quitting zoloft "cold turkey"

Hi All,

I'm 44 years old and have been on zoloft (sertraline) for 4-5 years. Starting with 25mg and slowly working up to 100mg.

I was diagnosed with lyme and co-infections in Nov. 2012. Over time, I have developed increasing allergies to pharmaceutical drugs (which is why I choose to treat the lyme with alternative supplements with anti-microbial properites). As an exampe: in 2011 I went into anaphylactic shock from generic ceftin (an antibiotic for sinus / ear infections) and was so out of it that I was combative with the ER staff, and yet completely dependent upon them to keep me alive. Not a fun night ! I haven't taken another antibitoic since that day. My go-to "antibiotic" now is.... raw garlic, diced into small pieces, and swallowed with water... kills a sinus / ear infection in about three days.

Unfortunately, this weekend, I had a near anaphylactic event due to zoloft (sertraline) which I've taken for 4-5 years, without incident. Had an appt with my psych doc this afternoon and we agreed to quit "cold turkey". Obviously, she prefers that her patients taper down slowly. But, in my case (tongue and facial swelling), that's not an option.

Thus far, I'm dealing only with a wicked headache (about 36 hours with no zoloft). But, a wicked headache is nothing compared to a night in the ER with anaphylaxis. So, I'll think I'll be able to handle it. :)

I've been reading through another thread here re: others who've quit zoloft, either by taper or cold turkey. So, I thought I'd post my current situation.

Any thoughts, warnings, or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks Scaredy Cat. I will check out the resources thread. :)

Welcome sknight to the anxiety forum, I'm sorry of your situation. Going cold turkey is scary and I'm sorry you need to do it this way but I do understand. Please keep us updated how the withdrawal goes and lets hope you don't get a ton of nasty side effects.

Hi and welcome. I am sorry you have to quit cold turkey. I really hope you don't have too much trouble.

I can't bring myself to use valerian for that very reason. lol Reminded me of the same thing. I have a great deal of reflux, so oral valerian is way out of my realm. I won't even try it, because I know the taste would have me heaving. I use YL essential oils for the pain of osteoarthritis, but never tried valerian oil. Hmmm Don't know if I can handle the smell. I have smell sensitivities as well.

Keep posting as you go through this journey, and we will be here for you.

Stacey ~ LOL, glad to know I'm not the only one who's gotten the mental image of pig poo when smelling valerian. I've never used it orally (don't think I could either) but, did put it on the soles of my feet once, as recommended to me by a naturopath for insomnia. Still, the smell..... uff-dah...! I think I'll just take the Ativan. lol

Beth ~ that's incredible that you were able to quit Effexor cold turkey ! I've heard that's one of the worst / toughest AD's to quit cold turkey.

To all, my last zoloft (sertraline) dose was on the 26th at 5am.. a little over two days ago. And I just finished my first minor crying fit. I realize now that I really haven't cried more than maybe three times since starting zoloft 5 years ago. Which was fine because, at the time that I started the med, I'd been crying every day for well over a year. Which isn't good either.

Tonight's brief teary eyed moment was due to thinking about just how much time, effort, and $$$ I've put into attempting to be self-employed (because working for an employer when one is battling 30+ years of lyme disease is pretty much impossible). Unfortunately, thus far, I have nothing to show, financially, for all my efforts. And that is very frustrating... and very scary when you're pretty much out of money.

I guess the only up side is, I have no dependents. So the only one who's "S out of luck" is me. I just haven't figured out what I'm going to do. Stuck between a bit of a rock and a hard place.

Thanks Hibee,

Last night was rough. And today, I'm kind of light-headed and headachey.

Also, I feel like I have allergy eyes from environmental allergens. And I'm pretty tired.

I feel weird but, I guess its just a "different kind of weird" from the one I was used to previously. And isn't it amazing what we can "get used to"....?

Thanks Angel. Will take your advice.

I'm also making detox a priority... fruit smoothies, epsom salt baths, dry skin brushing, you name it, I'm doing it. Can't hurt. :)

I'm so sorry you are having all these withdrawal symptoms. I'm sure it is no fun. Remember to use your coping skills as you go thru this. Good job on doing a foot soak, sounds like heaven I should do one too, lol.

LOL, well they will both add to your anxiety, but i'll tell ya a secret, I do both too. LOL

I'm happy to hear the epsom salt bath for your feet helped you, I'll have to remember this tool for the future. My brother bought my mom a foot tub that has jets and stuff in it and I've been dying to use it, he bought it over 2 months ago and no one has used it yet, so I just might get it out today and play with it. :)