sogno: I need advice

[sogno]

Hi

I recently found this forum and I would like to introduce myself and talk about my situation

Since I was 18-19years old I suffered of  depression. I also suffer of social anxiety.

I talked to a doctor and he put me on zoloft 50mg, zyprexa 5mg and 2mg lorazepam everyday. it's been a year since I started to take these medications.

Just three months ago I decided to quit the zoloft, because I was tired of the side effects: losing hair and zero libido and almost anorgasmia.

I tapered it slowly and I didn't suffer much, except a lowered mood. My doctor says it's because the depression is coming back.

Since I'm taking these medications ( the zyprexa and lorazepam) I noticed my emotions are dulled, my memory is worsened and my ability on focusing and learning is diminished and I also feel tired all the time.

I noticed I'm way more anxious than before, my doctor tried to increase the dose of lorazepam but I declined.

So I'm seriously considering of quitting these medications. I talked to my doctor about suspending the medications and he said these drugs don't have that kind of side effects. I believe this is bs. He also discouraged me on quitting the meds because things "will get worse", and I could get very depressed like I was before.

Honestly I don't remember much how I was before, yes, I was depressed but I made some changes in my life, and I don't suffer, as far as I know, of bipolarism, schyzofrenia or any other serious mental problem. I also know that the more I'm on these medications, the harder will be to quit.

I basically want to quit but I'm also worried about the consequences of doing so. I don't know what to do.

I would like to hear opinions of someone who found himself in a similar situation.

Thank you

[clearday]

Welcome,

 

Please go to "My Settings" and fill out your drug history signature, mine below is an example.

 

It's good that you figured out your doctor is giving you bad information. You've only been in this medication trap for a year, so you have a good chance to get away from these medications without great prolonged difficulty. But it will still be a challenge.

 

We need to know how long you took to taper off Zoloft. If you tapered off 100 mg during three months, how did you reduce the amounts. It may have been too fast of a taper, and you may now be experiencing some withdrawal from the Zoloft.

 

A moderator with more experience will be along to help you decide how to get off these drugs, if you fill out your signature that will help.

[luv2knit]

Welcome to SA. Sorry you are suffering. Please do not even consider quitting more meds until a mod comes along to advise you. You say you decided to quit Zoloft three months ago and "tapered slowly". A three-month or less taper off of 100 mg. is not a slow taper. The taper rate recommended on this site is 10% per month. (You cut 10% of your current dose and hold for at least a month before cutting again.). Your doctor is wrong. The symptoms you are experiencing are definitely withdrawal syndrome. The only way to ease symptoms is by going back on a low dose, and tapering slowly. Hopefully a mod will be along to advise you shortly with regard to how much to reinstate, and how to best handle the eventual tapers of your other meds if you are wanting to get off of them. (The usual procedure is to taper one at a time, and in a certain order.)

[sogno]

Thank you for the replies.

I don't remember very well how I tapered the zoloft...

I read some of the infos in this forum and I realized I didn't taper it "slowly", my bad....

after six months the doctor said to take half of the pill ( so 25mg). I stayed on 25mg for more than six months then he said to not take it anymore. That was my "taper". Before this forum I wasn't aware you should taper it slowly, my doctor said to interrupt it and I did what he said.

I don't believe the issues I'm suffering are because the suspension of the zoloft, but because of the lorazepam and the zyprexa.

clearday: I will edit my signature later, when I'm on my computer.

[Petunia]

Welcome sogno,

How long ago did you stop taking Zoloft? Do you notice any pattern in your symptoms?

 

We do need a little more information as clearday said.

 

If you would put your drug and tapering history in your signature, that would help us, here are instructions for how to do it:

 

http://survivinganti...your-signature/

 

Many of us are here because we tapered too fast while believing we were doing it right. Sadly, most doctors don’t have a clue and often advise tapers that lead patients to going back on the drug because of a ‘relapse’,  which is actually withdrawal.

 

See: What to expect from my doctor

 

I don't know if you are experiencing withdrawal from zoloft or side effects from zyprexa and lorazepam, it sounds to me like you may be experiencing both.

 

Here are links to the side effects of zyprexa and lorazepam

 

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/zyprexa-side-effects.html

 

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/lorazepam-side-effects.html

 

Here is some more information about withdrawal:

 

What is withdrawal syndrome?

