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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by JoHum on January 4, 2003, at 18:09:37
I have been reducing my Zoloft for the past several weeks and am now taking 50mg every third day. My original dose was 100mg everyday and I have reduced it to 50mg everyday, then 50mg every other day and now 50mg every third day. My brain zaps have increased, but the worst part is that I cry or am near tears all the time. I am also very irritable. My husband says it is depression, but I don't feel depressed. I am still taking my thyroid medication and according to what I have read, that should take care of depression if it is regulated and depression has been caused by low thyroid. Has anyone else had these crying jags? They are making me miserable and afraid to leave the house for fear of starting to cry in public. Since I started taking antidepressants a long time before I was diagnosed with hypothyroid disease I feel that I must get off the Zoloft to see if I even need an antidepressant. I am receiving no support at all from my doctor for this. His answer to everything is another pill. Has anyone used St. John's wort for depression? I am wondering if it works and will it stop the crying jags and the brain zaps.
Thanks for any information. I am on my on with this and need all the feedback I can get.
Jo
Posted by Gabbix2 on January 4, 2003, at 18:24:53
In reply to Zoloft withdrawal symptoms and crying, posted by JoHum on January 4, 2003, at 18:09:37
Oh I feel for you. Yes, crying jags are my specialty. Withdrawing from an Anti-Depressant can be an ordeal, although some have no problem.
Never, before I withdrew from an SSRI
or benzo's did I have a problem not being able to control my tears. I couldn't go out, I couldn't work,
my fiancee was so fed up he started abusing me (no excuse but thats another story)
I'm withdrawing from Paxil as we speak, and for 4 hours this morning I was crying uncontrollably.
I also know what you mean about not being depressed.
Though I've been depressed when withdrawing, there have also been times when the tears justarrive along with the complete bodily hysterics and trying to describe it once
I said "I don't know I don't feel sad my face just won't stop crying though"You probably are dysphoric from the chemical shake-up, it does not necessarily mean you need to continue taking an A.D. medication, its symptomatic of withdrawl. After its out of your system, and the withdrawl period has been completed, then you can judge whether your depression symptoms have returned, or not.
Posted by JoHum on January 4, 2003, at 18:34:28
In reply to Re: Zoloft withdrawal symptoms and crying, posted by Gabbix2 on January 4, 2003, at 18:24:53
> Oh I feel for you. Yes, crying jags are my specialty. Withdrawing from an Anti-Depressant can be an ordeal, although some have no problem.
> Never, before I withdrew from an SSRI
> or benzo's did I have a problem not being able to control my tears. I couldn't go out, I couldn't work,
> my fiancee was so fed up he started abusing me (no excuse but thats another story)
> I'm withdrawing from Paxil as we speak, and for 4 hours this morning I was crying uncontrollably.
> I also know what you mean about not being depressed.
> Though I've been depressed when withdrawing, there have also been times when the tears justarrive along with the complete bodily hysterics and trying to describe it once
> I said "I don't know I don't feel sad my face just won't stop crying though"
>
> You probably are dysphoric from the chemical shake-up, it does not necessarily mean you need to continue taking an A.D. medication, its symptomatic of withdrawl. After its out of your system, and the withdrawl period has been completed, then you can judge whether your depression symptoms have returned, or not.
Thank you so much for telling me this. It makes me feel much better to know that it is a "normal" reaction to withdrawal and not just me. Knowing this is going to make things easier for me to tolerate.
Posted by laurarn on January 4, 2003, at 18:53:49
In reply to Re: Zoloft withdrawal symptoms and crying, posted by Gabbix2 on January 4, 2003, at 18:24:53
I sure feel for you JoHum. I've been right where you are. Hang in there and keep talking it out with others. This isn't some weird experience that is happening only to you, others have waded through this bog ahead of you and can share their encouragement with you. The withdrawal symptoms will lessen over time. Mine took about one month after being off AD's completely.
I would do the same thing you are doing by stopping the AD to ascertain whether or not you are still depressed off of the med. My deciding factor would be the fact that you began the AD prior to the diagnosis of your thyroid condition.
If it helps at all, I think you are doing the right thing. It may be that you really do need an AD. Meds have saved my life. But, it is OK to question too. Don't be too hard on yourself.
You will get through this JoHum. Keep us posted on how you are doing.
laurarn
Posted by gabbix2 on January 5, 2003, at 1:43:59
In reply to Re: Zoloft withdrawal symptoms and crying, posted by laurarn on January 4, 2003, at 18:53:49
hey jo hum
Please do keep us updated on how you are doing.
It is pretty incredible how much better you can feel knowing what you're going through.I wanted to mention that it *Can* not necessarily *will* get to the point on some days where it feels intolerable,where you may get depressed. I would recommend that you stick out if you can just so you know. When it happened to me, the first time, I thought it was my depression coming back, and went right back on the medication.
