Hi everyone. I'm a 40 yr old diabetic male who had a near fatal heart attack November 2001, also have HBP, peripheral neuropathy. I've was on all kinds of meds over the years for depression etc, and when I stopped the Zoloft (100mg/day) with my Dr's approval. No mention was made about withdrawal. Two days later I started getting all the zaps, hot flashes, swooshes behind my eyeballs, and incredible dizziness. Called Dr about this and given past heart history, ordered to get to ER. ER found nothing and addmitted me for observation. I signed out AMA. I honestly thought I was dying until I found this board and realized I wasn't nuts or dying.

Went back to Dr last week and told him about this and he told me that Zoloft withdrawal was EXTREMELY RARE, but if I was having it, it should be over any day now. I have been off of Zoloft for 20 days. Two questions, How long will this really last, and why does the medical community act like this doesn't exist?

I continue to be amazed that doctors tell their patients Zoloft is safe, non-habit forming and there are no withdrawal symptoms! Are doctors in the dark about Zoloft and other medications? Isn't this information available to them?

I have so little faith in the medical professionals out the that it's not funny.

Ten days before my heart attack I had a stress test done at the cardiac unit of the hospital due to chest tightness/pain. They gave me a clean bill of cardiac health even though I had chest pain after getting off the treadmill.

I've had major memory problems when taking the Zoloft along with some tremors etc, and every time I complained about them, they orders more tests!

I just wish someone could tell me how long the withdrawal will last. Since stopping them I'm also feeling extremely lethargic, like I could stay in bed all day.

TinMan,

My withdrawl symptoms lasted for about 3 months. I wish you luck!

You're kidding about the 3 month duration right?

I'm not kidding! For me, it came and went in waves. I can honestly say that at about month 3 I think I had finally beat it. It wasn't at it's worst for a solid three months but I did feel it's effects for that long of a period of time. You can do it if it's important to you! I'm pulling for you. If you are interested, I kept sort of a diary of my experienced on the "Zoloft is Hell" thread.

I can do it. I been off cigarettes for 11 months not cheated once, don't intend to, so I have no doubt I can do this. Going back on them is not an option.

Thanks for your help and support.

I just want the dizziness to stop!!!!!!!!!!

So far I am at 2 months. The withdrawal is coming and going in waves too. One day bad anxiety, tremors, etc. the next day all stomach symptoms and dizziness.

Hope it ends soon. Like you guys the Dr's don't have a clue. Except for one of my doctors, all said the withdrawal is rare and if UI had it it would be over by now.

Thank God for this message board.

CLDWV,

Did you have any stomach symptoms too during your withdrawal?

My first and most intense symptom has been my stomach. At first it almost stopped working - slowed down to the point where I couldn't eat. Then it relaxed a bit but has remained like a tight knot in the stomach that comes and goes.

SGT207,

Hello there! I did have stomach problems but I was so "freaked out" by the zaps and head problems I think I discounted the stomach. Please beleave me that it does get better! Sometimes it seems like you can't make it, but if I got through it anyone can. I've always considered myself a very weak person and still to this day deal with my share of problems. I didn't want zoloft to be part of my daily ritual anymore. I feel for all of you out there who have decided to stop the medication! Every time I go to the doctor I am given a drug that I think I really don't need but in the back of my mind I think (I guess like Alice in Wonderland) it's a magic pill that will cure me. There is not a pill for that!! I know there are so many people out there who honestly need the help and medication and I think that is very appropriate. There are a lot of us out there who are overworked, overstressed, depressed fro-time-to-time who simply should not be give drugs to deal with it.

Please forgive me if I've rambled or misspelled...I've just got home from work and am very tired and am not even going to read what I've typed for typos. I know you all will understand.

We have to stick together and try to make a difference and help eachother. There was a time when I thought my doctors was making decisions in my best interest but I question that now. We should all question any drug that is prescribed to us.

I' m here for you all. Please beleave me when I say it will get better if you can stick it out a little while longer.

Cindy

i ONLY HAVE SLIGHT NAUSEA. But the zaps, lethargy, dizziness, are all terrible.

day eight now off of The Drug.

i've stopped thinking that i'm crazy, and i guess that's the most positive development.
it's really reassuring to see more and more people who are having/ have had the same difficulties that i am having. if it's any reassurance, all of these symptoms sound very familiar. i am confident that i will get through this, and i hope that everyone reading this post who is experiencing the same thing has that confidence as well. this is admittedly tough. but it's just a drug, and when the smoke clears, we'll all still be here. screw the doctors. i'd say that i'd like to give them the zaps for a day, or even an hour, but as funny as it would be i wouldn't wish this crap on anyone. for anyone who cares to know, i gave a more detailed introduction for myself on the 'going off zolft, need support' board. i hope everyone is doing better than they thought they'd be doing, and i'll keep updating on my own battle.

support is good. i need it, and if i can help anyone for any reason, let me know.

miguel

i just had a major freakout in my car, the first i've had while trying to drive. i must say, it was neither funny nor safe. i've cooled down a little now that i'm home, but the zaps are really bad tonight and i've been taking my temperature every five minutes. (one of my favorite anxiety-spurred obsessions.) my band has a gig this weekend, and it's really starting to worry me. i'll update. i'm going to have my roommate take me to the store for some advil cold and sinus, i've heard it helps. jesus, this is difficult. hanging in, i guess.

migharvey@aol.com

Did you all taper down your doses or go cold turkey? I've started the tapering process, and I got withdrawls after the first cut in dosage from 100mg to 75. I'm now down to 62 1/2mg. I am getting married and going away in November and don't want to be miserable so I was thinking when I got to 50mg i'd stick there till after I get back. Any suggestions?

