I was up to 125mg of Zoloft last October when my dad died, then about March I started tapering 25mg every month. I ended up on 6.5mg, cutting the 25mg four times.
I have been off for two weeks with just minor head zaps and fatigue. I STRONGLY suggest that you taper every month, NOT every week or two weeks.
I also upped my Omega 3 fish oil to 4000mgs per day. I know it sounds like a lot, but I feel that it really helped.
I also take magnesium, 200 mgs three times a day, and Passion Flower extract drops, three dropperfuls in a cup of decaffeinated tea before bed.
Push through the withdrawal effects, it is so much better being off of this POISON. The side effects of Zoloft are too many to mention. I hated the weight gain, zombie feeling, intense dreams, fatigue, to name the worst. Withdrawal is so much better than the Zoloft side effects while on it.
I wish you the best of luck.
Also try www.theroadback.org, and order the Body Calm and Body Calm Supreme. I take three capsules of the Body Calm through out the day, and three Body Calm Supreme before bed.
It is all natural, and I feel that it really helped. I started taking it a few months before I started weaning.
Good luck to you all.
I have been off for two weeks with just minor head zaps and fatigue. I STRONGLY suggest that you taper every month, NOT every week or two weeks.
I also upped my Omega 3 fish oil to 4000mgs per day. I know it sounds like a lot, but I feel that it really helped.
I also take magnesium, 200 mgs three times a day, and Passion Flower extract drops, three dropperfuls in a cup of decaffeinated tea before bed.
Push through the withdrawal effects, it is so much better being off of this POISON. The side effects of Zoloft are too many to mention. I hated the weight gain, zombie feeling, intense dreams, fatigue, to name the worst. Withdrawal is so much better than the Zoloft side effects while on it.
I wish you the best of luck.
Also try www.theroadback.org, and order the Body Calm and Body Calm Supreme. I take three capsules of the Body Calm through out the day, and three Body Calm Supreme before bed.
It is all natural, and I feel that it really helped. I started taking it a few months before I started weaning.
Good luck to you all.
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I have been taking 100 mg of Zoloft for almost 2 years now. I weaned myself down to 50 mg/day for a couple of weeks & today is day 7 without any at all. I feel so weird and I'm comforted to know that the withdrawal symptoms are typical, but nonetheless can barely tolerate the flu-like symptoms. Brain-zap is an appropriate description. My eyes are what bother me the most, though. I constantly feel like I've just stepped off of a tilt-a-whirl. I can't turn my head or my eyeballs very fast or I get these tracer-like feelings. I'm going to try some herbal stuff to see if that helps. I'm so desperate to feel better that I'm tempted to go back onto the stuff, but then I'll never get off of it!
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Hi...I too was on Zoloft for about 2 years after my father died. I started on 25 and gradually went to 100mg. I had all the unpleasant side effects every time I increased my dosage and had no idea that's what it was. Those did pass after a couple weeks. Coming off is a process. We have to use common sense. What worked for me was shaving some of my pill, maybe 10mg at a time, for a week at a time. It took 6 months to completely come off and I still had withdrawal.....but, I expected it and because it was so gradual it was endurable. You have to be realistic. We are/were on this drug for a reason. it's been about 4 months completely off and I am emotional. Why? Because zolft numbs you...that's what it does. when you are no longer on it, you have emotions. There is hope...I feel better. I still very occassionally have very slight zaps, sometime stomach problems, but they are better. Give it time and be patient....
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hey I have been on 25mg of Zoloft for almost 2 weeks now for situational anxiety, its worked reasonably well but reading all this has made me really wanna stop now especially hearing about the brain zaps and hallucinations, I dont ever wanna deal with that. Do you think Ill have to deal with these symptoms at 25 mg and 2 weeks? Also does anyone know of any other medications that might work for situational anxiety? I hear prozac has less pronounced side effects and I've heard of no brainzap problems. I really wish there was something I could just take for when I had to go into these situations (going into crowds, tall buildings). I've got a concert coming up in a few weeks that I feel like I wont be able to get through without being on some kind of meds but I dont know if I want to be on Meds just for that. Anyone have any advice?
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Hi there, mrindecisive...
25mg of Zoloft is a pretty low dose. The typical dosing begins at 50mg. When weening off Zoloft on 50mg when I was in my 20s (about 10 yrs ago), I had no withdrawal. At 150mg, it was a very different story.
