Weaning Zoloft

[lovbeingamommy]

I would like to try and get off the Zoloft that I'm on 100mg/day. I have found out recently that I am deficient on B-12, D-3, progesterone, and thyroid...all of which, from what I'm read, can affect mood.

I am working with my naturopath to correct these deficiences with natural supplements and bio-identical hormones.

If you've weaned off Zoloft, what was your time span and dosage decrease? Of course, I'll make sure my psychiatrist approves, I'm just curious as to what others' schedules for this were like...TIA Kate

[mom0810]

How long have you been on it?

IF you are going to wean from 100 mg, it's going to take you about 2 -3 months. Go down to 75 mg for like, 4 weeks. Then go down to 50 mg for 2-3 weeks and then to 25 mg for 2 weeks then 12.5 for 2 weeks. You have to go VERY VERY slowly. You could even take longer than above, which is kind of fast imho. I went very very slowly and still had withdrawal. You will have some kind of withdrawal once you get down to the lower doses... probably. You might not. The biggest thing I had while doing it very very slowly was one or two nights of NO SLEEP. I mean none. I just was wide awake. This is usually the final withdrawal for me and then I feel better.

Good luck!

[freestyler]

But it's not technically speaking addictive, right? It's just that you still have to wean off of it?

This is something to consider before I ever might start taking it. I'm glad this thread was started.

[mom0810]

No, it's not addictive, because when you are addicted to something, you need more and more of it to get the same effect.

And it's not technically "withdrawal" but it is a "discontinuation syndrome". Because your body gets used to the extra serotonin, it also has to get used to when you go off the meds.

Anyone who needs meds should take them. I know this is a natural parenting board, but at the same time, sometimes chemical intervention is necessary.

[lovbeingamommy]

Originally Posted by mom0810

No, it's not addictive, because when you are addicted to something, you need more and more of it to get the same effect.

And it's not technically "withdrawal" but it is a "discontinuation syndrome". Because your body gets used to the extra serotonin, it also has to get used to when you go off the meds.

Anyone who needs meds should take them. I know this is a natural parenting board, but at the same time, sometimes chemical intervention is necessary.

...this is an interesting point. I wonder as I begin to do more natural therapies, along with exercise, that maybe I won't feel as much of the discontinuation syndrome since my seratonin will be "hopefully" increased because of the other things I'm doing.

[mom0810]

It's possible, but I would go easy on the natural stuff (i.e., ST John's Wort should NEVER be taken with an ssri)

You can slowly amp up the fish oil and vitamin B while you are weaning down on the zoloft, but go slowly.