, also given risperidone.8/2012 - discontinued risperidone, tried gabapentin, dicontinued gabapentin, Remeron 30mg continued10/2012 to current - tapered Remeron 10% every 4 to 6 weeks (sometimes more time) using liquid compound12/2014 - 2mg Remeron 1/16/2015 - 1.9mg Remeron 8/1/2015 -1.6mg Remeron - 03/1/2016 - 1.5mg Remeron - 1/2/2017 1.3mg - 5/7/2017 1.2mg - 5/13/2017 - syringe size change - 6/8/2017 - 1.1mg - 7/10/2017 - 1mg - 9/1/2017 - 0.9mg - 10/22/2017 - 0.8mg - 11/22/2017 - 0.7mg - 2/2/2018 - 0.6mg - 3/13/2018 - new compound pharmacy - 5/20/2018 - 0.5mg - 8/31/2018 - 0.4mg - 11/16/2018 - 0.3mg - 12/24/2018 - 0.2mg - 4/1/2019 - 0.1mg - 5/1/2019 - .05mg - 0mg achieved 2019-06-15. 🤞 Link to comment
Tkcring Posted December 18, 2014 Author Share Posted December 18, 2014 Thank you ten0275 for replying. I literally feel as if I have ruined my neurons and they will never be the same. Whew! I am trying to keep the faith. Thank you for your concern. I deeply appreciate it. Tiff:) Took zoloft for 8 weeks. Tapered off, but not very well. Highest dose was 50mg for 4 weeks, then 25mg for three, then tapered too fast. I am 7 weeks being off completely, but seriously crippling insomnia. I can deal with every single other symptom but the insomnia is slowly killing me. I am on magnesium and occasional holy basil. That seems to help. I feel like I am going crazy. I am a photographer and hygienist and need my energy my two kids and my work. Also took Tylenol PM for 20 years. Have been off of that completely for 4 months. I am sure that is part of the problem, for I understand that histamine is also a neurotransmitter. What have I done to myself :/ Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted December 18, 2014 Moderator Share Posted December 18, 2014 Hi Tiff--Welcome to the group. Sorry to hear that you're having such a tough time. Eight weeks is just long enough for this stuff to get it's hooks into you, but not long enough to warrant a long slow taper. I don't think going back on would help very much and will probably slow down the progress you're making already. A good thing to know is that all the things you are experiencing can't hurt you, just make you feel really bad for a while and they will go away. I haven't learned of anything much that will actually help the insomnia except not fighting it. Practice good sleep hygiene and just roll with it as best as you can. I will agree that cting the TylenolPM may have something to do with it. Have you tried taking it again? Hope you have a better night. 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted December 19, 2014 Administrator Share Posted December 19, 2014 Welcome, Tkcring. Sometimes reinstating a very small amount, perhaps even as little as 2mg Zoloft in your case, can help reduce the withdrawal symptoms. After you stabilize, you can then taper off the Zoloft by very small amounts. See About reinstating and stabilizing to stop withdrawal symptoms Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline) 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
Tkcring Posted December 24, 2014 Author Share Posted December 24, 2014 Last two nights have been heaven sent. More sleep even though still low, I will take it. I'm reading all these stories amazed at the courage and tenacity of the human spirit. Happy holidays to everyone Took zoloft for 8 weeks. Tapered off, but not very well. Highest dose was 50mg for 4 weeks, then 25mg for three, then tapered too fast. I am 7 weeks being off completely, but seriously crippling insomnia. I can deal with every single other symptom but the insomnia is slowly killing me. I am on magnesium and occasional holy basil. That seems to help. I feel like I am going crazy. I am a photographer and hygienist and need my energy my two kids and my work. Also took Tylenol PM for 20 years. Have been off of that completely for 4 months. I am sure that is part of the problem, for I understand that histamine is also a neurotransmitter. What have I done to myself :/ Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Petunia Posted December 24, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 24, 2014 Hi Tkcring, I joined your new topic to your original intro thread, its one introduction topic per member. You can use this thread as your ongoing journal, add to it as you wish. I'm glad you have been able to get some more sleep. Happy Holidays I'm not a doctor. My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one. My Introduction Thread Full Drug and Withdrawal History Brief Summary Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects 2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010 Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal) May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins. Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens. Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days. April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close. VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from? VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made? VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes? VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects? VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Songbird Posted December 24, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 24, 2014 Why did you go on Zoloft? Did you have any issues with stopping the diphenhydramine? Diphenhydramine also works as a weak serotonin reuptake inhibitor. 2001–2002 paroxetine 2003 citalopram 2004-2008 paroxetine (various failed tapers) 2008 paroxetine slow taper down to 2016 Aug off paroxetine2016 citalopram May 20mg Oct 15mg … slow taper down2018 citalopram 13 Feb 4.6mg 15 Mar 4.4mg 29 Apr 4.2mg 6 Jul 4.1mg 17 Aug 4.0mg 18 Nov 3.8mg 2019 15 Mar 3.6mg 21 May 3.4mg 26 Dec 3.2mg 2020 19 Feb 3.0mg 19 Jul 2.9mg 16 Sep 2.8mg 25 Oct 2.7mg 23 Oct 2.6mg 24 Dec 2.5mg 2021 29 Aug 2.4mg 15 Nov 2.3mg Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted December 25, 2014 Administrator Share Posted December 25, 2014 Last two nights have been heaven sent. More sleep even though still low, I will take it. I'm reading all these stories amazed at the courage and tenacity of the human spirit. Happy holidays to everyone Very good news, Tk. You are having windows when you feel better. 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
