Tapering Off Zoloft
Apr 15, 2014
I have been on Zoloft for 1 yr. and would like to stop. Do I need to taper off or can I just stop taking it?
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Apr 15, 2014
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Anxiety :: Zoloft To Prozac To Zoloft
A little history: i've had Anxiety just about all my memorable life, i knew something wasn't quite right upstairs when i felt my heart racing, i felt panic like i've just drank a crate of red bull, That even when cold i sweat buckets. i have always been an obsessive googler, have always tried exercise, performance enhancements, alcohol, herbs and a whole other bunch of magical potions to make me feel (NORMAL) and so my brain didn't freeze in social situations. when i know im clever but i come out silly because i acted like a lunatic to compensate or to show i wasn't shy or could be taken advantage of. Certainly making me troublesome and not a nice person to be around.
so about 4 months ago i realised what it was that's up. I was reading all about anxiety and discovered i have just about every variety of it. strangely enough this made me happy because now i knew...... im not stupid or a rare breed and can possibly be treated or handled better.
Medication: I first went to my GP and explained how i was feeling (keeping it short) he agreed and proscribed me 50 MG sertraline per day.I took this for a month and felt no better the odd day i had a flash of anxiety free.so heading in the right direction. i was told to up the dosage to 100 mg and i continued at this dosage for a month. still not better i went to the GP and asked for another increase as im 6'4" and 19 stone maybe i needed a little more than average. i was told no if its not working at 2 months we will try this.... i was prescribed Fluoxetine (prozac) 20 mg per day and i took this for 2months not really feeling any effect whats so ever, still sweating nervous panic stricken cold clammy, over thinking things.......
so i went back the other day and seen another GP a british one this time ( every time i visited the GP it was a different one, not the best way to cope with things, lesson learned always ask for same GP. so this time he said ok lets have you back on sertraline ( zoloft) and i will prescribe you up to 200MG per day. he just said get there as quick as you safely can........ what about 125 or 150? what happens if this is the correct dosage and i skip it out and go for 200? how do i even get to 200? do i do 100 for month ? then 150 for a a month ? just so so confused now as to what i do. so please if anyone has been in this situation or not. what do you think? should i try 150? should i do it over a month,over a week?
Venlafaxine :: Tapering Off ?
I've been diagnosed with depression for over 10 years now. During that time I've had a few antidepressants. Last year I had a breakdown partly caused by a good friend committing suicide but mainly due to my mother and as a result, my medication was changed. Without any information or guidance, I was put straight onto 150mg of venlafaxine capsules. I've never been happy on this, there's always been something not quite right but I've trusted my doctor. Recently I've started to have like a heart rush feeling. I'm constantly tired on it as in I wake up more tired than when I went to bed, I have severe constipation, I've started to sweat a lot (I've never been one for sweating), I've had brain zaps and body judders and suffer with headaches. Since June, which is when I was put on it....I've gained a whopping stone and a half (I've never had a weight issue ever!) and my sex drive is none existent. I feel very out of it and have became very distanced from making any sort of effort. I'm desperately worried about being on venlafaxine but I'm even more worried about coming off of it. I feel I've been fobbed off a bit by the medical professionals and when I go to discuss my symptoms all I get is "well it's a side effect of depression". I absolutely HATE feeling like this, it's actually worse than ever. My husband works away on a two on two off shift and I have 2 boys aged 12 and 10, I also have 3 dogs. It's an effort to do anything, even getting out of bed or cooking is such a thought. I would really appreciate your advice on how I should go about coming off my dose.
View 7 RepliesOxycodone/contin Tapering Off
Fourteen surgeries, three major spinal in past year ...so yeah, I am struggling with the opioids. Last left hospital in September on a mix of about 350 mg oxycodone or contin.
I have two more surgeries ahead of me in the new year. But in the meantime I have become convinced that the oxycodone/contin is actually causing me pain. I have no idea how I am going to face the next surgeries but I CANNOT keep going on this particular road.
So I have weaned myself down to 65 mg per day. Even so I am so jumpy, legs restless, stomach cramping ....it reminds me of quitting smoking (I was a 2-packer) except this is ten times worse. I am craving food but cannot eat. I am tapering another 10 mg every 4 days. Is this a good idea or would it be better to just STOP?
