SO, I stopped taking Zoloft cold turkey one week ago

[burythehatchet]

(I know I'm not spose to do that!)

Right now I can't even watch Trading Spaces because it would make me cry like a baby.

When I thought about that it cracked me up. :D

So am I OK?
Have I lost it?
Should I get an emergency refill?

[SHRED]

1. Take a step back

You are more than just your emotions.
:toast:

[SHRED]

7. Having said that...

a sudden withdrawl is not advised.
Gradual, smooth transitions are much easier to deal with.

[burythehatchet]

10. damn straight

I think that's why I enjoy watching me, the dude, go through life. It's really interesting.

And now having read my own post perhaps stronger psychotropic medications are in order.

:D:D:D:D:D

[madrchsod]

2. get some pills

you sound as bad as my wife. she stops taking her pills for a few days and her body starts freaking out...

[burythehatchet]

5. I live alone

and I've been on 'em for 4 years. To put it in a political perspective, I think this is the kind of drug that big pharma loves for us to stay on for a lifetime. $100/ month; it's a fat annuity.

I have trouble believing that generations of people survived and thrived in many parts of the world without the benefits of our wonder drugs.

I need to be off that habit.

[blondeatlast]

34. You must withdraw from them VERY slowly.

It took me three months to quit completely, but I tried to go cold turkey. DON'T.

It' worth the gradual withdrawal, really.

[autorank]

3. Not advised. Call your doctor and ask about titration.

You need to talk to your doctor but titration, systematic decrease, of Zoloft, etc. and Effexor is highly recommended. Makes things easier and you avoid a rebound depression which is entirely due to going 'cold turkey' without medical advise. Why undo any benefit you've received?

Make that call!

[burythehatchet]

6. That's sound advice

I will see my doc tomorrow.

[mairceridwen]

14. good luck with everything

I'm constantly on meds and have gone off them...prozac has a long half-life and can be stopped almost cold turkey...others not so much

feel better! (yes, that's an order)

[nashville_brook]

15. good for you!

at least back off the meds slowly.

best case: back off slowly and employ a talk therapist. the idea is that the meds work on your primitive brain and the talk therapy works on the "higher" frontal lobes. you might start with both and back down to just the talk therapy.

it's a totally personal choice whether you want to do the meds -- but there's nothing "wrong" with taking the drugs to acheive a level of functioning that is coomfortable and productive.

btw -- Trading Spaces makes me cry too -- especially when they do things like glue moss all over someone's bedroom! :)

[autorank]

20. Good for you...extremely smart move. Relief is on the way!

[blondeatlast]

35. Indeed. And said far better than I did. thanks. nt

[datasuspect]

4. i'm not a doctor

and i don't play one on t.v., but my personal opinion is that SSRIs do way more harm than good.

what did they prescribe it for? what is your dosage?

if you have a high dosage, you might want to gradually wean yourself off of it so you body can gradually transition into homeostasis.

[mairceridwen]

12. i'm not a doctor

But I take prozac and wellbutrin


"way more harm than good"


yeah, it would have been so much better had i stayed off the drugs and died. I can't function without them. My life is not worth living without something to stabilize my brain. I am so happy that you would rather see people like me dead.


Depression can be lethal. Telling depressives like me not to take our meds is like telling an diabetic not to take her insulin.


My opinion is that people should try diet, exercise, therapy, yoga before turning to drugs...if they can. Some people do need a quick fix. Life circumstanges make non-pharmacutical interventions difficult and expensive.

[datasuspect]

18. uh, okay . . .

"I am so happy that you would rather see people like me dead."

where the hell did you come up with that . . . ?

please don't tell me about depression. i went through the wringer with SSRIs.

and the "quick fix" drugs are usually non-SSRIs.

it takes a few weeks for them to take effect anyway.

that's why i didn't say "ALL MEDS."

some of them serve a very useful purpose. SSRIs are just marketing gimmicks that CAUSE people to become suicidal.

