Posted by orphan1 on June 29, 2005, at 13:18:53 [reposted on June 29, 2005, at 20:36:28 | original URL]
Hey You Guys
Since 9/04 I've been treated for depression and panic attacks with psychotherapy and Zoloft 75mg q d. My primary care physician, therapist, and I decided I could taper off and started doing so by decreasing the dosage to 50mg for 1 week and then 25mg for the next week and then off the stuff altogether. Once I was down to 25 mg for about 4 days I started to experience dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia, distraction, fatigue, and a feeling of intermittent vibrations in my head, especially if I made any sudden movement. I have been totally off of Zoloft now for 1 week and still experience all of these symptoms. My therapist says she's had only one other pt. with these symptoms. My PCP tells me he could switch me to Wellbutrin.
Since searching online I've seen that this withdrawal syndrome is a fairly common occurance. What I don't know is how long this is going to last or what I can do about it. It's very frightening not to know. Every morning I wake up and think it will be over but as soon as I get out of bed and start moving around I feel the vibrations in my head. Half way through the day I have to lay down and rest. This fatigue sort of reminds me of recovering from surgery. I use all my energy I would normally expend throughout a normal day just to deal with the symptoms and the anxiety they create. It's exhausting. I haven't had any recurrence of depression or panic but this whole experience is very trying. I've already called in sick to work 2 days in a row because I feel so debilitated and know I wouldn't be safe.
I've come across stories of people taking Benadryl or Prozac. Do you know of any alternative things I can do to "get my mind right"? My family is very understanding but very concerned for me. I've also read of people restarting the anti-depressant and then doing a slower tapering-off process. I would only consider this as a last resort.
What do you think?
poster:orphan1
thread:521252
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050611/msgs/521252.html