Brief background: I had a stroke just over 2 years ago and began 10 mg Lexapro for severe depression about a month after the stroke. After about 5 months of Lexapro (and major life changes…), I talked to my doc about feeling like it wasn’t working well anymore, so he doubled the dosage. I ended up in the hospital. I saw a neurologist in the hospital who transitioned me from Lexapro to 75 mg of Zoloft. That was about 1 1/2 years ago.

Over the past year and 1/2, I have generally been lethargic and have had an extremely difficult time concentrating. I guess the best description is that my mind was muddled. I assumed it was a result of the stroke.

So, I began doing some research on my own and found that about 90% of the symptoms I was experiencing matched up with side effects of Zoloft. I decided it was time for a change so, like a good boy, I talked to my doc about going off the med. Although he was not absolutely against the idea, he advised against it and suggested that the symptoms I was experiencing were a result of the stroke. (I provided him with a list of side effects and the things I was experiencing.)

The bottom line is that I decided to taper off the med anyway, which I have been doing in increments over the past month or so. I got to the point of taking the last of the med about 3 days ago.

The major symptom I’ve experienced has been a “pinging” in my brain, which seems to be associated with vertigo. I’m hopeful that this will end before long. Although I still have bouts of lethargy, the cloudiness in my brain is much better.

I guess the bottom line for me is questioning what role the medical folks play in all of this. To tell you the truth, I’m not too sure about the docs’ understanding of the impact of antidepressants and, at least in my case, don’t seem to be dialed into what I have been experiencing. As I scanned the posts, I noticed one person who was diagnosed with MS and wonder if the doc has even pursued the thought that her experience may a result of the antidepressant.

As I was told, I consulted my doc about discontinuing the med. I was being told not to “self-medicate” or, in my case, not to self un-medicate, but I’m not real sure what the alternative is. Any recommendations are certainly appreciated! The knowledge I have about the side effects of antidepressants and withdrawal (say what you want, but I still call it withdrawal…), not to mention stroke, has come from reading on the Internet. So, if that is “self-medicating”, then so be it.

OK, I’ve vented now. I’m still “in process” but feeling much better, thank you.