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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by odells on November 19, 2000, at 15:57:35
I was on zoloft (50 mgs) for almost 2 years. I used zoloft to treat depression while I was going through a painful divorce. Now that I am out of my marriage and on my own, I am feeling so much better. I decided to stop taking the zoloft. I figured I didnt need it anymore. Doc told me to when down to 25 mgs then stop. Ever since I have been having such weird symptoms. I keep going to the doctors and am told nothing is wrong. The doc gave me different drugs to help with the symptoms. The first noticeable one was the panic attacks Those are awful!!! sometime they wake me up at night. Besides that, I am dizzy, have an upset stomach, weird feelings and pressure in my head, confusion, headaches, anger, irrability. this has been going on for almost 2 months. And whats weird is that some days I have no symptoms at all, then it will hit me. Help!!! I dont know what to do. Has anyone else experienced this? How long will this last? Doc gave me Xanax to help with the panic attacks but who wants more addictive medication?? not me. any feedback would be appreciated. thanks
Posted by Shirley on November 19, 2000, at 18:46:38
In reply to withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft, posted by odells on November 19, 2000, at 15:57:35
Odells,
What about prozac? You might want to check under the tips section of this site and insert "SSRI withdrawal" under the search function. I'm not sure I have that exactly right but hopefully, you can figure it out.
Some psychiatrists when withdrawing patients from antidepressants will provide prozac to help them get through the period because of its long half life. In other words, it stays in the body alot longer than something like Zoloft and as a result, the withdrawal symptoms won't be as severe. Of course, your mileage may vary.
Another suggestion that John L. has made in withdrawing from medication is to go very slowly.
For example, if you were at 25mg Zoloft, one day you would take 12.5mg one day, 12.5 the next, and keep alternating the doses for the rest of the week. The next week you would take 12.5 every day and repeat the same process the following week.In summary, since you don't want to take Zanax, I would ask the doctor about being prescribed a small dose of prozac to get you through what sounds like some parting withdrawal symptoms. Follow John L.'s advice for tapering slowly. 2nd option would be to resume the 25mg zoloft and follow the same advice.
Since my experiences were like yours in using an anti anxiety medicine to withdraw from a medication, I will pass on suggesting that as an option. But maybe others who have had more experience with it can help you.
Finally, keep in mind that I'm not a medical professional but am just trying to pass along advice that I have picked up from this board. Good luck as we all know withdrawal symptoms are hell.
Shirley
Posted by coral on November 19, 2000, at 22:15:10
In reply to withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft, posted by odells on November 19, 2000, at 15:57:35
Dear Odells,
Is it possible what you're experiencing is not withdrawal, but lack of Zoloft? I've been on Zoloft twice, once for 1 1/2 years, and once for two months, and did experience withdrawal symptoms but they were markedly different from what you're describing. (Of course, people do respond differently.) The major withdrawal symptoms I experienced were 1) a sense that my brain had become a pinball game on speed, and 2) a crackling "sound" that I could feel - like the sound of crinkling saran wrap in my head.
The first time I started to come off Zoloft, I experienced a resumption of the panic attacks that you described, and went back on Zoloft for another six months. After that, I discontinued and experienced the withdrawal symptoms for about a week.
Just a thought. Maybe it's too early to go off the Zoloft?
Coral
Posted by JohnL on November 20, 2000, at 5:10:48
In reply to withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft, posted by odells on November 19, 2000, at 15:57:35
In agreement with what others have already said, I see three options:
1. Do nothing. Hang in there. After two years it will take the brain some time to readjust. I've heard of it taking 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months, and even 6 months. Just be glad it wasn't Effexor or Paxil, which are much worse than Zoloft.
2. Take low dose Prozac as needed.
3. Restart Zoloft and then re-ween off of it, except at a much slower pace and in smaller increments. I had to do this with Paxil. It took longer than I wanted it to, but it was time well invested. My only withdrawal was a little bit of lightheadness that lasted about 4 days.Sometimes I think the weening instructions given to us by our doctors are way too fast. I've learned over time to not set a deadline for the end of the weening process, but rather let it tell me when it's over. Let it play out. Don't rush it. That's what works for me.
Here are some examples of how to re-ween with either Zoloft or Prozac. You can break or cut Zoloft into custom sized chunks. They don't have to be accurate. You can dump the contents of a Prozac capsule into juice, stir well, and drink a custom sized dose, saving the rest in the fridge for next time (will keep up to 7 days). Also, with the examples below, you wouldn't have to follow the instructions exactly. Do what works for you. The examples are merely to show the weening pattern. Modify as needed.
