![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 239 to 263 of 350. Go back in thread:
Posted by fishin on November 5, 2003, at 20:42:02
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by esto on October 23, 2003, at 15:16:55
I just stopped taking zoloft on the 31st of October. I went from 50 mg to nothing (I had been taking the 50 mg for almost 2 years) I do get that weird feeling in my teeth, like electricity. I notice that the "head zaps" are worst when I move my eyes around or when I stand up quickly. This is irritating because I work two jobs and attend college full time so I'm not entirely sure how to cope. Does anyone know how long this is supposed to last? It just seems to be getting increasingly worse.
Posted by KXo on November 6, 2003, at 10:54:11
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by fishin on November 5, 2003, at 20:42:02
It didn´t happened to me when I stopped taking Zoloft, but happened when I stopped Wellbutrin, Effexor and Buspar. Also when I started Wellbutrin. The zaps lasted about 2 weeks.
Why are you stopping Zoloft?
KXo> I just stopped taking zoloft on the 31st of October. I went from 50 mg to nothing (I had been taking the 50 mg for almost 2 years) I do get that weird feeling in my teeth, like electricity. I notice that the "head zaps" are worst when I move my eyes around or when I stand up quickly. This is irritating because I work two jobs and attend college full time so I'm not entirely sure how to cope. Does anyone know how long this is supposed to last? It just seems to be getting increasingly worse.
Posted by edw on November 6, 2003, at 15:00:56
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms » fishin, posted by KXo on November 6, 2003, at 10:54:11
I had the same on Paxil as well. Its easing off gradually that helped me. I went right to Prozac afetr that and I understand that Prozac is self dimishing in ones system and requires no weening procedure.
Posted by fishin on November 6, 2003, at 20:46:10
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by edw on November 6, 2003, at 15:00:56
I'm stopping Zoloft because I have had a difficult time losing weight. I originally gained the weight while on Paxil, since then I have quit Paxil and begun working out and eating very well. This has been going on for a long time and I have still found myself unable to lose the "paxil pounds". So I'm sick of it, I'm tired of being overmedicated and overweight. I decided to get off of zoloft and take xanax if I need it for anxiety. These "zaps" are ridiculous though, I'm only 21 and I have a lot on my plate with school and work...it's really quite a stress.
Posted by EscherDementian on November 7, 2003, at 7:56:26
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by fishin on November 6, 2003, at 20:46:10
From 50 to 0 is WAY TOO BIG a drop, and the withdrawal side effects and 'zaps' will take MUCH longer than if you decrease more gradually, IMHO and experience with Zoloft.
Do you have any tablets left? You might want to refill just to taper down more comfortably w/o those 'electric' teethgrinding headzapping effects. And your emotions might feel the better for a smoothe landing, as well.
This is the best successful reduction schedule i have found:
From 50mg. :
Next day and for one week, take 25mg (bust the tab in half if it's the blue one. If it's the yellow 100mg, buy a pill cutter -about $3 at a discount pharmacy- and half the tablet twice).
If the "zaps" go away, you're good to continue from 25mg.
If not, alternate 50mg and 25mg every other day for a week.
Then take 50mg only after every 3 days of 25mg daily. For 2 weeks. Two weeks is what worked best for me.Then take 25mgs every day for a week, only taking 50mg for one day if the "zaps" return. It should only be needed every 5 days or so.
Continue at 25mg daily until you pass a week and haven't had any "zaps" AT ALL.
Take 25mg every day except Sunday (or you choose the day, but be consistant) for two weeks.
Then take 25mg every day for 4 days, skipping the 5th day, then 25mgs x 4 days, skip one day, 25mgs x 4 days, skip one day, 25mgs x 4 days, etc.
(This will take 3 weeks. Any faster and you may get the "zaps" again. If you are getting the "zaps" again anyway, go 25mg x 5 days, skip the next day for 2 weeks then reduce to x4, skip one).Then 25mg x 3 days, skip one, etc. for 2 weeks.