For situational anxiety... Did your doctor talk about a benzo, such as Xanax or Ativan? These meds are short-term solution. They do not have to be in your system long before they work. They can, however, be a bit sedating, depending on dosage.
Also, give body-centered psychotherapy, or mindfulness therapy, a shot. It saved my life. I'm no longer on meds because of it :-)
Best of luck to you.
25mg of Zoloft is a pretty low dose. The typical dosing begins at 50mg. When weening off Zoloft on 50mg when I was in my 20s (about 10 yrs ago), I had no withdrawal. At 150mg, it was a very different story.
For situational anxiety... Did your doctor talk about a benzo, such as Xanax or Ativan? These meds are short-term solution. They do not have to be in your system long before they work. They can, however, be a bit sedating, depending on dosage.
Also, give body-centered psychotherapy, or mindfulness therapy, a shot. It saved my life. I'm no longer on meds because of it :-)
Best of luck to you.
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I have been on about 25 to 50 mg of Zoloft for GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), and for an evil psychotropic horrific drug (i'm not being sarcastic, I really am against them), it worked damned well at killing the panic attacks.
I am currently 5 days into completely being off of them after tapering off on the doctor's schedule, and I am having the "zaps" as some of you call them, this twitchiness behind the eyes that seemed like a neurological thing, moodiness, nausea, dizziness, a quick "whoosh" of darkness here and there, and couple other things here and there. When I went on in June 2007, I had similar effects and an inexplicable rage.
I don't know. I guess the moral in any drug story is that they should only be used when absolutely necessary for function. Sometimes just taking them as a quick and dirty pick-me-up instead of long hours of counseling or diet boost or lifestyle changes is not the best idea. And the scientists that developed these SSRIs knew these drawbacks would occur, but for some people the benefits do outweigh the risks. And of course, the drug companies DO NOT CARE about you. They are heartless CORPORATE entities. So just don't be mislead, and seriously consider beforehand whether or not it is absolutely necessary you go on the drug, how long it is actually necessary, and most importantly what other alternatives and support systems you have.
I am currently 5 days into completely being off of them after tapering off on the doctor's schedule, and I am having the "zaps" as some of you call them, this twitchiness behind the eyes that seemed like a neurological thing, moodiness, nausea, dizziness, a quick "whoosh" of darkness here and there, and couple other things here and there. When I went on in June 2007, I had similar effects and an inexplicable rage.
I don't know. I guess the moral in any drug story is that they should only be used when absolutely necessary for function. Sometimes just taking them as a quick and dirty pick-me-up instead of long hours of counseling or diet boost or lifestyle changes is not the best idea. And the scientists that developed these SSRIs knew these drawbacks would occur, but for some people the benefits do outweigh the risks. And of course, the drug companies DO NOT CARE about you. They are heartless CORPORATE entities. So just don't be mislead, and seriously consider beforehand whether or not it is absolutely necessary you go on the drug, how long it is actually necessary, and most importantly what other alternatives and support systems you have.
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geesh sounds like me. I just started 25mg zoloft a couple of days ago, hasnt really felt too different. Alittle brain thing tonight ugh...I havent wanted to be on anything..now rethinking this. I do take as situations come up with panic./anxiety...clonzapam or diazapam...with sucess. Man, I do not want to have to "get off" this stuff and have symptoms worse than the original ones...ugh
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I've used a few SSRIs over about 3 years and withdrawal is not nice, (currently withdrawing from Zoloft 100mg for 4 months.) So far I've had headaches, mood swings and agitation, anxiety, depression , nightmares, electric shocks while drifting off to sleep, etc...
My answer to the problem is "what makes you depressed?"
Good Nutrition will help the body adjust to the chemical change you are making in the body which is programmed to be healthy in DNA.
but if the drug is withdrawn suddenly a huge imbalance occurs..
So reduce your drug use gently :) over a period of weeks or months or whatever is suited to you but never abruptly unless prescribed by a doctor and you know how to navigate that rough road well..
Nutrition steps in to make the body healthy and creates the body's own chemical balance, so...
I recommend using a pure protein powder and slow release multi vitamin as an addition to a healthy diet, while tappering off a drug.
IWP (Isolated Whey Protien) is a pure form protein and is rapidly absorbed into the body to produce all the natural hormones and chemicals your body needs. WPI is absorbed faster than normal protein found in foods, but protein in milk , eggs etc.. is still usable protein :)
Regular gentle excercise is a big factor of making your body healthier too, it relieves stress and strengthens the body to achieve more thus reducing stress more and more, it also helps you sleep better too.
