Tapering: Zoloft

active

122 posts

Texas

How do you navigate wave days?

September 27, 2026··

Didn’t sleep a single minute last night so today is a wave day again. I can’t concentrate, I can’t read my book, I can’t watch tv, the only thing I can barely tolerate is being on my phone trying to find success stories but even that is challenging. I’m just uncomfortable in my body and feel so tired/wired and restless. On these types of days, what do you all do to pass the time? Every minute feels like torture.

Zoloft —50 mg to 15 mg — 8 years with a cold turkey and reinstatement in between— was liquid micro tapering, crashed at 14.275 mg and now holding at 15 mg.

14 Replies

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Catina5d ago

Community AnchorEffexor

This sounds tough Maria, I'm sorry. You can't even tolerate things that would distract you. Have you read this yet? I can't recall if I already shared it with you or not. I'm sure you'll get some other members chiming in soon with some input and ideas. https://taper.community/thread/e47305af-d74b-4d06-94eb-743f747886a6 Make sure you stay away from anything stimulating such as caffeine or sugar. Have you tried drinking some Chamomile tea? Since you're able to tolerate being on your phone a bit, are there any games that you could play on your phone? Sometimes that can help. I'm sure tonight you'll sleep better..... I hope things ease up for you soon! ♡

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.

Ani5d ago

NavigatorZoloft · active

Play games on my phone where I just click on stuff without having to think much or watch hours of carpet cleaning/dog grooming videos

Zoloft — current 2.8 mg — 6 years — actively tapering - tapered from 50 mg

Maria A.5d ago

LighthouseZoloft · active

I also have slight akathisia so needing to move. This is so miserable.

Zoloft —50 mg to 15 mg — 8 years with a cold turkey and reinstatement in between— was liquid micro tapering, crashed at 14.275 mg and now holding at 15 mg.

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Catina5d ago

Community AnchorEffexor

"I also have slight akathisia so needing to move. This is so miserable." — @Maria A.

Can you get outside for a walk? Do you have walking pad or treadmill at home you can use? Could you find some YouTube exercise videos to do?

Maria A.5d ago

LighthouseZoloft · active

Yes I just went on a walk. Please tell me this gets better.

Zoloft —50 mg to 15 mg — 8 years with a cold turkey and reinstatement in between— was liquid micro tapering, crashed at 14.275 mg and now holding at 15 mg.

MamaLa5d ago

NavigatorProzac · holding

I am sorry you are going through this Maria. The waves are difficult for sure. I myself am feeling a bit of a self induced wave today from overdoing things and not enough sleep. I am trying to do some gentle movement- yoga and a walk and some simple meal prep for the week in case his decides to last longer than today. Also trying to be kind to myself and keep my mind distracted switch some soft yoga music so that my mind doesn’t get stuck in in overthinking everything cuz that seems to be where it wants to go today. Hugs to you💕

Prozac — 2.4mg — 4 — holding

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Catina5d ago

Community AnchorEffexor

"Yes I just went on a walk. Please tell me this gets better." — @Maria A.

Yes Maria, it definitely does get better. Every bad wave and symptom that I've ever had has always passed. Hang in there my friend! ❤️

Wolf5d ago

Community AnchorProzac · researching

Again, it all sounds like an impossible task. I try to redirect my thoughts from bad memories and bad thoughts to good ones, which sometimes helps momentarily. I try to pass time either with music or in silence, or just watching the clock. Best to have some songs that are your favorite. Hard to do that much because you actually cannot be expected to do that much but you may call a friend or simply remind yourself of simple truths that most things in nature heal and go back to balance.

Prozac — 40 mg — 6 months — holding | Zyprexa — 20 mg — 6 years — holding | Depakote — 600 mg — 8 months — **tapering** | Buspirone — 20 mg — 8 months — holding | with clinician
"If life is painful, start a rebellion and make it good."

Wolf5d ago

Community AnchorProzac · researching

"Every bad wave and symptom that I've ever had has always passed." — @Catina

At this point, I am almost okay as of today and the number of single symptoms I used to have over the years must be counted in the thousands! Think of it like a badly stubbed toe or finger - it hurts as hell, but will never do you harm.

Azul5d ago

NavigatorKlonopin · active

Hi @Maria A. Having wave days seems unbearable, I have been there. I am still there. Think about a specific window day you had before this wave, and hold on to that day. There is no general tips that fit to anyone but this thought helped me a lot. "I already survived to it, I already experienced days like these, I can do it, it's just one of those days". Before this journey I almost never rely on watching soap operas, but in the worst wave days I just re-watched some that reminded me when I was a kid or younger, I tried to focus on the plot of it, as if I were a spectator there. I know the feeling of hopelessness, just know that wave days are not forever. Also I use the metaphor of the bison going through the storm instead of fighting to it or letting it hit me fiercely. You can do it!!! Sending you a healing hug...

Klonopin — 1,75mg — 6 months — actively tapering

Maria A.4d ago

LighthouseZoloft · active

The akathisia is so bad today too. I can’t stop pacing and have burning pain in my arms. I tried going to my daughter’s soccer game and am just pacing from side to side. This is so miserable. I can’t even tell if the akathisia is from the updose or the gabapentin I was taking for sleep.

Zoloft —50 mg to 15 mg — 8 years with a cold turkey and reinstatement in between— was liquid micro tapering, crashed at 14.275 mg and now holding at 15 mg.

Heidi4d ago

WelcomerKlonopin · active

Can you listen to podcasts or audiobooks? That’s what I do and it helps so much because it distracts me from my constant pain on bad days like today. Hang in there! The SI is upsetting - been there.

Klonopin — .1875 mg — 35 years — actively tapering | Cymbalta — 60 mg — 10 years — holding | Gabapentin — 600 mg — 8 years — holding | without clinician

anne noni moss4d ago

WelcomerPaxil · holding

@Maria A. I wish I could offer something to relieve your suffering. I have had many days like what you describe. I muddle through, mostly by reading the forums and trying to offer companionship. I dont' think misery loves company. I think misery NEEDS company to help it not feel so hopeless.

atypical in presentation of side effects, super sensitive to small doses and general delayed responder. never took a psych med that didn't' make me sick immediately with infections and restless legs. have never been able to tolerate being on them, but have never had support to get off so I've been bouncing back and forth. i don't like capital letters. sorry.

Paxil — 1 mg — 2 yrs — holding until Oct. 7 doc appt.
Seroquel — 50 — planning taper |
trileptal -75 planning taper
prasozin 1 mg planning taper

Maria A.4d ago

LighthouseZoloft · active

Thank you all for your support. The akathisia dropped off and I got a tiny window this evening. Praying it sticks and I can get some sleep tonight.

Zoloft —50 mg to 15 mg — 8 years with a cold turkey and reinstatement in between— was liquid micro tapering, crashed at 14.275 mg and now holding at 15 mg.

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