Caution!!!!!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Location: S.E. Wisconsin
Posts: 341
Caution!!!!!
When I was discharged from detox, the
doctor gave me scrips to be filled. One scrip
was for the drug Zoloft. Years ago I remember
seeing this drug advertised on TV and from
the commercials, I associate this drug with
serenity and white, fluffy clouds. Now, do not
get me wrong, I am not slamming this med, what
happened to me, was due to my negligence for not
researching it thoroughly. Apparently it has
successfully allowed thousands of people
to return to a "normal" and productive life.
My instruction were to take this med once
a day, Which I did with no problems. I
actually started to feel a little better and
my attitude improved. After a month I
decided that this medication was no longer
needed, so I discontinued it on my own.
MISTAKE!
After only one day, I went into a withdrawal
which was worse than any alcohol withdrawal
that I ever went through, at least 10X worse!
It was a living nightmare. It is just now that I
am able to type on this computer, and I am
not over it yet. Nightmares, some confusion,
shakes and GI problems continue. Not to mention
the constant headache at the back of my skull.
I pray this will pass.
When starting a new medication:
1. Discuss it thoroughly with your doctor.
Especially side affects and precautions.
2. Do the same with your dispensing
pharmacist.
3. Read the enclosed information.
4. And finally, research it on the internet
and read what actual patients have to
report.
The generic name for this drug is sertraline.
I cannot over-emphasize the importance
of researching any prescription drug that
you put into your body. I wouldn't wish
this on my worst enemy.
doctor gave me scrips to be filled. One scrip
was for the drug Zoloft. Years ago I remember
seeing this drug advertised on TV and from
the commercials, I associate this drug with
serenity and white, fluffy clouds. Now, do not
get me wrong, I am not slamming this med, what
happened to me, was due to my negligence for not
researching it thoroughly. Apparently it has
successfully allowed thousands of people
to return to a "normal" and productive life.
My instruction were to take this med once
a day, Which I did with no problems. I
actually started to feel a little better and
my attitude improved. After a month I
decided that this medication was no longer
needed, so I discontinued it on my own.
MISTAKE!
After only one day, I went into a withdrawal
which was worse than any alcohol withdrawal
that I ever went through, at least 10X worse!
It was a living nightmare. It is just now that I
am able to type on this computer, and I am
not over it yet. Nightmares, some confusion,
shakes and GI problems continue. Not to mention
the constant headache at the back of my skull.
I pray this will pass.
When starting a new medication:
1. Discuss it thoroughly with your doctor.
Especially side affects and precautions.
2. Do the same with your dispensing
pharmacist.
3. Read the enclosed information.
4. And finally, research it on the internet
and read what actual patients have to
report.
The generic name for this drug is sertraline.
I cannot over-emphasize the importance
of researching any prescription drug that
you put into your body. I wouldn't wish
this on my worst enemy.
Guest
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 176
I learned the hard way that I have to ask my psychiatrist how to get off any psychiatric drug. I had so much trouble getting off Paxil. At first I just quit it cold turkey. Then became very ill, nausea, throwing up, lying in bed. I finally realized it was the lack of Paxil so took one and my withdrawal symptoms went away. So I spoke to the doctor. He had me taper it off slowly and boy did I have to do it slowly. At the end I was cutting the pill into such tiny pieces and still feeling yucky.
I was on Zoloft a long time ago but can't remember how it was to quit it unfortunately. It was not as bad as Paxil though. Paxil really stuck in my mind.
I was on Zoloft a long time ago but can't remember how it was to quit it unfortunately. It was not as bad as Paxil though. Paxil really stuck in my mind.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 61
I take Zoloft (Sertraline). It works great for me. What you did is very common for people with depression/anxiety. Once we feel better we think we no longer need it. Quitting cold turkey is bad. I've done it a couple of times.
I finally got to a place where I accepted I will need it for the rest of my life. I'm ok with that. The social stigma mental disorders used to have are far less today than 10 years ago. I'm very open about it.
On another note, you might need a different med. On another thread I stated I started with Prozac, moved to Wellbutrin and then settled on Zoloft.
I've quit Googling my health issues, mental and physical. There is so much bad information out there and all it did was wind me up. One time I was convinced I had gangrene. Turned out to be deep bruise. My doc said most docs hate when people try to self-diagnose using the internet.
Hope you feel better soon. I think you definitely need to call your doc.
I finally got to a place where I accepted I will need it for the rest of my life. I'm ok with that. The social stigma mental disorders used to have are far less today than 10 years ago. I'm very open about it.
On another note, you might need a different med. On another thread I stated I started with Prozac, moved to Wellbutrin and then settled on Zoloft.