Now try skipping every other day for a week. No "zaps"? Take 25mg only every 3rd day, skipping 2 days. This you WILL need to do for 2 weeks, at least.
If you can half the 25mg, great! Do above with 12mg. If not, (like me) i took 25mg only once every 5 days for a while before i tried to take none at all. Each time the "zaps" returned, i'd take one 25mg that night only. The next day i'd be fine, and it would last for longer and longer until i'd forgotten all about "zaps". And Zoloft.
Infact, at any time that the "zaps" return, backtrack one day.
*whew* i know that's alot.
i know it seems like that will take a long time, and requires marking a calendar, but this is the FASTEST comedown from Zoloft that i've found safe and comfortable, out of 4 different times/tries.
Basically, it's dangerous to stop suddenly, and should taper down for at LEAST 1/4 of the time you were taking it regularly at your full dose.Hope this helps.
Escher
Posted by KXo on November 7, 2003, at 10:09:39
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by fishin on November 6, 2003, at 20:46:10
When I had the zaps for the first time I felt very stressed! They made me feel very bad and I could not do many things like working or studying, so preocupied I was. I just could not stop thinking about it.
After that when I had them for the 2nd and 3rd time I became much more traquil because I knew they would go away soon and I was able to do what I had to.
KXo> I'm stopping Zoloft because I have had a difficult time losing weight. I originally gained the weight while on Paxil, since then I have quit Paxil and begun working out and eating very well. This has been going on for a long time and I have still found myself unable to lose the "paxil pounds". So I'm sick of it, I'm tired of being overmedicated and overweight. I decided to get off of zoloft and take xanax if I need it for anxiety. These "zaps" are ridiculous though, I'm only 21 and I have a lot on my plate with school and work...it's really quite a stress.
Posted by fishin on November 7, 2003, at 22:56:52
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms » fishin, posted by KXo on November 7, 2003, at 10:09:39
Escher
Thankyou so much for the advice, I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate it.
Today I worked an 8 hour day at one job only to finish and head off to my other job.
When I headed home to change, I decided enough was enough and I took 50 mg of zoloft...I'm feeling only slightly better (now hours later) but am glad that I did it because I was throwing up and it was getting worse and I know this is all from withdrawal.
I'm going to try to wean myself off much more gradually, taking that advice.
Cross your fingers for me!!
Posted by JenDi on November 8, 2003, at 18:13:40
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms » fishin, posted by KXo on November 7, 2003, at 10:09:39
Hi everyone...I am so glad I stumbled onto this forum. This is just what I've been looking for...ANSWERS! I am a 38 yr old female & I have taken 100mg Zoloft for 7 years. Over a 4 week period, I have been decreasing my dosage and slowly switching over to Wellbutrin (that I know nothing about)at the request of my GP. Currently,I have reduced my intake to less than 25mg and I am feeling EVERY ill effect that each of you have described! It has been hard to tell if these are symptoms of withdrawal or if I was coming unglued. I have been VERY emotional,VERY irritable,numbness around my lips, sporatic spells of feeling "off balance" in the sense that I get extremely light-headed. This feeling intensifies if I get up to quickly or with a swift movement of my eyes. At times it is difficult to stay focused. I have two teenage sons and a husband who are also experiencing these side effects in the sense that they get to deal with ME! Has anyone out there gotten past these symptoms that can give me some sort of time frame? And if there are any suggestions that would be helpful please let me know.
