Re: Switching from Zoloft to Lexapro?

May 7, 2006

Dear Gail,

You said:

<< I have been on Zoloft (100 mg) for eight years. I have been a

member of this group for about a month, but I haven't started cutting

down yet because I don't think I am emotionally ready. I am scared

to death because of my horrible previous experiences. I feel like

this is my only hope and if I fail, I'm doomed forever. >>

*** your previous experiences turned out as they did because

you reduced doses that were too large and did so too quickly. By

doing smaller doses and waiting in between decreases to stabilize,

you will be successful.

You said:

<<My doctor mentioned switching to Lexapro. Do you think that would

be easier to get off of than the Zoloft? The only problem is my

doctor wanted me to get off the Zoloft first (she told me it would

only take a month, and when I told her about my withdrawl symptoms

she said she'd never heard of that before). If Lexapro is easier to

taper off of, is it possible to switch straight from Zoloft to

Lexapro without tapering the Zoloft first? >>

** She gets one point for not giving you both drugs at once.

Beyond that, she is as brainwashed and ignorant as 99% of physicians

in this country. Even the drug literature speaks of this problem

though they do underplay it in the literature.

Lexapro is not easier to get off and certainly wouldn't be after

8 years of Zoloft. These drugs are not interchsngeable as most

doctors seem to believe they are.

What you want to do is 5-10% reductions, waiting in between to

feel COMPLETELY stable again, before doing another 5-10% reduction.

This is just the method of withdrawal. It's important to have your

body fortified for the stress of withdrawal and in order to heal from

this. This happens with a clean, whole foods diet, well-chosen

nutrtional supplements, and gentle, non-challenging physical exercise

(unless you are used to intense exercise).

When you are ready to do this, write again, give a 4 day food

diary, a list of supplements you currently take, and some idea of

your physical activity. I'll help you draw up a plan that will work

for you.

Regards,

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