Hi there, I’m suffering from a rough CT WD from Zoloft and Trazodone and would love some input.

It all started this past summer with a back injury, for which I when I was prescribed Gabapentin 3x per day 300 mg, along with ibuprofen for severe nerve pain. 8 weeks later - back was better, so primary care doctor said I could stop the Gabapentin CT. That is when everything unraveled (but at the time I had no idea!).

Within 48 hours I was crying uncontrollably, had anxiety, the sweats, and insomnia.
Since my brother had just died I assumed this was an intense grief reaction, so I met with a Psych who prescribed Pristiq and 2mg generic Lunesta for sleep. I had successfully used Zoloft in the past (on and off for over 20 years) but trusted this Dr on the Pristiq. I only lasted 7 days on the Pristiq. This medication made me feel like I had been given an adrenaline shot to the heart. Climbing the walls with anxiety, zero sleep, couldn’t eat, developed vertigo, and panic. Called the psych who prescribed Xanax which I never took, and I CT’d the Pristiq.

At this point I begged to be put on Zoloft, since I had used it off and on for over 20 years successfully. Unfortunately, onboarding the Zoloft was hell. Panic, insomnia, inability to eat, debilitating nausea, SI, and anxiety/agoraphobia. I felt like I wanted to peel off my own skin and hide but couldn’t escape the anxiety. I repeatedly told the psych and he continued to tell me that I just needed to increase the Zoloft dose and take Ativan 1mg 2x daily. I told him I was terrified of benzodiazepines and he berated me saying I was being non-compliant and needed to follow directions and that I would be just fine. I gave in and began taking the Ativan here and there (.25 mg) at a time. 

Eventually after 2.5 months of being on Zoloft I had lost 30 pounds, was diagnosed with a body wasting disorder and my PCP ran every test under the sun as he was convinced I had hyperthyroidism. All tests came back normal except for my cortisol which was 15 the high end of normal. I continued to deteriorate so eventually my new psychiatrist and PCP decided that I was developing serotonin syndrome as I also began having terrifying involuntary muscle contractions, hyperreflexia, uncontrollable shivering, diarrhea, jaw clenching and many other terrible symptoms.

On November 8, my psychiatrist called and had me immediately discontinue the Zoloft and the Trazodone 50 mg I had been started on a couple of weeks after starting the Zoloft. At this point I was at 75 mg of Zoloft. If I thought I had been in a bad place on the Zoloft, I had no idea where I was going, because I got worse. WD symptoms kicked in hard and I was incredibly ill. The CT withdrawal from Zoloft and Trazodone, after losing 30 pounds I didn’t really have to lose, was unreal. Total insomnia, anhedonia, nausea, vomiting, dry retching, intense depressive thought, constant SI, and doom.

Today I am about 12 weeks out from the CT stop of the Trazodone and the Zoloft and 24 weeks from the CT stop of the gabapentin.
I’m beginning to have some windows and during them the SI and depression stops. During my waves my thoughts are very depressed on top of physical symptoms. My anxiety was crippling while on the Zoloft and during the first 10 weeks of WD but lately I’m having less panic. I’m still mildly agoraphobic but I’m actually beginning to think about going to a store without the thought making me anxious, so that’s encouraging!

I’m becoming increasingly reactive to foods (possibly histamine related) and I’m struggling with what I think is silent reflux. I have started a low histamine diet but it is so limited and I’m really trying to gain back some of the weight I lost. 

Additionally I react to every supplement I’ve tried which is such a bummer because I feel so depleted from being so ill and then losing so much weight.

Currently the fall out from this medication disaster is that I am still on .5 mg Ativan at night and 2mg generic Lunesta at bedtime, both of which I want to get off of as soon as my CNS stabilizes. I am working with a taper psychiatrist and she thinks things are too precarious and wants things to stay the same for a while for my brain. I’m trying to accept this but it is so hard but I also don’t want to get destabilized because even supplements have set off intense waves for me and then all the dark, scary thinking comes back.

I have a great husband and I’m a mom to two kids in college. I also really want to get back to work but for now my job is healing my brain. I have had days where I feel like that isn’t possible and that my brain is permanently damaged , but I know that that is the WD impacting my perspective! It is so hard to stay positive as I feel like life is carrying on around me and I am stuck at home in my own never ending nightmare, but then I have a brief window and I remember.❤️

Thank you for reading and may all of you continue on your path to healing.

Hi Brainpuzzler41

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

This is a volunteer-run, community forum aimed at helping those who are tapering and/or experiencing difficulties with psychiatric medications and withdrawl syndrome. We are not medical professionals and cannot offer medical advice. We simply offer support and opinions which you could use as talking points with a medical provider knowledgeable in withdrawing off psychiatric medications.

