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☼ 302zoloft


302zoloft

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  • Administrator

Hi 302,

 

I just want to reassure you that what you are experiencing is still withdrawals.  The anxiety about "what ifs," the wondering what the plan will be in 6 months, wondering if you will ever feel better - all part of the withdrawal.  I've been there myself.  Keep doing things to distract yourself.  If you keep a steady dosage until you stabilize and monitor your own symptoms when you start to taper off, you can come through this.

 

I was in a very similar place when I found SA.  I can tell you that I did get better. 

 

One thing I recommend is to keep a daily journal of your symptoms so that you can see sight improvements and patterns.  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1779-rate-symptoms-daily-to-catch-withdrawal-early/

You might want to rate your morning anxiety and your ability to fall asleep and/or stay asleep.  By rating your symptoms you'll be able to see slight improvements.

 

Hang in there. 

 

Karma

 

2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax

200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg
Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg;

1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg
Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor


I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers

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Hi karma, thank you for your reply. It's so hard for me (in the middle of it) to distinguish between withdrawal and just me being anxious etc. I have been keeping a diary but think the ratings you suggested would be a much better and easier way to see how I am doing. I must say today started off not great but has been much better than yesterday. I have had less racing thoughts and been able to relax more. I guess yesterday was just a bad wave. Baddddd. But now I am having more windows it's definateky helpful and makes it easier to ride out the waves (when I recognise that's what it is and not just me spiralling). I think it's also a great sign seeing as how I only reinstated less than a week ago!!!! I am so grateful to everyone on here and alto for the helpful suggestions and ultimately reinstating.

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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I am battling so much with the anxiety and feeling to cry sporadically. I wish I was stronger and could handle this - I need to be harder on myself and suck it up.

Its a beautiful day today but I am so tired. I am home alone and I know that compounds the issues because I am left with my thoughts. I want to believe that I can get through this and when I am in a window I can... but then comes a wave. And then I feel like its me and Im doing this to myself, not the WD. Its so up and down.

 

It will be a week tomorrow since I reinstated 12.5mg Sertraline and I do believe that it has made a big difference, but I am still not feeling like "myself" and I feel like the longer it is (6 weeks now), the harder it will be to get back to that person that I was/am/should be. I am meeting with someone tomorrow to look at meditation or CBT and try and get a grip on things, but I don't even know if I can. If someone catches me in a wave its very hard for me to do anything about it - again, I need to be harder on myself instead of just wallowing in the self pity, anxiety and sadness. 

 

I know it will take another 3 to 5 weeks to stabilize before I even consider dropping 10% and you know what, I am still so scared about dropping. I dont want to keep coming back to this place when I lower. I look for success stories of people in similar positions and most people seem to suffer for SO LONG and it scares m because I dont know how much of this I can take. I am trying to hang on to the good windows to ride out the waves, but again that takes discipline, which is something I am not good at.

 

I took an Enneagram test and found out I am type 6, which fits in with so much. We moved around a lot when I was a child and I felt like I was always on the back foot, starting new schools, meeting new people, trying to be something that the new kids would like and it was disruptive moving around all the time and if I am honest and look at it from my younger point of view - it was pretty bloody sh*tty. Yes we got to go to amazing places and yes my family loved me, but I also spent a lot of time in schools where the kids knew each other, were clique and also a bit xenophobic. I have been analysing my life and big events which took place which may have shaped me in to the person I am... the thing is I liked myself the way I was before all of this - I didnt have anxiety and panic attacks, or if I did it was a more "normal" level. What am I so scared of? Why do I care so much what people think of me? Why does not being in control right now and usually freak me out so much?

 

rant over.  

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Reinstating seems to be working for you, and that is great to see. This is not you, and you should stop beating yourself up and being hard on yourself! You are going through a difficult time and are starting to heal again. It will take time and while the waves are bad it is good to accept them and try to ride them until they settle.  This will pass, I know we all repeat that over and over but it really will pass. It does get better, no-one can say when but it will. 