I am 63, retired and have a sweet supportive husband who wants to be helpful but does not understand. When he quit smoking he just stopped and did not miss a beat so he really does not have a clue what I am going through now. My health, aside from all the orthopaedic issues is good.
I've read some of the "recipes" on other sites for easing withdrawal but don't even know if I could get some of that stuff where I am (Canada).
I am starting to ramble but God bless you for listening. Also, any idea how I am going to handle the pain of surgeries in spring?
Tapering / Weaning Off Propranolol
I took Propranolol 60 mg sustained release for a brief time, then reduced to 20 mg 2x per day. Bad side effects, low pulse rate, bradycardia and irregular heart beats, weaned off the stuff over weeks. Now been off it for about 2 plus weeks and still have a low pulse rate of only 60 with low blood pressure particularly while standing. Often feel faint with the low heart rate and BP. How long does it take for the body to readjust after getting off this med or is the bradycardia permanent. I had no problems before this drug and had bp around 140/80. now goes very low and sometimes high at night while lying down. Very scary stuff, I'm afraid it will never go back to normal.
View 1 RepliesCan I Stop Taking Prednisolone Without Tapering
Can I stop taking Prednisolone without tapering
I have been taking 20mg per day for six days for gout but I'm experiencing bad side effects, headaches and very blurred vision.
Addiction Recovery :: Tapering Off Xanax
Hi, I am new here. Just looking for some advice or suggestions. Maybe even encouragement. I was diagnosed with Anxiety and Panic Disorder in August of 2012. I began taking Ativan. I was on it for about a year, my highest dose was 1.5 mg per day. This started out as needed. I didn't like the way it started to make me feel. I felt in a fog and "stupid". I was also getting "jerks" when I slept. I switched to Xanax in September of 2013, it did make me feel better cognitively, however I knew I wanted to get off this stuff all together. I started tapering from 1mg of Xanax daily. I cut .25 and did good. I had a headache and some muscle aches, but nothing unmanageable. After a week, I cut another .25. The first couple days were ok, then I was very sick. Dizziness, nausea, I just felt like staying in bed. No energy at all. I realized I must be going to fast, and being that I do have to function at work, I went back to .75. I leveled back out, and after two weeks tried again, but this time, only cut half of a .25 tab. So far, it is day 4 and I am doing ok. Much more manageable. I am taking .25 in the morning and then half .25 tabs three times. So four doses a day. Does this sound ok? And has anyone had experience with this? Or success? I am upset that my doctor never warned me off this. I do have to maintain my job and I am also a Mom so trying to be successful while keeping my sanity. Thank you!
View 6 RepliesMirtazapine :: Best Plan Coming Off / Tapering Off It?
I am trying desperately to come off mirtazapine and I am trying to work out the best plan to withdraw, 26 days ago I reduced my dose from 30 to 15, although I am bearing it, the side effects are awful, I have a thick headache, nausea, trembling, but to name a few, today I burst into tears for no apparent reason, please can someone tell me if this is normal? I was hoping to cut the dose down by half again, does anyone know if this happens after each reduction ? And when is right time to reduce.
View 39 RepliesAlcohol Consumption :: Tapering Off Wine Using Beer
Okay. So the last time I posted on here I was tapering off wine using beer. That doesn't work. I had one day when I had one beer, was really proud of myself, then had three bottles of my favourite wine to celebrate the next day.
I've tried reducing my intake, as recommended by some lovely people on here. I have come down from three bottles to two. I actually had less than a bottle one day last week and felt really good the next day. Well, as you all know, the next day I celebrated my less than one bottle of wine day by drinking a hell of a lot more.
I have been to my doctor. I was told that what I was drinking wasn't enough to worry about. The fact that I have stomach problems, palpitations, night sweats must be due to my age. He prescribed me with peppermint oil!
Yes, I might be on the perimenopause, I'm 45. But I can't get any help from my GP. I have PTSD. All my GP did was double my dose of my usual medication, prescribe me peppermint oil and send me home. Is it always this difficult to get help?
Are there any other methods I can try to get off this damn demon alcohol?
