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Has anyone ever gone straight from Paxil to Zoloft without tapering?

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Posted 4/19/2014 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

Just wondered if anybody has gone straight from Paxil to Zoloft without tapering and if you have, how did it make you feel?

Thank you so much.

Sean
Posted 4/19/2014 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Sean,

 

This is a tough question as there are so many combos of meds and looking specifically @ "Paxil to Zoloft without tapering" is really limiting the field.

When switching ADs within the same class (like one SSRI to another), you can usually just jump from one to the equivalent dose of another.  When switching classes, to a TCA or MAOI, it becomes more important to have a "washout" period.

Even when switching within the same class, though, sometimes your doctor will want to ease down on one while easing up on the other.  It's just a matter of personal tolerances and medical advice.

In any event, the most effective strategy is going to be one that both you and your doctor feel comfortable with.

Posted 4/19/2014 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Kitt,

Thank you for your reply.

I am on day 5 I think of taking Zoloft 100mg but I dont think I should have come off Paxil so quick as I have been having vivid dreams, very spaced out head, shaking inside and out and just feeling like I am losing my mind :(

Doctor today told me to take 4mg of diazapam three times a day but I took 4mg tonight and it hasnt really done anything. I am waiting for Zoloft to kick in and also for the withdrawal symptoms of the Paxil to wear off.

I can safely say this is hell and I would not wish this on anyone. :(
Posted 4/20/2014 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
Sean,
I was on Paxil for years - which saved my life; switched to Effexor, for three months; Lexapro for four months;went back to Paxil again; Remeron, for a year. I am taking Zoloft 50mg since 11/13. My doctor "just told me to stop one med and start the other med", so, I did. I did not "feel" drastic side effects...but, I was given Xanax 0.5mg up to three times daily. This has helped tremendously. Now, I take half of Xanax 0.5mg (as needed or daily),Zoloft 50mg daily. Believe me, each time that my meds were changed, I felt anxious and scared.
With Zoloft, I lost weight, but, I did not mind since I have gained about 20 pounds with Paxil
Posted 4/20/2014 11:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sil,

Thank you for message. I was on Paxil for a really long time but it just stopped working it seems so I am on day 7 I think now of Zoloft 100mg and I keep having bad anxiety, feelings of being not quite here and my brain feels frazzled....and oh very horrible dreams, seems anxiety is worst when I wake up and in the evenings too.

I am praying the Zoloft kicks in asap because I cant take much more of it, I swear if I knew for sure there was a good afterlife then I would take that option right now :(
Posted 4/20/2014 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
My name is cindy and I take lorazepam it has worked real well for me for a long time now my psychiatrist ordered it for me to help my panic and anxity attacks I take 1 mg 4 times a dayand hardly ever have one it took a whil befor I didn't have any but it slowed them down while taking it.........cindy
Posted 4/20/2014 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cindy,

The doctor gave me Diazapam but it just makes me feel brain dead and not with it, it doesnt really give me a calming effect or anything like that.

I may try get some Lorazepam instead if I can.
Posted 4/20/2014 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
good idea brain dead is not a good place for anyone to be.... this stuff does not really even make me tired it may effect others different but it doesn't do that to me.......cindy
Posted 4/21/2014 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
Sean,
Each time I heard my doctor say "wait 6 to 8 weeks for this new med to kick-in"....I wanted to scream. But, I had no choice. There was a time that anxiety ruled my world. I was not able to work. It took me a long time just to "function/work". Keep your doctor informed, asked for a med. that could help you until Zoloft starts working for you. I'm taking Alprazolam 0.5mg generic for Xanax, this help me with my anxiety. Do not give up
Posted 4/21/2014 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sil,

I had to go hospital last night as I had a bad anxiety attack, the doctor said about 6-8 weeks for the Zoloft to work but I am still hopeful it will work sooner.

How did anxiety make you feel?

I feel like I am losing touch with reality and have a cloudy head :(
Posted 4/21/2014 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
my head gets cloudy I go numb and its like im not really there feel heavy and sweaty and heart pounds......
Posted 4/21/2014 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah that's the same as me, it's so hard to explain the symptoms to anyone especially the feeling in my head.

Just feel like I'm not all there and I have spent so much time sleeping today which maybe the zoloft.

Did the zoloft take long to work for you?
Posted 4/22/2014 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
don't take Zoloft I take lorazepam i don't think they are the same thing but it took awhile for it to work and I still get them once in awhile ......cindy
Posted 4/22/2014 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah I thought zoloft is an anti depressant but lorzepan is a tranquilliser isn't it? X
Posted 4/24/2014 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
kind of but not a very strong one cuz it doesn't make me really out of it just keeps me calm don't know what it does to others just knows what it does to me I take1/2 pill 4 x a day and seem to keep most of the anxiety I still get it once in a while some bad some light but not all the time like before ....cindy
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