**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

All of those questions would be excellent to explore with a counselor. You can start to practice meditation on your own, see
 
Easing your way into meditation for a stressed-out nervous system
 
Mindfulness and Acceptance
 
Inhabiting our bodies in meditation http://wp.me/p5nnb-aSX
 
It's also important to forgive yourself and recalibrate your expectations while you heal, see
 
Ruminations
 
Shame, guilt, and self-criticism
 
The importance of recognizing feeling good
 
Using Kindness and Compassion to overcome Anxiety and Depression

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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I struggle so much in the morning. I'm currently sat on the sofa with a sad light on me in tears. I wake up at 7/8am because of the cortisol and adrenaline shooting down my arms and along the top of my back. I am tired and want to stay in bed but that's not an option. I come downstairs for my 12.5ng of sertraline, porridge and some milk.

My jaw muscles are tensing, I have jumpy thoughts that don't add up or make sense. I am in tears on and off. This is my morning lately and I can't seem to do anything about it. I don't think there's any way I can go to work tomorrow.

I hate this so much. I hate feeling so alone and helpless. I hate not really knowing what's going on with my body. I want my life back. I want me back.

I thought last night that maybe this is the new me. Maybe this is me without pills?

Do I have any options? Could I increase back up to the dose of 50mg I was on for nearly four years? Will this get better if I stick with it or am I now in withdrawal? With no view to an end.

I just want help. I want someone to hug me and say they understand, it will be okay and they will look after me.

Please. I am so desperate. I need a resolution.

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hey there 302.     I see things are improving (which is good) but slowly (not so good).    This is a promising sign for one week after reinstating.

 

Everything you're describing about your fears and physical symptoms is a part of the withdrawal process.  

The way you are now is not permanent , and your old self will come back when the WD symptoms settle right down.

 

If you do want to "updose" , you can go up by small amounts.   From 12.5mg you might go to 25mg , not straight up to 50mg.   Try to give it another week , because if you see a noticeable improvement then , you may not want to increase.    You really need to give the sertraline a chance to do it's stuff

 

I was a lot further down the track than you when I reinstated , and 6 months later I have my life back.    Yours is on it's way - try to be patient.

 

Hugs ,    Fresh

1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg

2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg

Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta

Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months.

July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months.

Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg.

October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive.

March 2016 , 21mg

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So you're off all ads? For how long? And you feel normal again?

I can't stop crying. It was like this on Saturday and now again today. And I can't go to work

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I'm taking pristiq 50mg.     

I had 11 months of hell-nightmare existence after stopping Cymbalta in July 2013 , and started pristiq in July 2014 because I was too tired and frightened to continue

the withdrawal process.

Wish I had started pristiq earlier.

I feel pretty normal again - I drive , shop , am independent again.   And I can enjoy things now , whereas I wasn't able to enjoy anything for years.

 

Keep the faith 302 , you can do this.

1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg

2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg

Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta

Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months.

July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months.

Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg.

October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive.

March 2016 , 21mg

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So you couldn't quit? Maybe I can't quit?

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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But I don't think I can continue this journey. I really don't think I can quit. I haven't felt this bad before.

I am so sad and low in the mornings. But I know I'm not sad. And I want my life badk

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

It's only been a week on 12.5mg sertraline.   Be strong , you've managed somehow to get through each day no matter how terrible it felt.     Just keep doing whatever it takes.    Use ALL your favourite distraction techniques.     We're all stronger than we believe is possible.

In solidarity ,

1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg

2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg

Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta

Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months.

July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months.

Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg.

October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive.

March 2016 , 21mg

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Today hasn't improved much. I'm so angry and upset tonight. Frustrated about this all. Seeing psych for second opinion tomorrow. And going to see a homeopath. I need some respite from this. I felt like smashing the kitchen up today when I was crying.

I had blood tests today so get results Friday hopefully. I don't think anything will show up.

I want the withdrawal diagnosis from the doctor, to validate me.

I hate this so so much.

I try to fight it and be me and be happy. But it's not happening. So much has happened in the last six weeks now and it's horrible.

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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So you couldn't quit? Maybe I can't quit?

Yes you CAN quit AD's. Many of us have. Some of us went though years of terrible WD because of a ct. You were smart about this and RI'd. Just give it time. Im sorry you're feeling so horrible. Trust me. I know what it's like and had years of it from my ct. ( by the time I realized what was happening it was too late for me). You CAN do this. Sadly it takes time. There's no magic way out of this. Years ago when I did my first ct, and was told my original condition returned, my RI took 3 months before I felt functional again. It may or may not happen even in a few weeks, just be patient and try not get discouraged if it takes longer and know that in the end you will get through this. I wouldn't jump back to your original dose. Try and slowly go up ( if you absolutely have to) because you want to stabliZe on the lowest possible dose. This can save you so much time when tapering. Rest assured, all that you're feeling now is NOT you. It's the WD brain lying to you. It's all WD. Time is really all we have in this.