Posted by tallguy on November 8, 2003, at 18:22:06
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by JenDi on November 8, 2003, at 18:13:40
> Hi everyone...I am so glad I stumbled onto this forum. This is just what I've been looking for...ANSWERS! I am a 38 yr old female & I have taken 100mg Zoloft for 7 years. Over a 4 week period, I have been decreasing my dosage and slowly switching over to Wellbutrin (that I know nothing about)at the request of my GP. Currently,I have reduced my intake to less than 25mg and I am feeling EVERY ill effect that each of you have described! It has been hard to tell if these are symptoms of withdrawal or if I was coming unglued. I have been VERY emotional,VERY irritable,numbness around my lips, sporatic spells of feeling "off balance" in the sense that I get extremely light-headed. This feeling intensifies if I get up to quickly or with a swift movement of my eyes. At times it is difficult to stay focused. I have two teenage sons and a husband who are also experiencing these side effects in the sense that they get to deal with ME! Has anyone out there gotten past these symptoms that can give me some sort of time frame? And if there are any suggestions that would be helpful please let me know.
-- I think your problem is that you moved way too fast in reducing your dosage. 100 mgs of Zoloft for 7 years is a lot and I'd expect it would take at least a couple of months with a gradual reduction. I was on 50 mgs of Zoloft for 8 months and it took 6 weeks for me to gradually wean off of it. One thing that I found helped as well was to take 5-HTP to help with the seratonin levels. Do this only if you have days where you aren't taking an SSRI however.
Posted by EscherDementian on November 10, 2003, at 3:21:27
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by tallguy on November 8, 2003, at 18:22:06
You're most welcome, fishin~~ glad i could help. I know how difficult the withdrawal effects and rollercoaster emotion swings were for me, too. Keep us posted on how you're doing and any observations? As they say: mileage may vary ;)
JenDi~ yes, those are the symptoms i experienced, and 'got past them' in the time frame i suggested in my previous post. I really feel for you. Withdrawal after 7 years? Wow. i only had to deal with stopping after 3-4 years, but i had been taking 200mg x daily. i tried stopping and also reducing dosage too quickly a couple times unsuccessfully with devastating results, before _a phamacist/friend_ finally took me aside and taught me what she knew about coming off an SSRI. i am still grateful to her for that day.
Basically, 1) Expect to wean down gradually for a time that is equal to AT LEAST 1/4 of the entire time you were on an SSRI. And that's going from 100->0 on the Autobahn when it's icy!
2) When you get the 'zaps' or electric 'zings', or unreasonable emotional bursts, backup a step in your weaning, you are going too fast.
i would take a pill that eve of my last mg amount before the most recent reduction, and begin that reduction step again.
3) Use a calendar to plan, and daily notations to keep track.It may have taken me longer, but the elimination of the crazyness was worth it. And it was SAFE this way.
Tallguy~ i wish i'd known about the 5-HTP for the days not taking a dose. Using the slow weaning that i did, and the occasional backtrack days worked out finally to be the gentle landing (tailored to my own body) that i was looking for, but i do wonder how it might've gone if someone had suggested some support like that.
I did, however, find much welcomed relief in using the natureopathic Bach's Rescue Remedy.Best wishes to JenDi and Fishin,
Escher
Posted by danjya on November 11, 2003, at 1:40:05
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms » fishin, posted by EscherDementian on November 7, 2003, at 7:56:26
hello everybody. it seems that i need some kind of help with this zoloft thing. my wife was prescribed zoloft for chronic depression. she has been up to 200mg/day for the last 2 months. she is 5.8 tall and weights 97 pounds...after loosing more than 25 pounds in 4 months of zoloft. you all say here that you gained weight...i don't understand much anymore. more so, another doc just prescribed her 150mg wellbrutin on top of the zoloft. i am simply in panic that i am losing her to all of these drugs... any ideas, please? i want to take her off these things. slowly of course, but OFF. do you know of any alternatives...???
thank you.
Posted by danjya on November 11, 2003, at 1:49:38
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms » fishin, posted by EscherDementian on November 7, 2003, at 7:56:26
http://www.findserenitynow.com/az/index.html
has anybody taken this? or something similar that is not major B/S? thank you all very much.