[mairceridwen]

21. SSRI's are helpful

to people who need them...people whose condition can be treated with meds that target the serotonin reputake system


there are non-SSRIs that can make people become suicidal. Wellbutrin has worked wonders for me, but it was a nightmare for a friend of mine.


i've been on and off prozac for years and I've never become suicidal.

[datasuspect]

24. that's fine

but please don't try and impute a desire on my part to see you dead.

i don't even know who you are. how absurd.

[nashville_brook]

25. you bring a really good point!

about the severity of the disease!

but no one would rather see you dead! i swear! ;(

please don't take the post personal -- it might have been insensitive for a severe sufferer. but the author didn't intend anything personal.

i wish certain people in my family would have treated their depression with SSRIs instead of alcohol!

chin up!

:grouphug:

[mairceridwen]

31. it's not that I thought he'd rather see me dead

But the "SSRIs do more harm than good" sentiment does not acknowledge that prozac and other SSRIs have saved quite a few lives.


I never take anything personally, but I do aim to expose the "personal" effects of those attitudes.

Had I adhered to the "SSRI's do more harm than good" argument, It's unlikely that I would have made it.

[indigobusiness]

32. I've got a little free advice. (worth the price)

Cold turkey may not have been the wisest route, but since you have made it this far you might be halfway home. If you decide to try to ride it out, just try to stay as centered and even tempered as possible. If you do realize the sorts of mood swings you described, think about them, objectify them, and realize they are not "you". They are just manifestations of something you are overcoming.

The advice to wean yourself from the drug was IMHO the way to go. But, you've come a long way cold turkey. I salute you for that.

Good luck!

edit- oops, I put this in the wrong place.

[burythehatchet]

43. I don't think the poster was wishing you any harm.

What you said is true. One of the reasons why I am able to function is my yoga, meditation, quitting a corporate job at a RW company, and, juicing sprouts and apples.

[autorank]

22. datasuspect, respectful exception to your assertion

SSRI's can do a lot of damage if they're prescribed with the wrong diagnosis and if they are not carefully administered and monitored.

The diagnosis issue is profound because SSRI's, while helpful to people who struggle with depression, can actually kick off a manic episode (a major disaster) or psychotic episode (another tragedy) in people with a history of these problems or an undiagnosed bipolar or psychotic disorder. People with bipolar disorder and psychosis often times depressed. Superficial diagnosis misses this and then the shit hits the fan. People with bipolar disorder and psychosis do take and benefit from SSRI's at times but there is always a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic on board to make sure the SSRI does what it's supposed to do without kicking in other problems.

The monitoring issue is also critical. If you get a prescription from your family doc, for example, and you don't return in 2 weeks, a month and two months (as an example) for monitoring and tweaking, you're not betting proper treatment, period. These need to be adjusted and monitored.

The risk of suicide for Major Depressive Disorder is as high as 5%, thats one in twenty people with this diagnosis. That is a major public health problem. SSRI's do help those who are properly diagnosed and treated. Don't mistake poor medical care for ineffective medication.

[datasuspect]

26. just really mistrustful

of the pharmaceutical lobby.

the clinical trials and FDA approval processes for many of these drugs are farcical at best and the medical community latches on to these drugs and gives them out like candy for practically anything nowadays.

face it, the medical/pharmaceutical industry KNOWS there is big money in pathologizing us.

they create "disorders" for pills nowadays.

i understand your point though.

[autorank]

37. The problem is the contradiction between bad behavior and good drugs.

You're right about big-pharma, management is a bunch of losers.

As far as what they produce, it's often times quite helpful. The one thing you can be confident of is that MDs, psychiatrists in particular, have, for the most part, health skepticism about big pharma and their claims. They also have liability in case their patient's either get sicker or fail to improve. This is the ultimate regulation.

There are a few docs who will push the wrong drug. The Neurontin fiasco proves that.

These are the minority of doctors. If you get a good doc and you ask intelligent questions, you're likely to get help and not get screwed. The docs don't like big pharma any more than you do.

Stay skeptical but don't deprive yourself of medical care you may need (for any reason). If you do, then big pharma really screws you.

[blondeatlast]

36. Many of us who've been to the bottom but have experience would

be glad to argue forever about this.