Zoloft with the alternating stepdown approach: Let's assume you restart it, but at 25mg instead of 50mg. Take 25mg one day, 20 the next, 25 the next, 20 the next, and so on for about a week. Then stay at 20mg for up to a week. Then begin alternating between 20mg and 15mg...20mg one day, 15 the next, 20 the next, 15...and so on, for about a week. Then stay at 15mg for up to a week. Then repeat the same pattern, alternating this time between 10mg and 15mg for about a week. Then stay at 10mg for a week. Now the increments get smaller. Alternate daily between 7.5mg and 10mg...then stay at 7.5mg...then alternate between 5mg and 7.5mg, then stay at 5mg. Each stepdown is about a week in duration. Four days might be just as good. Continuing, you'll reach an alternating pattern between 0 mg and 2.5mg. Finally just 0. If after two or three days you feel you need it, go ahead and take another small dose. Don't take any more until another day when you feel you need it. Eventually you will realize you have arrived at a point where you don't need it at all anymore. It takes longer than you or I want it to, but it is so much smoother. The time passes quicker than you think, and you'll soon be drugfree painlessly.
Prozac: Start with 5mg or 10mg daily for a few days. Then stop. From that point on, take it only on days when you feel you need it. Withdrawal weirdness will tell you that. Sooner or later you will arrive at a point where you just don't need it anymore. The reasoning with Prozac is its long halflife. It takes a week to be half gone, and over 4 weeks to be totally gone. So it naturally and effortlessly extends the weening process, allowing the dosage in your body to slowly reduce itself over time all by itself.
You'll have to decide which route is best for you. If you are tougher than me, then you might just wait it out longer. But if you're like me, it might be better in the longrun to restart a medication at a low dose and then attempt a much slower weening process. Give it plenty of time for the brain to readjust smoothly.
Just some ideas to ponder. Any of them can work.
John
Posted by CatSparkle on November 29, 2000, at 7:22:54
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft, posted by JohnL on November 20, 2000, at 5:10:48
odells, I had a pretty rough withdrawal from Zoloft also. I went from 150 mg to 0 in about a month - I'm sure that's way too fast, I would recommend much slower tapering.
I experienced dizziness and upset stomach, and also terrible irritability and fits of rage (very unlike me!) This continued for about a month after it was out of my system.
The good news is, it did stop. So hang in there, and maybe taper a little slower, as the other posters suggest. Know that it will pass.
Good Luck!
Carolyn
Posted by onlymeisee on November 29, 2000, at 7:56:11
In reply to withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft, posted by odells on November 19, 2000, at 15:57:35
> I was on zoloft (50 mgs) for almost 2 years. I used zoloft to treat depression while I was going through a painful divorce. Now that I am out of my marriage and on my own, I am feeling so much better. I decided to stop taking the zoloft. I figured I didnt need it anymore. Doc told me to when down to 25 mgs then stop. Ever since I have been having such weird symptoms. I keep going to the doctors and am told nothing is wrong. The doc gave me different drugs to help with the symptoms. The first noticeable one was the panic attacks Those are awful!!! sometime they wake me up at night. Besides that, I am dizzy, have an upset stomach, weird feelings and pressure in my head, confusion, headaches, anger, irrability. this has been going on for almost 2 months. And whats weird is that some days I have no symptoms at all, then it will hit me. Help!!! I dont know what to do. Has anyone else experienced this? How long will this last? Doc gave me Xanax to help with the panic attacks but who wants more addictive medication?? not me. any feedback would be appreciated. thanks
The very symptoms you are experiencing are exactly why the doctor perscribed me Zoloft. I was unable to take it though because it made my panic attacks worse (when the seritonin level was increasing) The doctor also gave me Xanax for the Panic Attacks, which does help me alot, even helps my anger, rage ect but just like you mentioned, it is addictive and now im trying very hard to get off of the xanax with no luck. I guess I dont have much info on the Zoloft but as far as the xanax's if I was you I would try a different path if at all possible. If you do need to take it when you have a panic attack, never take anymore than that, only keep it for panic attacks, that way it is much harder to get addicted to. My doctor put me on a set amount to keep panic attacks from even starting which is great but at the same time not nessessary. Depending on how often the panic attacks are, I would only take one then. I had no idea they were so addictive, I'm glad you are informed before getting into something you cannot get out of like me. Goodluck
Posted by sk8rjockid on February 27, 2001, at 22:06:36
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft, posted by coral on November 19, 2000, at 22:15:10
Wow ... I just found this site and let me say that I was really glad to stumble upon it. I have been on zoloft for almost a year. First 25 mgs then 50 then 100 and now I am on 200mgs. I am also on zyban to quit smoking. I have also smoked pot for years b4 all of this. I am now pretty darn sure that i was self medicating with it. I had been physically assaulted twice by gay bashers (now that I have a metal plate in my arm [which incidently would have been my head if I hadnt caught his boot with my arm] the second time I was left unconscious in a parking lot while the perps (I know all the police lingo now) made off with my bookbag and my research notes and writings. My year long relationship crumbled if front of my eyes. My depressive episodes left me feeling alone, immobilized, and I would spontaneously weep--usually 3-5 times throughout the day. The department head of the graduate psychology program (!!!!!! weird eh?) I was in gave me the boot, but with a condition that I could come back if I got my dissertation in order. When I asked what I was to do about my student loans coming due, she replied, "I dont know, get a sugar daddy?" I've also been in psychotherapy for 4 years now and while things were pretty good when I first entered, I'm not sure if I'd be alive right now if it weren't for my therapist (and my friends). Well after all this time Im beginning to feel somewhat like myself again but with all the hurt and what is in my mind a slap in the face from my supposed academic "colleagues," Im still not feeling all that motivated to get my life going. Most of the time I would rather just stay in my room. I keep waiting for my self confidence to suddenly return or the Holy Ghost to step in and say "oh sorry im late I meant to get here with your epiphany when you first hit rock bottom" but I realize that is unrealistic at this point.
