Withdrawal or return of "depressive symptom"?

[dl_ifl]

I am a 26 year old female who has been on some sort of anti-depressant for the past 7 years. From what I can remember, I was put on these medications for panic attacks and because I couldn't sleep well (due to racing thoughts). Back in January I was switched from Zoloft to Paxil because I could no longer afford Zoloft (I have no insurance). About 2 months my doctor decided it would be a good idea to take me off the paxil completely...cold turkey. For the first two months, I actually felt great. I had energy, I wasn't sleeping 12 hours a day, and I wasn't eating a great amount of junk food. In the last 2 months I've actually lost 25lbs.

Although I felt great, I did notice I was beginning to be lightheaded and nauseous more often. I chalked this up to symptoms of migraines, which I also have.

About a week ago however, I noticed that everything got alot worse. I would get alot of anxiety attacks; these are unlike the panic attacks in which i was first prescribed the meds for. My stomach is jittery and anxious and feels like there’s knots in my stomach. I'm often nauseous after I eat. During the last 2 months I have also experienced alot of crying spells, atleast 2-3 a week (thankfully I have not had one real recently). During the past week or two, I've also had instances where I’ve vomited after having eaten. My stomach is also upset, like i have the flu; constant gurgling and the feeling that I might get diarrhea. I have also been having a lot of hot flashes (which might also just be a symptom of the migraines that have been occurring more often). I also have times where it’s hard for me to concentrate; I also have times where its difficult for me to coherently carry on a conversation. My mind just seems so foggy sometimes.

I’ve been to see the dr. twice in the last week. I asked him if this could possibly be withdrawl symptoms..he said no, that because I was taken off them several months ago, I should be feeling better. He said “it sounds like it’s a reoccurrence of depressive symptoms”. He prescribed me 25mg of Zoloft (because that worked well for me the last time I was on it). About 2 days later I became a total wreck, I was jittery and nervous and shaky and could hardly think straight; I had to leave work that day because it was so bad. I went back to the dr. the day after and had my Mother (I still live at home) come with me so that I wouldn’t forget to tell him anything, because of the foggyness. She asked him if this could be withdrawals and he pretty much ignored the question lol. He ended up prescribing me xanax until the Zoloft would kick in.

Now that I’ve told my story, my question is, even though I didn’t show any really bad symptoms until 2 months after going off paxil, could this still be withdrawal? My mother seems to think that this is how I was before I was put on any kind of antidepressants but I know it’s not. I had panic attacks and problems sleeping well, but I never had this feeling like I was going crazy lol. Any input would be great.

[Backtopaxil]

Not sure where you are but sertraline ( Zoloft ) is available as generic.

Anyway, 25 mg is a low dosage and reinstatements can be tricky. Xanax is OK to get you thru the bad moment, but use it wisely and sparingly and not more than say 10 days.

Reinstatements can take up to 8 weeks but there are no guarantees. Best of luck.

[scotty]

Delayed onset of withdrawal is very common, and since these symptoms are different than your original problem, I'll lean towards withdrawal.Everything you talk about happening in the last two months is classic withdrawal. Sadly, most doctors don't recognize it for what it is, and people go on thinking that they need "drugs for life", which rarely is fact.

[Poorlylottie]

Dear dl_ifl, i'm so sorry to hear you're going through all of this. To me it definitely sounds like WD. When I went back to the doctors 1 month, then 2 months then 3 months after I'd stopped the zoloft, each time to a different doctor and told them I knew the problems i was experiencing started after stopping the zoloft none of the doctors believed me and said it wasn't possible that WD lasted more than 2 weeks. The first GP was in her 60's and had had a lot of experience and she said she'd only ever seen problems in individuals if they had CT'd which was certainly not the case with me. So in my experience of this- no medical professional will believe you.
Maybe give it a few month on 25mg of zoloft until you stabilise and then try and taper.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do,
Lottie x

[dl_ifl]

Thanks everyone for your input, it really helped to know that others think this is withdrawal and not just the original problem coming back. I've actually felt pretty good since I first posted. I'm not thrilled that I have to be back on some kind of medication to feel this way, but I'll worry about tapering Zoloft at another time...I'm just so happy to feel good again

[englishannie]

It's withdrawal, dl ifl
I had much the same 'delayed withdrawal onset' thing with Citalopram. Very sensible of you to leave the Zoloft wd for later.
englishannie