I have been on Zoloft for about 5 years, and I still think it is a wonder drug. I have been completely transformed into a different person since I started taking it. And I have achieved things I never thought I could, like moving out on my own, and getting jobs.
Recently I thought I would take myself off the Zoloft and see how I got by without it, and I have been fine, I was taking 50mg a day and I just stopped it cold turkey. I have now been off it for about 2 months and I have had very few side effects. I had some dizziness, nausea and headaches to start with, and I still feel a little dizzy now, but not often. It's not interrupting my life in any way, I can still drive and work.
I credit Zoloft with saving my life and I wouldn't be here without it, all this talk about litigation is absolutely ridiculous, before you started taking any medication you should have informed yourself about the risks and side effects before you took it, not after.
Recently I thought I would take myself off the Zoloft and see how I got by without it, and I have been fine, I was taking 50mg a day and I just stopped it cold turkey. I have now been off it for about 2 months and I have had very few side effects. I had some dizziness, nausea and headaches to start with, and I still feel a little dizzy now, but not often. It's not interrupting my life in any way, I can still drive and work.
I credit Zoloft with saving my life and I wouldn't be here without it, all this talk about litigation is absolutely ridiculous, before you started taking any medication you should have informed yourself about the risks and side effects before you took it, not after.
i've been on 200mg zoloft for almost 3 years, stopped cold-turkey one week ago, i have the "brain zaps" and rapid eye movement, glad to hear that is "normal", hope it goes away soon, emotionally i feel good, zoloft was useful while i used it, but i hope i don't need to depend on any drugs anymore. thanks for the info/support site.
Guest wrote:
That is drug abuse my friend. You are an id**t.
Today was my first time trying zoloft. I got it from a friend and I did 350 mg.
I really hope I don't get withdrawal.
That is drug abuse my friend. You are an id**t.
I was taking this for a month at 50mg/day. Could not get a refill for 2 days, and I was itchy the whole night and felt sick to my stomach and dizzy. I have crohn's and I know that the stomach feeling was odd and not related to my disease. The zoloft helps with remission.
I was on 50mg of Zoloft for 5 years for anxiety and was easily able to taper as follows with minimal symptoms, just the odd brain zap and some agitation. My regime was:
25mg per day for 2 weeks
25mg every second day for 2 weeks
stopped altogether!
Just remember to taper as instructed by your doctor and all should be OK.
Stevie
25mg per day for 2 weeks
25mg every second day for 2 weeks
stopped altogether!
Just remember to taper as instructed by your doctor and all should be OK.
Stevie
I have been telling my doctor for the last 2 years that every 6 months I feel that I could end it all. She said it might be my birth control. I changed and that seemed to help until the 6 month mark. I am trying to get to see another dr. to see if we can fix me. I didnt take my zoloft for 2 days and started feeling wierd. I got on the internet and found I was in withdrawls. I got my meds and took it. I am so scared to come off this stuff because I have a 2 and 3 year old to take care of. My husband is a fire fighter so he is not home for 24 hours at a time. And he is working a partime job too. I have no family here so I have to go at it alone. I am so scared. I will see the new dr. tomorrow. I turly hope she listens. We will see. Thanks for listening.
I had been taking Zoloft (50mg) for situational anxiety since fall 2005. About 4 weeks ago I decided I was tired of taking drugs for the problem and stopped taking it.
I experienced none of the typical withdrawal symptoms. No zaps, no dizziness, etc...
But last week I noticed I was getting VERY irritable, agitated. Feeling very negative towards people & life in general. Flying off the handle at things that would have otherwise been annoying - but not enough to cause a reaction.
I also feel FAR more emotional now that I did before going cold turkey. Like I will tear up at stupid c**p on TV or bawl when I hear a sad song or something stupid like that.
On top of this I think going off has made me GAIN weight. I never gained weight when I got on it. But over the past month I feel pudgier now and clothes are a bit tighter. And since I'm exercising several times a week - this doesn't seem right?
Since I'm in my 4th week of not taking it - does anyone know how much longer I may be uber-agitated, annoyed, emotional and such?
I mean it's not debilitating like some have it - but I feel very unlike the person I was while on Zoloft (and I never had a problem being on it, never had that numbness, lack of personality, no side effects whatsoever - just less anxious).
I'm torn between just going back on it or trying to keep toughing it out. However if this agitation doesnt improve soon, I may be friendless and jobless.
Is it possible to go back on it since I've been off a month and then start a slow taper? Would that mess w/my system in any way?
I experienced none of the typical withdrawal symptoms. No zaps, no dizziness, etc...
But last week I noticed I was getting VERY irritable, agitated. Feeling very negative towards people & life in general. Flying off the handle at things that would have otherwise been annoying - but not enough to cause a reaction.
I also feel FAR more emotional now that I did before going cold turkey. Like I will tear up at stupid c**p on TV or bawl when I hear a sad song or something stupid like that.