Posted by Tallguy on November 11, 2003, at 1:56:43
In reply to zoloft, zaps, and all from 200mg/day, posted by danjya on November 11, 2003, at 1:40:05
Some people gain weight, some people lose weight, some aren't affected at all. It varies from person to person. I can guess at that level of dosage, it's possible that the Zoloft is acting like an appetite suppresant. When I first started taking Zoloft my appetite shrank as well. 200 mgs plus Welbutrin is a lot of meds though. I think it might be time to get a second opinion. However, it is common for a doctor to try out various SSRIs before finding one that works. If your wife is at that high a level of Zoloft, her doctor might be thinking it's time to try something else.
Posted by EscherDementian on November 11, 2003, at 11:10:27
In reply to zoloft, zaps, and all from 200mg/day, posted by danjya on November 11, 2003, at 1:40:05
Hello danjya
i hear your urgency and your love for your wife~ i'll try to help, but better than i can, are a few people here that will notice your request on the 'PsychoBabble Alternative' board. Try posting your request for help in the title & re: alternatives to Zoloft, Wellbutrin, on that board.
i hope you find what you are looking for & wish you the best for your wife,
Escher
Posted by danjya on November 11, 2003, at 18:27:39
In reply to Re: zoloft, zaps, and all from 200mg/day, posted by Tallguy on November 11, 2003, at 1:56:43
thank you for your good wishes. i am sick of doctors prescribing more and more drugs...
i have placed my questions on the "alternatives" section as well, and I hope to get some additional answers.
thank you again.
Posted by JenDi on November 12, 2003, at 20:30:46
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by tallguy on November 8, 2003, at 18:22:06
To All~ Thanks for the suggestions. Today was a complete emotional rollar coaster. Broke down and took a 50mg Zoloft. It took the edge off and at least now I was able to function thoughout the rest of my day but...Whoa! And I thought giving up cigarette's was a challenge!! I have the utmost respect for those of you who have conquered this challenge. Thanks again...I think I will take it much slower this time.
Posted by Keith1 on November 12, 2003, at 22:57:08
In reply to Re: zoloft withdrawal symptoms, posted by esto on October 23, 2003, at 15:16:55
Ernest,
I'm glad I found someone who was on the Zoloft as long as I--about 8 years. How are you coping with the withdrawal effects? I've been drug-free about nine months now. It might be nice to connect to bounce our experiences off each other. Please email me at [xxx] if you'd like.
-Keith
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 16, 2003, at 6:28:26
In reply to Re: zoloft, zaps, and all from 200mg/day, posted by danjya on November 11, 2003, at 18:27:39
> thank you for your good wishes. i am sick of doctors prescribing more and more drugs...
>
> i have placed my questions on the "alternatives" section as well, and I hope to get some additional answers.Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031104/msgs/278726.html
Bob
Posted by Rach05 on November 17, 2003, at 20:59:13
In reply to zoloft, zaps, and all from 200mg/day, posted by danjya on November 11, 2003, at 1:40:05
Glad to know that it's not just me. I'm a 17 year old girl from Iowa, I've been on Zoloft for 11 months now, and I'm definitely ready to go off. My reason was panic attacks and depression, and I tried weaning off in July but had some pretty bad attacks and went back on it. I hate the idea of being dependent on a chemical and since I work in a pharmacy, I see how drugs affect all kinds of people. I'd love to be off this. The past two days have been horrible. I quit taking it Saturday night, and Sunday and all day today I had this crippling dizziness. I had to leave school and call in sick to work today, it was so bad. I don't have any nausea, but it's like these horrible waves of fuzziness... like it was described before, almost as if there was a short circuit somewhere. I hate this feeling. I've been taking 25mg for at least 5 months and now I'm trying to quit cold turky. But I think tonight I'm going to break down and take one. :( We'll see about alternating days.