I'm sending you lots of hugs and telling you that it WILL be okay!!

13 years of Ssri's - celexa, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft

2 fast tapers and 2 cold turkeys over the years

Psych med free since September 4th 2011 - fast tapered then CT'd 12.5 mg of Zoloft

 

 

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

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  • Administrator

It's unlikely your psychiatrist will give you a diagnosis of withdrawal syndrome. Few recognize it.

 

Please give your reinstatement more time.

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

Are you using any lorazepam at the moment ?     This is the time for it if you have some there.   Only small doses tho'.

1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg

2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg

Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta

Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months.

July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months.

Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg.

October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive.

March 2016 , 21mg

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No, not using anything as was trying to keep it simple and only taking the sertraline.

Been signed off for another week lost work.

Homeopath tomorrow. She says she has lots of patients she is helping with withdrawal; about half of her patients. She helped someone come off an ad and two benzos. I have said I want to stabilise on 12.5mg and wean after six months but if the homeopathic medicine can compliment that then great. Not about to rip the carpet out from under me again. Hope you all agree. She said it took six months to get her other client off the ad and two benzos as they did one at a time and took their time. I have a good feeling about her.

Objective with the psych tonight is to try and get some other bloods done, including cortisol, and arrange Cbt. I know no one will acknowledge this; was just saying that's part of what I find so upsetting and frustrating.

Sleep is becoming an issue at night; just can't get off then as soon as other half leaves early (6.30/7) I'm awake and that's it. Tried baths, reading, camomile erc. Any other suggestions? Epsom salt baths don't help me; they make me really tired the next day

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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  • Mentor

dont do mirtazapine.... rocket fuel....

why are the docs so eager to keep adding different drugs?

1992 Dothiepin 375mg 8 weeks, exhaustion/depression.  Serotonin syndrome, oh yes!  seizures . Fell pregnant, 3rd baby, Nitrous Oxide, 3 weeks mental hospital pp psychosis. zoloft tegretol.

Feb 1996 ct tegretol, tapered Zoloft 8 weeks. as (unexpectedly)  pregnant. Steven died after 3 days.(Zolft HLHS baby).  98 had run in with Paxil, 2 tablets, 3 weeks taper, survived.
2005..menopause? exhausted again. Zyprexa, mad in three days, fallout....  Seroquel, Effexor, tegretol,   and 8 years of self destruction. Failed taper.
Damn 1/4 valium... nuts again! .fallout, zoloft 100mg  seroquol 400mg mirtazapine 45 mg  tegretol 400mg.  Mid 14 3 month taper. Nov 14 CRASH.
Mid 15 ....   75mg  seroquel,  3 x 1800mg SJW  2 week window end of December followed by 6 week wave
5/2 68mg seroquel, 2.5 x 1800mg SJW::::20/2 61mg seroquel, 2.5 x  SJW::: 26/2 54mg seroquel, 2 x SJW::::21/3 43mg seroquel, 1 x 2700SJW :::: 23/4 36mg seroquel 1 x 1800 SJW
15/5 33mg seroquel, 1 x SJW::::   28/5 30mg seroquel, 1 x SJW::::;  18/6 25mg seroquel 1/2 SJW::::, 11/7 21mg seroquel 1/2 SJW::, 26/7 18mg seroquel 1/2 SJW:::, 9/8 12mg seroquel :::, 16/8 6mg seroquel ;;;;, 12/9 0 jump.

23/9  3mg.....,  27/9 0mg.  Reinstated, 6mg, then 12mg.............  LIGHTBULB MOMENT,  I have  MTHFR 2x mutations.  CFS and issues with MOULD in my home. So I left home, and working 150km away during week, loving it.

Oh was hard, panic attacks first week, gone now, along with the mould issues.

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Please give your reinstatement more time.

 

Alto, do you mean I shouldn't look at homeopathy?