 

There is also a potential major interaction between the two drugs you are still taking

 

http://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=1488-0,1744-1113

Interactions between your selected drugs

lorazepam ↔ olanzapine

Applies to: lorazepam, Zyprexa (olanzapine)

Ask your doctor before using LORazepam together with OLANZapine. This can cause low blood pressure, shallow breathing, weak pulse, muscle weakness, drowsiness, dizziness and slurred speech. This may be more likely to occur in older adults or those with a debilitating condition. You should be counseled to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until you know how these medications will affect you. If your doctor prescribes these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use these medications together. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

 

Psych meds can cause harmful side effects and long term, they can worsen health, increasing the risk of other illnesses. In my opinion they  should only be used for short times and very cautiously, if at all.

When we have a little more information, we will be able to help you safely taper off your medications, if that's what you want to do.  For now, don't change anything. I'm glad you found us.

 

Petunia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sogno]

Welcome sogno,

How long ago did you stop taking Zoloft? Do you notice any pattern in your symptoms?

 

We do need a little more information as clearday said.

 

If you would put your drug and tapering history in your signature, that would help us, here are instructions for how to do it:

 

http://survivinganti...your-signature/

 

Many of us are here because we tapered too fast while believing we were doing it right. Sadly, most doctors don’t have a clue and often advise tapers that lead patients to going back on the drug because of a ‘relapse’,  which is actually withdrawal.

 

See: What to expect from my doctor

 

I don't know if you are experiencing withdrawal from zoloft or side effects from zyprexa and lorazepam, it sounds to me like you may be experiencing both.

 

Here are links to the side effects of zyprexa and lorazepam

 

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/zyprexa-side-effects.html

 

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/lorazepam-side-effects.html

 

Here is some more information about withdrawal:

 

What is withdrawal syndrome?

 

There is also a potential major interaction between the two drugs you are still taking

 

http://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=1488-0,1744-1113

Interactions between your selected drugs

lorazepam ↔ olanzapine

Applies to: lorazepam, Zyprexa (olanzapine)

Ask your doctor before using LORazepam together with OLANZapine. This can cause low blood pressure, shallow breathing, weak pulse, muscle weakness, drowsiness, dizziness and slurred speech. This may be more likely to occur in older adults or those with a debilitating condition. You should be counseled to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until you know how these medications will affect you. If your doctor prescribes these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use these medications together. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

 

Psych meds can cause harmful side effects and long term, they can worsen health, increasing the risk of other illnesses. In my opinion they  should only be used for short times and very cautiously, if at all.

When we have a little more information, we will be able to help you safely taper off your medications, if that's what you want to do.  For now, don't change anything. I'm glad you found us.

 

Petunia.

It's been three months since I stopped the zoloft. I didn't notice any strange symptoms ( no anxiety, no brain zaps,etc) other than after a month of suspending it I become very depressed.

I didn't know the interaction between olanzapine and lorazepam was considered risky.... my doctor said to take them together at night before sleep..

[AliG]

  Welcome.  3 months , might not be enough, to notice.  I hope for you , it will be fine.    However, do not take any notice of your doctor.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, sogno.

 

 

....

Just three months ago I decided to quit the zoloft, because I was tired of the side effects: losing hair and zero libido and almost anorgasmia.

I tapered it slowly and I didn't suffer much, except a lowered mood. My doctor says it's because the depression is coming back.

Since I'm taking these medications ( the zyprexa and lorazepam) I noticed my emotions are dulled, my memory is worsened and my ability on focusing and learning is diminished and I also feel tired all the time.

I noticed I'm way more anxious than before, my doctor tried to increase the dose of lorazepam but I declined.

....

 

Which symptoms got worse when you went off Zoloft? This is important. Increased anxiety is a common Zoloft withdrawal symptom; lowered mood, emotional anesthesia, and concentration difficulties are also withdrawal symptoms.

 

Lorazepam can have the side effect of depression, memory problems, and fatigue.

 

A combination of Zyprexa and lorazepam might well cause lack of energy, dulled emotions, and poor memory. This combination does not treat depression.

 

Your doctor does not seem to be well informed about psychiatric drugs.

[sogno]

Welcome, sogno.

 

 

....

Just three months ago I decided to quit the zoloft, because I was tired of the side effects: losing hair and zero libido and almost anorgasmia.

I tapered it slowly and I didn't suffer much, except a lowered mood. My doctor says it's because the depression is coming back.

