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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Meecer on April 28, 2004, at 20:15:47
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by rapunzel48 on April 12, 2004, at 13:34:25
I was put on a low dose of Zoloft after I had my baby for post partum depression. I am tyring to get off of it and am having all the same symptoms that I'm reading here. What worries me is that they said that it was safe to use while nursing...which I still am. Now I'm scared of what this might be doing to my baby. She is four and a half months old. should I immediately stop breastfeeding? Or will she go through withdrawal too? Or, should I continue to nurse while tapering....I've copied a couple of the weaning off methods and will start trying to do this. I'm really worried about my baby...
Posted by BradG on April 28, 2004, at 20:47:22
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Meecer on April 28, 2004, at 20:15:47
Re: Meecer
Visit this site for more info for the questions you are asking. http://www.prozactruth.com/tapertest.htm#zoloft
I'm no doctor, but if you've got it in your system, I'd find it hard to imagine that your child wouldn't have also if you're breastfeeding. I would be very careful and get expert advice on this though. You are a mother and any 'instinct' that concerns you is probably right. If you think it could pose a threat to your child's health and you want to stop, just do it slowly and with expert advice.
Posted by rapunzel48 on April 29, 2004, at 5:26:00
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Meecer on April 28, 2004, at 20:15:47
I am no doctor, so I don't know about the breastfeeding concerns. However, I am a mother. Of course it's not wise; it's in your bloodstream. That's why so many little kids these days are hyper: moms who were starving themselves while the fetus was growing; moms on meds while the baby's brain cells are developing, etc.
It's difficult to wean yourself, because you become more afraid, and unable to be strong, while you're relying on the meds. One of my friends reminded me that my mother was a Holocaust survivor. If she got through that without meds, I should be able to get through my life crises. I WISH. However, I have turned to trying to toughen myself up. I find that as I am weaning off the stuff, my mind is clearer. I got past the weeping stage.
The post partum depression is bad, but passes as the baby grows and delights you to no end. You won't appreciate the growing-up part if your life revolves around "should I, shouldn't I"?
Posted by BradG on April 29, 2004, at 6:10:44
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft » BradG, posted by BradG on April 20, 2004, at 17:58:06
Update: Have been on 20mg & 12 satchets of Immunocal for 8 days now and have had no side effects at all. Still love that morning coffe though. Have decided to start on 12.5mg (how I'm gonna break up the little buggers I'll never know) and stick with that for a week. The temptation is there to just quit now, but after coming this far I'll keep going and continue the taper slowly. Sleep has been really good and I seem to have a lot more energy during the day. If I think I'm going to stumble I will just 'bite the bullet' and pay to see a therapist to help with any anxiety / depression issues that may still exist.
Posted by rapunzel48 on April 29, 2004, at 6:40:19
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by BradG on April 29, 2004, at 6:10:44
sleep: while tapering off, every other night or so, I take that herbal stuff called melatonin--works exceptionally well. No side effects.
cutting up the little buggers: I bought that little plastic contraption to cut them in half, or I just bite it off.
Posted by BradG on April 29, 2004, at 8:01:33
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by rapunzel48 on April 29, 2004, at 6:40:19
Rapunzel148:
Good sound advice. I'm going OK in the sleep dept (finally) but if I have a problem it's handy to know that there is something natural to take. I've heard that Melatonin is very popular for long distance flight travel also to help you sleep on the journey and minimise the effects of jet-lag.
Posted by Meecer on April 29, 2004, at 20:20:13
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by rapunzel48 on April 29, 2004, at 5:26:00
Brad and Rapuzel, thanks for your replies. R...I actually thought about the Holocaust survivor, and anyone else for that matter that has had it or has it much worse than I. I am going to start the weaning of Zoloft NOW. I will feel so guilty if any of this has adversly affected my little girl. I am going to continue to nurse, just because I don't want her to go through withdrawal too....Wish me luck! Thanks for the help! Meecer.
Posted by jpage1969 on May 6, 2004, at 23:25:42
In reply to withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Shelly on May 4, 1999, at 17:37:51
I recently tried to come off Zoloft and got awful withdrawal symptoms. I've had them for over a week. So after reading and researching I decided to go back on and try and wing myself off slower. Anyway I went back on 3 days ago and I'm still experiencing very extreme dizziness. Does anyone know how long it takes to get back to normal?
jason
Posted by BradG on May 7, 2004, at 1:33:35
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by jpage1969 on May 6, 2004, at 23:25:42
It will take about a week or so to get you back to the same levels.
Posted by mother of 3 on May 9, 2004, at 6:02:38
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft » BradG, posted by BradG on April 20, 2004, at 17:58:06
who would have thought that getting off zoloft would be this difficult?
