Weaning off Zoloft and Klonipin

[goldiealg]

Hi there Doc, I wrote a couple of weeks ago...see my shrink is killing me...I have been weaning off of Zoloft,Klonipin and Buspar for over a month now.  You suggested I start with the Klonipin and I have had a pretty easy time of it.  I went from 2mg a day to current .25 mg at night now.  On the Zoloft, I have weaned from 200mg to 50mg a day.  I am just taking Buspar 1.x a day 15mg.  Since I have a pretty easy time of coming off of the Klonipin, I thought the Zoloft would be a snap....Not true...I decided to go without the Zoloft this weekend and I tell you I have not had such bad stomach cramps and diarhea (diarrhea) in my life...Do you think these symptoms are related to stopping the Zoloft? What is the best tapering schedule for Zoloft at this dosage (50mg a day [presently])?  What symptoms can I expect as I come off of Zoloft?   Hopefully, you can help me minimize the effects.  I have not had any mood changes or severe anxiety thus far, but I have had the stomach  cramps, low grade fever and muscle aches especially around the neck/shoulder area.  Also, I have been craving sweets like mad...Thanks for your help. goldie

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

It is most likely that the stomach cramps are from Zoloft withdrawal...I have heard that enough now to be relatively sure. YOu should wean off the 50 mg. by going either every other day or see if you can use only half a day, then half every other, then half every third day, and by then , you should be fine.

[terramuggus]

Hi Goldie,

I am tapering off of Klonopin and making adjustments to my lamictal as I make another cut. I have researched the benzos because I suspected that after 12 year prescription history that it was making me cognitively worse and adding to or triggering depression. I went to www.benzo.org.uk and found what's called the Ashton Manual. I suggest you hit that link and start reading. It is amazing what kind of problems benzos can cause. It seems like you were taking a fairly high dose of klonopin. My assumption is that this may have been causing you major problems before. According to the hundreds of pages I've read, and additional research through google searches, it seems that benzos are one of the hardest drugs to stop taking. Professor Ashton claims, in her 30 plus years of clinical experience, that it is more difficult than heroin and it takes much, much longer in order to cut out of it completely. I suggest you focus on the Klonopin. My opinion is that you have cut it back much too fast and that you're doing yourself harm.

According to Dr. Ashton, and others in her field, benzos should be withdrawn ans slowly as possible and in very small cuts at each interval. I have done this myself, as in the past I cold turkeyed then went back on then cut a little at a time, though in much too high doses, only to have to go back to my previous clinical dose. It has been known since the early 60's that dependence to clinical doses with benzos existed and that it was very difficult to help people wean off of them. This is a very potent drug and it is extremely dangerous to cut the way you have. I would concentrate on the klonopin first, making small cuts of the others once you've successfully tapered off.

Please check the benzo website and read the Ashton Manual. I'm afraid in your well meaning attempt to reduce dependence on prescriptions that you might be doing yourself harm.

By the way, the APA published a sort of guide as far back as 1990 telling psychiatrists about the dangers of too quick a withdrawal schedule, too large per cut, and of potential for all sorts of potentially fatal consequences. They were also aware of long term dependence, also called tolerance, and the need to continue to go up on doses. The longer you're on, the less effective your old dose is, and so you need ever higher doses in order to get rid of the symptoms you originally needed the meds for. Benzos are dangerous to get off too quickly. Please see the Ashton Manual.

***@****

[goldiealg]

Hi T,
Thanks for your input.  You are the first person I have been in contact with that has been on Klonipin for so long.  My shrink thought it was "ok" to be on the benzo indefinitely (that was her response when I expressed concern).  I finally decided that it was ok for her and not me!!!  I felt like you did...that it was impairing my cognitive abilities (especially memory) and making me more depressed.  goldie

[terramuggus]

Hi Goldie,

There is a huge body of clinical, medical and psychopharmaceutical evidence going back to the 1960's concerning benzo dependence and misprescribing. In 1998, in an effort to protect themselves legally, benzo manufacturers began adding a warning on their hand out labels that specifically states no one should take any benzos for a period longer than 4 weeks, unless so directed by their physicians. The problem has been, that there are no clear cut medical guidelines concerning long term benzo use and dependence/tolerance issues. Additionally, these are specifics generally not taught in American medicine. This leaves physicians under the impression that benzos are fairly safe, especially when used in low end therapeutic doses. When patients inquire as to safely withdrawing, they are most often tapered much too quickly, and at unsafely large cuts, leaving patients to develop rebound symptoms often misdiagnosed as a return of the orignial condition for which the benzos were prescribed in the first place. As British and European studies have shown, this is an erroneous and dangerous belief.

Currently, there are several potential class action lawsuits being prepared. Interestingly enough, there is one American medical addiction textbook published in the early 1990's that will be used as a conerstone piece of evidence in potential litigation. In it, there is clear instruction as to what to look for in long term, low dose dependence and ensuing protracted withdrawal problems. There are key characteristic symptoms that are specific to rebound and withdrawal, clearly distinguishing them from the symptoms of underlying anxiety, depression and panic symptoms for which benzos are generally prescribed. In 1990, the APA published the report from which this particular material was published.  

