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Husband needs some advice

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Posted 8/1/2006 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
I was hoping ya'll could give me some advice.

My wife has been on depression meds for roughly 10 years.

In that time she has changed meds for various reasons.

As in the past when she tries to wean off the meds she complains about shocky feelings in her head and she gets really out of it ( like looks half asleep, just a real hard time paying attention to things) and extremely tired.

Shes currently taking Zoloft, and she still gets that shocky feeling when she tries to wean off of it.

I think shes down to taking 25MG everyday right now, and shes comfortable with it.

When she tries to take half of that, is when it all goes south.

Shes been trying probably to wean off this med for I'd say close to two years.

Shes talked to her doctor about it and they basically say thats the only way to get off of the medicine.

And the doctor kinda seems like she doesn't believe her.

I don't like to see her miserable and I hate to see her that way and not be able to help.

I was hoping anyone out there might have some advice, information, or anything you can think of  to help us out.

Thanks for your time

Posted 8/1/2006 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Dad05,

I have experienced something similar with another SSRI, because of the withdrawls symptoms. I was scared to start another one. But as the doctors said, it is better the cut down and lower your dose than to quit cold turkey. The symptoms are worse when you do stop all of the sudden. I am not an expert, but from my limited experience the symptoms usually go away. How much time that takes I could not tell you. It usually depends fromone person to another. It can take 1 week and could last up to a few weeks from what I understand.

How come it has taken her 2 years to ween off, it is usually done in a shorter time period.

Good luck to you and your wife on this tough journey. Hang in there, it is not a permanent thing.
Posted 8/1/2006 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
May I ask why she needs to get off Zoloft? I've been on it for over 10 years and from what I've been told, I'll probably be on it for the rest of my life.
janet
Posted 8/2/2006 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
I've got no experience with the meds in question so I would just like to take this opportunity to welcome you to HW and to wish your wife all the very best in her recovery :-)
Posted 8/2/2006 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dad05,  I also wanted to welcome you to Healing Well forum.  We are happy to have you.  I am wondering if your wifes physician has advised her to discontinue the Zoloft?  If so, I also find it extremely odd that the physician would not inform your wife and you of the potential side effects of stopping the medication and also the length of time it is taking to stop it.  There really is not much of any way to get around those side effects when you discontine any of the antidepressants.  This is because they are regulating the seratonin levels in the brain.  I am posting a link for you about Zoloft withdrawl.  I myself was on Zoloft for a little over 6 years at 200mg's.  I stopped taking it last September per doctors orders and I did have side effects from stopping them for about 2 weeks or so, then I was fine.  Please do let us know how she makes out.  Take care .com/cs/sideeffects/a/maoiszoloft.htm">http://depression.about .com/cs/sideeffects/a/maoiszoloft.htm
Posted 8/2/2006 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the info and support.

I believe that she will pull thru this.

She a pretty tough cookie, and really wants to stop taking it.

I will keep ya'll posted
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