I went cold. I didn't know there would be withdrawal. I guess Dr didn't (Duh!!!!!) either. Going on 22 days now, withdrawal occasionally recedes but not for long. Good luck and congrats on your impending nups.

I quit cold turkey too!

There's something that happened to me that I don't think I've mentioned in any of my posts. Shortly after I quit I had an attack of some kind while I was shopping. I think it was a panic attack, but I'm not sure. I broke out in a cold sweat very suddenly and felt as though I would faint. It was very scarry! Migsy's post made me think of this.

I get those attack's even on the z. Mostly when I'm by myself. I always thought they were panic attacks. I have been on the med's like 6-7 years and got to the point I didn't think they were doing much except giving me that flat, content feeling. I was way too easy going. I would get upset, but when things bothered me I tended to just retreat and try to hid till it would pass by. It also made me feel like I wasn't smart because I seem to have no short term memory. I basically decided to go off the meds to see how I am now without them. I was depressed when I went on them, but it was due to things going on with my life and I do have ADHD, which is why I thought the Dr. was keeping me on. And by the way this isn't a stress free time in my life, I left my job of 11 years to persue somthing that I would enjoy more, which I havn't found yet, I'm getting married to a wonderful guy in 67 days, (who I hope can ride through these withdrawls with me), and I have a 16 year old daughter in the house! Anyway, this board is just what I need because people who have been there can give the best support. Thanks in advance!

i quit cold turkey as well. my reasoning for this was that my dosage was never very high (50mg tops), and i figured that having to mess with my doctor, who's a complete waste of degrees, was more trouble than it was worth. so when my most recent prescription ran out, which conveniently corresponded with me finishing a very stressful month, i figured 'no better time than now.' the cold sweats- i've had those a couple of times, that being responsible for the temperature obsession i had last night. by the way, BENADRYL HELPS. i was skeptical, but hey, whatever takes the edge off. congratulations to the people getting married, and i hope everyone is doing great...
today (day 9) has been pretty decent for me so far.

cheers
miguel

I tapered very slowly - all the way down to 2 or 3 mg's [which is very very low for zoloft] and still got the withdrawal.

overall today was ok, it being west wing premiere night and all, but my stomach is starting to hurt really badly. my paranoia tells me it's the withdrawal, although it may well be the fact that i ate buffalo meat for dinner. seriously. needless to say, i will update on this new development. anyone else feel like vomiting coming off of the z? let me know. the good news: almost no zaps today, i think it's the benadryl. wait and see. buy the ticket, take the ride.

nausea, no appetite, cramps, stomach slwoing down to the point of almost not working at all.... all b/c of the seretonin receptors in the stomach trying to re-configure themselves to work w/o the zoloft. it seems to get better very slowly ---

This is very interesting and perhaps someone knows the exact reason why this is happening to me. I've continued to taper down in my withdrawing from Z. I'm now on 12.5 mg 2 days on one day off. Although I am tapering like this, the lethargy is there. Well, when I feel very very tired I've noticed my pulse is considerably lower. I workout on an elliptical machine that monitors distance and speed. I workout at the same exact intensity every single day and monitor myself with a very accurate heart monitor. On the days that I feel extremely lethargic, it will take me 20 minutes just to get my heart rate up to 130 bpm. On days that I have more energy, it will only take me about 5-8 minutes to increase my heart rate to 130 bpm, and if anything, I have to worry about going too fast. Why is this happening? Today is one of those extremely lethargic days. I walked up a flight of stairs and my leg muscles were so tired, I didn't think I was going to make it. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

This benadryl: Liquid or tablet? Isn't this an allergy OTC drug?

For those of you that are tapering like me. I'm going down 12.5 mg at time every 3 weeks. I think when I get to the lowest dose of 12.5 mg (a 25 pill split in 1/2) I'll try the 2 days on one day off thing for the last 3 weeks. How long do you others go when lowering your dose before lowering again? When I dropped from 100 to 75 I had withdraw. I'm thinking that was too much of a drop at once.