I'm off Celexa now, but it saved my life, my marriage, my family and my job before.

[burythehatchet]

8. Hate to start a thread and run

but I just looked at my clock and its time to go to the state capital to protest for democracy.

:hi:

[Kindigger]

13. Have a really good time....

....cold turkey off 40mg per day of Oxycontin. Ugly I tell ya.

I went cold turkey off Paxil a few months ago. No problems with "blowback" depression, but the dizziness, tinnitus, etc. sucked.

I came to the same conclusion....people lived for hundreds of years without this crap, and I'm tired of supporting the drug companies!

I'm going to try acupuncture for pain. I also realized I never really needed the anti-depressant. If November 3rd didn't send me over the edge nothing will. LOL

[burythehatchet]

40. Getting off the OXY is truly difficult. Congratulations

You're right about the dizziness. It really does suck.

ANyway, back from the protest/gathering at the Georgia capital. Was very happy to see about 40 people there. It was bitter cold so it was a good showing. Catwoman was conspicuosly absent. :hi: Got to talk to Mike Malloy, his lovely wife, and their incredibly adorable baby girl. Malloy is such a frickin softie with that baby. He doesn't even let mommy hold her. She complained that the only time she gets to hold her is when she is nursing her. Seriously, Mike seems to be a great dad.

Back on topic. First of all, its really nice to have a bunch of people like you who show a great deal of caring and empathy. Second, not to worry on two counts. 1. I will pick up a refill tonight and mainline my zoloft! 2. Its two weeks and my worst symptoms have been constant dizziness, (I can deal with it though it sucks), and 2. heightened emotional response (which I have successfully controlled in the situations where it flared up. I know you all are correct to cite the health risks of my actions, therefore I am taking a more responsible approach. Thanks y'all :hi:

[crispini]

41. Acupuncture ROCKS.

very good for soft-tissue injuries, pain management in general. speaking from experience.... it's a good thing to try! plus, NO bad side-effects. none.

[burythehatchet]

44. How do you hook up with a reputable pro?

I want to try it

[crispini]

45. Well obviously asking around is good,

but I didn't know anyone who'd had it when I went. I had a horrible problem with carpal tunnel. So I just went to the one I'd seen in the local Chinatown and I lucked out, he turned out to be great.

I'd just pick one and look for the basics:
- He/she will probably have a book of reference letters from other patients -- mine did. Asian docs & herbalists tend to do this.
- Should make efforts to keep you comfortable, i.e. explain things to you, show you the needles in the sterile packaging, etc.
- Should be able to communicate pretty well -- my doc is by no means conversationally fluent but boy is he fluent in his particular subject area.
- You should also always communicate back & describe how the treatment feels. Burning, heavy, like an electric shock are all signs that the needle's in the right spot -- sharp and painful like a knife is probably not a good thing, at least that's what my guy says.

It's great, though. I get immediate pain relief when I go. Any kind of repetitive stress injury can be helped. The pain might come back, if the injury is bad, but it's usually less. He totally took care of a knee injury I had from cycling in about 5 visits.

try it, it's great! I'm going to start trying some of his herb stuff, too, for other health issues.

[Cooley Hurd]

9. I would recommend calling your Dr - going off meds abruptly...

...can really mess you up (I did one time and one time only, and it took about 3 days for me to start feeling really lousy and scared me into never doing it again).

ESPECIALLY this time of year...

[whirlygigspin]

17. Try large amounts of Sugar+Nicotein+Caffein /1 small dose or religion mix

that and add some St John's wart and a 3 night/Vegas trip with Viagra and it should be a good/fun counter effect.

good luck!

