[50guy]

Without any drugs, zoloft, valium.

So far , so good but, missing zoloft. I liked the feeling it gave me.

I'm trying herbal remidies now. They help but, I don't know for how long I can go without zoloft.

[DePressMe]

Hi 50guy, I hope your doc is keeping tabs on you...? If you start struggling, make sure you see him/her.

IF the herbals work, you are going to have to let us know.

[50guy]

Update...............

Day 6. Never have I ever gone through such hell in my life.

Headaches, brain zaps and feeling floaty and like I'n not real. It nearly made me go back on zoloft.

I miss the damn drug , no bs but, I am determined to beat this.

I hanging on......pray for me, please.

Praying for you.....fw

(pls check with doc on monday... just to make sure..)

[50guy]

One week now...............doing ok.

[sunrise]

Congrats--sounds like you are through the worst. Hang in there.

Please let your doc know if you are doing herbals. Some are just as potent and dangerous as pharmaceuticals.

[darkeyes]

I hope after 3 days or more, continued success, cause I know there must be a time span the meds may still be in your system till completely out.
Not to bum you out, but some meds as they gradually leave the body and mind can bring some people back to zero.
I know many people on mood stabilizers (prescriptions) will feel good while on them and then feel they never needed them, quit taking them and then relapse.
It's always good to check with the prescribing doc, and usually a good idea to go gradual when decreasing dose till finally off of them, just like the way most meds are gradually titrated up when starting a new med.
Hopefully this will not happen to you, keep the faith.
I'm wishing you sincere luck and success with your new change(s).

[Perna]

When one stops Zoloft too rapidly a withdrawal syndrome may develop. Among the symptoms that may be experienced are nausea, tremors, lightheadedness, muscle pains, weakness, insomnia, and anxiety. The withdrawal symptoms usually last 1-2 weeks but in some instances they may gradually decrease over a period as long as a month. It is generally recommended that one taper off this medication gradually under a doctor's supervision. Check with your own personal physician for specific instructions.

From: http://depression.about.com/cs/sidee...aoiszoloft.htm

To abruptly stop Valium after an extended period of use is extremely dangerous and can cause seizures and sometimes death. Discontinuation of the medication must include a physician supervised gradual taper schedule and/or adjunct medications to minimize acute withdrawal.

Essentially, withdrawal symptoms from Valium are like the mirror of its therapeutic effects. Valium withdrawal can produce especially severe withdrawal symptoms similar to those in alcohol and barbiturate withdrawal, including jittery, shaky feelings and any of the following: rapid heartbeat, tremor, insomnia, sweating, irritability, anxiety, blurred vision, decreased concentration, decreased mental clarity, diarrhea, heightened awareness of noise or bright lights, impaired sense of smell, loss of appetite, loss of weight, muscle cramps, seizures, tingling sensation, and agitation. In more extreme cases, typically associated with sudden cessation of the drug, users may experience convulsions, tremor, abdominal and muscle cramps, vomiting and sweating.

From: http://www.drugabusehelp.com/drugs/valium/

[ickydog2006]

I'm glad you're doing a bit better. When I quit Wellbutrin I quit cold turkey and it was hell for the first week. After that it got a bit better but I still struggled with withdrawal symptoms for a month or so and then had to deal with the symptoms that caused me to go on the meds in the first place. I got on Zoloft this year cause i couldn't take it anymore.

Just try to be careful and make sure someone else around you knows what you are doing and is keeping tabs on you also. Sometimes we arn't the best at keeping accurate tabs on ourselves.

WIshing you the best of luck

(((((((((hugs))))))))

[eskielover]

50guy,

I have been going to the pdoc I have now for almost 9 years. I had all kinds of side effects to drugs & they were horrible side effects (like the parkinson's symptoms, anorexia, & other serious ones). His speciality is research into alternate treatments (works with PRI) for mental illnesses. Light therapy, natural meds like St John's wart, & now he is impressed with the effects that OMEGA 3 has on depression. I started taking the OMEGA 3 at 1000mg/dayof the EPA (it has to be that high of dose to work) because when I read about the OMEGA 3, I realized it would be good for me even if it did nothing for the depression. I started taking it about 7 months ago. Me depression wasn't as bad as my anxiety, but it would flare up at times...since I started, I haven't had any problems with depression. I don't know if there really is a relationship between that or not, but I feel great. I would believe that the OMEGA 3 has some effect on that result...so I continue taking it. The trick is finding the pharmaceutical grade & only a few places actually sell that. Nordic Naturals in the only brand I have found. I posted a thread about the OMEGA 3 under this forum....you might like to read the thread.

I don't know if OMEGA 3 is one of the naturals you have tried, but you might look into it....since it is something that can do no harm to the body & helps the mind, the heart.....sounds like the miracle drug....lol.

It might help relieve your possible need for the zoloft in the future.

Debbie

[50guy]

2 weeks now and doing good. I still have lots of Zoloft left over and haven't been tempted to take any.

I have been using the Rhodolia @340mg and taking one tablespoon of flaxseed oil.

All is well so far.

[50guy]

Coming up on week 4.

I am feeling great. The Rhodilia is now up to 340mg and I am doing well. I can't believe how great I feel. No pain, no strain.