Anxiety :: Tapering Off Xanax - Cold Turkey
I was never told by doctor 2 important things. 1) Only take Xanax when you feel a major attack coming on. 2) DO NOT stop taking it cold turkey. After being diagnosed with Anxiety a few weeks ago, I started taking .12mg of Xanax 3 times a day, it did make me feel better, but after experiencing some harsh side effects. I decided to see my doctor. He then told me that I only should be taking it when a major attack comes on and that I need to stop taking it 3 times a day. Well, I have not had any major attacks, but now I am starting to feel heavy chest pressure, shooting pains, and headaches. After doing some independent research, I found that these are most likely the effects of stopping Xanax cold turkey, which is strongly discouraged. My doctor never told me this. So now I am trying to figure out what I should to resolve these latest issues. Everything I read points to taking the Xanax again, but tapering off of it slowly. Any advice as to how I should go about this? Should I take .12mg twice a day, regardless of an attack, and taper off from there?
View 3 RepliesGabapentin :: Tapering Off - Stop Cold Turkey
Two weeks ago I called about the severe problems I was having on Gabapentin and Clonidine. The doctor who covered for my doctor out on medical leave changed me in February to these two meds and reduced me from 4x day on 2mg Klonopin to twice a day. The previous meds were fine. I am a cardiac patient with a new Pacemaker as of November. I had low blood pressure and my doctor prescribed Clonidine for sleep and it causes vivid nightmares. A cardiologist had to prescribe the taper cause that doctor said to stop taking it. Then, Tuesday, a doctor in with my psychologist, same practice told me to stop cold turkey taking Gabapentin. He gave me a prescription for my previous medication. I was so concerned when checking out, I tried asking about the taper. He looked at me and turned around and walked out. A note was placed on my file by my psychologist who witnessed this along with 2 secretaries. I have called the neurologist and cardiologist about this and waiting to hear back. I did what he told me to do not knowing what it would cause. I was on 2400 mg a day and when he told me to stop I was on 1800 mg, since the prescriber cut the dosage down rather than change the medication,
View 23 RepliesAddiction - Weaning / Tapering Off Co-codamol After 7 Years
I was on cocodamol for 7 years and just recently weaned off using a taper plan and good planning.
I didn't realise just how mind and body controlling these drugs were.
Ok to cut a long story short I became ill and was prescribed 30/500 cocodamol the first few weeks I felt great yeah less pain and what a head rush.
I started to get addicted and needed my 2 tablet four times a day fix,was my injury gone I don't know I just needed the fix.
I tried a few times before to go cold turkey and ended up with the worse symptoms possible I sure you have had these.
The restlessness and aches in the legs were the worst I'm sure you will agree.
Through my dependency I became intolerant to any products containing caffeine as I noticed my body would itch and I had pain in my kidneys all the time.I stopped caffeine 6 years ago and cured that issue.
This time around I decided enough is enough and try a taper plan.
week 1
8 tablets a day
2 at 7am
2 at 1pm
2 at 6pm
2 at 8pm
for 7 day only then I started my taper plan and it really works.
week 2
2 at 7am
2 at 1pm
2 at 6pm
1 at 10pm
week 3
2 at 7am
2 at 1pm
1 at 6pm
1 at 10pm
week 4
2 at 7am
1 at 1pm
1 at 6pm
1 at 10pm
week 5
1 at 7am
1 at 1pm
1 at 6pm
1 at 10pm
week 6
1 at 7am
1 at 1pm
1 at 8pm
week 7
1 at 7am
1 at 8pm
week 8
1 at 7am
This worked for me and just remember plenty of water but not mountains of it as too much water can be deadly.
I would say to anyone who has just been prescribed co codamol just be aware that the come down after long term use will really spoil your day.
For the full impact of going cold turkey should only last around 8-10 days from sources I read but I will say this for a easier stage of coming off and less side effects try a taper.
Alcohol Consumption :: Tapering Off And Withdrawal Symptoms?
I've been drinking every night for about 3-4 years (not great with dates). It started off as a bottle of wine a night, then a load of beer, then not so much, then more, then not so much and... You know how it goes.
Recently (in the last week) I've cut it down to 4 little bottles of beer per night (330ml, 5% stuff). I've tried to taper off before, with little success, but this time after seeing a counsellor and really exploring why I drink I feel better equipped mentally to follow through with this idea.
