18 hours ago, RachelSusan said:

@Chippy I was filling it out, and it asked for the date of injury from the product. I had to laugh to keep from crying. They mean one specific day, and I was thinking, "How about the last eight years?" Thank you for sending me the link. I really appreciate it.

Was this an FDA report? Yeah when I did the MHRA report it didn't seem to be setup in a way that really understands the injury we suffer. Like there was a specific date or period that caused the issue. These injuries are almost always a result of multiple events in a very specific order, different for each person. We don't take these drugs in a vacuum, but these reports seem to capture the data in a way in which they assume we do!

Glad you are doing ok with your gabapentin taper @RachelSusan . xx

@Chippy Yes it was the FDA report.

@Tracey Thank you for stopping by. I'm so sorry things have been so hard for you lately. Sertraline is the medication I came off of as well, and it was a very difficult experience for me. I had many of the same symptoms you've described throughout your thread, so I know how challenging and frightening it can be. I just wanted to let you know you're not alone, and I'm hoping things gradually become easier for you. Wishing you all the best with your move, and I hope everything goes as smoothly as possible. xo

.

Edited June 11Jun 11 by RachelSusan

On 6/9/2026 at 11:28 PM, RachelSusan said:

Other than that, all is good and I am surviving.

So good to hear that you are doing ok , and also good to hear, that your body is alert and give you the needed information.

All the best to you.

I’ll make an update one of these days. I am still in the waiting line. I want to give it at least another two weeks before lowering Sertraline.

All the best to you. Longdistance hugs

🙏💕💕

@Haa Thanks for stopping by. When I last read your thread you said that you were stable. I hope that is still the case. Sertraline was very hard for me to get off of. The symptoms were terrible. I'm glad to hear you are taking it very slowly. Smart!!!!

On 6/11/2026 at 10:09 PM, RachelSusan said:

@Tracey Thank you for stopping by. I'm so sorry things have been so hard for you lately. Sertraline is the medication I came off of as well, and it was a very difficult experience for me. I had many of the same symptoms you've described throughout your thread, so I know how challenging and frightening it can be. I just wanted to let you know you're not alone, and I'm hoping things gradually become easier for you. Wishing you all the best with your move, and I hope everything goes as smoothly as possible. xo

.

Thank you @RachelSusan . You were one of the first people I connected with on here because I resonated with your story and it was the same SSRI .

Did you ever feel like you wouldn't get off and it was all too much? My long 7 month hold doesn't seem to be helping yet.

Thanks for your kind words, wish I didn't feel so alone but I think that is one of brain tricks that happens in this gruelling and scary process.

@Tracey Hi Tracey, I'm so glad you came to my page and commented. I am going to your page to answer you.

Hi @RachelSusan

How are you doing atm? Do you notice anything different after you reduced?

I am good. Reduced 1% yesterday to test the water.

I am half way through The Polyvagal Teori.

It is suiting to alter focus from coping with the WD symptoms, to see the physiology behind. I find it easier to feel safe and by that being able to work with the nervous system and not the symptoms.

Like seeing the background.

@Haa Hi Haa. Thanks for stopping by to say hello. It was really nice to hear from you. I'm still on the library waiting list for The Polyvagal Theory. I guess it's either a very popular book or there are a lot of slow readers ahead of me! It will be a real treat when it finally arrives.

I think a 1% reduction is a very wise choice for you. How long does it usually take before you know whether you're going to have symptoms? For me, it's typically about three days, or 3 months. Seriously, I have a few delayed reactions that took 3 months to show up. Those are real nightmares.

I'm doing okay at the moment. As for my own taper, I was supposed to reduce six days ago, but I have a few important appointments coming up that I really need to be feeling my best for, so I decided to postpone until this Saturday. I'll post an update about three or four days afterward to let everyone know how I'm doing.

Thanks again for stopping by. I really appreciate it.

5 hours ago, RachelSusan said:

@Haa Hi Haa. Thanks for stopping by to say hello. It was really nice to hear from you. I'm still on the library waiting list for The Polyvagal Theory. I guess it's either a very popular book or there are a lot of slow readers ahead of me! It will be a real treat when it finally arrives.

I think a 1% reduction is a very wise choice for you. How long does it usually take before you know whether you're going to have symptoms? For me, it's typically about three days, or 3 months. Seriously, I have a few delayed reactions that took 3 months to show up. Those are real nightmares.

I'm doing okay at the moment. As for my own taper, I was supposed to reduce six days ago, but I have a few important appointments coming up that I really need to be feeling my best for, so I decided to postpone until this Saturday. I'll post an update about three or four days afterward to let everyone know how I'm doing.

Thanks again for stopping by. I really appreciate it.

Glad you are doing well at the moment @RachelSusan .

Look forward to your next update.

Are the gabapentin wd symptoms different to zoloft?

@Tracey Hi Tracy. Thanks for stopping by. In answer to your question, there is a lot of overlap between gabapentin withdrawal and Zoloft (sertraline) withdrawal, but there are also some differences because the two drugs affect different systems in the brain.