Since I'm taking these medications ( the zyprexa and lorazepam) I noticed my emotions are dulled, my memory is worsened and my ability on focusing and learning is diminished and I also feel tired all the time.

I noticed I'm way more anxious than before, my doctor tried to increase the dose of lorazepam but I declined.

....

 

Which symptoms got worse when you went off Zoloft? This is important. Increased anxiety is a common Zoloft withdrawal symptom; lowered mood, emotional anesthesia, and concentration difficulties are also withdrawal symptoms.

 

Lorazepam can have the side effect of depression, memory problems, and fatigue.

 

A combination of Zyprexa and lorazepam might well cause lack of energy, dulled emotions, and poor memory. This combination does not treat depression.

 

Your doctor does not seem to be well informed about psychiatric drugs.

the only symptom which got worse after suspending the zoloft was the lowered mood.

The olanzapine is used in my case to treat social anxiety.

[sogno]

Topic title:  Olanzapine withdrawal and insomnia

 

Hi

 

I'm Federico from Italy and I will be 30 in August.

I have an history of depression and social anxiety. I talked to a psychiatrist and he put me on zoloft, lorazepam and olanzapine around 6 years ago.

At the "worst" of my therapy I was on 50 ( or 100 mg sorry I don't remember) of zoloft, 3.5 mg of lorazepam and 5 mg of olanzapine daily.

I was on zoloft for around a year but decided to quit, but I stayed on lorazepam and olanzapine for 5 years until recently. I managed to wean off the lorazepam during the years and now I'm free of it since around a year. Got worsened anxiety when quitting the lorazepam but other than that I managed to quit fine.

The last drug my psychiatrist wanted to remove was the olanzapine. Keep in mind I took the drug at 5mg for 5 or 6 years daily. He decided to reduce the dosage so he put me at 2.5mg, when I reduced the dosage I was hit with insomnia for around a week or so but fortunately managed to sleep well after that. Everything was fine.

Then he wanted me to be off of olanzapine completely. So he instructed me to take half a pill of 2.5mg for 10 days and then to quit taking the half a pill entirely. When I was at the half a pill I was sleeping fine. Since 15 of April I'm completely off of olanzapine and I'm experiencing terrible insomnia, the first two days couldn't sleep at all and now I have troubles falling asleep but manage to sleep three hours a day ( I believe, I might be sleeping more, not sure). Also I don't know if it is because of the drug withdrawal but I was hit with a terrible itch all over my body ( legs, knees, behind my neck, hair, arm, hands, etc), the itch was so bad and I was so frustrated for not sleeping I had to take some drops of delorazepam to calm down and managed to sleep ( this happened only at the third day, only time I used benzos since quitting them).

Yesterday I decided to call my psychiatrist to have advices for sleeping better, in my mind I expected some supplement or whatever, but no he told me "to start taking olanzapine again immediately". I also told him about the itch all over my body and he told me it's not because of the drug since " you didn't have it when you were on it", but I wondered if it is because of the withdrawal not because of the drug but didn't ask him. I suggested to give some more time to see if things improve and I will contact him again otherwise.

 

To be honest, I don't want to be back on olanzapine. In terms of mental wealth I'm feeling fine, I don't know if it's placebo, but seems like a fog has been lifted, I have more energy and I don't feel depressed, almost positive. Sure I'm not feeling too well phisically because I feel tired and a little "confused" especially today. Yesterday I had a car accident but fortunately nobody was harmed only the cars. I know this sound crazy, but I feel not too well phisically but good mentally, I believe that's a great thing for myself being out of the drugs. I hated being on them for all these years.

 

Do you have advices for improving the insomnia? I'm taking magnesium, drops of somekind of natural supplement ( valerian and melatonin) and some infusion of natural herbs to help sleep. How long do you feel it will take to get better?

 

ps sorry for my bad english.

 

 

edit: just noticed I might have posted this in the wrong section, feel free to move the discussion in the correct forum.

 

Edited April 24, 2019 by ChessieCat
added topic title

[ChessieCat]

15 hours ago, sogno said:

Do you have advices for improving the insomnia?

 

Sleep problems - that awful withdrawal insomnia

 

15 hours ago, sogno said:

drops of somekind of natural supplement ( valerian and melatonin) and some infusion of natural herbs to help sleep

 

valerian-root

 

melatonin-for-sleep

 

To search for SA's topics on the other ingredients in the supplement you can use the site search, or use google and add survivingantidepressants.org to the search term.