Hi, I am currently going through a bout of reflux, stomach and abdominal aches. I tried gaviscon but it doesn't help so I'm trying just a warm cup of water to see if that helps. I have nausea too with hot and cold sweats but temperature is normal. I have tums but I am afraid to take them. I am also prone to migraines but so far so good. I read your post 're the anxiety you are experiencing when your son visits. I too go through this every other Sunday when my daughter visits for lunch. I get in such a state that we end up having a conversation on my bed so I can rest. I love her dearly but I find it too much to handle at the moment. I came off citalopram 0.3mg a year ago and am in protracted withdrawal. I hope you find some relief 🙏

Edited February 16Feb 16 by Sonia2

5 hours ago, Sonia2 said:

Hi, I am currently going through a bout of reflux, stomach and abdominal aches. I tried gaviscon but it doesn't help so I'm trying just a warm cup of water to see if that helps. I have nausea too with hot and cold sweats but temperature is normal. I have tums but I am afraid to take them. I am also prone to migraines but so far so good. I read your post 're the anxiety you are experiencing when your son visits. I too go through this every other Sunday when my daughter visits for lunch. I get in such a state that we end up having a conversation on my bed so I can rest. I love her dearly but I find it too much to handle at the moment. I came off citalopram 0.3mg a year ago and am in protracted withdrawal. I hope you find some relief 🙏

Hi there, I was just reading your message and had to laugh, because I am sipping warm water too! I didn’t end up trying the Tums or anything else all day. I ate super small portions because my stomach feels kind of bloated and strange. I get stressed out about that though because I’m trying to gain weight, which is very difficult while trying to deal with reflux, and eating low histamine. I feel like I’m constantly in a balancing act so that I don’t set off my reflux, which can trigger the migraines, which then make my insomnia even worse! 
Thanks for the reassurance around the visit with my son. I’m sorry you’ve felt the same way. Isn’t it hard?! As a parent it feels opposite of how I used to be. 
 

Take care and may you continue to heal. Thanks for stopping by. It feels so much better when others share their stories. 😊🙏

You're welcome! I hope you found some relief. I managed to get some sleep and so far this morning stomach isn't aching. Haven't eaten for 22 hours so just had tea and toast so I'll see how that goes.  🙏

On 2/17/2026 at 1:28 AM, Sonia2 said:

You're welcome! I hope you found some relief. I managed to get some sleep and so far this morning stomach isn't aching. Haven't eaten for 22 hours so just had tea and toast so I'll see how that goes.  🙏

It has been very up and down. I’m beginning to realize that my histamine issue is really the biggest trigger. Still a learning curve on how to manage that and still get enough calories to maintain my weight. Hope you are doing well.

Having a really tough weekend. My allergies and food reactions seem to be increasing and these are setting off waves. 
Today I’m struggling with why I have to keep doing this. Every day I wake up I feel like I don’t know how I’m going to get through another day. I have head pressure, extreme brain fog, depression, anhedonia, face pain (across cheekbones and behind nose). It is misery and I feel like the only reason I keep going is for my kids and family. 
Everything is gone that I used to love in regard to my daily life: my job, my sports/hobbies, my routines and full schedule are all gone.

So many of you have suffered so much longer, so it makes me feel weak to be buckling from this, but I’m just being honest. 
For a short bit I was finding crafts, podcasts and a few house activities to keep me busy, but lately I can’t muster it and the days feel so slow. 
That’s all I have to say today. 

Hi @Brainpuzzler41!

 

Good to see you here! It's moonmoonmoon1 from BB. Following your thread here so I can hear more about how you're doing.

 

35 minutes ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

So many of you have suffered so much longer, so it makes me feel weak to be buckling from this, but I’m just being honest. 

No, it's hard from the beginning, you are allowed to feel overwhelmed, you don't have to qualify it.

35 minutes ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

Everything is gone that I used to love in regard to my daily life: my job, my sports/hobbies, my routines and full schedule are all gone.

 

Yes, this is one the hardest parts of this process, I'm so sorry. I struggle with this too. It's hard to maintain a sense of identity and growth and in some ways that's more punishing than the withdrawal symptoms.

 

No pressure to respond here or on BB, just good to see you.

Edited February 22Feb 22 by pluto

4 hours ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

It has been very up and down. I’m beginning to realize that my histamine issue is really the biggest trigger. Still a learning curve on how to manage that and still get enough calories to maintain my weight. Hope you are doing well.