Tkcring Posted December 26, 2014 Author Share Posted December 26, 2014 Thank you Altostrata. I am still trying to figure out this topic thing here in the forum!! Heehee. Merry Christmas!! Took zoloft for 8 weeks. Tapered off, but not very well. Highest dose was 50mg for 4 weeks, then 25mg for three, then tapered too fast. I am 7 weeks being off completely, but seriously crippling insomnia. I can deal with every single other symptom but the insomnia is slowly killing me. I am on magnesium and occasional holy basil. That seems to help. I feel like I am going crazy. I am a photographer and hygienist and need my energy my two kids and my work. Also took Tylenol PM for 20 years. Have been off of that completely for 4 months. I am sure that is part of the problem, for I understand that histamine is also a neurotransmitter. What have I done to myself :/ Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted December 26, 2014 Administrator Share Posted December 26, 2014 Happy holidays to 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
Tkcring Posted December 29, 2014 Author Share Posted December 29, 2014 I am starting to see upon research, the diphenhydramine (benedryl) acts as a weak ssri. Seeing how I was on Tylenol PM for 20 years, hasn't helped the ZOLOFT withdrawl. However, I am 9 weeks out and my windows are becoming longer. Maybe there's hope. I find reading all of these stories helps so much. We aren't alone;) Yoga is helping as well Took zoloft for 8 weeks. Tapered off, but not very well. Highest dose was 50mg for 4 weeks, then 25mg for three, then tapered too fast. I am 7 weeks being off completely, but seriously crippling insomnia. I can deal with every single other symptom but the insomnia is slowly killing me. I am on magnesium and occasional holy basil. That seems to help. I feel like I am going crazy. I am a photographer and hygienist and need my energy my two kids and my work. Also took Tylenol PM for 20 years. Have been off of that completely for 4 months. I am sure that is part of the problem, for I understand that histamine is also a neurotransmitter. What have I done to myself :/ Link to comment
Athena Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Tkcring, I am glad you are feeling better and you can find some sleep. You will get there! Yoga helps a little bit for me too. Take care, and have a nice and healthy 2015! A. 2000-2001: Effexor 2005-2012: Celexa, Zoloft, Effexor, desipramin, Wellbutrin, mirtazepin, Lamictal, Remeron, Abilify, nortriptylin, Cipralex, Cymbalta, and others I don't remember. Really bad side effects to all. Sept-Nov 2012: Paxil 20mg, Wellbutrin 100mg, Imovane 5mg Nov 2012: Paxil 20mg --> 10mg Dec 2012: Paxil 10mg-->0; 1 week later: HUGE WD symptoms. Started to get informed on the internet and back to 10mg Paxil. Dec 2012-Jan 2013: Paxil 10mg, Wellbutrin 100mg, Imovane 2.5mg End Jan 2013: P 9mg, W 100mg, I 2.0mg Feb 2013: P 8mg, W 100mg, I 1.5mg April 2013: P 7mg, W 100mg, I 1.25mg May 2013: P 7mg, W 90mg, I 1mg June 2013: P 7mg, W 80mg, I 0mg July 1/2013: P 7, W 70 July 22/2013: P 7, W 60 Aug 2013: P 7, W 50 Sept 2013: P 6.1, W 50 Oct 2013: P up to 6.3, W 50 Nov 2013: P 6.2 to 5.9, W 50 Dec 2013: P 5.9, W 40 Jan 2014: P 5.3, W40 Feb 2014: P 5.3, W 30 March-April 2014: P 5.3, W 26 May 2014: P 5.3, W 20 June 2014: P 5.3 W 15 July 2014: P 5.3, W 14 Aug 2014: P 5.3, W up to 15 Sept 2014: P 5.3, W 14 Oct 2014: P 4.8, W 14 Nov 2014: P 4.3, W 14 Dec 2014-Jan 2015: P 3.9, W 14 Feb 2015: P 3.9, W 12 March 2015: P 3.6, W 12 April-May 2015: P 3.3, W 12 June 2015: P 3.3, W 10 July 2015: P 3.3, W 8 Aug-Sept 2015: P 3.3, W 6 Oct 2015: P 3.0, W 6 Nov 2015: P 2.7, W 6 Dec 2015: P 2.4, W 6 Jan-Feb 2016: P 2.4, W 5 March 2016: P 2.2, W 5 April 2016: P 2.2, W 4 May-June 2016: P 2.2, W 3 July 2016: P 2.2, W 2 Aug 2016: P 2.2, W 1 Sept 2016: P 2.2, W 0!! Oct 2016: P 2.0 Nov 2016-Jan 2017: P 1.8 Feb-Mar 2017: P 1.9 April-May 2017: P 1.8 June 2017: P 1.6 July-Dec 2017: P 1.5 Jan-April 2018: P 1.6 Others: Cytomel 25mcg (thyroid), vit. C, vit D, Omega-3 fish oil, Magnesium bisglycinate , Melatonin 1mg, 81mg Aspirin, Milk peptides, L-theanine, Valericalm tincture mix, scullcap tincture, Suan Zao Ren (jujube seeds) Link to comment
tgirl Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 T, How are you doing? Hope you are well, T April 2014 remeron 45mg. June 2014 abilify 2.5 remeron wasn't working so abilify was then added September 2014 woke up with anxiety x 100!!!! Pdoc then took me from 45 to 7.5 within a month and took abilify from 2.5 to 0 Currently Remeron 7.5 Vitamin d 5,000 iu taking for about 3 years October 2014 added fish oil/omega 3 1000 mg per day Levothyroxitine 100 10 years or so Dec 2014 started tapering 10% every 10 days-no problems. August 2015 down to 0.1 mg Woke up with severe anxiety-sleep issues-racing thoughts-depression. 9/9/15 up dose 1 mg. Link to comment
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