trying to wean myself off the Zoloft

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2002
trying to wean myself off the Zoloft
4
Sat, 10-14-2006 - 11:08pm

Hello all. I haven't posted for awhile now, but rest assured, I am here lurking quite a bit!

I am posting now because I want to wean myself off of my anxiety meds. At least until after I get pregnant and have a healthy baby. Then the drs can dope me up as needed..lol. Anyway, my prescribing doc is no longer at the clinic where I saw her. She is newly employed at the local community college as a medical advisor or something. My OB/GYN told me at my visit in June that he would like for me to be off any meds if I want to get pregnant, although he admitted that if they are needed, then they are needed and there is no evidence of Zoloft hurting an unborn baby. I just don't want to take any chances. He told me to try taking the same dose every other night for a few weeks or so and then trying that with a lower dose. I started doing the every other night thing about two weeks ago. The problem is by the second evening, I feel as if I am going nuts. I feel as if there is an engine revving up inside of me or something. I try so hard not to take the ativan because I want to prove to myself that I am capable of dealing with these feelings without drugs. Tonight I broke down and took one though because I forgot to refill the Zoloft prescription today and now I will be 3 nights without it. Oops.

Has anyone else successfully weaned themselves off their meds? How did you cope with returning feelings of anxiety?

Oh, and I also wanted to say that I started volunteering at the Catholic school in town (I am working in the 1st/2nd grade class) two hours a day Monday thru Thursday, and I love it! Those kids are seriously better than any drug. They are my comic relief from the everyday crap. And DH and I are in the process of buying a new home (our first). In fact, the deal is supposed to close the 19th (5 more days!!).

Thanks for any advice you can give me!

Jessica




Edited 10/14/2006 11:08 pm ET by canusa_409

siggy by Cheryl

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-20-2005
Sun, 10-15-2006 - 8:17am

Hi Jessica,

Congratulations on your decision to be a Mommy and
your new house! Your job also sounds wonderful.

I did stop taking Paxil last May. It took me two months
of a slow process of tapering down the dose. I made sure
to take vitamins and drink lots of water every day plus
milk of magnesia.

Unfortunately, I couldn't manage my feelings. I didn't take
any medications for 3 months and felt irritated and sad all the
time. It doesn't mean that you will feel this way. We are all
so different.

I wish you lots of happiness,
Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sun, 10-15-2006 - 10:13am

For some it's easy to go off the meds. Others, not so easy. It's a very individual thing. I am glad to hear that you are having medical supervision & a reduction schedule to follow. I think that's the best & safest way. It took me 6 weeks to get off effexor. I had some unusual side effects, zapping feelings, flu-like symptoms, but mostly I cried alot. Thankfully there was no return of the anxiety/panic. I actually had more trouble going off xanax. I got kind of shaky every few days & needed to wean

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Sun, 10-15-2006 - 11:13am

hi jessica,


i just wanted to say good luck:)


i tried to ween off of paxil when i found out i was preggo...but it didn't work for me...i became to anxious, but i know it is possible!


let us know how it goes.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2006
Sun, 10-15-2006 - 4:44pm
hey i was on zoloft once only cause a er dr prescribed it but i went to my regular dr and he took me off zoloft that day because it was making me more anxious it took me about a week to quit feeling like the meds was still in my system i tried keeping busy reading books taking a bubble bath. if u ask me zoloft is one of the trickest meds to get weaned off of. hope that helps