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Zoloft take2

Posted , 6 users are following.

anniem7802
anniem7802

So glad I've found this website! So I've been on Zoloft for most of my adult life (I'm 37) for anxiety and panic attacks. I've gone through a lot of trauma in my life, and in the past three years, life has been really good! I met my husband and became a step mom to 3 great kids. We have a beautifully blended family including my 7 year old daughter. So back in January, I decided that I no longer needed to be on Zoloft. I was taking 200 mg. With my doctors help, I slowly weaned off of it completely in 4 months. Recently, I had a major setback. The anxiety and panic attacks came back. So last Monday I went back to the doctor and was put back on 25 mg and was increased to 50 this past Friday. I have had horrible start up side effects! Nausea, vomiting, panic and anxiety, terrible heart burn and no appetite at all. Today I'm feeling some better but so tired. Doctor also gave me .5 of ativan but warned me of the potential of becoming addicted. I've taken it twice. It absolutely knocks me out. The mornings are very hard for some reason. And I'm taking the Zoloft at night. Today was the first day I haven't puked. Am I starting to get out of the start up effects? God I hope so. I've been praying constantly. I had previously been on Zoloft for 17 years and I don't remember these side effects. I wish I hadn't thought I didn't need them anymore because I obviously do! Also, I'm not too worried about the sex drive issue, even when I was on the maximum dose of 200mg my sex drive was very high. Has anyone else gone off of it for a few months to only need it again?

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • chris_61424
    chris_61424 anniem7802

    Posted

    Hang in there. I've tried coming off many times. I've been on it for 12 years at 100mg but the last time I tried coming off it was so bad that I went up to 150. Took about 3 months for me to finally feel better. Honestly..I think 4 months was too fast. You've been on for 17 years. I would suggest a VERY verY slow taper over over the course of a year or maybe more. I hope to get up the courage to try again too. I don't want to be on meds.

    • anniem7802
      anniem7802 chris_61424

      Posted

      Ivr decided that I'm okay with being on the meds. I just honestly thought that my anxiety was due to circumstances and stress, but it clearly isn't for me. Panic hits me out of the blue. No triggers, just a wave of panic for no reason. I told my husband the only way I can explain it is the feeling you get when you have to slam on your breaks to avoid hitting someone that's pulled out in front of you. Except it doesn't go away quickly and there isn't a reason for it.

      Why are my symptoms worse in the morning? Will that go away? I tried taking the ativan late last night to try and get ahead of the morning issues.

  • maureen75524
    maureen75524 anniem7802

    Posted

    Here's wht happened to me, I went off ciitaloprm after 4 months.  I didn't like being on it, came off too fast, same thing happened to me after 3 months.  Dr. said anxiety was returning needed the med. went back on, only to realize later that it was w.d. symptoms resurfacing after 3 months!   I then went onto Zoloft, didn't feel any better so tapered down in over a period of 3 months from 150 mg.  I had w.d. for a year and a half, this time I knew it was not my anxiety returning, it was in fact w.d.   Your brain chemistry is disrupted for a long time at least mne was.

    • anniem7802
      anniem7802 maureen75524

      Posted

      I wondered if maybe I was having withdrawal symptoms but my doc said no, not after three months but 17 years is a long time on meds. I just can't wait for it to start working again and I can feel like myself.

    • maureen75524
      maureen75524 anniem7802

      Posted

      My Doc. said the same that's why I went back on it.  I find for the most part you have to be the judge,only you know your body.  I sought the opinion of a naturopath at one point, and he said definitely w.d. could appear after 3 months.  You'ré right 17 years is a long time, thus your brain is accustomed to the extra serotonin.  Most Drs. have never been on these drugs so don't know how we feel or our reactions to them.  They know what they read in their medical journals, based on stats.  I went through 2 years of hell trying different A.D.'s for SAD.  I finally said enough and tapered down, never again.  

      My Dh is on effexor and it works well for him, we're all different.

    • anniem7802
      anniem7802 maureen75524

      Posted

      Thanks. This has been absolute hell and I will never go off of it again!
    • taylor41
      taylor41 anniem7802

      Posted

      How are you now Anniem??

      I am on 8 weeks of Sertraline 4 weeks on 25 and 4 weeks on 50mg. If you could ready my story on my profile I made it a discussion and give me some advice I would appreciate it!

    • anniem7802
      anniem7802 taylor41

      Posted

      Hi Taylor! I am doing fantastic. I started back on Zoloft in July, and by October I was back to myself. I feel really good. I have moments of anxiety, but they are only moments. I saw a therapist for about six weeks, and he said I would always have anxiety, but the Zoloft would help me deal. And it really does. I strongly recommend cognitive behavior therapy. It really gave me some great strategies.
    • taylor41
      taylor41 anniem7802

      Posted

      Hello anniem, thank you so much do you mind if I private message you? I'm having a difficult time and would love some support

    • taylor41
      taylor41

      Posted

      If you click the envelope next to my name on the chat my message should be there or click the envelope on my profile
    • GodsServant
      GodsServant anniem7802

      Posted

      Hi Annie, sounds like we are very similar. Been on and off z for 20 yrs. I am in early 40s. Lowered my dosage to 25mg and after one or two months, the OCD came back. I already knew from last attack in 2013 that I would never get off z again, but I was hoping to lower to 25mg as maintenance dosage. Guess that wasn't enough. I am pure O's, just had recent attack in Nov and am now doing much better. I can function again, but no motivation and not completely myself yet. 

      In any event, this time I decided that I must do all I can to prevent a relapse this severe in the future. I can have small lapses and that's fine, and so, I finally decided that I am going to get a therapist for CBT. 

      I have known about CBT for a long time now, but always afraid of it and thought it would not be helpful since I have no compulsions or it would worsen my condition. But I read that they say it helps. Even you said it here. 

      And so, can you tell me what your CBT experience was like? How long it took? Any details I would greatly appreciate it.

      Thank you. 

    • anniem7802
      anniem7802 GodsServant

      Posted

      I saw a therapist s total of 6 times. He taught me how to meditate and how to deal with intrusive thoughts. He also gave me strategies for when having a panic attack. It was incredibly helpful, especially during the start up side effects as I had increased anxiety. I know it helps. My father is currently in very poor health following several strokes, and it has been very hard on me,but I am dealing with it appropriately because I have the tools now.
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