going off zoloft

[Geodog]

after taking Zoloft for 5 years, I have decided to try to wean off. I went from 150 mg to 100 and stayed there a week. Then I dropped to 50 mg and have been on that for 1 1/2 week. I am about to drop it all together. The only w/d symptoms are a few zaps, nightmares, some nausea. Need opinions how to proceed.

[Sparsley32]

Kudos to you. I've been on Prozac for around 7-8 years now. I'm on a very low dose and would love to get off of it as well. I think that it does help me somewhat with irritability. I think your body is responding really well considering the dose you was taking. I would probably titrate down again before quitting cold turkey. I tried getting off buspirone once cold turkey and I just began to cry really bad for a few days. I wish you the best of luck and hope you are able to get off of it completely.

[Geodog in reply to Sparsley32]

thanks for the info, I appreciate it

[Hidden]

My opinion is to hopefully be doing this under doctor's guidance if you can. Medications and switches or weaning can all be jolting to the system at times and are safer to be handled under a watchful eye. I apologize if that seems offensive and you are doing this on your own. I wish you luck and you seem to be doing well so far!

[Geodog in reply to Hidden]

hi, I spent a couple of days trying to track down my doc, but she moved, and her staff is not helpful. I am searching for a new doc, and I will probably stay on 50 until get a new doc. Thx.

[Hidden]

I'm sorry to hear that. The healthcare system is very messed up and it seems across the world, not just country, wait times for therapists and psychiatrists are at an all time high while the people meant to help us are employed at an all time low. It's frustrating and hard enough to find a good doc, let alone one at all...

[Dell12345]

Hi Geodog, it sounds like you are dropping the dose quite fast. It depends how long you have been taking Zoloft but i think spending at least a couple of months at each reduced dose will give your brain a better chance to get used to it. Remember that when increasing a dose it takes up to 8 weeks or more to feel the full effect. It will take a while for you to feel the full effect of each dose reduction, and for your body and brain to adapt to not having so much of the medication.

All the best,

X

[Geodog in reply to Dell12345]

thanks

[Kinlay]

Low and slow is the rule of thumb for weaning off meds. You are weaning off pretty quickly - so I would be cautious and continue where you are for at least two weeks or until your side effects subside before you try going any lower. Then I would go to 25 mg for another two weeks or until you have no side effects, then go to 25 every other day for two weeks until you have not side effects and THEN go off completely. Of course, it's up to you and every person is different. Good luck!

[Geodog]

thanks