Hi, sorry to hear you are still suffering. I still have digestive issues plus other symptoms mainly dizziness, balance, headaches, the list goes on. I haven't driven in over a year, I walk my dog and visit my mother when my husband feels well enough to drive. I get my food shop delivered from Tesco. Just want you to know you are not alone with your symptoms. I take one day at a time, do what I am able to do and rest in between. I too have lost a lot of weight, around 3 stone in total but I am maintaining my current weight. I don't really know if I have allergies but I do know I am sensitive to supplements, certain foods and even toothpaste and mouthwash. There is a thread on the SA website from someone named Gerl:histamine intolerance after Zoloft discontinuation. You might find it helpful, at least you will be able to identify with some of her symptoms. Maybe you've seen it already, anyway I hope it helps. It's a long journey to recovery for sure, I'm over a year out and still getting new symptoms. It does improve though because there was a time when I was bedridden, healing is slow for some and even though I am getting new symptoms and old ones returning, I have made some progress. I hope you start improving soon.🙂🙏

7 hours ago, pluto said:

It's hard to maintain a sense of identity and growth and in some ways that's more punishing than the withdrawal symptoms.

This is so true! I feel like losing our sense of self in this process is one of the most challenging parts. For me it is very unnerving and disorienting. 
Thanks for connecting here on this forum too. Good to see you. 😉

3 hours ago, Sonia2 said:

Hi, sorry to hear you are still suffering. I still have digestive issues plus other symptoms mainly dizziness, balance, headaches, the list goes on. I haven't driven in over a year, I walk my dog and visit my mother when my husband feels well enough to drive. I get my food shop delivered from Tesco. Just want you to know you are not alone with your symptoms. I take one day at a time, do what I am able to do and rest in between. I too have lost a lot of weight, around 3 stone in total but I am maintaining my current weight. I don't really know if I have allergies but I do know I am sensitive to supplements, certain foods and even toothpaste and mouthwash. There is a thread on the SA website from someone named Gerl:histamine intolerance after Zoloft discontinuation. You might find it helpful, at least you will be able to identify with some of her symptoms. Maybe you've seen it already, anyway I hope it helps. It's a long journey to recovery for sure, I'm over a year out and still getting new symptoms. It does improve though because there was a time when I was bedridden, healing is slow for some and even though I am getting new symptoms and old ones returning, I have made some progress. I hope you start improving soon.🙂🙏

Thank you so much, Sonia. I’m sorry to hear about your struggles. It sounds very challenging but I’m appreciative of your perspective- that you used to be bed ridden and now you can do things like walk the dog. I need to keep things like that in mind because two months ago I couldn’t watch a show, couldn’t listen to music, barely could manage phone calls, etc. So, when I catalog it I realize I am making progress. 
 

Thanks for sharing the link from SA. I will read through it. 😊

 

Take care and I hope you have a good week and that symptoms aren’t too unbearable. 

Still in a wave today. I honestly have no idea anymore what is going on. I don’t know if the deep depression and anhedonia I’m feeling is the WD still? My husband questioned if this is still WD because he is tired and scared. He is usually very supportive but I think we are both losing hope. He made the comment that I was only on the Zoloft for 2.5 months, so how could it cause such lasting issues. That got me doubting things but then I remember that I was on and off two other ADs the weeks prior to the Zoloft debacle, and then I also had a CT stop of gabapentin and HRT. My system is clearly rocked. 

I guess my question is, could I still be feeling this bad 3 months 10 days later, even though I wasn’t on the medication very long? Is it because I got kindled on the Zoloft? I have had a few windows but the depression I’m dealing with is torture. 

2 hours ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

My husband questioned if this is still WD because he is tired and scared. He is usually very supportive but I think we are both losing hope. He made the comment that I was only on the Zoloft for 2.5 months, so how could it cause such lasting issues.

I understand your husband’s frustration. He has his own pressures and is human and will get frustrated I know. Family often can’t believe all of this unfortunately. It’s good he is normally onboard. I’m sure he will be ok and just needs a minute. Thats what my wife says to me. ‘Sorry I just needed a minute.’ 🙂

 

2 hours ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

guess my question is, could I still be feeling this bad 3 months 10 days later, even though I wasn’t on the medication very long? Is it because I got kindled on the Zoloft? I have had a few windows but the depression I’m dealing with is torture. 

Unfortunately the answer is yes. I took mirt for 6 weeks. We know of someone who was as badly hurt as Luke from just one tablet. It can take a long time to heal from these injuries. But heal we will and each day that passes gets us a little closer to that goal. Don’t loose hope and very importantly don’t loose sight of the reality of what has happened. 
 

We are all here for you 
 

Chippy

2 hours ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

guess my question is, could I still be feeling this bad 3 months 10 days later, even though I wasn’t on the medication very long?