Posted by ladydee54 on May 11, 2004, at 16:06:31
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by mother of 3 on May 9, 2004, at 6:02:38
was taking 100mgs Zoloft for 4 yrs, just now coming off, I weaned down to terrible dizziness and head zaps, it's been almost 2 weeks with no meds and still zapping like crazy with this constant white noise in the background of my mind..I don't want to return to the MD as she will just want to put me on something else. I have had it.
How long will this last, each day I hope it will gradually get better, but it doesn't AM I permanently damaged to my central nervous system?
Posted by BradG on May 11, 2004, at 20:31:51
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by ladydee54 on May 11, 2004, at 16:06:31
Tomorrow is the day. I will take the last of my 12.5mg portions of Zoloft. I can honestly say that I have had no adverse effects tapering down slowly and with the aid of the Immunocal. I've had no 'zapping' or any of the other major side effects mentioned here for the last fortnight. I will continue to take my Immunical (I've got 12 1/2 doses left - 6 satchets) Keep you all posted. If you want off the merry-go-round, I hope this has provided some of you with the courage to give it a go.
Posted by my_own_feet on May 12, 2004, at 18:25:53
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by ladydee54 on May 11, 2004, at 16:06:31
Looks like you went cold turkey coming off Zoloft. Tapering off would have been way easier with the side effects your experiencing. Don't worry they will eventually go away. I have gone through them as well. Head zaps, mood swings, crying spells for no reason, restless sleeps, even had leg tremours before i went to bed. They all went away but it takes time. Measure your success in weeks and months instead of days. They will go away. Coming off is very hard on your brain. It needs to readjust now. Some things that helped me were..light exercise(walked the dog daily 20-30 mins), lots of water, fruits like kiwi and bananas and Chamomile tea sweetened with honey. All these things have a calming effect on your CNS and sets up a good environment while it adjusts to its natural state. Good Luck and hang in there.. relief will come.
Posted by my_own_feet on May 12, 2004, at 18:27:02
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by my_own_feet on May 12, 2004, at 18:25:53
sorry my last message was for ladydee54
Posted by ladydee54 on May 13, 2004, at 20:12:35
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by my_own_feet on May 12, 2004, at 18:27:02
Bless you, My Own Feet, I was feeling better yesterday, less buzzing and zapping. Then I had a huge argument with my husband and got very upset over the evening news, began to cry (war is hell), and then had a bad night's sleep. So today I walked around dizzy as hell, zapping like crazy. I also figured out I have to stay away from caffeine, which I love.
I guess it will take time, like you say. It's two weeks now, and I have to take care not to let myself get upset. trying to learn some meditation too.
Thanks again!
Posted by BradG on May 17, 2004, at 17:36:43
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft » BradG, posted by BradG on April 13, 2004, at 17:31:10
Hi fellow taperers. Day 7 now with no Zoloft. Depleted Immunocal supply yesterday and have had no side effects at all. I'm pretty sure that I have come to the end of this road, and am now starting to climb out of the valley. I'll be in touch next week to let you know how I'm travelling.
If you want it, you can do it. You may stumble, but never give up.
Posted by ladydee54 on May 18, 2004, at 1:20:32
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by BradG on May 17, 2004, at 17:36:43
good news BradG! I'm in my third week post-zoloft, and have more time without symptoms in between symptoms...I see my MD tomorrow for a long chat about this;I find that when I get emotional the symptoms (head zaps, white noise in head) increase, so I try to stay on an even keel, but it's like that Airplane! movie...there's always something and it looks like I picked the wrong (month, administration, year) to give up antidepressants.
Gotta keep my sense of humor or I would go insane!
Thanks!
Posted by BradG on May 18, 2004, at 1:38:33
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by ladydee54 on May 18, 2004, at 1:20:32
Shelly,
Don't give up girl. Three weeks without is better than 3 weeks wanting to get off, I'll tell you that. You are showing that you are a tower of strength just to get to this point. Keep going and if you need someone to talk to, I'm here. My msn chat / hotmail address is [email protected]
Posted by ladydee54 on May 20, 2004, at 6:36:55
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by BradG on May 18, 2004, at 1:38:33
three weeks today post-Zoloft. Saw my MD yesterday, not the same one who put me on it. She said that given my withdrawal experience, I am not a good candidate for this class of drugs (DUH). They are lessening, though I still have some light swooshing in my head, which she says is probably the result of brain chemicals adjusting (?)The zapping is definitely not as bad, although still present and if I let myself get too emotional in any direction (it's called LIFE)it intensifies.
So far, however, I feel OK in the sense that I'm not depressed. Most days I'm perfectly OK, not manic or down, so perhaps it did serve a purpose. Pre-Zoloft I was always very depressed. Was is worth the post-experience? Can't answer that yet, too new yet.