Knowing now that it was actually withdrawl (I was told there was no withdrawl from SSRI's at the time)
I really wish I'd have stayed off them long enough to know if I really didn't need them anymore. I've been on a 10 yr medication "odyssey" since and won't know if maybe this could have been prevented if I'd been more aware.Good luck!
Posted by JoHum on January 5, 2003, at 10:40:21
In reply to Re: Zoloft withdrawal symptoms and crying, posted by gabbix2 on January 5, 2003, at 1:43:59
> hey jo hum
> Please do keep us updated on how you are doing.
> It is pretty incredible how much better you can feel knowing what you're going through.
>
> I wanted to mention that it *Can* not necessarily *will* get to the point on some days where it feels intolerable,where you may get depressed. I would recommend that you stick out if you can just so you know. When it happened to me, the first time, I thought it was my depression coming back, and went right back on the medication.
> Knowing now that it was actually withdrawl (I was told there was no withdrawl from SSRI's at the time)
> I really wish I'd have stayed off them long enough to know if I really didn't need them anymore. I've been on a 10 yr medication "odyssey" since and won't know if maybe this could have been prevented if I'd been more aware.
>
> Good luck!I do appreciate your support and will keep you posted as to my progress. About 10 years ago I did manage to "wean" myself off of a drug called Sinequan, but it took over a year and it was hell. I wasn't having the physical problems with Sinequan that I am having with Zoloft, it just did not work. About twenty years ago I started getting very depressed, lost half my body weight and was extremely hyper. Without even testing my thyroid the doctor put me on Sinequan which turned me into a zoombie. Now the doctor tells me that that is not unusual - just before you become hypothyroid you can be hyperthyroid which is what I probably was. My thyroid should have been checked at the time before giving me anything. After I stopped taking the Sinequan I was still depressed so another doctor (again without checking my thyroid) put me on Zoloft. Two years later an OB/GYN doctor that I went to, upon hearing my problems, suggested that I have a thyroid test. That was when I found out I was hypothyroid. I have tried several times to stop taking Zoloft, but have been unsuccessful. Now my liver function test are coming back questionable. I am having hemmorages in my eyes (as well as vision field problems) and my neck and shoulder muscles have knotted to the point that I went to a neurosurgeon and neurologist. For that I had shots and physical therapy and they suggested surgery. Within one week of reducing my Zoloft the pain started to go away and now that I am on a reduced dose it is completely gone. I don't think this is a coincidence because the pain was constant for over two years and then suddenly it just went away. I looked at the list of "rare" or "unusual" side effects of Zoloft and I am or was having about eight of them (including those that I listed above), which the company and my doctors say is not possible, but I am living proof that it is possible.
I really do appreciate a forum like this where you can talk and compare and know that you are not alone.
Thank you again.
Jo
>
>
Posted by Gabbix2 on January 6, 2003, at 23:34:31
In reply to Re: Zoloft withdrawal symptoms and crying, posted by JoHum on January 5, 2003, at 10:40:21
Hey, How are you doing?
I can't make this too social cause its the med board, but its great isn't it, the reassurance from finding out you aren't alone. Its truly incredible the side-effects that are completely ignored. Then you talk to people here and you know if THAT many people have the same occurence its appalling that its not mentioned.
I try not to get angry about it but its hard.
My Paxil withdrawl is not my worst, but its awful.
Posted by JoHum on January 7, 2003, at 8:15:25
In reply to Re: Zoloft withdrawal symptoms and crying, posted by Gabbix2 on January 6, 2003, at 23:34:31
> Hey, How are you doing?
> I can't make this too social cause its the med board, but its great isn't it, the reassurance from finding out you aren't alone. Its truly incredible the side-effects that are completely ignored. Then you talk to people here and you know if THAT many people have the same occurence its appalling that its not mentioned.
> I try not to get angry about it but its hard.
> My Paxil withdrawl is not my worst, but its awful.
>I read on the net that inhaling lavendar was good when you start crying. I tried it and it does help. It somehow lifts your mood and makes you feel better. I also read something interesting yesterday which I think is yet another side effect of taking Zoloft. It is supposed to slow your breathing and that can cause spasms in your chest which in turn cause shortness of breath and some chest pain. I can add that to another of the "rare" side effects that I have had from taking the Zoloft. I wonder if anyone else has had a side effect like that while taking an SSRI. The doctors I am sure would say it is anxiety, but I have had anxiety and this is just pure and simple shortness of breath and chest pain. I did tell the doctor about this at one time and she did a heart monitor and tread mill test on me and found out my heart if just fine, but she never suggested it could be Zoloft and I had never looked up the medical terms in the side effects brochure.
Don't know if this is allowed, but, you can e-mail me at jhumber@ghg.net if you want to talk about something that can't be put on the board.
Jo
This is the end of the thread.
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