Funny, my psychiatrist has a local, weekly call in show on PBS in my city. Someone called in tonight asking if Zoloft could be causing their chronic lower back pain as it seemed to have started after Zoloft. The Dr. said pain is usually seen with meds that decrease dopamine, of which Zoloft does not. So it's not common but, like he said, he doesn't discount a patient who correlates the symptoms with the time starting a med.
Are you only seeing a rheum or have you seen a neuro? I too started having pain this past spring (I'm 44). I had a vitamin D defiency. A month on 4000? D3, my pain dissipated. It came back kind of in Aug so I started taking mag with it at the beginning of Sept. I'd been pain free for like 6 weeks and last week it came back (hips, sometimes knees), after straining my back. Go figure I started feeling the pain right after 6 week check up rheum appt & told him that everything was great... What the!?
I had tests too- SED rate and C-reactive protein mildly elevated. He didn't seem real concerned. Other tests were negative. I'm overweight and that alone can contribute to elevated inflammation.
What's your D level? Low has many symptoms including pain, mood issues, etc. Are you taking a supplement?
Great that your Dr is on board with the taper. Tapering for monthS is a very prudent decision since you've been on it for so long.
You can do it! Keep us posted too! Post in a year from now too if you remember lol. A lot of times, ppl forget to give a long term follow up. It's so helpful when ppl remember too.
Wishing you much success!!!