For me, I don't get brain zaps with gabapentin, and I have much less dizziness than I did with Zoloft. The anxiety and insomnia are very similar, though. With gabapentin, I experience even more nausea, in fact it has been one of my most prominent symptoms with the gabapentin

I can't really say which withdrawal is worse because they're both awful. I believe the nervous system can remain sensitized after a previous withdrawal, and I think my Zoloft withdrawal left my nervous system much more sensitive. Because of that, my gabapentin withdrawal may have been worse than it otherwise would have been.

I know you've been going through some very symptomatic times. I hope that is improving. Think of you and hoping for the best.

4 hours ago, RachelSusan said:

@Tracey Hi Tracy. Thanks for stopping by. In answer to your question, there is a lot of overlap between gabapentin withdrawal and Zoloft (sertraline) withdrawal, but there are also some differences because the two drugs affect different systems in the brain.

For me, I don't get brain zaps with gabapentin, and I have much less dizziness than I did with Zoloft. The anxiety and insomnia are very similar, though. With gabapentin, I experience even more nausea, in fact it has been one of my most prominent symptoms with the gabapentin

I can't really say which withdrawal is worse because they're both awful. I believe the nervous system can remain sensitized after a previous withdrawal, and I think my Zoloft withdrawal left my nervous system much more sensitive. Because of that, my gabapentin withdrawal may have been worse than it otherwise would have been.

I know you've been going through some very symptomatic times. I hope that is improving. Think of you and hoping for the best.

Thanks @RachelSusan , the nausea seems such a prominent symptom all around.

Look forward to your updates 🙏

On 12/20/2025 at 6:35 AM, RachelSusan said:

First, thank you, Luke, for starting this forum. It is a big deal for you to create it and for all of us to have a welcoming place to call home. I am from SA and very glad to be here. I recognize many familiar names, which I am truly grateful for. I look forward to getting used to the new format and becoming more involved.

 

Zoloft survivor. After a long and painful journey I made it off. Happy to be here and offer support to anyone currently trying to get off.

 

You can find my SA thread here https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/12649-☼-rachelsusan-zoloft-on-off-and-reinstated/page/27/#comment-706872

Hi Rachel. I have read the manufacturer recommendations regarding the use of liquid Sertraline but I was curious of your experience regarding saving diluted 20mg /ml sertraline for a couple of days. I was curious if you mixed your dose daily vs you created a mix to take for a few days? I'm sorry if this was already discussed. I couldn't find it. Sincerely

@NOW Hi NOW, It's nice to hear from you. And please don't ever apologize for asking a question. I don't believe we've discussed this before, but even if we had, you're always welcome to stop by and ask me anything. I'm happy to help if I can.

I think you're asking about the commercial prescription sertraline liquid (20 mg/mL) and diluting that with water, rather than making a liquid from crushed tablets. That's what I used. I didn't make my own liquid from tablets. I used the prescription liquid and only diluted it further when I reached very small doses.

As for your question, I actually did it both ways. Sometimes I diluted only the dose I was taking that day. Other times I prepared enough for a few days, stored it in a bottle in the refrigerator, and used it over the next couple of days. I generally didn't keep it longer than about 3 days. My doctor was also aware that I was doing this and was comfortable with me storing it in the refrigerator for up to about 3 or 4 days.

I've been really impressed with how carefully you've approached your taper. You've truly been doing everything by the book, especially with your cross-taper, and I know how much thought and effort you've put into trying to do this as safely and carefully as possible.

I hope that answers your question, but if there's anything else you'd like to know about what I did, please don't hesitate to ask. 😀

Hi Rachel

Thank you so much for your response, your encouraging words, and your work here as a mentor. Your work helps a lot of other community members.

I am curious about how your taper went between 12.5 mg and 2 mg. That is where I am right now. Were you able to work and function? Did you have to hold for long periods? Also, if you compare that time period with your experience tapering after you reached 2 mgs, did it become harder at those lower doses? How would you describe the comparison of tapering at different doses?

I know it's an open question.

I have heard that tapering becomes harder as you get lower, but I also heard that under a certain dose it is much more straightforward. I am curious to read about your experience.

Sincerely,

@NOW Hi NOW. Thank you so much for your kind words. They really mean a lot to me. ❤️ I'm always happy if something I've learned along the way can make this process a little less lonely for someone else.

That's a really good question, although I can only speak from my own experience.

Around 12.5 mg was actually one of the more difficult periods for me, but I don't think it was because of the dose itself. Before then, I had been tapering, and a doctor increased my dose. That increase was too much because I was already sensitized and it made me extremely sick.

Things changed quite a bit later on. Once I learned that I needed to make much smaller reductions, small enough that my nervous system could tolerate them, the taper became much smoother. I remember most of 2021 being really good. In particular, from about August 2021 until I took my last dose in December 2021, the taper just seemed to work quietly in the background of my life. I wasn't dealing with ongoing withdrawal problems, and I was able to live my life without the taper constantly demanding my attention.

Even after I took my last dose, I didn't have any problems. There were no bumps or surprises. Looking back, I think the biggest difference wasn't the dose I was at, it was finally finding a reduction size that my nervous system could comfortably handle.