I can tell that Zoloft is merely a bandaid or a cough syryp in the sense that it doesnt remove the problems but makes living with them slightly more palatable. When I have had to stop taking Zoloft for financial and logistical reasons I begin to get what I refer to as NueroBioChemical Shocks ... my mouth gets a little dry, I feel a little woozy with out feeling dizzy and it's like a jolt or a quick zap. The only time I had something similar was when I went into an empty and unfamiliar classroom when I was 8 and everything kind of when white and I almost fainted. Im wondering if it might be some sort of panic attack like reaction. My mother was pretty tightly wound from PTSD 'cause my dad was a mess when he came back from Viet nam and used to beat her and her high anxiety rubbed off on me (I was always in the nurses office with stomach aches and later with debilitating complex migrain headaches that left half my body paralized--all that stopped the day I moved out on my own to go to college). I'm not sure if these withdrawl symptoms (the "neurobiochemical shocks") go away after more than I week but I was curious as to whether or not anyone else experienced something similiar. Thank you for letting me relate part of my story and knowing that others (who are or have gone through difficult times) might read it and feel the compassion that I have felt in reading the other stories here brings tears to my eyes -- the good kind =) My heart goes out to you all.
Posted by Cam W. on February 27, 2001, at 23:33:17
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft, posted by sk8rjockid on February 27, 2001, at 22:06:36
sk - Zoloft has a short half-life and abrupt withdrawl leads to serotonin withdrawl symptoms. You need to wean from Zoloft slowly to avoid, or at least lessen, the symptoms you are describing. Talk to your doctor about this.
One approach would be to decrease your dose by 50mg every couple of weeks and stop the weaning process or even increase to the previous level if the withdrawl effects return to an intolerable level. Your body needs to adjust to the decreasing dose of the Zoloft. When you reach the 100mg/day level (after a month or perhaps two) you may want to wean slower (ie decrease the dose by 25mg every two weeks) until you reach the 25mg/day point. Then you may want to take 25mg every other day for a week or two and then try to stop. If you are unable to completely stop Zoloft at this point there are other methods that can be used to further avoid the withdrawl symptoms (eg adding 10mg of Prozac - long half-life SSRI - for a week, stopping the 25mg of Zoloft at this time, and continuing the 10mg Prozac for another week, then stopping that).
It is important to have your doctor follow your progress, as you will need an objective viewpoint in the withdrawl process and possibly some psychotherapy to hopefully avoid a depressive relapse.
I hope this is of some help to you - Cam
Posted by animari on April 12, 2001, at 23:24:34
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft, posted by sk8rjockid on February 27, 2001, at 22:06:36
hi. I am a 20 yr old college student who has been
on anti-depressants for over 5 yrs now. I am trying
to get off zoloft because I don't think it is
working anymore and it makes me tired, blah and
not happy-not sad-just nothing. I don't want to live
like this anymore. My prescription last time was
100mg daily. A few months ago I cut it to 50 mg. and
now I am taking 50 mg. every other day. I thought
I was doing well so during spring break i decided
to stop taking it all together. Big mistake.
A few days later I got really sleepy, had no appetite,
couldn't talk to people no matter how hard I tried
(i would give one word answers,very scary, i was trapped
in my own head). I am going to Greece next year
to study abroad-studying abroad has been a lifelong dream of mine. I realize that going abroad will
make my depression possibly worse-so my goal is to
be off zoloft by july and then have august to adjust
to being off the drug.
I am wondering if anyone can recommend any books,
resources, websites, etc. to help me in this.
Thanks. Good luck to everyone trying to get off
this drug!