The Bristol project I have been calling for daily support (as I am on a different time zone to everyone on this site) said it was good I had reinstated and thought it would take around three weeks to stabilize.... I hope thats right, but I know everyone is different. I am still keeping a diary of everything and keeping it simple - not taking sleeping aids, vitamins, omega etc, just taking the 12.5mg sertraline. Diet has improved on its own - I guess its my body letting me know what it needs - no caffeine, no crisps, no chocolate/sugar, no fast food; eating more fruits/smoothies (no added sugar), porridge, keeping hydrated etc. Even my smoking has been cut down, again not through any conscious effort on my part. I have lost 10lbs in the last three or four weeks. 

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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  • Administrator

Homeopathy probably will not interfere with your stabilization.

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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I went to the psych today (second opinion) and it couldn't have gone better. He agreed he thought I was highly sensitive to the sertraline, agrees with the 12.5mg reinstatement with a slow taper in due course. It feels so good to have someone medical "on side" instead of labelling this depression and giving me more pills etc. I feel pretty happy.

Homeopath tomorrow to hopefully help with some of the symptoms I have had. The psych said if I decide to use homeopathy too, then he will work alongside it.... He didn't condone or disparage it but seemed very respectful of what I had told him and my opinion. So I'm not out the woods but I feel like things are coming together hopefully. Have another appointment with him in two weeks to see how I am getting on. He asked me to include what I eat in my mood diary.

I know I'm still going to have waves but today is a definite window. Thank you all zx

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Great that you've found a supportive doc! Hang in there. I know it's awful, but it will definitely get better.

Started on Prozac and Xanax in 1992 for PTSD after an assault. One drug led to more, the usual story. Got sicker and sicker, but believed I needed the drugs for my "underlying disease". Long story...lost everything. Life savings, home, physical and mental health, relationships, friendships, ability to work, everything. Amitryptiline, Prozac, bupropion, buspirone, flurazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, Paxil, citalopram, lamotrigine, gabapentin...probably more I've forgotten. 

Started multidrug taper in Feb 2010.  Doing a very slow microtaper, down to low doses now and feeling SO much better, getting my old personality and my brain back! Able to work full time, have a full social life, and cope with stress better than ever. Not perfect, but much better. After 23 lost years. Big Pharma has a lot to answer for. And "medicine for profit" is just not a great idea.

 

Feb 15 2010:  300 mg Neurontin  200 Lamictal   10 Celexa      0.65 Xanax   and 5 mg Ambien 

Feb 10 2014:   62 Lamictal    1.1 Celexa         0.135 Xanax    1.8 Valium

Feb 10 2015:   50 Lamictal      0.875 Celexa    0.11 Xanax      1.5 Valium

Feb 15 2016:   47.5 Lamictal   0.75 Celexa      0.0875 Xanax    1.42 Valium    

2/12/20             12                       0.045               0.007                   1 

May 2021            7                       0.01                  0.0037                1

Feb 2022            6                      0!!!                     0.00167               0.98                2.5 mg Ambien

Oct 2022       4.5 mg Lamictal    (off Celexa, off Xanax)   0.95 Valium    Ambien, 1/4 to 1/2 of a 5 mg tablet 

 

I'm not a doctor. Any advice I give is just my civilian opinion.

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Thank you rhi. Should the withdrawals symptoms subside once I stabilise on 12.5mg sertraline or should I expect waves and windows from now on until I come off and then probably for a bit after? Or is the point of ri that the symptoms subside and I taper slowly to avoid?

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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Thank you rhi. Should the withdrawals symptoms subside once I stabilise on 12.5mg sertraline or should I expect waves and windows from now on until I come off and then probably for a bit after? Or is the point of ri that the symptoms subside and I taper slowly to avoid?

I'm glad you found a good holistic doctor. I have had one for the last 4 years and she is my saviour. I never used homeopaths because my NP felt I was too sensitive to too many things and she didn't want to rock the boat. We did try a few herbs ( not homeopathic) that didn't work in the beginning but we've been mainly focusing on foods to help me heal. I know someone from Paxilprogress who is 3.5 years off like me from a ct and she swore by the homeopaths helping Her get through the toughest waves.

 

Just be careful because your holistic doc also may not know how severe WD can be ( mine never saw a case as bad as mine until she watched me go through acute) This was indicated to me by them telling you that you should stablize within 3 weeks and also getting someone off their AD in 6 months. That's a really fast taper if that person was on a therapeutic dose. Someone may feel good tapering off in that time ( as many do as they reduce doses) but they can still very likely hit protracted WD months down the road. I've seen it a lot of times and I'm one of them. Although I dropped my zoloft at 12.5 mg ( where you are at).