I think a few Therapies could and will help you too.
I got a lot out of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) but other therapies work to, try a few to see what suits your needs...
I use Blackmores slow release 8 hour multi but any good vitamin slow release will help.
My theory is to give the body what it needs to speed recovery, generally processed foods are not very healthy, I have taken vitamins for 20 years and I'm 40 but look 25 I've also been juicing vegetables (mainly carrots) for 13 years so I can attest to the health preserving effects of good healthy diet.
if all else fails try again.
My answer to the problem is "what makes you depressed?"
Good Nutrition will help the body adjust to the chemical change you are making in the body which is programmed to be healthy in DNA.
but if the drug is withdrawn suddenly a huge imbalance occurs..
So reduce your drug use gently :) over a period of weeks or months or whatever is suited to you but never abruptly unless prescribed by a doctor and you know how to navigate that rough road well..
Nutrition steps in to make the body healthy and creates the body's own chemical balance, so...
I recommend using a pure protein powder and slow release multi vitamin as an addition to a healthy diet, while tappering off a drug.
IWP (Isolated Whey Protien) is a pure form protein and is rapidly absorbed into the body to produce all the natural hormones and chemicals your body needs. WPI is absorbed faster than normal protein found in foods, but protein in milk , eggs etc.. is still usable protein :)
Regular gentle excercise is a big factor of making your body healthier too, it relieves stress and strengthens the body to achieve more thus reducing stress more and more, it also helps you sleep better too.
I think a few Therapies could and will help you too.
I got a lot out of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) but other therapies work to, try a few to see what suits your needs...
I use Blackmores slow release 8 hour multi but any good vitamin slow release will help.
My theory is to give the body what it needs to speed recovery, generally processed foods are not very healthy, I have taken vitamins for 20 years and I'm 40 but look 25 I've also been juicing vegetables (mainly carrots) for 13 years so I can attest to the health preserving effects of good healthy diet.
if all else fails try again.
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What the doctors tell you and what really happens can be two entirely different things. I had been on zoloft for 10 years, I had tried to go off several times and the symptoms were intolerable. Last year I began (with drs supervision) reducing the dose from 100mg to 75 mg for three months, then 50 mgs for three months then 25 mg for 3 months. I went totally off the drug the first of June and it has been hell ever since, brain shivers, shakes, vomiting, nausua like you can't believe and insomnia. Over the past two months I have my good days and bad days and I am still trying to fight through this. I wish I would have been told before I started this drug what it could be like trying to get off of it. I was put on the drug to relieve anxiety, well, things are worse now than ever. If anyone has any ideas to help myself and others through this (nonprescription of course) I would greatly appreciate them.
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I'm so relieved that I came across your post. I too have been on zoloft for ten years and I started last month to go off it. I was on 100 mg/ day and went down to 75 for two weeks and then down to 50 for two weeks and then down to 25 for two weeks and next step is stopping. I too have some days that good and others that are bad. I'm going off the drug under my dr's supervision and I'm currently attending therapy. My withdrawal symptoms are horrible. Some days I can't even leave the house. I have awful headaches, nightmares, light headedness, irritability, aggression, and weight gain. I wish I had researched this drug ten years ago because I never could of imagined that taking such a popular drug treatment would cause this much pain to go off of.
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I appreciate all the stories here. I am one week into weaning off 50mg. Sometimes I'm dizzy. Other times, I'm a little less dizzy. I wouldn't say I'm moody.... I have no mood at all.
I went on Zoloft after I separated from my partner shortly after my son was born. I had major separation anxiety from the baby and wanted to drive over a cliff a lot of the time when he wasn't with me. Now that our custody arrangements have been settled a year later, I'm am trying to go off the Zoloft.
I gained a lot of understanding reading about withdrawal symptoms here. I have many of them too, and while I'm glad I'm not alone, I feel bad for those of us suffering. It's hard for our loved ones to understand what it is we are actually going through.
I also notice there are a lot more questions posted than answers. I hope we all remember to stop back in and post our success stories so it gives others some hope. I, for one, will never, EVER, allow someone to talk me into dosing myself with a mind-altering drug again, though I am grateful for it getting me through one of the roughest times of my life when I needed to appear regularly before the court and be the calm, reasonable person I normally am.
