Junior Member

Posts: 19
From:Shoreham,NY USA
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 11-24-2002 08:10 AM            

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I want to get off Zoloft right now in the worst way. I am getting very depressed I can't lose any weight and I know the meds are to blame I want to try something more natural I don't know if they will be as strong or if they will even work but I need to get of this Zoloft now and hope it will work for me. I don't want to be on meds for the rest of my life.Has anyone tried something else other then prescription drugs? I also want to get pregnant in the next few months and then I really can't take Zoloft. Also does going to therapy help at all with getting rid of panic disorder? Any advice would really be appreciated.
Thanks, Christina

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 2046
From:England
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 11-24-2002 10:42 AM            

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christina dont rush into anything, its one step at a time or you will end up where you started speak to your doctor, does he think your ready to stop??? when you are you must take it slowly im sorry i dont know your drug i was on cipramil/celexa l made my pill smaller and smaller over about6/8 weeks missed the odd day etc till l got to the stage where i had it about 2/3mg small and was takin it every 3/4 days, you will experience slight withdrawal but doing it slowly really helps you must talk to your doctor first and good luck with all you want

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Senior Member

Posts: 162
From:
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 11-24-2002 04:11 PM            

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Hi Christina! I am going to therapy for panic disorder and it seems to be helping a lot. I am sooo afraid of meds-that is actually my biggest fear- so I am trying to get through without any. Make sure you find a therapist that you really like and are comfortable with. I went to a few before finding the one I am going to now and she is so wonderful. And I read your post about being pregnant and panic attacks- I was wondering the same thing because my husband and I want to start a family very soon. But I kind of thought the same thing that Kim said -if we have something else to focus on we probably won't be so wrapped up in our anxiety. I hope so anyway! Good luck to you!

Angel

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Junior Member

Posts: 19
From:Shoreham,NY USA
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 11-24-2002 06:39 PM            

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Hi Angel,
Thank you for replying to my post. I really need to hear that there is hope that I can get though life without these meds. I really want to go to therapy. I am glad it is working for you.I hope it will also work for me. If you don't mind me asking are you med free?
Thanks again
Take care and best of luck to you and your husband

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Junior Member

Posts: 19
From:Shoreham,NY USA
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 11-24-2002 06:46 PM            

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Hi Niecsey,
Thank you for your reply. I will definatly be talking to my doctor about this.I know how those withdrawals can be. When I stop taking Paxil I thought I was going to die for sure.I felt like I got hit by a bus.I was bedriddin for almost 3 weeks. It was a nightmare.
Again thanks for your help, I really appreciate it.
Take care,
Christina

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Veteran

Posts: 258
From:
Registered: Mar 2002

posted 11-25-2002 11:52 AM            

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I have been going through this without meds and it can be done. Its been hard trust me. Have you read any Dr. Claire Weekes books? Those have helped me get though so many times and lots of other people too. I was given Zoloft and didnt like it. I only took it once. Talk to your doctor and definitely try therapy and take things one day at a time.

spotty

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Junior Member

Posts: 19
From:Shoreham,NY USA
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 11-25-2002 05:29 PM            

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Hi Spotty,
I am so glad to hear this can be done without medication.Thanks I am just so misrible on Zoloft. I have never heard of those Dr Clarie Weekes books. Where do I find them?

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Senior Member

Posts: 162
From:
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 11-25-2002 06:35 PM            

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Hi Christina! Yes I am med free. I tried several antidepressants and just couldn't take the side effects. I am doing great in therapy and hope to keep getting better and better. Just about two months ago I was barely leaving my house and since I started therapy I have been out doing fun things again. Therapy has really been life changing for me. I also take a b-complex vitamin everyday along with a multiple and I think that helps too! I realize without meds it is harder to recover but I believe it can be done! Wishing you the best.