 

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I'm so sorry to read about the tough time you've had recently you will find plenty of support here for sure.

 

I relate so much to your comments about your experience with Zoloft. I too took it for a short time twice and whilst I had some nasty side effects whilst on it found I benefited from the emotional numbing it gave me. When I later was placed on Mirtazapine and it didnt go well for me I assumed I was a 'sertraline baby' and it was that Mirtazapine didnt agree with me.

 

Unfortunately these drugs anger our nervous systems and stopping them CT certainly adds to this. Each time you make a change or stop one abruptley you add to this irritation. Hypersensitivity and kindling

 

As you have seen once the nervous system is in this destabilised state it's so common for the symptoms shown to be treated with more drugs and confused with 'relpase' or a new mental health condition. But as I said above these new drugs just add fuel to the fire.

 

You've notified you have now become very sensitive to everything, like supplements. This is very common. They are best avoided.

 

I think your taper psychiatrist is right. Your system needs some stability now not more changes. You are only 12 weeks away from your CTs and appear to be doing better over time. This is great sign. I would think you have already gained dependance on the Benzo and Eszopiclone (Lunesta) as you've been on them some time now. Sitting tight here will give your CNS some time to heal and find stability. Once you feel more stable you could then start your taper from a better place then you are now. Tapering when destabilised often causes more harm making recovery off the drug more difficult. 

 

We cant tell you what you should do just add our thoughts and information to help you make your mind up for yourself. There are a number of very experienced members on here who may chip in with their thoughts shortly.....

 

Tapering Information

 

Polydrugged? Which drug to taper off first?

 

In the mean time this is what I would do if I were you:

 

-Stay Hydrated 

 

-Eat a good clean whole food diet, avoiding processed foods and sugars.

 

-Stay away from caffeine, alcohol and antihistamines and any other psychoactive substances.

 

Supplements are to be avoided initially, as they often irritate our nervous systems. Try to get your nutrition through food.

 

Down the line, you may wish to introduce Fish Oil and Magnesium. Those who can tolerate them have found them calming to the nervous system. Be careful try one at a time and start low and see how you get on should you choose to try them.

 

A daily walk is very important as much as you can manage, if you can manage it. Gets you your fresh air and Vitamin D does wonders for your mind!

 

You are very welcome here and I hope you find the site supportive.

 

Chippy

Hi @Brainpuzzler41 - So sorry to hear about the roller coaster you have been on. I am hoping your CNS will stabilize soon and then you can begin your taper of the Ativan & Lunesta. That's great you are beginning to have some windows! 

 

I can so relate to feeling like life is carrying on around you & you're stuck at home in your own nightmare. I don't do anything these days (thanks to the anhedonia for that🙄). We will heal and we will taper and we will return to our full lives again! 💚

@Chippy thank you for the warm welcome. I am happy to have found this supportive place. I was just about to join SA when they stopped accepting new members so having this site as an alternative is wonderful.

Thank you for the gentle guidance too. I definitely think you are right about needing to hold here for a while and give myself time to heal. 
As you mentioned I am learning quickly about the supplements. For a short while  before I knew better I was adding a bunch of supplements and wow, it was like I had been stabbed with an adrenal shot! Unreal anxiety from a packet of Emergen-C! Tried the fish oil and had racing heart, so yes, my body is telling me to wait! 
I’m beginning to realize that patience is the hardest part of this journey (and sleep!). I will keep working on it because I know it’s a long road. 

32 minutes ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

patience is the hardest part of this journey (and sleep!). I will keep working on it because I know it’s a long road. 

It sure is. One day at a time for sure. ❤️🙏

4 hours ago, DesertDrive said:

. I am hoping your CNS will stabilize soon and then you can begin your taper of the Ativan & Lunesta.

Me too! I’m trying not to fixate on it though because that doesn’t help me with CNS stability! Ugh. 
 

I’m sorry you are struggling with the anhedonia. That comes and goes for me. Mostly I just feel depressed and anxious although it is improving here and there. 
 

Take care and thanks for the support.

5 minutes ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

Mostly I just feel depressed and anxious although it is improving here and there. 

 

That's good to hear that at least those two things are improving here & there. Always good to see any improvement.

 

Take care! 💚

Ever since my CT in November I have developed agoraphobia. Initially the adverse reaction to the various SSRIs set this off, but it hasn’t gone away after 3 months CT. I feel like my world has become so small and limited. 
I am able to go walking with my husband and the dog, take care of my horse in his pasture which is a 15 minute drive from the house, but that’s about it. The idea of going out to the store, post office, or back to work (which I desperately miss) makes my anxiety skyrocket. My husband is supportive but I think he’s getting tired working full time and doing all the shopping and errands. 

