Starting to wean off Zoloft

Im going to be weaning off Zoloft 100 mg. I've been taking it for 10 years now and feel its time to see how I do off of it. I heard it usually stops working after about 5-7 years from a Dr. I should be starting my wean sometime this week. Im in the process of seeing if I can get it compounded. The doctor said it would be easier and probally cheaper if they crushed it and put it in capsules instead of liquid form. Compounding it will allow me to do 10 percent increments. If its way to expensive then my wean will consist of me breaking pills.
Ive wean before and didnt do to well which now after much research believe it was the withdrawals that got me. Of course the Dr. weaned me to fast and was unaware of the horrific problems it causes but I cant blame him cause its how he knew to do it. So this is where i'm at. Thanks

hi cwo.

i hope you do well with your weaning. it sounds like you have a good plan.

...just read in your other post that you had already read the Road Back material...

Yeah, we don't post that with the intention of endorsing the suppliments...but rather b/c they have so much good information for people who may not have good support in their weaning process.

I am sure I remember seeing water titration outlined in that site...but is sounds like you have a good plan with your doctor...so I would go along with that and see how you do.:)

Keep us updated.

S.C.

Thanks for the response! The dr prescribed me what I need to start my taper but I'm still taken two 50mgs to make 100mgs.
I want to hear from the compound company first before I start breaking pills. I haven't had a panic episode in years until last night and I believe that two 50 mgs are different than just a 100mgs. I've been taken 2 50mgs since 6 days ago and haven't felt the same as taken the 100.
Anybody else ever experience this?
Btw.... Thanks for the responses!!

CWO,

I am glad that your pharmacy can possibly do your compounding...good news!

Hopefully you will get ahold of your doctor soon...that is frustrating to not get a call back.:(

I have heard of people getting a reaction from switching from the brand name to generic (or vice versa) of the same med...so it is possible that splitting your dose is doing something just different for your body to react.

Use the coping skills in our Resources to help keep your anxiety levels as low as possible to avoid break-through symptoms.

I don't remember if you mentioned an alternative treatment plan? Therapy or self-help? It is good to have tools in the works to replace that which has been dicontinued.

Wishing you well as your process gets underway.

S.C.

I finally got things straightened out with my Dr. I started to ween yesterday. The only thing is that I think I'm thinking about it to much. I keep wondering if when they crushed the zoloft and added the filler with the zoloft to put in the capsules if it truly is as accurate as they say it is. I'm doing 10 percent taper so my first dose decrease is 90mg for the first month. Im nervous and scared.

Wow you make it sound so easy super20dan. Is prozac one of those that doesn't require a taper. I'm happy it went well for you. Maybe when I get down to 50 or so mgs then that could be an option if the withdrawals feel to bad for me.

Thankyou

Here's and update. I'm down to 55 mg of Zoloft. I was at 100 mg. I usually have my weird feelings the first and second week every time I drop. Well, It's the third week and i'm getting them and its actually been the worse time of my wean. I wake up to pee at least once a night and this week when I lay back down after urinating is when i would feel weird. Its like my mind is overstimulated or something. Like my mind is warping. Its hard to explain. I feel anxiety but I battle through and just eventually fall asleep.
Its just weird cause I've been doing so well. Also Ive been tapering 10 mg a month. The only changes I've made is eating healthier and exercising more.

CWO,

Sorry to hear this was a hard step down for you.;( I don't know why...or at what point is the toughest...it is likely an individual thing.

I hope that the discontinuation effect you are feeling is short lived!

Perhaps increasing your coping skills for the time being to get you through will ease things for you...

...and know that you have our support here.;)

Cheering you on, and sending encouragement your way.

S.C.

Does it matter whether or not I compound everything from the 100 mg tablet like Ive been doing. Im moving from 35 mg to 25 mg and thought I could save some money going to the 25 mg tablet.

Cool, yeah I've just been dropping 10mg a month. I've had some tough months but feel it's working out.
One of my request to the compounding pharmacy was to extract all of my dose drops from the 100mg tablet. I guess what I worry about most is whether or not 25mg from 100mg is the same as just taking the 25 mg tablet. I just don't want to mess up whT I got going on.

Hi ttam and welcome.:)

Sorry for the late reply...sometimes questions posted onto longer/older threads get missed at first glance. Feel free to start your own thread of introduction at anytime! :)

Are you consulting with your doctor regarding your wean? He/she may have a good schedule or plan to follow, so be sure and check in with your prescribing dr.

There are a couple of different methods that you can try, but you will need to clear them with your doctor, as some pills are not meant to be split...

Water titration is the most gradual, and gentle method...and also the easiest to be consistent in dosage...since you are not randomly breaking up a pill, and possibly getting inconsistent size pieces.

Ask your doctor about this possibility and for instructions.
(youtube also has tutorials on water titration...let me know if you'd like a link.)

Also during this time of transition, you may want to add in some coping skills to help you through this time...so please check out our Resources at the top of the main forum page for great self help material.

Post with us anytime for support, and best wishes in your cessation!

Scaredy Cat