I am worried about the long-term effects of this drug after being off it, and would like to hear from anyone who thinks maybe they have permanent damage. There should be more dialog about the limits of this drug (timewise and need-based) as well as how to properly manage the withdrawal.
We've suffered enough!!
I went on Zoloft after I separated from my partner shortly after my son was born. I had major separation anxiety from the baby and wanted to drive over a cliff a lot of the time when he wasn't with me. Now that our custody arrangements have been settled a year later, I'm am trying to go off the Zoloft.
I gained a lot of understanding reading about withdrawal symptoms here. I have many of them too, and while I'm glad I'm not alone, I feel bad for those of us suffering. It's hard for our loved ones to understand what it is we are actually going through.
I also notice there are a lot more questions posted than answers. I hope we all remember to stop back in and post our success stories so it gives others some hope. I, for one, will never, EVER, allow someone to talk me into dosing myself with a mind-altering drug again, though I am grateful for it getting me through one of the roughest times of my life when I needed to appear regularly before the court and be the calm, reasonable person I normally am.
I am worried about the long-term effects of this drug after being off it, and would like to hear from anyone who thinks maybe they have permanent damage. There should be more dialog about the limits of this drug (timewise and need-based) as well as how to properly manage the withdrawal.
We've suffered enough!!
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I took 12.5mg's per day of zoloft for 4 days, and I'm having pretty bad withdrawals. I'm getting dizzy to the point where I have a lot of trouble walking straight. I don't know what to do...I definitely don't want to try the drug again, as then I'll eventually have withdrawals again, but it's getting hard to hide the fact that I can't walk straight at work.
I wish I had never given this terrible drug a chance. I stopped taking it because I'm working 72 hour weeks right now, and I won't have chance to get a new prescription before I'm done with the crazy work week, and I didn't want to run out halfway through. It's probably a good thing I did.
I'll call my psychiatrist tomorrow and let you guys know what she says, but she's a pill-pusher so she probably won't have much to say.
I wish I had never given this terrible drug a chance. I stopped taking it because I'm working 72 hour weeks right now, and I won't have chance to get a new prescription before I'm done with the crazy work week, and I didn't want to run out halfway through. It's probably a good thing I did.
I'll call my psychiatrist tomorrow and let you guys know what she says, but she's a pill-pusher so she probably won't have much to say.
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I have been on 100mg of zoloft for over 10 years and am sick of it! The reason I started was situational - a divorce - and I am so over that! However, it becomes a habit, because if you miss a couple of days, the dizziness, vertigo symptons start up and you get right back on it to alleviate those! However, I took my last pill yesterday - or half a pill as I've been weaning myself off. I am fully expecting a couple of hellish weeks ahead and I may start on St. Johns Wart tosee if that helps a little. Not looking forward to these withdrawals at all, especially with a 7 year old son, but it has to be done. Enough is enough with these drugs! If you have gone through the withdrawals and come out the other side, please let me know so I that I have hope that it will pass and I will be okay!
Thank you
Thank you
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After being on Zoloft for over 10 years, I decided to stop taking it. I was always told the drug was 'not addictive', but how can something that is not addictive cause such withdrawals? During the time I took it, there were times when I would forget to take several doses (mostly over the weekends) and usually by the 3rd missed dose, I would start having the "zaps" that I have been reading about. I have now been off the drug for approx. 1 month after stopping 'cold turkey' and am still experiencing the 'zaps', as well as depression, extreme moodiness, etc. I hope this is not everlasting. Because I have chosen holistic approaches from this point forward, I hope I will never have to entertain the thought of going on any type of mood/mind-altering drug ever again.
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I have been on 100 mg. of Zoloft for four years. I was beginning menopause and then lost my sister and was suffering with depression. How I wish I knew that was better than the suffering I am having now with withdrawal from the "wicked" drug! I slowly tapered off from 100 to 50 to 25 then half of the 15mg. I did this over a two and a half month time frame. I have been completely off now for a week and the withdrawal is horrible. I have a constant ringing in my ears, constant nausea, cannot sleep, night sweats, the "zapping" as others have described, and when I turn my head it feels like I am in slow motion and that my eyes "catch up" seconds later. This is accompanied by a "whooshing" sound and dizziness. I am a nurse and I am really struggling to work. I feel like crying all the time, and my head aches as well. I really want to know if there is something natural that I can take to ease this. I never want to be on Zoloft again! If my MD had told me that this would happen, I absolutely never would have taken it.
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