SSRI discontinuation syndrome: how to reduce symptoms

[psytaco]

I have started tapering of zoloft 50mg about a week ago. Up until today the symptoms haven't been bothering me that much. But today is the first day I have experienced the 'zaps'. for those who don't know it is like having a bolt of electricity going through your brain. I'm only get mild ones at this stage, but they are occuring probably every 30 seconds. Not enough at the moment for me to be in alot of discomfort, but enough to be annoying.

I was wondering if anyone knows of any tips, medications or supplements/vitamines to reduce the symptoms of SSRI withdrawal. I am now down to between 35-30mg a day, and was looking to drop to 25mg in a few days.

My other symptoms are:

Insomnia.
Lethargy
Dizziness
Nausea
Brain zaps
Headache
Rebound insomnia and anxiety (mild).
Sweating excessively if exercising - its also summer in australia which doesn't help.

I am currently taking fish oil capsules (they help with the headache/zaps a bit but not too much), ginger tablets for nausea, paracetemol and codeine, and doxylamine (sedative antihistamine) for insomnia.

Any other suggestions or words of advice? I would like to get off zoloft in the next month or so, because I am beginning to gain weight despite exercising most days, its fucked up my sex drive for ages, and I'm sick of being an emotionless zombie. also, I haven't had anxiety or depression for months.

 

[Layman Shamen]

I've recently stopped taking 40mg of paroxitine daily. I've been on this SSRI a few times in the past and it is supposed to have the strongest withdrawal symptoms of all the SSRIs. I personally find that just stopping and "suffering" the symptoms for a week is the quickest way. What I discovered last night was that taking a little bit of MDMA stops ALL of the withdrawal symptoms! So, I would like to put forward this amazing "cure" to the medical establishment! PRESCRIBE MDMA!!!

 

[psytaco]

I've recently stopped taking 40mg of paroxitine daily. I've been on this SSRI a few times in the past and it is supposed to have the strongest withdrawal symptoms of all the SSRIs. I personally find that just stopping and "suffering" the symptoms for a week is the quickest way. What I discovered last night was that taking a little bit of MDMA stops ALL of the withdrawal symptoms! So, I would like to put forward this amazing "cure" to the medical establishment! PRESCRIBE MDMA!!!

really? thats interesting, makes sense. but doesn't that mean when you comedown off the MDMA that your withdrawal symptoms are increased?

Unfortunately, I live in Australia, and we have been going through an MDMA drought for the last 2 years. It used to be one of the easiest drugs to get, now it quite hard to get ecstacy that contains any MDMA. usually it is just BZP or DXM these days.

 

[Layman Shamen]

I can confirm, 24 hours after taking a small amount of pure MDMA, that I have had NO comedown or ill-effects. ALL SSRI withdrawal symptoms have miraculously disappeared... completely. I feel fine... no, hold on, I feel great!

 

[Layman Shamen]

Ok, 36 hours later, a return of withdrawal symptoms, but far milder than they were before taking the MDMA. Considering I've gone from 40mg to zero without tapering I remain satisfied with the outcome.

 

[sandman_i_am]

You'd have a much better time of tapering off of these types of medications if you did so under the proper care and instruction of a medical professional. Just saying. If you don't want to take the meds anymore, even if the doctor advises against it, it's your decision to stop taking those medications, and I'm sure that the doctor would rather have you safely taper down under his care than try to dick around with your medications on your own. Fooling around with your meds on your own, believing that you somehow know better or more than a doctor who graduated from medical school and has practical, real world, on the job experience, could be dangerous to your health.

If you are tapering down under the care of a doctor you should be talking to your doctor about these side effects so that your doctor can help you to deal with them I hope that you feel better soon. Stay safe.

 

[Lady Codone]

Don't know of anything for Discontinuation Syndrome specifically, but there are things you could do to treat individual symptoms.

Insomnia/Anxiety: Valerian root, passionflower

Fatigue: Yerba mate, green tea/coffee

Nausea: Ginger, peppermint

Many of these herbs can be found in grocery stores and pharmacies or ordered online. You can make a tea or take them in capsules (minus green tea/coffee).

As for replenishing serotonin, foods like turkey, fish, eggs and walnuts are a natural source of the serotonin precursor tryptophan. Try to get 30 minutes of sun exposure every day and exercise daily for 30-45 minutes, as both increase serotonin levels.

I've been through SSRI withdrawal many, many times and feel for you. My symptoms were more along the lines of "paranoia, mood swings, suicidal thoughts and uncontrollable crying", but it does get better. Make sure to tell loved ones what you're going through so they can offer support.

Good luck!

 

[AndroidsDreamofBTC]

I would also recommend Piracetam for general anxiety and lack of concentration.

Melatonin can also help with insomnia.

 

[Layman Shamen]

This is the 3rd time I've come off paroxitine, and the 3rd time without tapering. Everybody reacts differently, but I just prefer to feel a bit lousy for one week then be back to normal. I wasn't prescribed the medication for depression, which might also contribute to a different outcome. Seeing a Dr in my situation would be a total waste of our time. I know what to expect, so I prefer to just get through the week. I only had mild withdrawal/discontinuation symptoms today, so I'm almost there!

 

[psytaco]

You'd have a much better time of tapering off of these types of medications if you did so under the proper care and instruction of a medical professional. Just saying. If you don't want to take the meds anymore, even if the doctor advises against it, it's your decision to stop taking those medications, and I'm sure that the doctor would rather have you safely taper down under his care than try to dick around with your medications on your own. Fooling around with your meds on your own, believing that you somehow know better or more than a doctor who graduated from medical school and has practical, real world, on the job experience, could be dangerous to your health.

If you are tapering down under the care of a doctor you should be talking to your doctor about these side effects so that your doctor can help you to deal with them I hope that you feel better soon. Stay safe.

Yeah, I am doing it with consultation with a doctor. I haven't been depressed for months, so in consultation with a doctor I am quitting. I am actually coming off it slower than the doctor recommended, which was cut the tablet in half and stay on that for a few weeks then don't take them at all.