C
Hi, I'm Connor
April 22, 2026··
Hi, I’m Connor. I’ve been trying to get off of this medication for almost 2 years now. I tapered down from 100mg to 0mg 2 years ago but got really bad intrusive thoughts, impending doom, anxiety, etc I think since I tapered too quickly. I eventually went back up to 100mg a year ago and have started tapering much slower - down to 62.5mg feeling fine (really tough for first week or two and then it’s fine). I have been stepping down by 12.5mg every few months or so - my most recent attempt to go down to 50mg failed - really bad intrusive thoughts, impending doom, anxiety. Went up to 62.5 again and took a week or two to feel normal again. My doc has told me it’s more so symptoms returning and less withdrawal from the medication, but I’m pretty skeptical - too be honest I feel like if I pushed through for a few more weeks at 50 my body would readjust, but couldn’t make it that long. Looking for advice on if folks have had similar experiences where they get bad withdrawal/symptoms when stepping down and if they attribute it to withdrawal or not, and any advice on continuing to taper safely. I hate the idea of being on these meds forever - when I started them I made it clear with my doc that it wouldn’t be a forever thing but finding it really hard to get off of them
Zoloft — 62.5mg — 6 years — actively tapering | with clinician
2 Replies
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Catina4mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
Hi @Connor, glad to have you here! Many people don't realize it can be difficult coming off these drugs once you start them. I certainly didn't. It's no surprise that you got such bad withdrawals since you did taper down very quickly. The best harm reduction approach is to taper no more than 10% each month from the previous month's dose. What many people have had success with is going very slowly instead of making large reductions and then having to jump back up in dose. Our nervous system needs as much stability as we can give it.
Regarding withdrawal vs. relapse, the Learn section has some information about that and how to differentiate the two. I hope it helps.
Freeing ourselves from psychiatric drugs can be a longer journey than we hoped or expected, but you're doing the right thing with seeking out more knowledge so you can get off your Zoloft for good. I know you can do it!
We look forward to having you here with us. Please have a look around the site let us know if you have any other questions.
Catina 🩷
Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg
“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”
Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.
Community Anchor
Hi Connor, and welcome to the community.
Zoloft was the last drug I tapered off of, and it was tough. It took me 2 years to finally get off it, slow is the name of the game. I used the hyperbolic method of tapering - not more than 5-10% of the previous dose.
If you haven't already, check out this for more info on tapering Zoloft: https://taper.community/drugs/zoloft
One bead at a time ⚪
Oh, and you're right to be skeptical of the doctor saying your symptoms are returning. Docs don't seem to understand the withdrawal process, even though they should. Every psych drug prescription should come with an exit plan, and that's not in their wheelhouse.
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