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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by orphan1 on June 29, 2005, at 20:36:28
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?
Posted by ed_uk on June 29, 2005, at 20:36:28
In reply to Brain vibrations with Zoloft withdrawal, posted by orphan1 on June 29, 2005, at 13:18:53
Hi,
>My therapist says she's had only one other pt. with these symptoms.
All your symptoms are common Zoloft withdrawal symptoms.
>My PCP tells me he could switch me to Wellbutrin.
That wouldn't relieve your withdrawal symptoms. Also, Wellbutrin commonly (but not always) worsens anxiety.
>I've also read of people restarting the anti-depressant and then doing a slower tapering-off process.
This is usually the best strategy, I would strongly recommend it. There is no benefit in suffering if you don't have to, it is not beneficial in any way. Leaving the withdrawal symptoms untreated tends to be counter-productive. I would recommend restarting Zoloft immediately at 25mg/day. If 25mg is effective in eliminating your withdrawal symptoms you can start to taper gradually. If 25mg is not effective in eliminating your withdrawal symptoms, increase the dose to 37.5mg and taper from there.
Check out the 'withdrawal' board and talk to SLS (Scott) about the flexible dosing strategy for discontinuing SSRI antidepressants.
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by blueberry on June 29, 2005, at 20:36:28
In reply to Brain vibrations with Zoloft withdrawal, posted by orphan1 on June 29, 2005, at 13:18:53
I am of the opinion that you should restart zoloft and then inch away from it. Break a 25mg into halves and take 12.5mg one day. If that doesn't relieve the withdrawal symptoms for you, then take 25mg the next day. Keep trying to inch lower after that, but in small steps and in no hurry. When I came off zoloft, I would break the pill into several pieces so that I could take small steps down. In the end I was taking just a crumb a day. Withdrawals were hardly anything when I finally stopped, and only lasted a couple days. What has helped me a lot in the past is to reduce dosage in little increments. And stay at each new dose for about two or three days before trying to go lower.
Or you could stick it out. Don't know how long that will be or if you'll still have a job by then. It seems to me that being able to go to work is extremely important, more important than getting off zoloft in a hurry. I think dropping down in 25mg increments over just a two week period was too aggressive.
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