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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Stopping Medication with Panic Disorder
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Stopping Medication with Panic Disorder
by marmag, Mar 07, 2003 12:00AM
I was diagnosed with panic disorder three years ago. It started at a very stressful time in my life when I quit my job and decided to attend graduate school. I was 46 years old. It was very incapacitating so I was placed on Zoloft, 100 mg a day which eventually took affect and I was able to function again. I also take xanax on rare occasion (only about once or twice a month) when something particularly anxiety provoking is going to take place, i.e. job interview, presentation, etc. I feel perfectly normal now and am wondering if I need to continue taking the Zoloft. I was originally told it wasn't approved for long-term use. Can I just quit taking it or should I taper the dose. I think it suppresses my sex drive and consequently impacts my otherwise very fulfilling 13-year relationship with my partner. This is my primary motivation for wanting to quit taking the medication. Any suggestions?
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Mar 10, 2003 12:00AM
, Mar 10, 2003 12:00AM
Yes he should actively consider terminating your use of the Zoloft and continuing your periodic use of Xanax.
He should do this under the supervision of your physician who will recommend that you taper off over a 3 week period. You do that by taking half of your dose each day for week then half a dose every other day for a week and then a quarter of the dose every other day for the third week.
He should do this under the supervision of your physician who will recommend that you taper off over a 3 week period. You do that by taking half of your dose each day for week then half a dose every other day for a week and then a quarter of the dose every other day for the third week.
I was on it for Panic Attacks and anxiety for about 6 months - I stopped cold turkey. I was a little shakey and kept getting "zaps" in my head - It only lasted about a week though.
However, everyone is different when it comes to meds - But that was a really crappy week.
-MAZ