switching from zoloft to lexepro

[RosieK]

I am switching from zoloft 100 mg to lexepro, after being on zoloft for 9 years.  i have been decreased to 75 mg and added 10 mg of lexepro.  My doc. gave me kolonopin .5mg to take twice daily to assist with the withdrawal.  I am scared to decrease again to 50 mg and am scared that once the switch is completely over, I will have a difficult time with getting off of the kolonopin.  Any help or advice would be appreciated, as I am embarassed about my problem of panic attacks and until i enrolled into this forum, have felt very isolated.  Help

[Hensley258]

Well first I must tell you that your far from alone. I have suffered from Anxiety and depressive dissorder for more than 16 years now. It sure can make you feel isolated though.

I am going to guess that your switching from Zoloft to Lexapro simply becasue the Zoloft has or is losing it effectivness for you? This "SSRI poop out" as I call it is much more common than most people think.

You actually lucky that you got 9 years of relief from Zoloft. Most people only get 2 to 6 years on any given AD medication before poop out.

I used to take Zoloft (200mgs a day) many years ago, but I had to switch meds because it lost it's effectivness for me too.

I am currently in the process of switching from Lexapro to another AD medication. I got two good years from Lexapro, but it too is pooping out on me, even at 30Mgs a day.

Try not to panic about the switch. When swapping from one SSRI to another the withdrawl will be very minimal. It's when we taper off and go (no meds) that the withdrawl is bad.

What is not good is to be taking both the Zoloft and Lexapro together. At this point your dosage of Zoloft is low enough that you can discontinue it completly and keep taking the Lexapro. The Zoloft in your system will take a good week to completly wash from your system. In the mean time the Lexapro that your taking will take over where the Zoloft left off.

In another month when the Lexapro is at full efectivness, then you may be able to get off that Klonopin.

Trust me, I have made over 9 AD changes in my life and the SSRI to another SSRI is not that bad. Just be careful about taking both the Zoloft and Lexapro together. It's not that they will adversly interact, but by doing so you put yourself at risk for Serotinin Syndrome.

Just dump the Zoloft and keep taking the Lexapro. You will see it's not that bad of a swap.

[RosieK]

Thank you so much for responding to my concerns.  I guess that I am becoming frustrated with this long process, as I have been decreased from 100mg to 75, where I will remain for 2 weeks( which is almost up).  I will then be decreased again, to I assume 50 mg, and during that time have my lexepro increased from 10 mg to 20 mg, where I will suposedly be maxed,  My concern, is how hard will it be to withdraw from kolonopin, even though I am on a low dose of .5 mg twice daily.  Also, what is serotonin syndrome.  My Doc. also stated that I should get 5 years plus out of lexepro, any maybe even a lifetime.  What has your experiences with that been.  Also, I find that during this process I am foggy, not quick with my wit, and feel one step behind.  Thanks again for all of your help.  -RosieK