Who says medical information on the internet is bad?
ha.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

11. Orthomed....

www.orthomed.org

[HysteryDiagnosis]

16. DHA vs Depression

http://cms.psychologytoday.com/search/search.cgi?q=depression+DHA

http://cms.psychologytoday.com/search/search.cgi?q=nutrition+depression

http://www.biopsychiatry.com/dhaomega.htm
Docosahexanoic acid and omega-3 fatty acids in depression

>>Given the popularity of self-medication by patients who already are taking marketed antidepressants, studies examining the use of DHA as an augmentor to standard antidepressants may answer whether DHA can occupy a niche as an augmenting agent for patients who have made a partial response or have not responded to conventional antidepressants. Considering that natural medications generally seem best for treating mild to moderate illness, the role of DHA as a therapy for minor and subsyndromal depression also should be considered. It is hoped that studies of these types will help to clarify some of the knowledge gaps outlined in this article.<<
EPA
DHA
SAMe
Dopamine
Low-fat blues
Food and mood
Neuroactive lipids
Omega 3 fatty acids
Folate and vitamin B12
Mood, food and cognition
Lipids, depression and suicide
Omega 3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder
Omega-3 for borderline personality disorder
Omega-3, inflammation/autoimmune diseases
Seafood, DHA content of mothers' milk and postpartum depression

[Truman01]

19. Get an emergency refill.... Personal story

I went through two years of depression and was put on Zoloft. After it started to work I was convinced that I was back to my old self and 3 times tried to quit it cold turkey. Each time I had a worsening recurrence of true depression.

I finally did come off of it but I did so by stepping down the dosage by 50 mils a week until I wasn't taking it anymore. I'm glad I did that. Relapse shock from cold turkey withdrawal is truly dangerous for you and those around you.

Good luck, there is nothing to be ashamed of.

TC

[Deja Q]

23. COLD TURKEY?!?!?!?!?!?!??! Zoloft is physically addictive, you've GOT to

go off slowly!

I had gone off of it slowly and still had problems. Last night grocery shopping, I got readily riled at the idiots shopping - especially those with kids at 10PM, or the usual thickheaded cretin of the bunch that takes out the SICK KID who's hacking and coughing and needs rest. x(

Of course, I always act like that so maybe it wasn't a withdrawl thang... O8)

[Gyre]

27. ok, let me get this straight.

You quit your anti-depressant at the beginning of the 2nd stolen * term. What were you thinking????

Gyre

[arwalden]

28. This Was Not A Wise Thing To Do. See Your Physician Right Away.

[elehhhhna]

29. Yep. I qit cold-t 2 x and the first few days it was a fun (mildly manic)

deal--i thought HEY look I'm FINE!

7 days in and I'm crying because the cat looks "sad". (Okay that's an exaggeration but really...)

[Minimus]

30. I quit Effexor cold turkey one time and nearly lost my mind.

I was taking it and Topomax to prevent migraines (prescribed by a neurologist at a headache center). Anyway, I was still getting migraines so I said screw this and just stopped taking the meds.

Wow, big mistake. I cried and cried and freaked out completely. Scared my husband to death. He took me to my regular dr. and she put me back on the Effexor and then gave me a weaning off schedule. I weaned for 2 weeks then felt perfectly fine.

[haele]

33. Gotta ease off meds like that slowly...

Warning - the following is ancedotal advice. You really need to check with a professional in this matter -

If I were you, I'd get the emergancy supply to start easing off slowly and put in a call to the doctor that perscribed it to you to monitor your withdrawl from it over the next couple weeks.

I did Zoloft a few years back for a bout of major depression; it has the potential to really screw you up for a month or so if you go cold turkey instead of easing off. I had gone five days cold turkey once; after two days, I was a basket case; feeling dizzy and "tingly", screaming at everything and acting self-destructive until I got my perscription renewed. After that episode, I began to ease off as my doctor recommended.
I found that even taking one every other day and easing down to one every three days before I finally quit allowed me to get off it without the physiological (nervous ticks, dry, burning mouth and tear ducts) and emotional issues.

YMMV, of course. But you really should check with your doctor.

Haele

[Skittles]

38. if you did not do this on the advice of a doctor

I WILL KICK YOUR ASS

[ernstbass]

39. There is something called SSRI withdrawal syndrome

Usually it's the worst with Paxil. But you should have weaned off the Zoloft. If you are concerned about the cost, you may be able to get by taking a Zoloft every other day or even every third day.

[burythehatchet]

42. see #40

:)