Hello,
I have been on Paroxetine for 12 years at low doses (usually <20mg). One year ago, despite cautious 3-month tapering steps & custom made Paxil pills (down to ~12mg), unfortunate events caused the highest anxiety peak I ever experienced.
Psychiatrist switched me to Zoloft, quickly increasing to 200mg as lower doses seemed inefficient (switch was absolute horror).
But it came with severe sleep issues, irritable and impatient/hyperactive mood, often increased anxiety that never really disappeared, and digestive issues.
So, I decided by myself tapering 200 to 175mg. It has been fine for 2 weeks, no withdrawal symptoms! So my psychiatrist advised to further reduce to 150mg.
This time, on very 1st day of lowering and ongoing (4 days): flu-like symptoms appear 2hrs after taking, then disappear 3hrs later. Tried changing time I take pills, symptoms follow.
I also get palpitations.
I suppose everything is "normal" so far, and I should get better in a few days?
Zoloft — 150 — 4 days — holding | without clinician
Hi! How long have you been on Zoloft 200 mg? I am glad your first reduction to 175 mg went well. The switch to 150 mg seemed to have caused a reaction and your body needs some time to adjust. For me it helps to give my body some time to properly adjust and the symptoms get less with time if I hold the dose long enough. For the future you might consider to taper slower, especially if you struggle with reductions (see hyperbolic tapering). Typically your flu like feeling should get better in a few days to weeks, but it's a very individual timeline. Hope you adjust to the new dose well
Zoloft — current 2.8 mg — 6 years — actively tapering - tapered from 50 mg
Hi, many thanks for your reply! 200mg has been held for 9 months before 175mg for 2 weeks, then 150 for 4 days.
Indeed, I think I will wait a good month or two before doing any new change.
Zoloft — 150 — 4 days — holding | without clinician
Update on everything, I am now 1 month in dose reduction (200>150).
Mood is generally less agitated, and sleep is better. I feel like this « activation » syndrome of Zoloft is recessing.
However I often find myself worried I could slip back into the condition I was in when I was at 200mg. Even worse, sometimes I fear falling back in the condition where I was when starting Zoloft (extreme anxiety after an event, general dizziness, palpitations, sleepy all day, etc).
Switching to another SSRI doesn’t seem worth it yet.
Zoloft — 150 — 4 days — holding | without clinician
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