I went to the Dr. for a change in meds because of side effects on Tramodol, nothing serious just muscle pain. And OMG after only three doses of Zoloft I started having these panic attacks, nevousness and feel awful. I can not even get to sleep at night. I went back to the Tramodol, but the awful feelings are still present. Depression is also back. I will never do that again. How do I get back to where I was? Please help someone.
How long does it take to get Zoloft out of your system?
Question posted by DeNeese on 7 Oct 2010
Last updated on 8 December 2012 by notcrazy_psychotic
Added 7 Oct 2010:
Well you can tell the stupid Zoloft is working on my brain. I take Trazodone for depression not Tramodol.
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7 Answers
notcrazy_psychotic
8 Dec 2012
I was on 50 mg when they took me off and I started having withdrawal only a few days after they cut my dosage in half. After that, I had withdrawal for about a week after being completely off. The process was about a week to get off. Just an idea, taking Zoloft at different times of day effects your sleep if you do not already know this. My medication times changed from 6 am to 8 pm to 3 pm and back to 6 am for the rest of the time I was on it to help with my insomnia. The dreams I had on this medication were terrible though. Hope I helped at least a little!
Deadman1st
15 Jan 2012
I am wondering why the F.D.A. is allowing these dangerous drugs like Zoloft and a certain drug class known as E.S.A.'s like one that was given me, on the market. We only hear from those who haven't died from these drugs.
Why are not doctors held accountable when a patient dies from a drug he or she has prescribed?
Why are drug companies not charged with accessory when one dies from their product?
Is your county coroner aware of the death rate of these drugs and are they speaking out on our behalf?
And how about the other side effects that debilitate a patient so much they cannot support their family as before?
There is a doctor acting with impunity in my area (Orange County CA). When I went to his E-room I saw scared people with lost yet trusting looks on their faces not realizing they were being abused medically speaking. I know because I was one several times before I figured it out. I reported this to the California Medical Board and found them to be a toothless tiger.
When one speaks alone one is not heard - I have found.
neison71
12 Oct 2010
DeNeese, You are in a difficult position. For one thing, tramadol is NOT an antidepressant. And when mixed with the zoloft serious and sometimes dangerous side effects can occur... what you're describing sounds like the beginning of some of these effects (called serontin syndrome). Next, tramadol should never be abrubtly discontinued, and I'm amazed that what you describe doesn't sound like withdrawal from tramadol (although the "feel awful") part could be. Tramadol withdrawal sets in in a matter of hours. You need to get back to the Dr. Did you ask for an anti-depressant? Antoher effect of concommitant use of tramadol and anti-depressants is increased anxiety, suicidal ideation, worsening depression. It really good that you recognized zoloft was not for you so quickly.
Also, tramadol decreases the seizure threshold... in other words, makes it more likely that you could have a seizure while taking it. Since you haven't mentioned seizure activity as a problem that's all I'll say about that.
Tramadol is a highly addictive, opioid mimicking drug, used for moderate to severe pain, and withdrawal from it can be quite horrible, like withdrawing from morphine (I know all about that). But you're right on about the zoloft. Let the Doc know.
One more thing. Zoloft and tramadol both have a half life (they linger in the liver), and it may take a few more days to lose the effects. Drink as much water as you can, and as stated below, stay as active as you can. Both will help flush the drug out of your system faster.
DeNeese
12 Oct 2010
I have not taken any tramodol for quite some time. Only for tooth pain during the time I was waiting for the antibiotic to take effect. I was mistaken in the name of the antidepressant I take and that was working. I was having stuffy nose and muslce pain from it. If those are the only two side effects I have to deal with I will be okay and just need time to get the Zoloft out of my system. I don't know how to correct my mistake as i am new to this site. I have been sensitive to all of the SSRI's. 10mg of Prozac worked to lift me out of the deep dark hole. But soon became a nightmare as far as sleep. Seroquel was added. I changed when my insurance plan did because of the cost. Doxepine worked but soon gave me the restless legs. This is why I asked for another change to the Trazodone. I am not addicted to Tramodol or any other drug. I don't even drink that much. Once in a while socialy is all. I have been doing the flush thing and it is helping some.
The Trazodone will be able to work better then and get me back to where I was. Thanks for your answer. I am sorry I confused you and everyone else. My mind was not working properly when I posted the question.
neison71
13 Oct 2010
From neison71 re: above comments. DeNeese, I was basing what I said based on the idea of taking TRAMADOL and not trazodone. New ballgame with this new info!! Obviously, zoloft is not for you. Plus, all anti-depressants have a period of time of withdrawal when you abrubtly stop taking them. Ive often wondered why Drs. just discontinue one antidepressant, especially after long term treatment and switch to another (Unless they have VERY similar properties). I'm wondering why he didn't taper down your dose of trazodone BUT here's a clue. Both drugs are in a class called 'serontin reuptake inhibitors'.
