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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by dvskitten on October 7, 2009, at 9:05:41
I'm really at my wit's end. I stopped taking Zoloft about a month ago and I still can't believe I am just laying there at night not being able to fall asleep when I was out like a light in five minutes at 9:00 p.m. before taking any of these meds. I also used to take a nap every day after work and it never affected my sleep at night. Now I can't even do that. Even at my most anxious period, my sleep was NEVER affected. now, it's such a struggle and it's really bringing me down. I'm so frustrated. I have tried everything. I am very sensitive to psychiatric meds. They make me feel worse, more anxious and they all cause insomnia. the last two meds I was on was Klonopin which I weaned myself off of first with no problem (I'm assuming) about two months ago. Next was the Zoloft. I did wean off both of them slowly over a course of a few weeks. I had found these homeopathic pills called Calms Forte which were working great, but a couple of nights ago I started hallucinating as I was falling asleep (seeing bright lights, strange visions, etc. - with my eyes closed). I tried chamomile tea, but i guess I'd have to consume a gallon for any effect. I don't know what else to do. I've tried acupuncture and that didn't work; I've tried taking a warm bath at night; exercising after work on stationary bike; lavender in my room; black out curtains; sleep music cd; and none of these things really work. What I'm hoping someone will say is that this is just withdrawal from the meds and that I will stabilize and to hang in there. One good thing is that I was having vertigo/dizzy type spells while moving my eyes and that has pretty much gone away. I am hoping the insomnia is the same. I don't wish this on my worst enemy!
Posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2009, at 10:35:41
In reply to Zoloft Withdrawal and Insomnia - HELP!, posted by dvskitten on October 7, 2009, at 9:05:41
The eyes sound like brain zaps from zoloft withdrawal. I've never been able to sleep after starting benzos over 40 years ago til now now always tired. I do hope it goes away. I've heard of calms forte. Phillipa ps maybe some benadryl?
Posted by dvskitten on October 7, 2009, at 11:14:35
In reply to Re: Zoloft Withdrawal and Insomnia - HELP! » dvskitten, posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2009, at 10:35:41
Thanks, Phillipa. A couple of people have mentioned Benadryl. I don't want to become dependent on Benadryl, but I need something right now. Funny thing is I just went for an eye exam and when i told him the symptoms I was having, the first thing he asked was if I was taking any antidepressants? Unbelievable. These meds affect every part of your body!
> The eyes sound like brain zaps from zoloft withdrawal. I've never been able to sleep after starting benzos over 40 years ago til now now always tired. I do hope it goes away. I've heard of calms forte. Phillipa ps maybe some benadryl?
Posted by cactus on October 8, 2009, at 2:37:07
In reply to Re: Zoloft Withdrawal and Insomnia - HELP!, posted by dvskitten on October 7, 2009, at 11:14:35
I went through the same thing, Zoloft was a very harsh withdrawal for me too. I just had to put my seatbelt on and ride it out. Sedating anti-histamines helped a little, I found phenergan 10mg a little better than benadryl.
I also found that after the initial month of hell, brain zaps etc, were over, it still took another 1-2 months for the insomnia to settle down, but I've always had it so that one is hard to gauge.
Have you tried melatonin? I can't get it here, I have some friends in the states that swear by it. I'd love to try that someday.
Good luck and know that you're not alone. Peace C
Posted by dvskitten on October 8, 2009, at 5:28:06
In reply to Re: Zoloft Withdrawal and Insomnia - HELP! » dvskitten, posted by cactus on October 8, 2009, at 2:37:07
Thank you, Peace. It's taking all my strenght not to go back on the benzo/SSRI rollercoaster. This has been the toughest thing I've had to go thru, but I am determined to ride it out. I might lose a few friends along the way, b/c i've been such a bi@*ch! I have tried Melatonin, but it gave me nightmares. I've heard good things about 5-htp. I might try that.
Posted by 49er on October 11, 2009, at 7:41:26
In reply to Zoloft Withdrawal and Insomnia - HELP!, posted by dvskitten on October 7, 2009, at 9:05:41
> I'm really at my wit's end. I stopped taking Zoloft about a month ago and I still can't believe I am just laying there at night not being able to fall asleep when I was out like a light in five minutes at 9:00 p.m. before taking any of these meds. I also used to take a nap every day after work and it never affected my sleep at night. Now I can't even do that. Even at my most anxious period, my sleep was NEVER affected. now, it's such a struggle and it's really bringing me down. I'm so frustrated. I have tried everything. I am very sensitive to psychiatric meds. They make me feel worse, more anxious and they all cause insomnia. the last two meds I was on was Klonopin which I weaned myself off of first with no problem (I'm assuming) about two months ago. Next was the Zoloft. I did wean off both of them slowly over a course of a few weeks. I had found these homeopathic pills called Calms Forte which were working great, but a couple of nights ago I started hallucinating as I was falling asleep (seeing bright lights, strange visions, etc. - with my eyes closed). I tried chamomile tea, but i guess I'd have to consume a gallon for any effect. I don't know what else to do. I've tried acupuncture and that didn't work; I've tried taking a warm bath at night; exercising after work on stationary bike; lavender in my room; black out curtains; sleep music cd; and none of these things really work. What I'm hoping someone will say is that this is just withdrawal from the meds and that I will stabilize and to hang in there. One good thing is that I was having vertigo/dizzy type spells while moving my eyes and that has pretty much gone away. I am hoping the insomnia is the same. I don't wish this on my worst enemy!
Hi,
If you have only been off Zoloft a month, I would reinstate the dose and taper slowly. You tapered way too fast and that is why you are having the problems you're having.
On paxil progress boards which is run by an RN, the recommend tapering schedule is 10% of current dose every 3 to 6 weeks. Since Zoloft comes in liquid form, that is your best option.
49er
This is the end of the thread.
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