Posted by DrBear22 on November 22, 2003, at 6:46:43
In reply to Re: i really want to be off this!, posted by Rach05 on November 17, 2003, at 20:59:13
Hi Gang,
While doing research for SSRI withdrawal I found this site. I am currently trying to get off of Celexa. I have been on 20mg daily for amost 3 years. It has been a God-send for me. My physician suggested that I try going off of it. In the past the withdrawal was so bad that I went back on it. What I have done so far is to reduce to 10mg daily for 2 weeks, and then three days ago stopped. Well, I was so dizzy and shakey that I was afraid to drive. I spilled hot coffee on myself. I didn't feel depressed which is a good sign. I ended up taking 10mg of Celexa and within a couple of hours felt fine. My plan is to start taking 10mg every other day for a couple of weeks and then stop again. I am not feeling very optimistic after reading what everyone has gone through. I am wondering if those who have been successful just decided to ride out the withdrawal symptoms. If so, any experience of how long they will last with Celexa?Thanks much!
Posted by pekostar on November 22, 2003, at 10:47:47
In reply to Re: i really want to be off this!, posted by DrBear22 on November 22, 2003, at 6:46:43
When I went on/off zoloft. My physician told me to take xanax to couteract the feelings. It did work for me.
Posted by DrBear22 on November 22, 2003, at 13:58:15
In reply to Re: i really want to be off this!, posted by pekostar on November 22, 2003, at 10:47:47
Pekostar,
Thanks much for the suggestion. Today I skipped Celexa, and as the day has gone on, dizzy spells have increased. I was glad to hear others talk about flushing, because I thought that I was going through male menopause <G>. People at work kept asking if I was ok, because my face was turning so read.
Posted by glenn on November 23, 2003, at 16:01:41
In reply to Re: i really want to be off this!, posted by DrBear22 on November 22, 2003, at 13:58:15
Sad that nobody has given you any guidelines , so I will!!
Firstly get the liquid, much easier to wean off.
Secondly if you want to minimise any withdrawal, unless you have a real need to get off very quickly, think in months not weeks or days.
Thirdly reduce slowly in steps, ie from 20 mg ( 8 drops)to 17.5 mg ( 7 drops)and leave at least a week ( preferably more) between each drop.
Do not be afraid to back off and increase again if needed.
Go more slowly when you get to 10- 5 mg, ie one mg at a time.
Consider a very low dose of prozac right at the end ( ie no more than 5 mg, get the liquid again!)
You have been on for 3 years so I would say 3-6 months is a reasonable time to come off it, unless that is you want to go through hell?!Glenn
Posted by DrBear22 on November 23, 2003, at 17:26:04
In reply to Re: i really want to be off this!, posted by glenn on November 23, 2003, at 16:01:41
Glen,
Wow! I had no idea this was so difficult to go off of. I also didn't know that there was a liquid form so I really appreciated your telling me about it. Now the next challenge is to convince my physician to prescribe the liquid forms of either meds. He just said "Oh it's easy to go off of. Just wean down over 2 weeks." It scares me that my doctor prescibed the Celexa, but doesn't seem to even understand the implications. Makes you wonder if he prescribes based on what drug reps tell him.
Thanks again Glen. I will slow down on my decrease and see if my doc will be reasonable and prescribe the liquid form.
Take care,
Jim
Posted by Booknook on November 24, 2003, at 8:42:48
In reply to Re: i really want to be off this!, posted by pekostar on November 22, 2003, at 10:47:47
My 16 year old son has been on 3 different ssri's since last May: Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft. He has had debilitating headaches ever since. Has had an MRI, EEG, numerous blood tests,(all tests were normal) sees a psychiatrist for meds, and a psychologist for therapy for depression. He is an overachieving high school honors student and these meds have really made a mess out of him. Has any one had any symptoms of migraine-like headaches similar to this? They are so bad that he can't function. When trying to withdraw from the ssri's he has head and body tremors and dizziness. He can't get out of bed in the mornings because of the headaches. We are at our wits end and don't know what to do for him anymore.
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.