When he changed you from trazodone to zoloft, you still had a certain amount of trazodone in your liver, and would have for days. To add zoloft to that and thus having two serontin uptake inhibitors in your system at the same time could WELL expain your reaction. Can you ask him about tapering off trazodone before beginning zoloft? Zoloft is really an excellent anti-depressant. However, if you're fearful of that reaction again, I would understand not wanting to give it a shot.
I feel the best thing to do, is talk to him about slowly decreasing the trazodone before beginning zoloft or any other serontin reuptake inhibitor.
I don't know if any of this helped AT ALL, but I hope it did ( :
neison71
neison71
14 Oct 2010
DeNeese,
You'rfe not alone in being confused!!! I seemed to have forgotten your reaction to zoloft when I posted my last comment. Of course I wouldn't take another dose of zoloft if I were you.
To Correct the misunderstanding re: tramadol, simply put a new post or check to see if you can edit your initial comment. Good Luck!
( :
neison71
DeNeese
14 Oct 2010
Thank you neilson, I can't find how to edit it out but did add that i was confussed and put tramodol by mistake. My mind is coming back now, it was gone on the Zoloft. Gone off to that place that is so scarey, forgetfulness, fear, worry over everything. I hadn't been so parinoid since I was a teen smoking pot at school in the smoling area and watching the principal walk through the crowd trying to figure out where the smell was coming from. LOL
neison71
15 Oct 2010
DeNeese, Oh those days of paranoia with grass... so glad they're long gone (at least for me). I'm sooo glad you're feeling better.
Take care,
( :
neison
DeNeese
16 Oct 2010
LOL Me too neison, gave it up years ago when I began work with the state and they began drug testing.
neison71
16 Oct 2010
DeNeese, A few thoughts. Have you had 'restless leg syndrome' at other times besides the episode with prozac? If you have, Requip (I believe generic name is ropinerole), is tremendously effective for relief of it. I've had RLS for many years and when requip was found to help that disorder, I truly believed it was a miricle, so I know why you would want to avoid restless legs at all costs. Is it possible that if you talked to your Dr. and went back to prozac, with requip added for the RLS it may help with the terrible depression you're having, if prozac was beginning to help.
Next, I've experienced the same sort of reaction (severe restless legs) with geodon... it was horrible, so I can see why you'd avoid zoloft with a 10 ft. pole.
But, finally, I'm REALLY concerned about the 'awful feelings' you have in addition to the depression. We're friends and could communicate privately, would you mind elaborating on those feelings? And if you don't feel privately is necessary, I'm sure there's plenty of people here who may have valuable input into the "horrible feeling" part of your problem... it could be that you need a med in addition to your trazodone, or with RLS handlled, prozac or whatever med you end up on.
There's a few people here who have extensive mental health experience, 'psyched' is one of them... many, many years ( I believe 10) of experience, and one lady with 28 years.
Anyhow, I hope some of this helps, I hate to think you're stuck with the depression on trazodone if it was no longer effective enough.
( :
neison
Inactive
8 Oct 2010
Hi DeNeeses, Here's my two cents... for what it's worth, if anything. I believe that once one experiences a new or unfamiliar feeling, it's very difficult to avoid feeling it again. Switching or removing meds usually makes a difference, but once you have an understanding that you are capable of feeling a particular way, it's quite hard to forget that feeling completely. When I first experienced this panic, I was absolutely terrified that it would happen again. I gave it too much attention and that made it much worse. Try to think of it as just another emotion you've felt, and that you have the power to regulate it. Also, try to relax and control your breathing when you feel apprehensive. Maybe sit down for a moment, and remember that you have ultimate control over yourself and your emotions. It might be a good idea to find a qualified hypnotist or yoga class in your area. Learning relaxation techniques can help you feel empowered.
I'm sure the intelligent and caring members of this site who regularly give answers to these questions will give you much more excellent advice than I ever could. Best of luck, keemo7
DeNeese
8 Oct 2010
Thank you for your two cents. This is so helpful talking with others whom are going through the many things we all do. I worked at a State Hospital for 28yrs and had some of my advice come from my patients. While Dr.'s are the experts, often times they have never actualy been where we are. It is true once you have a new symptom you focus too much on it and dwell on it. So much so it makes it worse. I once thanked a Dr. for treating me and getting me through a bad time. He told me he had nothing to do it and that he only gave me the tools, it was you that did the work and I never forgot what he said. I have the power, and will work though this some way. Drugs are a way of life I must except, side effects go along with them. I need to except the fact that they are going to be there and focus on living life around them.
