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Tapering off Zoloft after 15 Years

Posted , 2 users are following.

mary15481
mary15481

I was going through a period of unexplained illness which caused me a lot of anxiety. I just noticed that on my records it says perscribed for anxiety and depression. I never had depression. I also had a lot of problems finding the right combination of drugs to control my illness which caused anxiety as my blood pressure would go crazy. I also had a few panic attacks but once I understood what they were, I was able to control them myself.

So my doctor perscribed 50, then 100 and finally 150 MG of Zoloft. It worked great and I was left with only normal, reasonable anxiety. He had said I would probably stay on if forever but now I am questioning that wisdom? Why? The reasons for the anxiety are gone, my illness is under control and I never had depression. I decided I should try going off it. Here is my experience so far. By the way, I lost my long-term doctor and haven't seen a new one yet, so I am doing it on my own.

1. Cut down from 150 to 100 - soon after experienced severe bowel cramps, diarrhea (which I have never been prone to) headaches and nausea after eating.  Checking on the net, found this to be withing the norm.

2. Off for about 4 weeks, still have some intestinal ups and downs but much more normal. I have noticed an absense of my once vivid dreams, some nightmares, more just like an action movie, sometimes fun, funny, sad or scary. Still have most of the symptoms but much less intense. Anxiety is fine.

2. I want to reduce it another 50 MG but will probably contact the doctor first.

3. The drug was great and after the side effects passed and it too effect I felt it was a good drug, but just now (yeah, after 15 years) wondered why I am still taking it and that maybe I should get off it. My memory is not as great as it was but then I am 70 and it is still pretty awesome compared to my mates.  Weight gain, yes and harder and harder to control even with exercise and eating healthy. 

4. Interested in anyone else on it long-term like me. I am part of the "drug tester" generation who have been the guinea pigs for birth control, estrogen, etc. We deserve a big thank you. smileredface

 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • david43118
    david43118 mary15481

    Posted

    Mary,

    you completely off Sertraline? As you already know, you want to take it slow in decreasing and talking with your doctor would be a good idea. So you don't have any bad side effects. Glad you found you are able to come off of it after being told you be in it for life.

    David

    • mary15481
      mary15481 david43118

      Posted

      I am still taking 100 MG of Zoloft but I am going to make an appointment with a new doctor after Christmas before I reduce it more. I can always go back on if I have to - right?  It's good to have a place to discuss this as I didn't realize that you couldn't just quit taking them.
  • betsy0603
    betsy0603 mary15481

    Posted

    Hi Mary, 

    Like you, I found myself still on ADs after 20 years and wondering why.  I am 50 and have the cognitive issues, and have read studies showing that long term use does in fact shrink brain volume and cause cognitive decline, so no time like the present!

    Firs of all, never do another cut when you are still having WD symptoms of any kind.  Those symptoms are signs that your nervous system is still adjusting and to do a further cut at that time would cause further destabilization - the wheels could come off the bus, so to speak!

    Second, as you get lower, a 50% cut is just too big for the nervous system to handle gracefully.  I am putting a link to a page that Enis Moderator created that includes a link to Surviving Antidepressants, explaining why a 10% taper is recommended.  That forum is an excellent place to go to get support and advice about your taper from folks who have been in the trenches for a long time.  I am on there, since I am trying to get off of two ADs, and there is so much information to be had on that site. 

    Scroll down and you will find the link:

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/depression-resources-298570

    Hope to see you there.  We can do this!  When the brain has been on a drug for 15 years or more, you really do need to take it excruciatingly slow, or you run the risk of protracted withdrawal, with the worst symptoms not coming on until months out.  And those symptoms include horrific depression, anxiety and insmonia, all of which the doctor will say is a relapse of your original disease, relegating you to the rest of your life on the meds. 

    Good luck!

    • mary15481
      mary15481 betsy0603

      Posted

      Thanks, I will check it out. I knew you had to do it slowly but I guess I was too optimistic. But it's going fine. Maybe, it will help me lose weight too. I am determined.
    • betsy0603
      betsy0603 mary15481

      Posted

      Determination is good!  I know you'll get there.  I've read peoples' stories where they got off the drugs after long term use like us and felt better than they ever had in their lives, before or during drugs.   A lot of people think that you have to stay on, that your "mental illness" will return when you go off, but that is not true.  There was a time in our lives where we weren't anxious and depressed and we can get there again.
    • mary15481
      mary15481 betsy0603

      Posted

      That's what I think. I feel great on it but no longer see a reason for it.
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