← Return to Cross-tapering from Zoloft onto Lexapro
DiscussionCross-tapering from Zoloft onto Lexapro
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Sep 10, 2023 | Replies (18)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "Thank you, but I now can only do the barest minimum to get by. I used..."
I was in a similar situation eight months ago. I was on Mirtazapine and oxazepam after an operation gone wrong. I have suffered from OCD since I was 20 (1967) and have had constant anxiety, social phobia (although my job required public speaking) and bouts of dark depression. Before the operation, I was on no medication other than for reflux and thyroxine after having had my thyroid removed for cancer. I lost a lot of weight and and this upset my thyroxine levels, causing extreme anxiety and depression. My doctor was treating me with Zoloft and Clobazam but when I had to go into hospital they changed my medication to Mirtazapine and oxazepam. When I was discharged I endured months of despair, weakness and helplessness. I wanted to die. I thought no one could help me , not even God. I was wrong. He did help me and gave me hope. I have found that more than 15 mg Mirtazapine a day increased anxiety and agitation and also caused insomnia. I found tapering off the oxazepam according to the Ashton Manual was not too bad. But the Mirtazapine has been horrible. I am dropping the dose by 10% every fortnight (10% of the current dose) but if the withdrawal symptoms are severe, I continue on with that dose until it settles down, usually after a few days to a week. Mirtazapine withdrawal symptoms for me include intrusive thoughts (which makes my OCD go crazy) nausea, dizziness, anxiety and weird dreams. I am also on Sertraline (Zoloft) to help me with getting off the Mirtazapine. I expect that it will take another few months. I was really saddened to read your post . I am praying that God will help you as He helped me. Even though it seems impossible to you that you can ever come out of this, I believe that you will. God can change everything if you ask Him.
Wow! That's quite a combination of drugs your doctor prescribed. I take zoloft 100 mg. and in the process of tapering off clonazepam. I'm down to .25 - was taking 1mg to 1.5mg before bed because I have a had time sleeping. I am pretty used to the .25 now, it's been at least 6weeks. I took Lexapro once and could not take it. Was like speed to me, I couldn't relax. My new doctor let me know all the negative things clonazepam does to a person, especially as they get older. I am 67. Aside from the the side effects of tapering I am actually feeling much better.
I know it's difficult to live without the meds but IMO you are overloaded on meds. Please try and see a new doctor and ask to detox from a few. Read about your medications to learn more and be able to help yourself some. The best of luck to you on your journey.
Hi. Oh that sounds so sad and painful. What kind of side effects are you experiencing coming off Zolloff onto lexapro ? I am paralyzed with fear too.