So for me, I can't really say that tapering became harder as I got lower, or that it suddenly became easier below a certain dose. My experience was that once I found cuts that were small enough for me, the process became much more manageable, regardless of the number on the syringe.

I know everyone's experience is different, but I hope that gives you some encouragement. Wishing you continued success with your taper. I've been impressed by how thoughtfully and carefully you've approached it, and I'm hoping that care pays off for you as you continue toward the finish line. I think you're on a really good path.

Thank you RachelSusan. Your encouraging words and your story help and mean a lot. @NOW

Edited July 14Jul 14 by NOW
Was not finished yet.

@RachelSusan

Hi Rachel Susan.

How are you doing with your tapering? Did you run in to troubles, when you reduced 3,85%? And how is it going after your last reduction?

I hope it is not to bad. Thinking a lot of you and sending loving thoughts. 💕💕

Hi @Haa

Thank you so much for stopping by my thread to say hello. That really meant a lot to me. 🩵

The 3.85% reduction turned out to be a bit too much for my nervous system, and I had some pretty rough days afterward. My last reduction was a much smaller percentage, though, and thankfully that one went just fine. I'm hoping that's the better path for me going forward.

I finally got The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory from the library. It has some interesting ideas and I can definitely see why people recommend it, but I have to admit it's a very dry read. I'm not sure I'm going to make it all the way through!

Thank you again for thinking of me and for your loving thoughts. They truly mean a lot. I'm glad you are now doing OK.

Hi @RachelSusan

I hope your tapering are going ok. I can see you regularly lower your dosis and wonder which WD you experience if any. You are also very carefull in your reductions. Will you tell me, what happened when you reduced 3,85% and how it is going now with the 2,7%? I am getting more and more food intollerant. And more sensitive when lowering the dosis.

Do you know anything about kindling?

Many kind thoughts 🙏💕

@Haa Thank you for your kind message. It was so nice to hear from you.

So far my taper is going OK. The 3.85% reduction was definitely too much for my nervous system. I experienced nausea, headaches, dizziness, insomnia, and sweating. Thankfully, the acute symptoms lasted only about 3–4 days, and it took about a week for everything to settle back down. It wasn't unbearable, but it was enough for me to realize I needed to slow things down.

Since then I've been experimenting with smaller reductions. The 2.7% cut has gone much better. I had very few symptoms with that one, which has given me more confidence that my nervous system does better with gentler cuts. I'm still taking it one cut at a time because I know things can change.

I'm sorry to hear you're becoming more food intolerant and more sensitive with dose reductions. Can you tell me more about what you're experiencing? Is it that certain foods are making your symptoms worse, or are you developing reactions to foods that you used to tolerate? I can imagine how frustrating and discouraging that must be.

As for kindling, my understanding is that it usually refers to the nervous system becoming increasingly sensitized after repeated stopping and starting of a medication or after multiple medication changes. I'm certainly not an expert on it, but I do wonder if something like that happened to me. After withdrawing from Zoloft, my nervous system seemed much more sensitive when I began tapering Gabapentin, and my reaction has been far more intense than anything I've ever read about what most people experience with this medication. Of course, I can't know for certain whether it was kindling, but it has made me wonder. Do you feel that's what may be happening with you?

I'm hoping you can get some relief soon. I often think of you and admire how thoughtfully you're approaching your taper, even when things are so difficult.

Many kind thoughts to you too. ❤️

On 8/5/2026 at 4:20 PM, RachelSusan said:

Is it that certain foods are making your symptoms worse, or are you developing reactions to foods that you used to tolerate? I

Thanks for your reply and questions.

I am getting reaction to foods I used to tolerate. And the reactions to the ones I used to react to is getting worse.

Atm I tolerate vegetables, eggs, fish and meat, oatmeal, bananas and most other fruits. And thats it. I try to combine the things in multiple ways and I was used to avoid the foods I knew I would react to. Now it is mostly try and error.

But as long I have no anxiety and nausea, I happy.

The symptoms I have now is rashes, itching and burning mouth and extremely tiredness. These are the most prominent and they are mostly annoying.

So I can live my life as normal. And for that I am greatfull.

Good to hear you found the sweat spot for your tapering rate.

Concerning kindling I am quite sure that is what I experience, as I have to cut just a small amount even though I still am on a fairly high dosis.

I have realized that I wont have time enough left to reach zero. But I will go as low as possible. That I have accepted. For me life is too precious to go through heavy WD, where I wouldn’t know when they settle again.

i really appreciate our conversations and your willingness to share your experiences.

Many kind thoughts to you. 💕💕

@Haa It sounds like you have the food under control but it must be incredibly frustrating. I will stay in touch with you.

xo

The last taper on July 28 seemed to go fine. I had a few bad days and then recovered, which for me is great. I seem to have found what, for now, is my sweet spot, somewhere between 2.7% and the low 3% range. That may change in the future, but for now, it seems to be working well for me.

I’m due to make another cut on August 28, but I’m going to wait until my company leaves. I don’t want to risk being taper sick while they’re here. I want to be able to enjoy every minute I have with them.