My problem is this... Obviously the thought of the potential withdrawal is paralysingly frightening (as it has been for most of you, I'm guessing), and because of my severe anxiety I am super aware of every little thing my body feels. It's hard for me to distinguish between anxiety symptoms, and withdrawal symptoms. For example: shakiness, headaches, confusion and general 'out of it' feelings...
I don't want to just say to myself 'oh it's just anxiety, I have nothing to worry about' (WHICH IS WHAT I'VE BEEN TRAINING MY MIND TO DO) if the symptoms COULD be signs of severe withdrawal. Has anyone on here ever dealt with this combination of things?
I don't really know what I was hoping to accomplish from this post (my minds a little scrambled right now). I think I just need this forum as a distraction and for some hope right now.
Substance Abuse :: Tapering Off Norcos - What To Expect?
I've been taking norco tens for about fourteen years now, about twelve a day. I'm down to my last few pills. I want to quit but I'm so scard of the wd , I dont know what to expect . I wish I never started but I have herniated discs and knee displacement. Tomorrow will be my day one.
View 21 RepliesSubstance Abuse :: Tapering Off Methadone After 12 Years
Has anyone been on methadone for over a decade? I've been on this for 12 years and my father asked me,are you going to live like this forever? It hit me so hard cuz I never thought about it.
During those 11 years I went up and down a lot,(highest dose was 80mgs) but managed to get myself down to 13 mgs by new years eve 2011. Then started a silly rapid detox and decreased 13 mgs down to 11 mgs for one week. Then 11 mgs down to 8.5mgs the next. I got so sick. Felt like my heart almost gave up on me giving me random chest pains. So I had to slow down. I went only 1 mg each week til I got to 5.5mgs, & stayed on that for 10 days as I felt the rapid detox was catching up to me. Today is only day one and I'm sending myself into a panic attack! I do have clonidine and Diazepam and some loperamide just in case. Has anybody out there been on methadone for over a decade and made it? Are the withdrawals longer than others who has been on it like 3 or 4 years? Will it be harder on people who've been on it too long? Is it too late?
Mirtazapine Withdrawal - Tapering Off Tips / Advice?
I started withdrawing from Mirtazapine back in Jan of this year, from 7.5mg. I got the liquid version and tapered down by 0.5ml (.75mg) initially every week, but had to stop that and start by dropping a day a week as I got withdrawals etc. I have been doing very well and was able to drop back to dropping it over 4-5 weeks. I got down to 0.1.5ml and the withdrawals kicked in, nausea, anxiety, sleep problems, cramps, etc etc. I stayed where I was for a few weeks but as things didn't really improve I continued to drop down to 0.1ml. During this time I have had some ok days and some awful days. Yesterday and today have been awful, dreadful low mood, very tired, anxiety and horrid nausea again.
My question is, initially I was going to go down to 0.5ml then taper off that to nothing, but the thought of another 3 months before being off it completely terrifies me. I am thinking about starting to taper off 1 night a week, over the next 7 weeks at the 0.1ml, but wonder if the withdrawals will be worse than ever!
id appreciate some advice. I have done the taper so ridiculously slowly, that I am now just fed up with the whole thing, and want to get back to normal again.
i was initially put on it as in Feb last year I had the flu, and was left with anxiety, my GP then prescribed Propranolol which gave me insomnia, and so it went on from there! The Mirt only made me sleep in the first week on being on it. I started it in June 2013, so been on it just over a year and have been withdrawing from it since Jan this year.
Tapering Off Lorazepam (ativan) Using Valium - Nausea
I started this journey with 6mg a day of lorazepam (ativan) for about 10 yrs not doing me any good, so I decided to taper off using valium going pretty good a lot of ups and downs but adjusted . now I'm at 3.5mg valium in the morning and at noon , at bedtime I take 15mg...my question is I've been experiencing nausea I was wondering if I could take dramamine for this?
Substance Abuse :: Stopping / Tapering Down Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
I've been reading other posts regarding weaning off of Vicodin (10/325 hydrocodone/acetaminophen). While some of the stories are very similar, my main concern is my body's reaction to the draw-down/elimination of the drug.
I first went through this process about 10 years ago after a knee surgery where I truly abused hydrocodone; taking up to 170MGs a day. I cold turkey'd off of it that time and didn't sleep and/or feel well for about 6 days. This time I'm up to 80MGs a day and want to stop before I repeat my previous ordeal.