Inactive
9 Oct 2010
It sounds like you had a good doctor there. Though they may be experts, I believe that many doctors forget they are dealing with human emotions and feelings rather than organic material. I've been to doctors who act like very talented mechanics. Sadly, many seem to forget the "human factor". I walked out of one appointment in tears because, though he appeared to be a very skilled technician, he could not relate to my "feelings". This just made me feel even worse than I did when I walked in the door. Anyway, how are you feeling today? Any better yet?! keemo7
DeNeese
11 Oct 2010
Hi Keemo, things are much better. I am still having the jitters, panick episodes and all due to the Zoloft I believe. This may take a while. I pulled myself up by the boot straps for the weekend and went out with friends to a party. I had a little too much to drink and danced the night away. But it chased away those dull droms of the Zoloft being in my system. I had to add carisoprodol to my nightly meds of Trazodone to help shut down the jitters and my put my mind to rest. The rambleiing on and on worries that just won't leave are still present, mostly at the time I need to relax and go to sleep. I did discover with the wine it shuts it down without a muscle relaxer. I know wine is a depressant. And I am no drinker. Two small glasses and I am able to relax. Would you think this is harmful?
Inactive
11 Oct 2010
Hi again DeNeese, I'm glad you had some fun and are feeling better. It's really amazing how much your state-of-mind can help. It's funny that you mentioned the wine thing. I've been having a glass in the evening for several months, and it does seem to calm me down. I guess it's like everything, you just don't want to go overboard. I'm 53, so at this age a daily glass of wine is not going to worry me too much. As they say, all things in moderation. The older you get, the more those old sayings seem to be true. It sounds like you're feeling a bit better, so hopefully things will continue in a positive direction. Take care DeNeese, keemo7
Inactive
7 Oct 2010
I am truly sorry your depression is back, you must not let it defeat you, keep yourself busy at all times, I know it is hard, I have been there myself many times, I am 42 male manic depressive and suffer from other conditions as well, I am undergoing the opposite of you... entering a manic or euphoric stage, which is being treated as we speak.
My personal opinion for you to get back to where you were is to repeat the initial steps of the course of treatment you intially took, although I believe this time it will take a bit longer , due to that you already have adcquired tolerance to the original medications you started your treatment with. Of course all this has to be done under medical supervision, to obtain the best results possible. And going back on the medications again, from my personal experience you have to start all over , from low doses, and with time increasing them to get you the point of equilibrium which you had before.
Zoloft will remain in your system between 7 to 10 days.
Do take care.
DeNeese
8 Oct 2010
Thank you, it seems I am very sensitive to these types of meds. Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro. If and we all do, I have to deal with side effects from these drugs I would rather have sore muscles and a stuffy nose from the Trazodone. Which is why after only 4 months on this med I went back to the Dr. for a change. I seem to be running out of options. The ones that sedate seem to work best. Elavil worked for 10 yrs, then the restless legs led to me seek something else. I had stopped taking it and my doctor refused to treat me when he saw me so bad off with depression. I wound up in a State Hospital. A place I had worked myself all of my life. None of which helped. I got out and went to another Primary Care Dr. and finaly came out of the fog on Prozac 10 mg. It worked so well, but then it got to the point where I could not sleep. Then went on to get seroquel to sleep.
It seems to be a non ending cycle. I have had the manic episodes during treatment on some of the meds, it is far worse than just the depression. I did some pretty crazy stuff got lost going to work, went muddin one morning on my way to work. Arrived 2 hrs early to my shift covered in mud and out of my mind. So I know a bit of what you are going through. I am 51 now and have retired from that job of 28 yrs. Working with the crazzies and then joining them was a hoot. I still have that zest for life buried inside me somewhere. It is amazing how a few pills can throw you for such a loop. I wish you well in your treatment.
christineATU
7 Oct 2010
Hi DeNeese. The info below are serious side effects of Zoloft. Did you tell your doc you quit taking them? It shouldn't be too long until the meds are out of your system. You may be having a reaction to taking tramadol too soon after quitting the zoloft. Tramadol was one of the meds listed you should tell your doc about before starting zoloft. I will check to see if maybe there is an interaction. Hope you feel better soon.
"Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself".
christineATU
7 Oct 2010
I also found this info on tramadol. Did you gradually decrease dosages before you started zoloft? If you quit trams cold turkey, you risk seizures and possible withdrawal effects. Please let your doc know how you're feeling. Be safe.
"Do not stop taking tramadol without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This may help prevent a possible worsening of your condition and reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, diarrhea, headache, nausea, shivering, sweating, tremors, or trouble with sleeping".
Read more: https://www.drugs.com/cons/tramadol.html#ixzz11gTE9ugv
DeNeese
7 Oct 2010
Thanks Christine. Zoloft has me so messed up I meant Trazodone. Which I take for deppression.
christineATU
7 Oct 2010
Oh, I see. Well I sure hope you feel better soon.
dmlady
7 Oct 2010
with the half life of the med your looking at approximatley 22 hrs hrs. for just 1 pill though. taking them on a regular basis it could take months
hope this helped
have a pain free day'
dm
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zoloft, pain, panic disorder, muscle pain, tramadol, side effect
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