Many thanks to all who helped me here with words of encouragement!
ladydee54
Posted by Mindy S. on June 7, 2004, at 20:52:59
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by A.L. on April 12, 2004, at 13:05:39
I was diagnosed with clinical depression a year ago. I insisted the dr.put me on something, except Paxil. (Bad experience there.)He gave me Zoloft, 25 mg to start and it worked great. I was not having crying spells or all the other unpleasant side effects anymore. However, when I began Zoloft, I was previously diagnosed with hypothyroidism. At that time, my TSH was sky high at 25.2. So, I was already feeling all the hypo symptoms, including weight gain and depression. I truly believe Zoloft stimulated my thyroid to be at a normal level. I have been hovering around 5 (TSH) for almost 6 mos now.
My chief complaints of Zoloft are the rapid weight gain and fatigue. There's also dry mouth and insominia.
I have been on Zoloft (50 mg) for one year. I felt I was ready to come off of it and told my doctor but he didn't seem to take me seriously. He quickly gave me more refills and instructed to keep on it for 6 more months. Guess what? I went cold turkey. It's been 7 days today and I feel fine. The first few days were rough though. I had this constant dizzying headache, strange disaster type dreams, and sometimes night sweats. I also started my period (late) right in the middle of these headaches, which made it much worse. If I looked too fast to the right, I would get dizzy.
Now, my period is over and I just have a calmer headache like I'm wearing glasses with a too strong prescription. (Bayer aspirin works like a charm!!!)
Best of luck to you. I hope your suffering is as short and as painless as possible.
Posted by ladydee54 on June 8, 2004, at 5:07:17
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Mindy S. on June 7, 2004, at 20:52:59
Mindy, good that you only took 50 mgs only for a year. I was on the 50 for a year, then thought it wasn't working anymore, so my MD upped it to 100 for the next 3 years. That's why even though I tapered off, it was still so hard with my sypmtoms (see previous posts)
I am off the drug now going on my second month, I still have MILD symptoms, sometimes worse than others, like the dizzyness, also still have that wooshing in my head, although again, much less.
Thru recent events at my job, though, I have been very depressed recently and thought about taking a drug again!
But I will work thru it this time instead. Life just has to be lived, and it's not always pretty.
Posted by BradG on June 10, 2004, at 3:56:17
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Mindy S. on June 7, 2004, at 20:52:59
MindyS & Laydee54
MindyS: Good luck to you girl. 7 days and your fine. Keep at it. Don't look back
Laydee54: People will read these posts and take inspiration from your achievement. You are stronger than I think you realise.
As for myself, off now for a while and no nothing. Would never consider putting another mood altering synthetic chemical in my system. Not for all the tea in China. They still make tea don't they?
Posted by meecer on June 10, 2004, at 20:08:02
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by BradG on June 10, 2004, at 3:56:17
I'm still zapping after 2 weeks....when will it stop?
Posted by ladydee54 on June 11, 2004, at 5:17:39
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by meecer on June 10, 2004, at 20:08:02
> I'm still zapping after 2 weeks....when will it stop?
Longer than 2 weeks, I can tellyou for sure. I have been off the drug now almost 6 weeks about, and I still have the occasional, weak zapping. Mostly at night when I'm tired, or after too much caffeine.
Still also have some whooshing in my head albeit softer sounding now. I sometimes wonder if these symptoms every go away completely. My doctor says they will, that these symptoms are from our nervous system easing into not having the drug to fall back on, or some such explanation that I don't know if I believe.
I only believe what I can FEEL. but YES I do feel better. SOmeone told me in the beginning that this type of withdrawal is measured in weeks and months, not days, and that's so true. I never noticed a symptom lessening in days, it was always in retrospect of weeks.
There is hope!
I also find that my depression (I call it falling in a hole) comes and goes pretty dramatically now, so I just have to hang in there during the times when I feel really down, sometimes all it takes is a good night's sleep to make it go away.
BTW, I am a true believer that people like us should stay away from sugar and white flour products also. Protein will help us heal faster, it's what every system in our body needs to heal.
take care!
Posted by meecer on June 11, 2004, at 19:35:15
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by ladydee54 on June 11, 2004, at 5:17:39
Thank you lady...Looks like I have a while to go yet...It takes a lot for me not to split a pill and take it just so it will go away. I will not do it though, because that will only add to the time it will take. What makes me so angry is that I was told the drug was safe to take while breastfeeding, which I was doing (and still am), but the last time I got it refilled, there it was...."not recommended while breastfeeding". It had never said that before. I just hope that my little girl (6 months old) is not going through the same thing. She seems happy and normal...I'm just hoping I didn't harm her. That's what scares me the most.
I'm glad you are feeling better. Just take things day by day and as they come. The thing that gets me through a lot is something my dad always told me when I would get stressed out. "Not to worry". That's my mantra....
Thanks for letting me know that it's not going to be days, but weeks to months before this will go away.....how frustrating!
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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