 

I just think it's better to be safe than sorry and after what I've been through, I'll implore anyone to please be very careful coming off.

 

Definitely work with your holistic doctor. I think you'll get great support there but also do what's safest in regards to tapering very very small amounts ( 10% method has seemed to work for many).

 

I think you're being very smart by not wanting to add any more psych MEDS to the mix. I'm not sure why people are telling you to take benzos. That's the worst thing you can do. It's playing with Fire. You're trying to get off a psych drug that's no longer working for you, why on earth would you be adding another to the mix? Anyhow. That's just my 2 cents from the years of experience I have with WD.

 

I also know someone who continued to have waves from their ct, even after stablizing back On MEDS. She's tapered and down to 1mg from a 3+ year taper (20mg of PAXIL) now but continued to have some waves the first couple of years. Definitely not as unbarable as mine were with my ct. The RI definitely softened the blow for her.

 

I wish you all the best. You really seem to have a good plan and I hope you will be fortunate to stablize fast and have a smooth as possible taper off!!

13 years of Ssri's - celexa, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft

2 fast tapers and 2 cold turkeys over the years

Psych med free since September 4th 2011 - fast tapered then CT'd 12.5 mg of Zoloft

 

 

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

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I really hope that the RI will start to stabilize shortly as I HAVE to go back to work next week - I cannot take any more time off.

 

The main issues I am having now are the nausea, insomnia, anxiety and occasional teariness in the mornings and feeling hopeless (on those times when I am crying).

 

I was told by a charity that the RI was a good step and I should stabilize within another two weeks (three weeks in total since RI), so thats what I am hoping and praying for. I know to stabilize for 4-6 weeks before 10% reduction. I am just so nervous about going through this again when I reduce so it is putting me off. I am not in a rush to come off - the priority is to not feel the way I have for the last 6 weeks because I have had just about all I can take from it. This has been such a shock, coming out of nowhere, completely unexpected. 

 

I am trying to be positive and keep thinking that every day is a day closer to being back to myself (I hope) and enjoy the good days and ride out the bad days. Still keeping the diary - I really should write it as and when I am going through it. 

 

I've read a lot of books including True Refuge: Finding Peace and Freedom in Your Own Awakened Heart Tara Brach, Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America Robert Whitaker, The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness

Peter Lehmann, Loren R. Mosher, Judi Chamberlin, Pirkko Lahti
 
 

 

I am trying to arm myself with as much information as I can on how to handle all of this. I have a lot of respect for those of you who have made it through all of this! 

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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So the first day I took the homepathic remedy I felt amazing. Then yesterday I didnt. I feel numb and like I don't want to be here. Where I would have highs and lows with sertraline since ri now I don't have the highs just sitting at this level low. My mind isn't racing, it's just nothing. But the thought I don't want to be here.

I didn't think homeopathy could make you feel worse, thought it just wouldn't work. Or maybe it's the new phase of the ri? It will be two weeks on Tuesday since I ri. Any advice from knowledgable people please? I've read shantis post.

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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Give it time..I reinstated same amount as you in October 2014 and only felt better to taper on 20th jan but I realised I still should have waited.

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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So you think this is just the ri and not the homepathic remedy?

Waited for what?

I feel awful. Before the homepathic remedy I had highs and lows. Now I just feel low.

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I agree , give it time.  

The changes are likely a combination of the reinstated sertraline starting to kick in , and the withdrawal symptoms which are still developing - they haven't been nailed yet.

Are you able to list the ingredients of your homeopathic remedy?  

 

I suspect Joannad meant "waited" to taper.    You can stay on each dose as long as you want.    After a big shake-up like you've had , you may decide to wait 6 months before starting to taper.

There are no brownie points in this game for doing it fast.

1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg

2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg

Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta

Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months.

July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months.

Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg.

October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive.

March 2016 , 21mg

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I can't do this. I thought the worst was over. I don't sant to be here anymore. This medicine is killing me. I feel like I can't stop moving. My muscles are tending, I can't even eat today.

I thought it was the homeopathy not the sertraline ri and wd.

I thought I was getting better. Now I'm worse. This is like a cruel joke

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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The homepath just came round. She's given me some arum and rescue remedy. It has calmed me down significantly.

