Zoloft cold turkey

I want to thank all of you that posted the side effects of quitting cold turkey.  I did the same thing and have gone through the same dizzyness, hot flashed, getting a cold etc.  I'm going to go up to half just feel like I'm gonna fall over.  Been on it for 4 years just wanted to quit and don't want to pay the doctor $$$$.  Best of luck to all of you

"Quitting cold turkey is never a good idea", this is not true, especially since you used the word NEVER. I quit Zoloft cold turkey after 2 years, and after 5 days of no Zoloft I feel great. I have withdrawal effects like slight dizziness, and random fatigue, but my fatigue on Zoloft was horrible CONSTANTLY, I was lucky to get 1 energetic day a week. Now I have energy most of the time, my mood is better, I'm actually thinking more clearly, my sex drive has improved, and I'm losing weight with a better metabolism and more energy to exercise. This all started DAY ONE, GOING COMPLETELY COLD TURKEY. So don't tell me it's "NEVER" a good idea to go cold turkey. Actually, this has really emphasized the difference between who I am on and off Zoloft, it has made a clear distinction and allowed me to make a more confident decision on weather to take Zoloft. So if you ask me, rip the band-aid off (stop the Zoloft), and if you really can't handle it or just don't like having it off, put it back on! (take the Zoloft) There's no reason to be scared of going cold turkey, and if you don't you will NEVER know if it would have been a goo decision for you. So don't listen to anyone who says it's never a good idea, try it and decide for yourself, because many of us got into trouble with this drug because others told us what was good for us.

I'm out of my Zoloft and do not have insurance. It's been almost a week I believe and I'm experiencing dizziness, nausea and pure exhaustion. I'm sure that the nervousness and hand twisting will be next.

I'm on day 7 zoloft cold turkey. I can't focus, my head fricken hurts so bad, and I really need to catch up with my homework. Did anyone else experience sudden horniness? I sound so dumb right now but I've been goig through depression for almost a year now and I hadn't done anything intimately physical with my self ever since. I suddenly had the urge to do something about it when I woke up, fricken crazy :(

To PW, wow that is almost exactly my situation. I was on 50 mg for about 8 months, then got stepped up to 75 but I didn't take them religiously and there were times I'd go 2 days without taking them. Then for some reason I was out, didn't get my scrip refilled and at day 7 thought well this isn't so bad so I may as well quit as the other side effects that we all know and love were not something I was willing to live with if I could deal with no zoloft. Well a few days ago I thought I was getting a cold, then thought it must be stomach flu, then was dizzy, lightheaded, I hear a constant buzzing noise and most odd of all is I keep thinking I see things in my peripheral vision. I actually whirled around in the kitchen last night because I felt like somebody was walking up behind me. I get the "thousand yard stare" also and have been having short term memory loss I mean literally forgetting in 10 seconds what I had just meant to do. If this is something that will abate sooner rather than later, I am willing to suffer through. I want my sex life back and not have to carry a spare pair of pants in my car!

It's been a long time since you posted but I thought I would comment anyway. I am getting the electric shocks and dizziness but I'm with you on the depression and anxiety. I actually feel better. I probably had my most productive day ever at work today and then came home to start cleaning. A positive attitude will go a long way!

All of these horror stories really scared me but I quit cold turkey anyway. I am a 62year old female who has been taking 100 mg. Sertraline for 12 years. I just want you to know that i am perfectly fine - feeling better than when on this drug. Today is day 14 and the only "withdrawal" symptom I had was a dull, constant headache (which may also be because I quit caffeine at the same time) for about 10 days. Nothing else. I am already sleeping better, I actually feel happier and more in control of my life. And my life is not perfect. My husband of 29 years left me 8 months ago. I honestly think he left because of the side effects of taking Sertraline. I am trying to get my life back on track and truly feel that getting off of Sertraline is the best thing I could have done. I'm certainly not recommending this for anyone, but it worked for me.