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 13, 2001, at 3:42:26
In reply to withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft, posted by animari on April 12, 2001, at 23:24:34
You will find from interacting with people on this board that most people will need several different antidepressants to maintain their happiness during the course of their depression. Zoloft may work for a while, then inexplicably "poop-out" due to some unknown reason. I myself have had three antidepressants poop-out and I have tried every other known to mankind. No one really knows why I and others like you are treatment resistant, but I just hope that one day one medication will work. This is all you can hope for too--because the illness does not go away, unfortunately. Most people don't believe me and wait till the point of attempting suicide until they realize that they need to give other modern forms of medical treatment (other medications) a chance. I sincerely hope that you don't reach that low of a point and recognize earlier that you cannot live without help from the doctors....
Posted by John k on April 16, 2001, at 4:10:14
In reply to withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft, posted by animari on April 12, 2001, at 23:24:34
> hi. I am a 20 yr old college student who has been
> on anti-depressants for over 5 yrs now. I am trying
> to get off zoloft because I don't think it is
> working anymore and it makes me tired, blah and
> not happy-not sad-just nothing. I don't want to live
> like this anymore. My prescription last time was
> 100mg daily. A few months ago I cut it to 50 mg. and
> now I am taking 50 mg. every other day. I thought
> I was doing well so during spring break i decided
> to stop taking it all together. Big mistake.
> A few days later I got really sleepy, had no appetite,
> couldn't talk to people no matter how hard I tried
> (i would give one word answers,very scary, i was trapped
> in my own head). I am going to Greece next year
> to study abroad-studying abroad has been a lifelong dream of mine. I realize that going abroad will
> make my depression possibly worse-so my goal is to
> be off zoloft by july and then have august to adjust
> to being off the drug.
> I am wondering if anyone can recommend any books,
> resources, websites, etc. to help me in this.
> Thanks. Good luck to everyone trying to get off
> this drug!animari,
If I understood you correctly you're currently taking 50 mg of Zoloft every other day. I believe it's better to take 25 mg every day. That way you will have more stable levels of the drug. Also, make sure to either always take the drug with meals OR always take it without meals since taking Zoloft with food increases its uptake about 40 %. This will give you the more stable levels that the body prefers. I have been taking Zoloft myself for two years and I have noted the difference that stability of medicationing makes.
Then try to follow the program outlined at this website:http://www.ascp.com/public/pubs/tcp/1997/oct/ssri.html
They document withdrawal symtoms and how to avoid them by slowly tapering the drug.
In case you realize later on that you actually do need taking Zoloft or other medications, I thing you should buy a copy of the book "The Antidepressant Survival Program" by Robert Hedaya. That book has helped me immensely with the very problems you have with Zoloft ("tired, blah and not happy-not sad-just nothing").
I hope it will work out for you!
Posted by mimi229 on April 28, 2003, at 20:32:05
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft » animari, posted by John k on April 16, 2001, at 4:10:14
Hi there, I have just stumbled across this site because I am experiencing withdrawal from Zoloft. I have been on Zoloft for two years at 50mg per day. To come off it I took one tablet every second day for two weeks then half a tablet every second day for 4 weeks, then stopped. Since then I have been experiencing whooshing sounds whenever I move my eyeballs (which as you can imagine is often. Has anyone else had this reaction? my GP can't find anything else which may be responsible. Has anyone else had this disturbing sensation and if so how long did it last? this has been going on for about a week now.
Wishes to everyone.
Posted by angelk on October 6, 2003, at 7:31:40
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft, posted by sk8rjockid on February 27, 2001, at 22:06:36
Go to this site for more:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/mentalhealth/messages/C31933-9.html
Posted by MelanieKlem on October 18, 2003, at 22:45:22
In reply to withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft, posted by odells on November 19, 2000, at 15:57:35
I have taken zoloft before. I stopped several months ago and the biggest side effect was "brain-zaps". I slowly decreased the zoloft..and then just stopped taking it altogether. I have still been getting the "zaps" daily...very many times throughout the day...I am trying to just deal with it, as I no longer wish to take the zoloft at all. All I want to know is will these for sure go away? This is not a permanant thing right??? Thank you, Melanie
Posted by MelanieKlem on October 19, 2003, at 9:45:56
In reply to withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft, posted by odells on November 19, 2000, at 15:57:35
I have taken zoloft before. I stopped several months ago and the biggest side effect was "brain-zaps". I slowly decreased the zoloft..and then just stopped taking it altogether. I have still been getting the "zaps" daily...very many times throughout the day...I am trying to just deal with it, as I no longer wish to take the zoloft at all. All I want to know is will these for sure go away? This is not a permanant thing right??? Thank you, Melanie
Posted by mimi229 on October 19, 2003, at 22:30:03
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft » odells, posted by MelanieKlem on October 19, 2003, at 9:45:56
Hi Melanie. My zoloft withdrawal symptoms of brain zaps and whooshing behind the eyes lasted about 12 weeks. They will go away eventually, it has been about 9 months now for me. Sometimes when I am very tired I get a couple of zaps but not very often. Stick with it and good luck. Mimi
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