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Rossvic: My story; Zoloft withdrawal


rossvic

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This is my story, I suffered from Health Anxiety and I used to get panic attacks.  After, starting Zoloft, I have been doing super good with my HA and I haven't had a panic attack in a Year;  I had been talking Zoloft 50mg for a year now  but before that I was taking Celexa for about 5 years but it stop working that's why I started to have panic attack and my Dr. switch me to Zoloft. 

 

This is the situation, I got super sick with bronchitis a month ago. Since, I suffer from asthma, the prescribed me an antibiotic to prevent pneumonia. I started to take the antibiotic Azithromycin. After,  the fact,  I decided to check if interact with Zoloft guess what it did. (a down side of having HA goggling)  It has very bad side effect like making your heart slow down.  Of course, because of this my Anxiety kick in (no panic attack) I stop taking Zoloft cold turkey. I know it’s not the recommended way but I freak out. (In my mind, I said , my Dr. didn't want me to take Zoloft more that a year I guessed this was the time)

 

 It had been 1 month since a stop. Then, the first sign of withdrawal  was insomnia, I would fall asleep without no problem and then in the middle of the night a wake up and it would take me like an hour to fall back to sleep.  Also, mood swings, anxiety and being very emotional. The insomnia symptom when away like a week ago but I now I have new symptom just started a sour taste in my month and a lot of saliva production but I don't know if is related to my SSRI withdraw because since I suffered from GERD and Gastritis caused by my Anxiety.  This new symptom might be connected to my last conditions or since my Anxiety had increased is connected to that too. Also, quick question can withdrawal symptoms happen one after another or they have to happen all at once? Another question can the duration of the withdrawal be longer because I did it cold turkey?  Right now,  feel very depressed and need some support and advice because I really don't want to go back to SSRI.

 

Thx  in advace

Edited by scallywag
add generic drug name tag

Post partum depression and Anxiety 2007; started to take Celexa first 20mg then increase to 40mg on an off

My PPD was gone and my Anxiety was under control

On April 2015 started to have Panic Attack because of a health scare because of this my Generalize Anxiety became Health Anxiety

On May 2015 Doctor decided to switch me to Zoloft 50mg because Celexa wasn't working no more and also Prescribed Ativan 5mg

After a two months on Ativan, I tampered successfully out of Ativan

The end of March 2017, I top cold turkey from my Zoloft 50mg (Not recommended) because the interaction that it has with an antibiotic.

Post-stopping, severe physical symptoms, moderate psychological symptoms, after joining this group hopeful that my journey to recovery will start soon :)

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Hi rossvic -

 

I am so saddened that you are going through withdrawal. A moderator will be by at some point soon with some helpful links.

 

I just stopped by to let you know that here you will find love and support, prayers, and advice, and good fellowship.

 

You are going to get through this. We all are.

 

SJ

Main thread: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/14472-shakeyjerr-say-hello/

History: Prozac & Lithium from 1999 to 2003. Ended up back on after 4 months because taking a beta-blocker caused immediate depression (just 2 doses - turned out I didn't even need it; I had no other withdrawal symptoms - I might have ended up med and withdrawal-free otherwise :(). - Switched to Effexor (75mg 3/day) and Seroquel (50mg 3/day) in 2010. - Did a self-taper during 2016. - Developed Discontinuation Syndrome 02/17.

Supplements: Magnesium-Glycinate 400mg split into 4 100mg doses throughout the day. Vitamin C 500mg - once per day. Fish Oil 1360 mg (950 mg Active Omega-3) - twice per day.

I'm not a doctor. I use the internet, experience, and trial & error. Seek medical advice if necessary.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Rossvic, welcome to SA.  Sadly what you are describing is withdrawal syndrome from quitting zoloft without tapering. 

No one EVER wants to reinstate anti depressants but it is the only way to stop withdrawal. A tiny dose can sometimes be very effective and not have the side effects of the original dose. The other option is to wait for your brain to recover. This can take years for some people, and just months for others. Everyone is different. Because you suffer from HA I would consider reinstating 1mg of zoloft. This can calm the withdrawal and when stable you can start to taper very slowly. Sometimes there are major interactions between drugs but unless it is life threatening we suggest tapering because withdrawal can be worse than the side effects.  If you decide to wait for your brain to heal you need to take very good care of yourself and try not to focus too much on symptoms. We have members with HA and they find it very difficult to accept that their symptoms are withdrawal and not life threatening. 

 

I will get some links for you so that you can make an informed decision. 

 

First, it will help if you put your drug history in your signature. We need drug names, approximate dates of start and stop and the doses. You can find instructions here.... There are also instructions for if you are using a phone. 

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/12364-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

What is withdrawal syndrome

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/603-what-is-withdrawal-syndrome/

 

About reinstating to stabilise. 

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

Kittygiggles posted an excellent post about health anxiety which he is recovering from, it might help youi. 

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/5997-health-anxiety-hypochondria-and-obsession-with-symptoms/?p=286570

 

Many people take fish oil and magnesium to help withdrawal symptoms. They are the only ones we recommend to everyone. There are many topics in symptoms and self care where people discuss what they have tried. What helps and what doesn't. 

 

Fish oil

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/?view=findpost&p=100596&hl=magnesium

 

Magnesium

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1300-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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Hi Shakey and Mammap

 

Thank you for taking time and give some much love and support :) Mammap thank your for all your advices :)  Now I have more reassurance, I will read all your links and decide with way to take. My apologies for not having the signature, I will do that right now after I port this :)  I so happy I join this forum because now I feel much better and having your guys support mean the world to me.  

 

 

Thanks so much

Post partum depression and Anxiety 2007; started to take Celexa first 20mg then increase to 40mg on an off

My PPD was gone and my Anxiety was under control

On April 2015 started to have Panic Attack because of a health scare because of this my Generalize Anxiety became Health Anxiety

On May 2015 Doctor decided to switch me to Zoloft 50mg because Celexa wasn't working no more and also Prescribed Ativan 5mg

After a two months on Ativan, I tampered successfully out of Ativan

The end of March 2017, I top cold turkey from my Zoloft 50mg (Not recommended) because the interaction that it has with an antibiotic.

Post-stopping, severe physical symptoms, moderate psychological symptoms, after joining this group hopeful that my journey to recovery will start soon :)

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  • Mentor

Hi Rossvic,

I wanted to say welcome to SA, although I'm very sorry you have to be here.   I went through a terrible Zoloft withdrawal as well, having stopped cold turkey myself.  I have felt your pain and wish I could make it go away for you. I hope that whatever route you choose to take you heal quickly.

RS

 

I am not a health professional in any way.  I do not give medical advice.   Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner.

 

NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER

April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20,  575 to 500 (13%),  Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg

Medications: Gabapentin, Prednisone 1.5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily. 

HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER

Feb. 2016 to June 2016  - Was on 150mg Zoloft.  Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. 

Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June  2016,  reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016.  From July 2016  to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper.

STARTING SENSIBLE  ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE

Dec. 10 2016  - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg.   Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mgFeb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%).  Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg.  May 9, 2020 1.375 mg.  June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%).  July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%).  August 15, 2020 1.0 mg.  Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg.  Nov. 28, 2020 .75mgJan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%).  Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg.  May 1, 2021 .375mg.  May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg.  October 2, 2021 .043mg.  October 10, 2021 .038mg.  October 23, 2021 .035mg.  October 30, 2021 .032mg.  Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg.  Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg.  Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY

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