On top of this I think going off has made me GAIN weight. I never gained weight when I got on it. But over the past month I feel pudgier now and clothes are a bit tighter. And since I'm exercising several times a week - this doesn't seem right?
Since I'm in my 4th week of not taking it - does anyone know how much longer I may be uber-agitated, annoyed, emotional and such?
I mean it's not debilitating like some have it - but I feel very unlike the person I was while on Zoloft (and I never had a problem being on it, never had that numbness, lack of personality, no side effects whatsoever - just less anxious).
I'm torn between just going back on it or trying to keep toughing it out. However if this agitation doesnt improve soon, I may be friendless and jobless.
Is it possible to go back on it since I've been off a month and then start a slow taper? Would that mess w/my system in any way?
I had been taking 25 to 50 mg for about a year but just decided three days ago to stop. So I did. And I notice my sexual drive has gone through the toilet. I was at a hotel with a lady friend and was totally uninterested in sex, which is extremely odd for me. Is this normal? Has anyone dealt with this? I am assuming this will go away with a bit of time and I'll be back to my normal self. Thanks.
My pharmacy will not refill my zoloft prescription for another two weeks, even though my physician called to authorize. I lost my prescription bottle (along with other belongings) and 30 days have not passed since my last refill. I feel terrible. I didn't know that zoloft was a controlled substance. What can do in the interim to mitigate withdrawal? I already feel sick.
All your dr has to do is call with a different dose size. For example, if you are on 100 mg sized pill now, have your doctor call in 50 mg sized pills. They will refill the px. Your dr should know this.
I know that it's been 2 months since this post was made... but, if you are still checking in on this site, how did it turn out??? I am feeling exactly the same as you describe and want to know if/when it will end. I want to be drug-free, but I also don't want to family, friends, and job. Please let us know how you're doing.
I have been experiencing withdrawal from Zoloft (I was on 100mg for 2 years) for over 3 months now. I tried the cold turkey method before -- and it was not a good idea at all! Very debilitating. Instead, this time, I weened/tapered myself off of the drug slowly but aggressively, and with a real 'can do attitude'. This helped for a while. Into my 4th month of weening, I still have zaps, tiredness, aches, dizziness, nausea, etc. I am down to practically 5 mg a day now and still have almost as bad withdrawal symptoms as I did in the beginning -- except -- the symptoms are fewer and far between. But from one withdrawal sufferer to another, I say please Do Not Give Up Hope. I have had to concede, sadly, that it does take a good while longer than I'd hoped to beat this drug. Even on just 5 mg, it appears that I'm going to be a slave to the withdrawal for at least another 3-4 months probably. But I am beating it. Slowly but surely. Don't give in and don't give up... this is what I keep telling myself. Keep fighting. I find it helps to do things that keep my mood naturally high and naturally positive -- things that keep my mind busy and body active. Things like doing physical work or exercise, getting a massage, taking nature walks, sitting in the sun, reading, doing word puzzles or suduko, having sex, etc, whatever makes you happy! These activities have helped me alleviate the side effects. If it's an especially bad withdrawal day, sometimes I find its just best to sleep it off. If I have to, I rely on caffeine to give me a boost but this is usually followed by an afternoon slump. What seems truly very helpful (and healthy) is to include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids in my diet... avocados, walnuts, salmon. I recommend (and feel much more confident) incorporating natural approaches to the weening-off process. Definitely add omega-3 to your diet. I guarantee you'll feel a difference. XD Good luck.
i have been taking zoloft for around a year, and decided to stop taking it, as it would make me completely exhausted all the time. Even if i got 12 hours of sleep, i would still be utterly exhausted. Ive been off for 4 days and i feel like im going through withdrawal. When i sleep, i get odd sensations in my head, like my brain is rattling around and for moments i seem to completely lose my hearing. I have also had some fairly frightening REM behavior disorder and i find it very hard to concentrate.
When will these symptoms go away? ive heard of zoloft withdrawal lasting several months, and every day withdrawal seems to worsen. I dont want to give up, but i dont know how long i can function like this.
When will these symptoms go away? ive heard of zoloft withdrawal lasting several months, and every day withdrawal seems to worsen. I dont want to give up, but i dont know how long i can function like this.
This happens not only with zoloft but also with every antidepressants .Each antidepressant has its own merits and demerits and effects of them vary from every individual according to their response.
http://www.mydepressionmedication.com/atypical-antidepressants
http://www.mydepressionmedication.com/atypical-antidepressants
I wanted to thank you all for posting your thoughts. I am on my second day of no pills (after two weeks of weaning) and I am suffering through the nausea, zaps and headaches (oh the headaches! Thank goodness for Vicoden). But I am confident that I will be OK, after reading the success posts. Thank you all for being here. I needed to know that there were others like me.