I've quit Googling my health issues, mental and physical. There is so much bad information out there and all it did was wind me up. One time I was convinced I had gangrene. Turned out to be deep bruise. My doc said most docs hate when people try to self-diagnose using the internet.
Hope you feel better soon. I think you definitely need to call your doc.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 61
If you don't mind me asking, why do you want off it? It sounds like it was working well when you were taking 100mg a day.
BTW, I take 200mg/day. Everyone in my family is drug resistant. It takes more of everything to work for us.
BTW, I take 200mg/day. Everyone in my family is drug resistant. It takes more of everything to work for us.
RIP Sweet Suki
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: In my sanctuary, my home
Posts: 39,871
I had touble reconciling myself to the fact that I need a pill to make me "normal." My husband at the time was diabetic and he shared that he had to take insulin or he would die, so taking one little pill a day wasn't really all that bad. When I looked at it in that perspective, I realized I didn't have it so bad.
One little pill. It balances the chemicals in the brain so you feel better, as you said. So, the reason you feel better is because you take that pill. Why stop taking something that is so helpful? It's just one little pill a day.
One little pill. It balances the chemicals in the brain so you feel better, as you said. So, the reason you feel better is because you take that pill. Why stop taking something that is so helpful? It's just one little pill a day.
Guest
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 176
I hated the fact that I seemed to need medications for a long time. After many years, I now accept it. My brain has chemical imbalances. Though I do wonder how things will be now that I'm going to not drink. I am hoping the pills work better.
pray for strength
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: New England
Posts: 2,414
Hey Chicagoan,
Sorry to read that you are having a rough time with the medication.
Have you discussed the taper with your prescribing physician?
Cutting pills by yourself is often not a great idea for a variety of reasons, one being that medications often have coatings to protect certain areas of the GI tract. A taper with a larger amount of smaller doses may be a better option for you.
Please call your Physician to discuss.
Sorry to read that you are having a rough time with the medication.
Have you discussed the taper with your prescribing physician?
Cutting pills by yourself is often not a great idea for a variety of reasons, one being that medications often have coatings to protect certain areas of the GI tract. A taper with a larger amount of smaller doses may be a better option for you.
Please call your Physician to discuss.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 61
Actually, not wanting to be on meds is very normal. I still wish I didn't have to but my reality is I do.
Maybe this will help you as it helped me. Mental disorders are as real as physical disorders. Whether it be asthma or diabetes or whatever, some people can control it without meds. People like me cannot.
I've found it very enlightening to just be open about it. I can't count the number of times people have said "me too!" or "yeah, my friend/relative is too"
Don't get me wrong, I don't walk around telling everyone about it. I just don't shy away from it if the subject comes up.
Accepting it was difficult but I had to. I am working on doing that for my alcoholism.
Maybe this will help you as it helped me. Mental disorders are as real as physical disorders. Whether it be asthma or diabetes or whatever, some people can control it without meds. People like me cannot.
I've found it very enlightening to just be open about it. I can't count the number of times people have said "me too!" or "yeah, my friend/relative is too"
Don't get me wrong, I don't walk around telling everyone about it. I just don't shy away from it if the subject comes up.
Accepting it was difficult but I had to. I am working on doing that for my alcoholism.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 476
I don't trust prescription drugs and this post is another reminder why. I was prescribed Ambien some time ago for the terrible withdrawal-related insomnia i had early on, i didn't even get it filled for another 2 weeks i was so frightened by all the horror stories littering the internet. I only took it a handful of times, maybe 3 or 4 at the most......... i cant remember exactly.
Anyways, it did the job (put me to sleep) but at a price. The side-effects were quite unpleasant......... everything from "spacing out", to complete loss of appetite, to depression, to trouble concentrating, to lack of energy. It wasnt a fun experience and i stopped taking them all together after less than a week. What a waste of time and money that was, most of the pills sit un-used in the little RX container they came in............ poisonous crap!
My mom has been on and off Zoloft for like 20 years and boy has she got problems............ im glad i've never touched the stuff. I recently explained to her that anti-depressants/SSRIs are often the kind of drugs found circulating in the bodies of all the recent mass-murderers and other nut-jobs after their bodies are autopsied........ she was shocked.
Big pharma is not our friend, best to only touch their "products" if it is ABSOLUTELY necessary and always follow the doctor's dosage instructions to the letter. Occasionally i take a peek into the non-alcoholism parts of this website.............. some of the addiction stories involving some of these various RX medications are scary stuff, makes alcohol addiction look like child's play in comparison
Anyways, it did the job (put me to sleep) but at a price. The side-effects were quite unpleasant......... everything from "spacing out", to complete loss of appetite, to depression, to trouble concentrating, to lack of energy. It wasnt a fun experience and i stopped taking them all together after less than a week. What a waste of time and money that was, most of the pills sit un-used in the little RX container they came in............ poisonous crap!