I know I don't need to be on this medication for panic attacks anymore, it's so annoying I have to take it to get off it again and that even at 12.5mg it can still make me feel so bad on start up. I wasn't expecting that at all.

I'm sticking with it and am proud I managed not to take the lorazepam or diazepam as was so so desperate but want the poison out of my body. That's what it feels like; the way it's making me feel so bad now and how it made me feel coming off it. I can't believe a legal, prescription drug can do this to anyone. It's disgusting.

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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  • Member

302,

 

I wanted to comment on your situation about the startup of the zoloft and how you are feeling but when I read your signature the med timeline did not make sense. It is not clear when you stopped the zoloft and at what dose and it is not possible in a short time to read back into someone's thread to get the whole story. If you went cold turkey on Jan 21 2015 it should clearly state that.

 

The one thing you have to get an understanding of is that taking zoloft the way you are now is not for some medical reason such as 'to reduce or cure panic attacks', that is a long ago sort of reasoning which may or may not have even really applied to the situation. Right now you are trying to make it so your body can stabilize on an amount of the drug it modeled its functioning around after starting daily use of it in 2011. The body has to release its 'need' for the drug gradually and start functioning without it. Right now 2 things are happening: your body is reacting to the med changes it went through this year and you are giving it a bit of the med it was used to to see if the uncomfortable symptoms related to the WITHDRAWAL of the drug will settle and allow you to reach a level of functioning that allows you to carry on activities of daily living while the weaning process proceeds.

 

It just can't be teased out why you feel the way you do at any given time; withdrawal or reinstatement. The road is just going to be rocky but we usually see, when enough time has elapsed when you maintain a consistent dose, a person begins to feel a bit more 'stable'. You just aren't there yet, not enough time has elapsed. What we try to do is support you while this is happening so you don't keep making ill-advised changes and further upset your system.

What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878

 

July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site.

 

Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey.

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It says 0mg from 21st January? Then reinstated 12.5mg as advised nearly two weeks ago. The doctor told me to take 25mg in November then I had a turn in January and the new doctor said just stop...

Then people here said to ri so I have.

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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I see what you mean. Not sure what all that text was about. Think I have sorted it?

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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  • Member

That is better but you can edit a bit and remove the '[/size][/i]' bit, don't know how that crawled in. Sigs are supposed to be in a subdued font color and a bit smaller font so they don't detract from your posts (but often mods will add links and stuff to theirs for ready retrieval). It is not necessary to add in the exact days or some of the other stuff, one would have to read your thread to get clarification of it (which defeats the purpose) but leave it alone for now. We really only need a brief prior drug history and current meds to see at a glance where you are at.

 

So you are in that area where your body is both withdrawing reacting and trying to stabilize and it is just going to be a rocky road for a bit. What we as mods do is try to support you in keeping things as steady as you can at this point until a clear trend emerges. Do you see this? Because we know that many are tempted to try something (anything!) to change how they feel and that often has disastrous results.

 

Can you manage to hang on with things as they are right now, knowing that some days will be better or worse than others? It is too soon for you to attempt any changes right now. Your body needs gentle consistency.

What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878

 

July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site.

 

Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey.

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I really am trying. I thought that how I felt the last week was the worst of it, I just didn't expect how I've been today and yesterday. It feels like hell. I felt better earlier in the week to the point where I thought I could be back to work this week. I know I have to stick with it and stabilise. I Just didn't think it would get harder. There is no other option is there if I want to get off the Zoloft successfully?

50mg daily Zoloft (Sertraline) since March 2011 (For Panic Attacks/Anxiety)
25mg since Nov 2014
0mg since 21st Jan 2015 
Thurs 29th jan; took a one-off dose 20mg fluoxetine in an effort to get rid of withdrawal side effects
Sat 31st jan; in desperation took one off dose 50mg sertraline. Got very anxious and spiraled, so was given 5mg Valium to take every four hours for the weekend until psych appt mon
Mon 2nd feb; psych told me to take 75mg venlafaxine and 1mg lorazepam three times a day
Tuesday 3rd feb; took 12.5mg sertraline and 1mg lorazepam but couldn't take it the full day as instructed by doc.
Plan to follow advice from here and take 12.5mg sertraline daily. I also take b vitamin complex and omega fish oils daily (stopped fish oils and b vits 4th feb as advised. Continuing with 12.5mg sertraline)

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