day 24! questions!

[Pjtwenty]

I sit and think I'm still not normal but then I think back to the beginning and realize I have come a long way.
There is part of me that wishes I hadn't started Zoloft yet. I'm on day 12 of only 25mg still. I feel like it's helping anxiety or its just the natural progression of things. I'm supposed to be at 50mg but a few days ago I jumped up and the side effects sucked. So I decided to wait a few more days then jump up. Or maybe stop and see how I am without. I'm just wondering now will I have wds from 12 days on Zoloft or not?
I feel good but disconnected on some levels and not sure if it's the Zoloft or normal cycle. Or both!
I did sleep good lastnight but had horrible nightmares. Kept dreaming my wife either left me or died. Horrible!!  
Also evernight I lay down I get a head full of anxiety I call it. Just feels like my mind is going crazy. The rls is much much better. Hardly noticeable most nights.
So again part of me wishes I had waited on the Zoloft for a few more weeks just to separate the possibility of either effects. Or I can stop and just quit dwelling on it.

[L_Lady]

But,
like others said, if you decide to stop the Zoloft, tell your doc, and do so with a taper.  CT'ing the Zoloft when you're recovering could make you feel worse recovery wise and further confuse your symptoms.

[L_Lady]

I agree with back...docs do throw AD's at ppl too often and too quickly and for things that may resolve on their own.   I've taken Ad's for 13 years and have done a lot of research and have a medical background.   Its unlikely you're experiencing any benefit forn an ssri at only 12 days.  It really takes at least 6 wks for ssris to accomplish what they do to alleviate depression.   I'm a few days in off of tramadol and I know I in general feel better and better as time goes by so u may just be feeling better as ur getting farther from the addiction.
oh btw, for rls...try Epsom salt baths.  I didn't put much stock in them but after trying it I was in shock...good gracious it really helps.

[ricart70]

Yes those ad meds make you kind of feel weird at first and then you level off. You are doing a great job of staying clean pj. You should pat yourself on the back for that. You should really start feeling better in a couple of weeks. You are not having paws . It comes way later if it comes at all. That "dazed" feeling is quite normal for where you are right now in this .   Hang in there.
Every day you are healing and improving. That is a fact.  Great job buddy !

[waterLilly7]

you have come a long way!!!! talk to doc about meds, and kepe up the good work, you can do this, we are here for you.

hugs,
Lily

[ariley13]

Congrats on 24 big days my friend! Awesome! I agree with limodan... please give the Zoloft at least a couple more weeks. It can take up to a month to 'level off' when you start ADs. Try to be patient with yourself and your recovery. Things will keep getting better and better with ( dreaded word!) time. Take care of yourself!

[limodan73]

PJ, first, glad to hear you doing better and better. But worried about your contemplation of dropping the Zoloft. I strongly recommend that you speak to your doc. If your doing ok with the low dose, stay with that for a while. 12 days is bare minimum for the med to level out in you're system. Not sure if you remember me replying to some of your posts. But I've had some pretty in depth dealings with the AD's.  Again, talk to you're doc. But I think you might wanna try giving it another 3-5 days at the 25 mg. But, whatever you do. It's a BAD idea to just drop off them without a discussion with you're doc. I made that mistake once, you don't wanna go there. As far as the nightmares, I honestly would chalk those up to the detox. You're brain is still freakin out and going through a healing process. Might wanna get the amino acid protocol mix if you Don't already have it. Good luck. Feel free to PM me if you have any direct questions.
Dan
Ps: Try taking a nice hot shower, just before bed.

[Pjtwenty]

Barb, the weirdness I'm having is best described like a disconnect or that feeling when you are just tired as all he11 and you are in a daze of sorts. But if I occupy my mind it's not nearly as noticeable.
I wonder if it's just trying to readjust to normalcy. I also am still having problems getting real excited about much. But again this is all a whole lot better than two weeks ago.
I'm just waiting for myself to come back. :-(

[stayathomemom75]

My DOC, Tramadol, acts also on my serotonin levels so I'm planning on starting back up on my Paxil about a week before my taper is through.

I've only had good results from it before and I figure if it makes me feel worse then I can just cut it out altogether.

[BarbRTR]

The weirdness for me lasted at least 30 days. It wasn't paws yet. And with a history of depression and anxiety, it's good you're looking into ADs. They aren't for everyone, but for some, imperative. Good luck!

[Pjtwenty]

I agree and disagree. It's tough to determine either really. I've posted before I've dealt with severe anxiety my whole life. Depression moderately. Mainly anxiety for me. I waited 2 weeks before I started an antidepressant hoping that getting through the worst would benefit. I can't say it was a bad decision yet. Overall I'm a lot better but still feel weird. I don't know if the weirdness is paws or the Zoloft.

[Back2Me]

My doc told me they won't even look at someone to evaluate them for antidepressants until at LEAST 90 days coming off of a detox from opiates. Your brain chemistry is off for at least that long. I cannot agree more. I think it's irresponsible to prescribe something that early on in recovery. You don't even know where your head will be at in 90 days, you will probably feel a lot different than now and may not need it or maybe need something else. Doctors are WAY to quick to toss AD to people! People need a proper evaluation and psyc evaluation before being given that stuff and your mind is Seriuosly jacked during the first 90 days or so. Hope it all works out. Keep up the fight.

[On2better]

First of all, congratulations on 24 days!! I think I would just stay at the 25mg dose for a little while. That's a nice moderate dose. And it might really help with the depression and anxiety that we all experience after getting clean. If you decide to quit altogether, I don't think 12 days of Zoloft is long enough to cause severe SSRI w/d.  I think the nightmares and anxiety are part of the mental w/ds. I am on day 7 opiate w/d and having very vivid, crazy dreams about relapsing and death. Anyways, I don't know if this helps! Just thought I'd put my two cents in and say GREAT JOB on 24 days!