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October 2014 Moms
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Weaning from Anxiety Meds

PC0909PC0909 member
in October 2014 Moms
I was put on Zoloft to help deal with PPD after DS was born.  I accidently weaned once because my script ran out but filled it and was back on within a week.  That week was terrible symptom wise.  Fast forward, I want to be off before DD is born so that she can avoid as much of the withdrawals as possible.  I'm down to 12.5mg daily.  I skipped 2 dosages over the weekend and I'm fairly dizzy again, which makes me nervous with the driving 26 miles to work.  

Is anyone else weaning?  Do you also have withdrawal symptoms?  Any idea how long they last?  (Yes, I'm going to talk to my doc but I wanted some personal experiences if possible)

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Re: Weaning from Anxiety Meds

  • Eastie156Eastie156 member
    Not having experience with Zoloft, I don't understand. If it's safe to take during pregnancy, isn't it safe to take while potentially breastfeeding and/or after your LO is born? Are you doing this with your Dr's approval? I'd assume taking it right now would be safer than getting dizzy while driving at 35 weeks pregnant, IMO.


                                                        [MC 11.20.11] [DS born 9.24.12] [DD born 10.15.14]

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  • Eastie156Eastie156 member
    theresat858 said:
    Not having experience with Zoloft, I don't understand. If it's safe to take during pregnancy, isn't it safe to take while potentially breastfeeding and/or after your LO is born? Are you doing this with your Dr's approval? I'd assume taking it right now would be safer than getting dizzy while driving at 35 weeks pregnant, IMO.
    Zoloft is one of the safest ppd meds for both pregnancy and breastfeeding.
    That's what I was thinking... I don't understand the "weaning" mentality, especially if it's going to cause dizziness while driving.. ?


                                                        [MC 11.20.11] [DS born 9.24.12] [DD born 10.15.14]

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  • SlapdashaliceSlapdashalice member
    I'm assuming that the "weaning" is so that the baby isn't quitting the meds cold turkey when they are born and no longer sharing the mother's blood supply?  I am no expert though.  
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  • golfingdarwinfishgolfingdarwinfish member
    edited September 2014
    You should discuss the weaning process with your psychiatrist.  Mine usually switches to low dose prozac for weaning, but that's when the patient is not pregnant - not sure how he does it in pregnancy.

      Also, if there's a chance of repeat PPD, you and your medical team should discuss the risk-benefit profile of you discontinuing use this late in your pregnancy.  It may not be wise to discontinue so close to LO's arrival as the hormonal changes from the lack of medication and normal hormonal changes w/birth may compound and leave you doubly uncomfortable emotionally.
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  • Jennyc00Jennyc00 member
    I switched to Zoloft after my first ob appt for anxiety. Took it for a few months then wanted to stop. I took one every other day for maybe a week then quit cold turkey the next week. The next week sucked but I was manageable. I felt really really dizzy for about three days, and brain "zaps." The next week I felt sluggish, no dizziness and then the following week I was back to my "normal" self and my stress palpitations returned but not as bad as expected. I've spent the months since then getting very easily weepy if I get upset. Oh well! Life goes on :) good luck to you. I'm going to try to stay off meds from now on. The side effects aren't worth it.
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  • PC0909PC0909 member
    My doc gave me the schedule and time frame for weaning so she is well aware. It's been our game plan since I got the BFP to start weaning in the 3rd trimester. My goal is to get off of it before delivery because I don't want to baby to go through withdrawals, especially if I don't end up bfing.   Also, if the PPD does come back (which I fully expect) I'd like to try a mental health professional instead of just jumping on meds and dealing with the side effects.

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  • PC0909PC0909 member
    More background.  I was taking 25mg a day, then dropped to 12.5 (half a pill) every day at the beginning of 3rd tri.  I'm going into the every other day stage right now so that by 37 I can be off it.  Maybe not the best plan, but that was what my OB (who prescribed the meds) suggested.

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  • MrsSarahReneeMrsSarahRenee member
    PC0909 said:

    More background.  I was taking 25mg a day, then dropped to 12.5 (half a pill) every day at the beginning of 3rd tri.  I'm going into the every other day stage right now so that by 37 I can be off it.  Maybe not the best plan, but that was what my OB (who prescribed the meds) suggested.

    I would probably talk to my psychologist before my OB because they are the ones who are more specifically trained in prescribing this type of drug. They would be able to give you better advice/help deal with side effects of weaning.
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  • MuffinMom14MuffinMom14 member
    Jennyc00 said:
    I switched to Zoloft after my first ob appt for anxiety. Took it for a few months then wanted to stop. I took one every other day for maybe a week then quit cold turkey the next week. The next week sucked but I was manageable. I felt really really dizzy for about three days, and brain "zaps." The next week I felt sluggish, no dizziness and then the following week I was back to my "normal" self and my stress palpitations returned but not as bad as expected. I've spent the months since then getting very easily weepy if I get upset. Oh well! Life goes on :) good luck to you. I'm going to try to stay off meds from now on. The side effects aren't worth it.
    I don't think you (or anyone) would mean it this way, but the bolded is very dismissive. Depression varies for everyone, and it's not just "oh well! Life goes on :)" for everyone. The side effects are VERY worth it for someone who may hurt themselves or their baby.
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