Angel

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Veteran

Posts: 258
From:
Registered: Mar 2002

posted 11-26-2002 12:55 PM            

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The books are called Hope and Help for your nerves and Peace from Nervous Suffering. You can get them at Amazon.com or some bookstores. They are great. Good luck.

spotty

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 2046
From:England
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 11-29-2002 03:57 PM            

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good luck if l can help l will

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Junior Member

Posts: 19
From:Shoreham,NY USA
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 12-05-2002 06:52 PM            

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Thank you Niecsey That's very kind of you.
Take care

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posted 12-09-2002 06:46 PM              

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take your time, dont come of them just like that, depending how bad you are anti anxiety classes may be of some help, there are also alot of herbal stuff about, some stuff in chemists, (boots) and also there is a herbal website that sells natrual stuff for anxiety/panick.. good luck..

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Member

Posts: 49
From:
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 12-29-2002 09:31 AM            

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Christina, have you talked to your doctor about a benzo like Xanax? I also don't want to be on meds constantly, but with a benzo you at least have something around that will help you get through those bad spells - you just take 1 pill when you need it, and that's it, like taking an aspirin when you have a headache.

I also recommend those Claire Weekes books, they are very comforting. I've heard some great things about the Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety tapes as well, although they run around $350. In the meantime though, don't be in a big hurry to be off of all meds - if there is one out there that can help you cope while you are learning and getting through this, then I don't think you should deprive yourself of that relief. Take care of yourself!

Rion

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Junior Member

Posts: 19
From:Shoreham,NY USA
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 12-29-2002 05:39 PM            

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Hi Rion,
Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my post. I actually just filled a script for Xanax. I have not tried it yet. Can you beleive I am afraid to. I am nervous when it comes to taking anything.I tried to wean myself off of Zoloft going from 50mg to 25mg. It was going OK for a short while but then my panic attacks kicked into overdrive. I just hate the fact that I have to be on medicine probaly for the rest of my life.Don't get me wrong I am glad there is something out there that helps me get though everyday but it's just that I want to have a baby hopefully next year. I guess that's not going to happen . Anyway sorry to chew off your ear. Thanks again. Take care.
Christina

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Senior Member

Posts: 201
From:Los Angeles
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 12-30-2002 03:58 AM            

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xanax is a great drug. just like rion said you take it when you need it. i am off xanax now but did take it for many years. when the time is right you will be off the drugs. if you have to take them that's okay too. better to take them than to be sick out of your mind. regarding zoloft i don't know what your dosage is or how long you've been on it. the doctor gave me that and said to me, 'if you don't take what i give you i can't treat you' well tuff. i didn't like it and it made my head feel like it was going to explode so i didn't take it. then i went to another crazy psychiatrist who had me on 11 drugs at once. she was totally insane and i went off all her stupid drugs at once and nothing happened. all patients at her office no matter what is wrong with them get the same 'treatment'. she also double billed me in cash and insurance and was going 'to teach me to get a man' LOL! my doctor and bf thought she had a thing for me but she told me she was going to 'call the police on me' if i didn't take her pills so i just stopped taking them and i had no negative reaction to going off them. she made me very sick with her pills and my doctor no longer refers his patients to her office lol.

[This message has been edited by pinkcat (edited 12-30-2002).]

[This message has been edited by pinkcat (edited 12-30-2002).]

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Senior Member

Posts: 201
From:Los Angeles
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 12-30-2002 04:14 AM            

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p.s. i see your dosage amount i can see why you are worried and still suffering from panic attacks. if you cut the dosage of zoloft down slowly i don't know if you can take xanax with it. does anyone know if she can take xanax with zoloft???? that's one combo i didn't take lol. i think you have to slowly cut down the zoloft and then replace it with the xanax. anyone know the answer to this?

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Member

Posts: 49
From:
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 12-30-2002 08:21 PM            

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Yes you can take benzos (xanax) with an SSRI (zoloft)... actually, it sounds pretty common that when someone starts zoloft/paxil they are given xanax or klonopin to help them get through the 10-14 day freak-out period. Personally, I took 1 paxil and said there is no way I am ever taking this again... but that was just me. lol

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