Unfortunately for the hundreds of thousands of Americans dependent on benzos, their families, and ultimately their doctors, the pharmaceutical companies have created their own tobacco-esque problems which will lead to protracted court battles. The ruination of ignorant, yet otherwise fine and compassionate doctors' careers, and the unsatisfying validation of the suffering of so many innocent, accidental addicts, will haunt this country for years to come.

If anyone wants more information or would like resources from which to decide for themselves on how to deal with this problem, feel free to email me.

Thank You,

Martial
***@****

[goldiealg]

You seem very well read on this topic.  I looked at the web site in UK that you suggested...Very interesting materials...Too bad I won't be seeing my shrink anymore...she would benefit from such guidance.  I am very interested in knowing more about some of those class action law suits...for future reference. We will see how I feel in a few months...My stomach is better.  Took my Zoloft and will follow advice given above in terms of tapering that after I complete the benzo taper.  Holding steady at.25-.375 mg hs.

[TMDML]

I just read the response from the dr. re weaning from 50 mgs zoloft.  It stated to go to every other day OR 1/2 pill a day, then 1/2 every other day, then 1/2 every third day, then that's it.  How long should I try the 1/2 pill, then how long on the every other day and the every third day?  I've only been on Zoloft for about 2 months.  I don't like some of the ways I am feeling, and I feel like I'm eating all the time and gaining weight like crazy!  I want off!  Any help would be appreciated!  Thank you!

[goldiealg]

I think that since you have been on Zoloft for such a short period that you can very easily taper off....I used one week periods and cut each week until I was at ground zero.  I have been on this sh.... for a very long time and that is why I think I had flu like symptoms at the withdrawal.  I am completely off the Zoloft now (for two weeks). It hasnt been easy, but I am making it and hopefully I will start to feel better soon.

[NJIronBull]

Dear Dr. Gould.  Last year I went through a really nasty xanax addiction where I was doing anywhere from six to ten mgs on a light day, to up to twenty mgs on a heavy day.  I should also add that I was doign a log of street drugs also-primarily crystal meth.  I went through detox, and got off the xanax, and the docs put on a bunch of anti-depressents and after a while I convinced my docs to put on ambien, and then lunesta and finally klonopin.  Okay, I am seeing the problem start all over again and I want to nip it at the bud.  Any suggestions? Can I wean myself off this stuff by myself? Thanks Chuck

[JenS727]

I was prescribed Klonopin four months ago for medication induced hyperthyroidism.  I was taking 1mg/day of the Klonopin.  After reducing my Synthroid dosage for six weeks I went hypothyroid again.  My endocrinologist said I could wean off the Klonopin if I wanted to.  I reduced my dosage from 1mg/day to .375mg/day in about three weeks.  I have suffered pretty bad withdrawl symptoms the majority of the time.  I was unable to stand being on only .375 so after ten days (today) I have gone back up to .5mg/day.  I am so  scared that I may never feel better and will never get off of this Klonopin.  I have never taken medication in my life for anything as I was a professional airline pilot and had no idea what I was getting into.  Please help.

[AJC]

Look up "Gwen Olsen" on youtube or google video.

[amcanora]

I was on 100mg of zoloft per day for about a year, I lost my job and couldn't afford my perscription so had to abruptly stop taking it.  I've been really dizzy and feel disoriented sometimes, am I going to be ok?  I'm getting worried it's been about a week and I'm still not feeling right.  I'd appreciate your guidance.

[Phongsay]

After my second birth with my son, i was diagnosed with post partum phycosis, i am prescribed with the lowest dose of 50mg of Zoloft, i have been taking it on and off for about 7 months. I am just now trying to wean off of it, it's been a week now, and i feel like i'm going back to the same feelings. However when i was on zololft i felt good. Now i feel very disorinted, when i walk, it's like i'm walking side ways, i sleep all the time, and my depression is so bad that, all i want to do is cry. My husband has been deployed since June and i overwhelmed with a 2 yr. old and a 8 month old. When i was taking zoloft, I was more alert, i actually laughed more than usual, my anger was under control, and i wanted to get out of the house more. Now my house is back to being a mess, i don't have the energy to do anything anymore, i'm not stressed out about my husband being deployed, i'm stressed out that i'm basically a single parent because he can't be here. and i'm trying to battle a disease i've never had before. I'm weaning off of zoloft because i am gaining too much weight. I talked to my doctor about me weaning off and she made it sound like it was going to be so easy.  She prescribed me another ani depressent that helps me lose weight. It's called Wellbutrin. And it's 150mg. I'm suppose to wean off zoloft then take the Wellbutrin, but i'm having a very hard time weaning off zoloft right now. I need help.