My mom has been on and off Zoloft for like 20 years and boy has she got problems............ im glad i've never touched the stuff. I recently explained to her that anti-depressants/SSRIs are often the kind of drugs found circulating in the bodies of all the recent mass-murderers and other nut-jobs after their bodies are autopsied........ she was shocked.
Big pharma is not our friend, best to only touch their "products" if it is ABSOLUTELY necessary and always follow the doctor's dosage instructions to the letter. Occasionally i take a peek into the non-alcoholism parts of this website.............. some of the addiction stories involving some of these various RX medications are scary stuff, makes alcohol addiction look like child's play in comparison
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,236
I had been sober for a good while first
because it was suggested to work on
learning to stay sober first, then if there
are problems in other areas of your life
then it would be okay to do so at that
time.
Sooooo.....
After a move to a new state with little
family, kids growing and ready to move
into college, it would soon be an empty
nest with just my spouse and I.
Even tho I had enough quality sobriety
under my belt, I realized the quality of
my marriage had deteriorated and so
was my emotional state.
One day, I too was watching a commercial
on tv about Zoloft, which was back in the
day, and could really relate to the little cloud
in the commercial.
So my husband and I went to a marriage
councilor first, the I asked about incorporating
something like Zoloft in my recovery and life
as well as my Chemical Imbalance.
I did try it in a low dosage giving it time
to agree with my own body and system.
Of course with anything that is a drug,
prescription, it interferes with the balance
within our bodies. Some prescribed meds
in time will work fine with no side affects
and others don't agree.
It took a good yr. to fine something not
narcotic or habit forming or with side affects
to agree with my system and get me to a
chance to save my marriage and enjoy life.
Going back to side affects.....There was one
that had taken my sexual desires away completely.
I told the doctor, H*ll No..!!!! I couldn't function
in life if that's not a part of it....lol
Those meds even tho seemed to agree
well as far as giving me peace and settle
my anxiety and chemical embalance, I got
off of them quickly, with the doctors help
of course before getting the right combination
that gave me satisfaction in all areas of my
life.
because it was suggested to work on
learning to stay sober first, then if there
are problems in other areas of your life
then it would be okay to do so at that
time.
Sooooo.....
After a move to a new state with little
family, kids growing and ready to move
into college, it would soon be an empty
nest with just my spouse and I.
Even tho I had enough quality sobriety
under my belt, I realized the quality of
my marriage had deteriorated and so
was my emotional state.
One day, I too was watching a commercial
on tv about Zoloft, which was back in the
day, and could really relate to the little cloud
in the commercial.
So my husband and I went to a marriage
councilor first, the I asked about incorporating
something like Zoloft in my recovery and life
as well as my Chemical Imbalance.
I did try it in a low dosage giving it time
to agree with my own body and system.
Of course with anything that is a drug,
prescription, it interferes with the balance
within our bodies. Some prescribed meds
in time will work fine with no side affects
and others don't agree.
It took a good yr. to fine something not
narcotic or habit forming or with side affects
to agree with my system and get me to a
chance to save my marriage and enjoy life.
Going back to side affects.....There was one
that had taken my sexual desires away completely.
I told the doctor, H*ll No..!!!! I couldn't function
in life if that's not a part of it....lol
Those meds even tho seemed to agree
well as far as giving me peace and settle
my anxiety and chemical embalance, I got
off of them quickly, with the doctors help
of course before getting the right combination
that gave me satisfaction in all areas of my
life.
pray for strength
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: New England
Posts: 2,414
Using any medication not as prescribed amounts to 'self-medication' and is never recommended and cannot be advocated. Ever.
Please call your prescribing physician to discuss your concerns.
There is no such thing as a safe medication...only degrees of safety. Please do not use medication without guidance any longer.
I know you are a wise man.
Please call your prescribing physician to discuss your concerns.
There is no such thing as a safe medication...only degrees of safety. Please do not use medication without guidance any longer.
I know you are a wise man.
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,476
I take an antidepressant to help the chemical imbalance in my brain. Depression nearly killed me, literally. I am grateful beyond words to be able to take medication that levels the playing field for me. I have taken it for years and have no problems and will likely continue to take it forever. That's okay by me. And, I think it's typical to not be able to go cold turkey off antidepressants. I hope you talk to your dr.
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