suffering severe withdrawal from ADs

First off I would like to say Hi and I'm glad I finally found a place where there are others who could possibly know how I feel.  I have been on 100mg each of wellbutrin and zoloft for a little over a year.  I know it's not the smartest thing I've ever done but I've stopped taking them both.  I've been off them now for about two weeks and I feel like my world is falling apart.  I feel worse now than I did before I started the meds in the first place.  I have headaches, brain zaps, insomnia (which would explain why I'm here at 3am), aching muscles, emotional outburst, & irritability just to name a few.  I've done quite a bit of reading in the last couple of days about withdrawal, but I haven't really found any answers as to what will help me get through this.  I don't want to go back to the doctor.  There has to be something I can do to keep from losing my mind, not to mention my job.  If there's anyone out there who has some sound advice for me, I would be very greatful.  Thanks for listening (or I guess I should say reading).      Doxie

Hi Doxie,  Welcome to Healing Well forum.

I am so sorry that you are feeling bad.  It is imperative when you are taking any medications especially an antidepressant to let the doctor ween you off the them slowly as Hope3 has stated.  This will lessen the side effects so much more.  But what is done is done.  I wouldnt suggest going back on them if you have been off for 2 weeks already, I would call and let your doctor know though that you have stopped taking them.  So here is the thing with Antidepressants, it usually takes several weeks for them to reach what is known as therapeutic level in your brain.  They are in a class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors known as SSRI's. They replace the serotonin level in your brain.  So it figures when you stop taking these medications your going to feel bad.  But even worse if you just stop without weening slowly or what is known as titrating your dosage down.

It is terribly painful I know as I have been through this a few time myself with Zoloft.  I would suggest drinking lots of water and taking Ibuprofen or Tylenol and laying flat whenever you can.  It should pass soon if it has already been two weeks.  I hope you get to feeling better real soon.