Congratulations!! Sounds like you are doing so well!! I also quit Zoloft 50 mg. almost cold turkey. Been on it for 3 years. I took 25 mg. for 3 days, then just quit. This is day 7 without and I still feel swoony in the head, or "dizzy", especially in the mornings, yes on the muscle cramping, EXTREME fatigue, and moodiness. I have been crying a lot, just in short bouts if I hear a song that reminds me of something, or see something so beautiful that it moves me to tears! It feels good to feel my old emotions again. I just happen to be extra-sensitive and I am finally ready to accept, respect, and live with that!! I will say though, that irritability, impatience, and anger have been rearing their ugly heads more often than I am used to, ever-so-briefly, but I just chalk it up as within the normal and perfectly healthy range of emotions that we human beings are supposed to feel!!! I feel excited about quitting, and maybe I should have done it slower but I am encouraged by your report. I can't wait to stop feeling bobble-headed, exhausted, and extremely distractible. Here's to hoping you get back to baseline or what's "normal" for you soon! We live in an intense world, it isn't easy, so KUDOS to you for forging on and taking matters into your own hands. Good luck and best wishes.

Yep, me too. I’m day 15 of quitting Zoloft & i’ve been very dizzy, lightheaded, weak, nauseous & sometimes feel like patterns, fast talking/thinking make it worse. I’m still not 100% sure it the lack of meds though as I’ve also been a bit run down. Probably a result of quitting meds! Definitely more stressed, irritable, angry, depressed but I have hope. After 13 years of Zoloft(100mg) & other meds, a tonne of soul searching, self work, counselling, mens groups & psychiatry I hope I have some tools to help me continue drug free. But I must say its dangerous to quit psych meds suddenly without doctors & counsellors support. At least do research before you do anything involving your brain chemistry! I know the risks but I like a gamble with bad odds...!?

Hi everyone, I was taking zoloft for about 4 weeks. first two weeks 25 mg and last two weeks 50 mg. I stopped cold turkey because it was causing me to feel very anemic. When I googled side effects of zoloft I was in fact right. It does cause iron deficiency. Nonetheless the withdrawls have been hell for me. But I find comfort knowing im not alone here. I have the same brain zaps, numbness in my fingers, insomnia, crying spells, feelings of depersonalization and detachment, apathy, along with bouts of anger and depression and suicidal thoughts. I have been off for 1 week and its been a nightmare for me. I want to know if I will ever feel normal again and how much longer itll take for the zoloft to get out of my system before I lose my mind? Im seriously thinking of checking in inpatient just to get through the withdrawls. I need answers because my doctor sux. She told me what im going through is not withdrawls since I was on a low dose and for only 4 weeks. Shes clearly stupid because I have all the symptoms of withdrawls... I need some hope and reassurance. im not permanently damaged am I? How soon till i feel normal? Im new to zoloft and psych meds.

I have quit zoloft cold turkey and on day 11. I am having paranoid thoughts that I will never be well again. I have the sort of depression where I cannot brush my teeth, take a shower or even vacuum the floor. More like chronic fatigue, but I have read that the symptoms overly each each other. Chronic fatigue and depression go along with each other. I have been dealing with chronic fatigue since I was 16 years old. No antidepressant medication has ever worked and I am 62 years old. I have lost jobs, not been able to attend functions and events. Too tired to get out of bed but do not sleep well at night. Life has always been miserable for me. Sometimes I just want the fatigue to go away at any cost meaning considering the thought of suicide.

You must be a doctor:) Thanks for the great advice!

I am afraid to try cold turkey. Side effects like not being able to sleep is the worse. If I had know all these side effects I never would have started.

Wow thanks this was super helpful. I can’t get a Dr to refill fast enough so I am going cold turkey too. Doesn’t sound too fun but bareable. Thanks

Can you get pregnant from not having your medication? I take Zoloft and buspirone and I’m 18 years of age and very scared to have a child right now.