Off Zoloft

[sharon429]

Hi,
I had been taking Zoloft 75 mg. for almost three years. I was taking it for IC pain, depression and I started having panic attacks. Only my husband, my mother and 3 of my best friends new I was taking it. My one friend kept asking me when I was going to stop taking it. My husband on the other hand would say "If it works for you then why stop."
I wanted to see if I could handle things without out it. I felt like I had been trapped into being on it for life. They don't tell you how helpless you are once you start taking these things - then you can't get off. Even though I had most of my emotions there were some things that I felt were "muffled" including not being afraid of anything. When I went to the amusement park I went on every crazy ride and would have gone on the bungie if I could. I was never like this before and realized I really had NO fear. I also am in a writing class and found that my stories had really been lacking in emotion and other things in the last three years. Another things that bothered me was that I took Zoloft throughtout my last two pregnancies and nursing. The doctors said it was O.K. but I never felt truly good about it. I'm still nursing my little one now.
Anyway, I tried about a year ago going from 75 mg. to 50 mg. and had no success. I started feeling anxious and other things and went back to my usual amount. I tried this twice. About two months ago I just went straight from 75 mg. to 25 mg. It worked. No panic attack, slight depression. Then I went to 25 mg. every 2 day, then 3 days - so on. Until nothing. At first I was really dizzy and for some reason for about two weeks I felt really high which I couldn't understand since I was going Off something. I don't have a doctor right now and I know they say do it with a doctors care but I had no choice. Oh yeah! That was the other thing. Since I had no prescription plan the Zoloft was costing me $165 a month!!! My husband was out of work for 7 months so it was killing us!!
Now I've been officially off Zoloft for a month. This is the problem. My IC is killing me!! I never took anything else for it but the Zoloft. My belly is horrible. I can't stand it!! I look like I'm pregnant again and its killing me. I'm thinking when my husband get insurance in his new job (it won't be until September) that I should find a urulogist and go on Elmiron or somthing. The thing is - what difference would it make me getting off the Zoloft just to go on something else? Also, does anybody know if I can breastfeed on Elmiron or is there something else I can take that doesn't involve another antidepressant.
My husband and myself haven't been getting along because suddenly I notice all these things that didn't bother me before. I remembered going on the Zoloft when we were really fighting. Now were fighting again. I feel like he doesn't like who I am. Its weird - I was the same person on the Zoloft but I feel like I have my voice back and he doesn't like anything I have to say.
Oh yeah, another thing. I've read that most people gain weight on Zoloft but I lost weight. Now that I'm off of it I've gained it back. I look terrible - along with my IC belly back. I'm trying to lose the weight bu can't do it. Any suggestions? I know people have spoken of yoga. I belong to the Y.M.C.A. but its really hard to get over there because I have 5 kids.
Sorry to ramble on - I have so much to say.

Sharon

[CareBear]

Hi Sharon,

I have experienced some of the same things you have. I have been on and off and on SSRI antidepressants for the last four years. First Celexa, now Zoloft. I was originally started on Celexa and Elavil by my doc. Celexa 10mg. in the morning and Elavil 20mg. at night. The pain relief was incredible!!! I had never felt so good in my entire adult life. But, I did gain 25 pounds! Yikes! I went from a petite size 6/8 to a full 12.

After 2 years and 2 complete wardrobes I decided to go off the Celexa. I came off it very easily. BUT, I did start having more pain. Then I tried Wellbutrin, that was NO GOOD. I broke out in a rash and the pain got way worse. So, I just stuck with the Elavil only at night for about 6 months. Pain was up but tolerable, but I was starting to have panic attacks and I was totally moody and starting to fall back down into the depression pit. So, my doc suggested I try Zoloft at a low dose. I was on 25mg. in the morning for about a year. Again, I decided that I didn't NEED it anymore, so I weaned myself off. I had a few crabby days, but not too bad. Well, after two months, the pain was unbearable and the anxiety was back and the crying and I was often feeling very cranky and angry. So, for the sake of my pain, my sanity and my family's well-being I am happily back on the Zoloft. It seems that the combination of the low dose of Zoloft during the day taken first AM and the low dose of Elavil at night works very well for me.

Here's a trick I've learned. I have my doc prescribe 50 mg. tablets and then I break them in half. So, a thirty day supply lasts me 60 days. My doctor know that this is what I do and it is a good money saver. Also, you might want to try Elavil if you can take it. It is generic and very inexpensive.

Wishing you a good mental health and pain free day.

Cari

[sharon429]

hi Cari,

Thank you for answering my post. Is Elavil a antidepressant also? Do you know if I could still nurse my baby with it? I'm seriously thinking of going back on the Zoloft only because of the pain. I also still have a full bottle in the cabinet. My doctor prescribed me a 50 mg. bottle and I had to break off another one to make it 75 mg. If I got the 100 mg. it was impossible to slither off a piece.
I'm going to try and stick it out until September when my husband insurance kicks in. I also notice a shortege of temper with my kids. Expecially when my IC is bothering me so much. It was touph finally getting off the Zoloft - I would hate to have to go back on.

Sharon

[CareBear]

Hi Sharon,

Elavil is an antidepressant in the tricyclic family. My sheet from the pharmacy says that it is excreted in breast milk. Since I have been back on the Zoloft, my temper and mood have been much improved. I am only taking 25mg., because I was getting overly hyper and dizzy from 50. So, 25 mg although it is considered a pediatric dose, works just fine for me and my pain is pretty much gone. :woohoo: :woohoo: As long as I don't overdo it. That is a hard thing these days with 2 small children and we are moving in 5 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you check the main ICN website, I think they have a section that goes over all the different med options you have. Take the sheet to your doctor and see what he/she thinks. Elavil has been a life-changing medicine for me!!!

Have a pain-free day!

P.S. If you don't have the IC Survival Guide by Dr. Robert Moldwin, I would strongly recommend it! It also has been life-changing and empowering for me.

Cari