I’m doing all the things for my CNS: yoga nidra, humming and vagus nerve exercises, counseling, the dare app, puzzles, art, etc. but I’m getting worried.

a big part of this is fear of getting sick too. I am a teacher and that is a workplace hazard and it’s cold and flu/season. This makes me even more anxious!

Any of you struggle with agoraphobia?

13 hours ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

@Chippy thank you for the warm welcome. I am happy to have found this supportive place. I was just about to join SA when they stopped accepting new members so having this site as an alternative is wonderful.

Thank you for the gentle guidance too. I definitely think you are right about needing to hold here for a while and give myself time to heal. 
As you mentioned I am learning quickly about the supplements. For a short while  before I knew better I was adding a bunch of supplements and wow, it was like I had been stabbed with an adrenal shot! Unreal anxiety from a packet of Emergen-C! Tried the fish oil and had racing heart, so yes, my body is telling me to wait! 
I’m beginning to realize that patience is the hardest part of this journey (and sleep!). I will keep working on it because I know it’s a long road. 

It's a pleasure. It sounds like you have already developed a good mindset to help deal with all this. It's not a road we want to take but we are all on it together. 

11 hours ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

Ever since my CT in November I have developed agoraphobia. Initially the adverse reaction to the various SSRIs set this off, but it hasn’t gone away after 3 months CT. I feel like my world has become so small and limited. 
I am able to go walking with my husband and the dog, take care of my horse in his pasture which is a 15 minute drive from the house, but that’s about it. The idea of going out to the store, post office, or back to work (which I desperately miss) makes my anxiety skyrocket. My husband is supportive but I think he’s getting tired working full time and doing all the shopping and errands. 

I’m doing all the things for my CNS: yoga nidra, humming and vagus nerve exercises, counseling, the dare app, puzzles, art, etc. but I’m getting worried.

a big part of this is fear of getting sick too. I am a teacher and that is a workplace hazard and it’s cold and flu/season. This makes me even more anxious!

Any of you struggle with agoraphobia?

Ive just put this back here for you. We like to keep everything about your journey in here 🙂 

 

Im sorry to read this. That must be really hard for you both. I think it's just time.

 

You are still early days in your recovery.

 

Once you feel a bit better you can start to push yourself a little and see how you cope with situations.

Not all at once, just with the supermarket at first. Go to the carpark and dont go in. Next time make it to the lobby. Then try inside briefly and so on. You might find this helps train your CNS there is nothing to fear there.

 

But at this stage you really just need lots of time. Dont push yourself or over do it.

3 hours ago, Chippy said:

at this stage you really just need lots of time. Dont push yourself or over do it.

This is the truth of the matter. I developed agoraphobia as well...I was worried was if it never goes away...but it does. I read accounts of people waking up one day and it was gone. In a wave I still struggle with it. I think our bodies want to keep us safe in an environment where there isn't the unknown... especially in acute WD and in a wave...it is protection mode.

I did exactly what @Chippy mentioned as well in good days....I would walk to the store. I told myself you can turn around and go home at any time. I went with my hubby...many times I couldn't stand in line and would wait outside. I found i needed to pace to manage the adrenaline. 

 

One member said something I really appreciated as well:

 

There's simply no reason to insist on getting out of one's comfort zone when one is already well out of one's comfort zone.

 

15 hours ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

husband is supportive but I think he’s getting tired working full time and doing all the shopping and errands. 

Take advantage of in home delivery if you can. Take whatever short cuts work. Enlist a friend or family member if possible. Try to plan ahead to limit the errands. Just possible suggestions. 

❤️🙏

On 2/12/2026 at 8:25 AM, LostinCanada said:

Take advantage of in home delivery if you can. Take whatever short cuts work. Enlist a friend or family member if possible

Unfortunately we live in a very rural area so not too much in-home delivery, but I am trying to stock up on things to limit hubby’s errand strain. Thank you for the tip. 

On 2/12/2026 at 4:50 AM, Chippy said:

Once you feel a bit better you can start to push yourself a little and see how you cope with situations.

Not all at once, just with the supermarket at first. Go to the carpark and dont go in. Next time make it to the lobby. Then try inside briefly and so on

This is my plan. It’s just so discouraging because right now I get anxiety and heart racing when I “think” about going to the store. We live in a rural area and I used to drive 1.5 hours to go do a day in the “big” city and shop on my own, take myself to lunch, etc. I loved it. I can’t believe this is happening. It’s like this isn’t me. Sorry. Having a hard day for sure.