I agree with @Chippy

Based on what I have seen, the time to heal is individual…there is no logic or reason to it….it is why these drugs are so dangerous. Unfortunately we can’t rush the process. It is like any illness, some things just take time. ❤️🙏

In my first 8 months off the drug I had some VERY strong emotional symptoms. Chemical like. Thick heavy fog. Deep depression. Awful anxiety. Some panic. Overwhelming at times. But it’s all passed now. Gone. Just like that. We are all different but one thing is for sure time heals. 🙂

10 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

I agree with @Chippy

Based on what I have seen, the time to heal is individual…there is no logic or reason to it….it is why these drugs are so dangerous. Unfortunately we can’t rush the process. It is like any illness, some things just take time. ❤️🙏

And that is exactly why it is so hard I think. My husband is a research scientist and wants to make sense of things and read all the papers about it. There is so little documentation about the complications of withdrawal. It’s infuriating. 
Thank you for the encouragement. I hope you are doing well. 

10 hours ago, Chippy said:

In my first 8 months off the drug I had some VERY strong emotional symptoms. Chemical like. Thick heavy fog. Deep depression. Awful anxiety. Some panic. Overwhelming at times. But it’s all passed now. Gone. Just like that. We are all different but one thing is for sure time heals. 🙂

This is so helpful to hear. I feel like what you just described is exactly what I’m feeling and it is so scary. It helps to hear that eventually it passed. The waiting feels torturous, but I will keep trying. 
Thank you for the support. I know you are very busy managing the new forum too, so I am grateful. 

14 minutes ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

This is so helpful to hear. I feel like what you just described is exactly what I’m feeling and it is so scary. It helps to hear that eventually it passed. The waiting feels torturous, but I will keep trying. 
Thank you for the support. I know you are very busy managing the new forum too, so I am grateful. 

Glad it helped. These things seem endless until all of a sudden they turn out not to be. This too will pass 🙂

5 minutes ago, Chippy said:

Glad it helped. These things seem endless until all of a sudden they turn out not to be. This too will pass 🙂

One of the worst physical symptoms I’m still struggling with is all day head pressure or migraines. Terrible pain behind my eyes and it exacerbates my insomnia. Nothing seems to relieve these headaches. I tried Tylenol but seem to react. Do you think this is from WD? I’m beginning to worry and obsess that it is the Lunesta but I’m not sure because the first two months on the Lunesta (when I was on the ADs) never had a single headache. I really want off the Lunesta, but unfortunately I’m in this holding pattern because my nervous system is so sensitized that my psychiatrist doesn’t think I should start taking things away from it yet. She thinks tapering while still in WD from another drug is where people get into trouble, but I also feel like I’m going to be waiting a long, long time if that is the standard. ☹️ Any thoughts about the headaches. I feel like I can handle everything else, but these are debilitating at this point. 
Thank you 🙏 

@Brainpuzzler41 it is infuriating...Big Pharma has done a fantastic job keeping the truth hidden.

 

This is a great link to give him considering his background:

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/forum/16-from-journals-and-scientific-sources/

Hopefully it will help him and helping him helps you get the support you need. ❤️🙏

 

2 minutes ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

head pressure or migraines. Terrible pain behind my eyes and it exacerbates my insomnia

The member @BarbX has had similar issues and has done lots of testing, maybe she can help.

I have found using a heating pad on my head and wrapping my head with a scarf to apply a bit of pressure helpful.

4 minutes ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

really want off the Lunesta,

Definitely you want to be more stable and find your withdrawal normal...it doesn't mean symptom free but functional is important.

4 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

This is a great link to give him considering his background:

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/forum/16-from-journals-and-scientific-sources/

Hopefully it will help him and helping him helps you get the support you need. ❤️🙏

Thank you, I will definitely share this with him. 

 

5 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

The member @BarbX has had similar issues and has done lots of testing, maybe she can help.

I have found using a heating pad on my head and wrapping my head with a scarf to apply a bit of pressure helpful.

I would be very grateful if she has tips. At first the migraines were here for about 48 hours, now it is almost constant. Will try your suggestions too. Just got out the heating pad. 

32 minutes ago, Brainpuzzler41 said:

One of the worst physical symptoms I’m still struggling with is all day head pressure or migraines. Terrible pain behind my eyes and it exacerbates my insomnia. Nothing seems to relieve these headaches. I tried Tylenol but seem to react. Do you think this is from WD?

I think it completely plausible it’s wd. I have a lot of head pressure issues. I’ve not taken anything for it. Learned early on it’s best not to. I’ve found when they were really bad a headache hat off Amazon was really good. As they have gotten easier I just use a kinda sweat band. I find just having something on my head relives it a bit. I tried ice and so on but didn’t like that. 
 

@Brainpuzzler41 stopping by to see how you are doing. Sending love. ❤️🙏