Zoloft Withdrawal

[Naydyn]

To start I want to give you an understanding of where I am coming from... I am an addict. I started taking prescription narcotics when I was 17. I have always had social anxiety and stressed myself out about everything. In my first few years of using I took zanax and later moved on to excessively using somas and pain pills to the point of not getting out of bed unless I had several pills to help me make it through the day. I finally put myself in rehab at age 24 and have now been off of all narcotics and alcohol for over a year... But while I was in rehab I started taking 50 mg zoloft. My main reasons for starting this medicine is because of my panic attacks and social anxiety. I stopped taking the zoloft for about 4 or 5 months after leaving rehab. At first I had the brain zaps for a months or so, then I would get very angry really often. I thought it was over then (after 3 months of no Zoloft) I started severe chest pains, felt out of breath, and start thinking that I was having a heart attack. It was very scary!!! I was also going through alot of depressing problems at the time so I went to the doctor and started back on the Zoloft 25 mg. 3 or 4 months later I stopped taking them again and on the 5th days without them I had the most severe, unbearable, and scariest panic attack I have ever had so I started taking them again. Over the last year I have gained 60 pounds!! I am 40 pounds heavier than I was when I gave birth to my daughters. This is more depressing than anything! So I am winging myself off of them this time. I know I should be using a doctor but I cant afford to. So I started taking 1 zoloft every 4-5 days (that is about how often I start to feel the withdrawals kicking in). I have now been breaking them in half and only taking 1/2 a zoloft every 5-6 days. This is working well for me right now. I have been reading a lot of peoples stories but I have not seen anyone that only takes Zoloft because of panic attacks and social anxiety so I am wondering if there is anyone else out there like me??? I am also wondering if anyone has successfully quit taking the Zoloft and living a "normal" life without moving on to something else???
Thank you,
Nadine

[Naydyn]

Thank you for responding. :)

[Paxiled]

You have to listen to what nursegirl is telling you.  If you don't taper properly, it can be very difficult to quit anti-depressants.  Some people have an easy time of it, but many have a hard time, and some have an extremely hard time.  Look, you've done this before when you got sober.  Treat this the same way -- although not technically addictive, anti-depressants can be just as difficult to quit, and when withdrawal includes emotional symptoms, you can acquire new problems.  If you're on this med, you have to have a doctor, but to really do this safely, you probably should find a good psychiatrist who specializes in these meds.  I know, it's expensive.  But a bad doc or a bad psychiatrist is not worth any cost.  You have to find one who knows about withdrawal.  There's a book you can look for in your library called The Anti-Depressant Solution by Joseph Glenmullen that will explain this to you, and includes protocols for withdrawing from these meds.  And yes, most people do get over this.  The ones who have the most trouble are those who didn't understand withdrawal before they quit, those who quit cold turkey, and those without a well-versed psychiatrist.  As for whether you can cure this or not, that also depends on the individual.  Some do, some don't.  The way to try without medication is with a good therapist who specializes in treating what you have.  Good luck to you, and be patient.  There's no reason to rush this.

[Naydyn]

Thank you for the support of my sobriety. Being that I am an addict I will not take any kind of narcotic for my anxiety. I do have some Busparone but it really isnt much help in a panic attack. I have learned that alot of my panic attacks are worse than they should be because I dwell on it and freak myself out into a more serious attack. So I think I could handle a panic attack better now than I have before.  I have overcome alot of my social anxiety also. I dont want to take anything anymore. I hate that I have to take a pill just to live a normal life. Especially something that is going to make me gain weight like these have. I am trying to get some government help right now and soon will be able to go to the doctor, but I dont want to be put on anything else unless I absolutely have to. That is why I want to know.... Are there people out there, that have overcome the withdrawals and panic attacks and live a "normal" life now.... without taking any type of anti-depressants or narcotics?????  Or will I be stuck having to take something for the rest of my life?

[nursegirl6572]

First of all, congrats on facing your addictions, and one year clean!  That's fabulous!

Sadly, people with anxiety often turn to self-medicating, whether with alcohol, drugs.  It gives them the confidence to face the world and helps to reduce the anxiety.  Of course, in the long run, it leads to much more severe problems, but it's a trap that many with anxiety find themselves in!

What you describe sounds to me like withdrawal symptoms initially (the brain zaps, etc), but the later symptoms (chest pain, etc) sound like classic rebound anxiety, which is very common after d/c-ing these meds.  

I understand that you're in a rough spot b/c of the inability to afford the care and meds you may need, but I would strongly recommend looking into what options may be out there for you...financial assistance, etc.  Can you talk with the prescribing doc and explain your situation?  Many times they will have resources to offer you, preferrably to help you to afford the meds and treatment, but in the very least, a way to help you safely taper off the Zoloft to help minimize the symptoms for you.  Many times, the docs will even give you samples to help you taper.  

Many people treat anxiety without meds, but you have to keep in mind that you also have the concurrent issue of addiction, so you need to be careful here.  The last thing you would want to do is risk your sobriety b/c your anxiety gets worse after going off the Zoloft.  If the Zoloft helped you, start looking for a way to make it happen.  Again, speak with your doc, call a mental health hotline, look into govt assistance, blow up the phone to see if there is something you can do...I think you'll be surprised..it may take some work, but I bet you can make it happen!

Very best to you....remember how hard you've worked and how far you've come!  That is such an accomplishment!  We're here for you!