39 minutes ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

I can’t believe this is happening. It’s like this isn’t me. Sorry. Having a hard day for sure.

You will get there. ❤️🙏

I feel you @Brainpuzzler41 - how I am right now is NOT me. But things never stop changing. I fully believe I will be the person I used to be, and I absolutely believe that for you as well.

34 minutes ago, DesertDrive said:

But things never stop changing. I fully believe I will be the person I used to be, and I absolutely believe that for you as well.

I’m having such a hard time accessing any positivity. I continue to be amazed by those of you who can grab on to hope and dig in. I have had only a few moments so far where I’ve felt that, but thank you for reminding me. Maybe I’ll have those days soon. 
Thank you for the kindness ❤️‍🩹

7 hours ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

This is my plan. It’s just so discouraging because right now I get anxiety and heart racing when I “think” about going to the store. We live in a rural area and I used to drive 1.5 hours to go do a day in the “big” city and shop on my own, take myself to lunch, etc. I loved it. I can’t believe this is happening. It’s like this isn’t me. Sorry. Having a hard day for sure.

Sending you love. I’m sorry this is so very tough I know. Time will ease things. It’s too early to push yourself. You’ll know when it’s time. One day at a time. ❤️

15 hours ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

I’m having such a hard time accessing any positivity. I continue to be amazed by those of you who can grab on to hope and dig in. I have had only a few moments so far where I’ve felt that, but thank you for reminding me. Maybe I’ll have those days soon. 
Thank you for the kindness ❤️‍🩹

 

You are so welcome 💚 Trust me, I am not a naturally positive person. I have not yet begun my hyperbolic taper (I am starting March 1), so we'll see how I manage to hold on hope once that starts. I know I'll also need these reminders from the community. What's so great is that when one of us feels hopeless, there are others who remind us we have very good reason to remain hopeful. Keep hanging in there @Brainpuzzler41 - we're all hanging with you! And hooray for living in a time where we can even connect like this! 🌎

5 hours ago, DesertDrive said:

What's so great is that when one of us feels hopeless, there are others who remind us we have very good reason to remain hopeful.

This is so well put. Thank you for being here to encourage me. I feel needy right now but then remember I am only 3 months out from CT, so this is normal. 

My son came home from college for the long holiday weekend and I am really not coping well. I love him to pieces but my anxiety and symptoms are total spiking. The worst part is I’m feeling total anhedonia. My son and husband are joking and laughing and I feel so far away. It is agony. I feel like I have to tell myself to smile and my heart is breaking because even with my child who I am so close with, I can’t break through. It’s almost making the anhedonia worse. Or maybe it’s just because the visit has me so stressed out (even though it’s a good thing). Anyone feel this before with loved ones or children? 

38 minutes ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

Anyone feel this before with loved ones or children? 

Yes!

Our daughter came by the other day. She was upset about something and crying and I had zero feelings…. It took me a minute to even realize how upset she was and there was no connection…it was like I could see it all but no feelings.

It is horrible but I know it will get better…it has for others. Time and patience. ❤️🙏
 

30 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

Yes!

Our daughter came by the other day. She was upset about something and crying and I had zero feelings…. It took me a minute to even realize how upset she was and there was no connection…it was like I could see it all but no feelings.

It is horrible but I know it will get better…it has for others. Time and patience. ❤️🙏

Thank you for the reassurance. It makes me feel so ashamed as a mom, but I know you are right.
I’m sorry you have had this experience too. 

Just now, Brainpuzzler41 said:

makes me feel so ashamed as a mom

I think this process is especially hard because I have always put my kids first no matter what but now I just can’t…. I remind myself that you have to put the oxygen mask on yourself first before you can help others. ❤️🙏

15 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

I think this process is especially hard because I have always put my kids first no matter what but now I just can’t…

Exactly. 😢

Yesterday evening I started to feel my reflux starting up again. I was having major issues with reflux early in my WD, but then with help from @LostinCanada I started on DGL for the reflux and began a low histamine diet.
Things have been fairly good on the reflux front since then, but yesterday I had a bout that started after dinner, went all through the night and is continuing. The worst part is the reflux triggers migraines and I’ve had one since yesterday evening and couldn’t sleep more than 2 hours last night. DGL isn’t helping with this acute bout, I haven’t added any new foods, but did have a more stressful day yesterday as my son is home from college for a few days ago and had a friend over. Anyways, I’m pretty desperate and the heartburn pain is intense. What do you think will happen if I take one Tum? I know they aren’t great, but will it cause major issues? 
Anyone else struggle with reflux that then sets off migraines. This is rough.