Zoloft since 1993

[Petie61]

Doctor,
I have big doubts that I should still be taking Zoloft. I conquered depression and anorexia 10 years ago with expert help. I had the same MD for 25 yrs. For the most of the 15 yrs. it was 50 mg., but a new MD put me up to 200 mg 12 months ago, although I had no complaints to prompt this (she said she feels 50mg is a child's dose). She also tripled my Levothyroxine to 150mcg (and said how much energy she gets from it - a comment which troubled me as a former anorexic!). But, I made the changes. I sailed through an MRI with no problems.

The problem is I am VERY SPACEY, JITTERY, UNEASY at all times on the higher Zoloft - which makes me feel helpless and embarrassed by my symptoms at age 46. My hands and head shake like someone with Parkinson's. I am unable to focus and at times my mind spins even though I feel tired - a battle inside. I forget things 10 seconds after I think, see, or hear something. I make mistakes at work. I feel like a fool trying to keep my mind calm during a simple conversation while I must appear overly nervous and "tweeking". My new MD gave me Xanax for any additional anxiety I am feeling on the higher Zoloft and said to take-Xanax-as-needed basis (when I told her I didn't feel well on Zoloft and wanted to go back down).  I tried the Xanax with the Zoloft and found it numbing. I am not interested in taking Xanax. Everything is GREAT is my personal life and job!!!!! I want to be healthy and well. I am imprisoned by these imposing symptoms. Can I get off Zoloft? What do you think is a good tapering method?

I see my MD this month and am trying to make a good decision. I hope to see a response. Thank you for your time.

Thank you!

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

The dose you take should be ultimately decided by you, not your doctor, since you are the one experiencing the side effects of such a large dose, which does stimulate you too much.  Rather than going off altogether, I would ask your doctor about going back to the original dose. If you go off altogether, it should be over a three week period.  But you can reduce to the original dose almost overnight without any side effects, but to be safe, reduce it to that dose over a week's period.

[EG782]

I'm sorry, Dr. Glenmullen has another book out called "Prozac Backlash" that refers to the Parkinsons-like effects. But both books by him are really good!

[EG782]

If you are going to stay on Zoloft I would recommend the least effective dose. I have read in books about the "parkinsons"-like reactions in higher doses. Can I recommend Dr. Glenmullen's book "The Antidepressant Solution" ? He speaks about these adverse reactions, such as twitches and tics. The book's tagline is: "A Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Overcoming Antidepressant Withdrawal, Dependence, and 'Addiction'". I was placed on anti-depressants for 11 years... being told I needed to stay on them the rest of my life. I don't agree with that assessment since there is no physical disease that indicates I am permanently in need of medication and so I have just recently tapered off. Withdrawal symptoms are very unpleasant, but I think once the originally-diagnosed issues are dealt with, then the medication is no longer needed. I am hoping my body & brain can cope after being on meds for over a decade! My most recommended book, however, is "Will Medicine Stop the Pain?" by Elyse Fitzpatrick. It is a biblical-based approach to troubling emotions, and helps you understand the physical aspects of depression/anxiety and how medications actually work. It even talks about how doctors prescribe more & more medication to your regimen to "deal with" symptoms (i.e. anxiety)  that are actually side effects of the antidepressant!