Ise and Stopping Zoloft

[sharkman1]

I would like to know if I have taken Zoloft for about two weeks, one a 25 mg and now for four days 50 mg. can I stop and how do you di o it and cut it back. My doctor seems to thing I have a anxiety disorder because I worry about my health sometimes. I have had a few panic attacks over the year and became afraid of them. He thought I might try this drug. I really don't like medicines and I am just afraid of them and the side effects. Can you advise what to do. I don't feel all that great on Zoloft. It makes me stay up at night and feel apprehensive in the morning. Is there a  better way to treat anxiety?  Thanks I was in Viet NAm, a police officer and fire fighter. Now I feel kind of jittery sometimes and saddness at time with crying spell occasionaly.


Thanks


Sharkman1

[Paxiled]

Always try therapy before drugs.  Drugs are your last resort, not your first.  As to the Zoloft, you've only been on a short time, but I'd still taper off just in case.  Research tapering and make sure your doctor knows about how to do it.  I'm not saying the Zoloft won't help, it might, but since you don't want to take drugs and it doesn't sound like you've tried therapy, nor does it sound like your life has been so affected you can't function well, I think it's premature for drugs given their drawbacks.  They'll always be there if you need them.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Paxiled gave you some good advice...I would add that you might ask your doctor for a few small doses of klonopin to take episodically, rather than regularly, when you are feeling particularly anxious or anticipate a panic attack. At the dosage you took and the duration, you should not have any problem stopping, weaning over a short ten day period would be best.