Learning that cold turkey wasn't the smartest way to stop this addiction, on Monday I began my version of weaning off. I started with 20MG in the morning with 10MG more at lunch and 10MG more after dinner (6pm) for a total of 40MG, half of my previous daily usage.
While I felt a little odd which I attribute to the withdrawal, but overall not too bad. So I duplicated this amount on Tuesday and still felt pretty good. But on Wednesday I tried to eliminate the 10MG after dinner giving me 30MG for the day and added melatonin to help me sleep.
Unfortunately that was not good. I totally tossed and turned and had the similar restless vibe I had during my cold turkey method from back in 2004.
My question is, should I continue to limit myself to 30MG and/or less as maybe my body has already cleared a major hurdle in eliminating the physical need? Or am I moving too fast and setting myself up for more sleepless nights? It's already 9am and I have yet to take a pill, that must be a good sign.
Once again, maybe I'm fooling myself, but I don't feel any desire to take these pills any longer. I would/could stop immediately if not for the physical pain that would cause. I don't consider myself any better than anyone else on this forum, I just feel fortunate that I'm not at that point.
Anxiety :: Tapering Off With Venlafaxine Slow Release / Liquid?
Started ven weeks ago as though i may get an improvement. All its done is make me ill. Now starting to taper. Anyone cut/split etc ven slow release? The experts say not to. I am only on 37.5 but i seem to be very sensitive to it indeed. I know there is ven liquid but seems to be diff to source + quite honestly it is easier shaving off part of a pill.
View 2 RepliesPolymyalgia Rheumatica :: Tapering Off Bioidentical Hormone Replacement
I have had PMR since last March, I have been on Bio-identical Hormones
for about 17 years. I would like to taper the hormone dosage. Is this a bad time to do it since I have PMR? I am 68 years old.
Alcohol :: Tapering Off Beer / Wine - Unable To Sleep?
It gets to the point where you know you need to stop, but the thought of stopping is a major step.
Two weeks ago, I decided that enough was enough. My three bottles a day habit was starting to get out of control. I would wake up in the morning and my husband would ask me if I was okay. "Yes of course I'm okay. Why?" "Because you fell over last night." The blackouts were starting to scare me.
Sunday I decided that I would start tapering off the following day. Luckily I have a supportive husband and admitted my problem. He bought me very small lagers and printed out the tapering off method from the internet.
Monday: I had the shakes in the morning after three bottles of wine the day before. Luckily I work from home. I had six beers and stopped myself from buying a bottle of wine in the evening. Really bad sleep, nightmares, palpatations and a constant craving for what I knew would help me.
Tuesday: Didn't really wake up okay as I hadn't slept much. Started work. Had four small beers and didn't crave for wine in the evening. I felt shaky and strange. Went to bed and slept for three hours which was unusual for me.
Wednesday: I woke up feeling different. Almost human. I got loads of work done and didn't want a drink. I had one small beer with my dinner and went to bed. I slept for about four hours, had some water and went back to sleep. Amazing.
Thursday: Well I've been a good girl this week. I'll treat myself to a glass of wine. Big mistake. Two bottles down.
Friday: We're going away this weekend. I could just not drink during the week surely? Another two bottles of wine. A few shots at the local........
A week later I'm back where I started.
My problem is that I am scared of stopping. I now know that I can get through the tapering off method without life threatening withdrawals but I contradict myself constantly. My mum has Alzheimer's. I'm helping her, so I need a drink. Oh, I've had a bad day so I deserve a glass of wine, or six. My child is disabled. I deserve a drink because I've had a bad day. The cycle is endless.
I went to the GP yesterday and cried. I told him (it was a locum) that I had a problem. I explained that I couldnt sleep without a drink. I have nightmares (because of my PTSD) and my stomach is playing havoc with my life. He said, "Obviously you have IBS." I said, "Obviously?" He said, "Well yes. you don't drink enough for it to affect your stomach." I walked out of the surgery saying, "Well thanks anyway."
Sorry for the long post but I am really trying and wanted some advice/encouragement to try this tapering off again next week. Does it work? Has anyome done it successfully?
I have already applied to be a patient for a different surgery and will be honest with them too. Hopefully they will point me in the right direction.