Tapering off Zoloft

[Goldeen]

These cats aren't joking about withdrawals. Please be careful! I myself had to get off Zyprexa and Celexa a few months back, it was killer. Make sure your man is taking good care of you, my brain was not my own for about 2 weeks! Remember that anything bad you're feeling is just temporary, and it will be worth it to get off those evil Pharmaceutical poisons! May be a bumpy ride, but you have plenty of support surrounding you.

Grats on twins. cute

 

[Kirei]

I was on 200mg for years for my OCD, then when I felt better I was on 100mg for about one year. I tapered off and have been off it for 6 months now, though once I stopped cold turkey, thinking I'd be Ok like I was when I went from 200 to 100. I wasn't OK, I was dizzy, I couldn't see, I felt unsafe walking anywhere because I was so dizzy. I had to go to the doctor's, she said it was Serotonin withdrawal, put me back onto them. After that I did it REALLY slowly and it worked. I went down from 100 to 75 and stayed on 75 for 2 weeks. Then every other day I'd take 50, and the other day 75 for another 2 weeks. Then 50 for 2 weeks, then 25 and 50 on alternates, then 25. Then I went down to 12.5 (get yourself a sharp knife or a pill cutter for this) per day and then once a day I'd take none and once a day 12.5 until I didn't feel any dizziness at all (took a few weeks). Then I just stopped and was fine. I never looked back. Anyone trying to do the same, PM me if you want any help or support, as I know how hard it can be. It's also DANGEROUS to cut them out or cut down too quickly. My OCD has worsened since I got pregnant but I won't go on Zoloft again, after that. I'll have therapy if it gets worse again but no more medication. I wasn't warned it was this hard to quit when I went on them, but I'm not exaggerating. Anyone reading this, PLEASE do it really slowly like I described above, only changing the dose after 2 weeks at least and if you feel dizzy at all see your doctor. You don't want to end up falling down the stairs when you're pregnant.

 

[Goldeen]

I wasn't warned it was this hard to quit when I went on them, but I'm not exaggerating.

Jeez, no one should have to go through this. The Pharmaceuticals Industry makes me sick sometimes. I hear that after you give birth a lot of women get very depressed, good thing we all already learned early!

Everyone please take this very seriously in consideration: no matter how sad you are- the pills can even make it worse. If you look on the side effects, sometimes 'suicide' is labeled as one of them! that's the last thing a babies mum needs!

 

[geckorachel]

I am currently on 100 mg of Zoloft and also have weekly psychotherapy. I just found out yesterday (after months of infertility treatments) that I am expecting my first child (YAY! ) Last week in therapy my psychologist said that being depressed is worse for the baby than the meds, especially Zoloft since it is considered one of the safest. The fertility specialist I'm seeing said to immediately begin tapering off zoloft now that I'm pregnant. She seemed upset I was up to 100 mg and said to do a week at 50 mg, then a week with 50 mg every other day, then a week with 200 mg total over the week, then a 4th and final week of 100 mg for the whole week. I'm pretty scared... the last time I tapered off of these the last week was so bad I wound up going back on them. The dizziness and depression were just too much to handle. I told her that when she gave me the taper schedule and she said it was because I went off it too quick but I am pretty sure my schedule was slower than this one. Everything I've read on the internet said to go down by 12.5 mg to 25 mg per week, but she has me at twice that max. Today is my first day at 50 mg and I had a nasty dizzy spell but I don't know if that's from the meds or from early pregnancy. I want to do what's best for my unborn baby... I just hope this isn't too rough!

hey, it is really difficult isn't it, knowing whether the symptoms are withdrawal or morning sickness I have felt motion sick every night since monday. I figure if it was withdrawal it would be more enduring. But then I haven't got a clue. GP said I shouln't experience any withdrawal symptoms either hmmm x

Hey all Just checking in again
I am now down from 225mg of seroquel to 75mg...down to 50mg tonight! I feel totally fine! I went for a second scan on 23rd and it transpired that I had a miscarriage however we have now decided to try for a baby. I think because I have a purpose now reducing meds has been easier. My husband raised what I thought was a valid point too - I need to learn to be stable off my medication before I actually have the child, if I am sketching out and being overly anxious in front of our child it will unsettle them and perhaps not teach them that there is nothing to fear. I know it wont be easy but I am going to give it my best shot.

I was angry with psychiatry - they phoned me the monday after my scan, as soon as she heard I was no longer pregnant she didn't want me to reduce my medication down from 100mg. Despite me telling her that we are now trying for a baby. I managed to get her to agree to 75mg but she wouldn't "allow" any further decrease until I see the psychiatrist...that wont even be until the end of September!!!! What is she going to do if I phone up this week and say I'm now pregnant again?!! Sorry to rant but I am SO fed up of drs and psychiatrists. I was offered a job, but now it is a "conditional offer" until I have another occupational health assessment!!! and they will probably be worried that I am now reducing and am going to be unstable!!! I swear if I have any issues in the future I will NOT seek help!!! Oh well! Rant over,,,,down to 50mg tonight, even if I have to lie about it, I am not willing to be on it any longer xxxxxx

 

[Kirei]

They told me I couldn't taper off it completely for at least 6 months after I got the bad reaction from going cold turkey and had to go back on it but I just did it anyway because by then I didn't want that stuff in my system any more. Just remember to taper really slowly, and see them if you get dizziness or any problems with it.

 

[fizzypop]

I'm so glad this thread is here. And so sorry that these horrible mental illnesses exist. I am also trying to come off sertraline/zoloft but PLEASE do it slowly. I mean reduce dose by 12.5mg daily then alternate days for at least 2/3 weeks. And when you are off them keep a real close eye on yourself. Last time I tried to get off the meds I tried to hang myself. Please please please make sure you have support to help you off them and someone to help you back ON to them if you need to..

 

[amjon]

I stopped cold turkey as well (though I wasn't pregnant). I was feeling fine and decided I no longer needed them. If you have been on it a year, you should be okay to get off easily.