For baily - I was on a 50mg dose and tapered down from there. The week I went to 25mg was rough - I had kind of a panic attack one day where my heart beat was racing and cold sweats. One day at work, I was so hot, I was just about soaking from perspiration, and yet my teeth wouldn't stop chattering - freaky. Also, that week I was extremely tired and irritable. I got so mad at everything, I darn near quit my job because everything was frustrating me so much. But after about a week I was fine again. I had some similar but not as serious symptoms when I went down to 12.5mgs - mostly tired all the time. I went from 12.5mg every other day to none. Three days after I totally quit is when all the dizziness, nausea, and zooming sensations (zaps) in my head started. I was extremely dizzy and sick to my stomach for about 6 or 7 days and missed a week of work.

For Tinman - Benedryl is the OTC allergy medicine. I've tried that (the tablets) and Advil Cold & Sinus, both I saw recommended in another chatroom for helping with the headaches, zaps, and dizziness. For me, I think the Advil Cold & Sinus works better, but I was suprised and relieved that they really do seem to help!

Well, today is 2 weeks without Zoloft. Today was not too bad at all. I felt great all morning, but started to have the zaps and very mild dizziness this afternoon. I think the withdrawal S-L-O-W-L-Y gets better. Either that or you start getting used to walking around dizzy all the time.

i think possibly there's something to be said for walking around dizzy all of the time...

day 11 today, and my band performed tonight. i must say that it went off better than i expected. although i was paranoid about how i sounded and looked the entire time, no major meltowns, and i was able to defeat a minor panic attack in about 15 seconds. this is the first really reassuring thing that's happened for me since coming off of the drug. the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel has made its first appearance, i guess, off in the distance somewhere...

as to the benadryl question, i'm taking the pills (one every five or six hours) and it helps a lot. i stay away from advil cold and sinus simply for the fact that pseudoephedrine makes me paranoid. something i have done to good effect is to pop 200mg of ibuprofen with the benadryl. that is essentially advil cold&sinus, just without the speed. careful with the ibuprofen, though, if you've got a weak stomach.

for ZFREEIN2003, i read your 'warning' post, and just to set you (and me) at ease, i can tell you with a great deal of finality that getting off of the drug is NOT going to kill you. just ride it out and try to steer clear of the scareware. that stuff's just for lawsuits, not good, normal, slightly chemically imbalanced citizens like the denizens of healthboards dot com. pshaw to the doctors. pshaw to the trial lawyers. let's fight the good fight for us, for a z-free today, and a decidedly less dizzy tomorrow...

keep truckin everyone

hi everyone. i am now on my 22 day without the zoloft. i have had good days as well as bad ones but it seems like the zaps and dizziness are getting alittle bit better. i am now starting with the emotional rollercoaster. one minute i want to cry and the next i want to just go off on someone for no apparent reason. Sometimes it is really hard to keep control of my emotions. whats ironic is i work in a psych hospital and i have asked several of the doctors about the zoloft withdraw and they just look at me like i don't know what i am talking about. i just wanted to say to everyone just hang in there. i believe there is light at the end of the tunnel. if anyone needs to chat feel free to email me at sugabr9@aol. I will always respond. Kari

CLDWV

How are u feeling? I'm now at 9 1/2 weeks and in a rough spot. The anxiety, tremors, dizziness and stomach "ache" seemed to have worsened during the last couple of days. I'll have a good day, then 3 bad ones. I know you said it took you 3 months but did all these symptoms gradually diminish or did they go away all of a sudden at month 3.

Sometimes I think I'm losing my mind and experiencing depression for the first time caused by coming off of the z which I was on for 5 years b/c of PTSD after a drunk driver ran me down.

Thanks.

I honestly dont know how much longer I am going to be able to tolerate this. The ZaPs are driving me insane... literally.

Its into a month for me and its still awful. My husband is at wits end with me. he told me I have to start sleeping. He wakes up at night and Im sitting up in bed. Its spooky, he says.

Not a day at Disney for me either. But I push forward. Even more scared of the zaps now, Im drunk from low sugar. I would rather, well I dont know but Im not eating. I havent eaten in 3 days and dont plan to until I can.

This scares me because Im only 90 pds now. I have got to find a way to live at this point. Literally. Food sickens me.

Im screwed.

Lord help me. The zaps are non-stop today. I dont even have to move and they come on so intensely.

I pulled up my first post to see when I went cold turkey and it was Oct 12th. It is now November 10th. It has gone from bad to worse.

It will continue until it depletes from our systems. This can take three months. I pray so often it doesnt.

I was on 100 mils for 4 months. Went cold turkey. Thats my zoloft diary entry for today. If my zaps get better as the day goes on, I will tell you. And try to see what I did to maybe make them lessen.

Hi,

Can I ask everyone the dosage they were on?

I've just been prescribed this and I'm worried about taking it.

My doc started me at 100 mils from the get.

I honestly cannot report any positive effects from the medicine.

This medicine will ruin a perfectly good, passionate relationship. If you know what I mean... Dont start it man.

Now the sexual side effects are getting better but the zaps are cruel.

I know in my heart they will one day stop but sometimes I wonder, I really wonder.

Alot of the tiredness has gone away but the zaps man. GOD... relentless. Same sensation as sticking your tongue to a 9-volt battery except the sensation is in the head.

One would rather crop tobacco than make love when on Zoloft. Sad.

At the moment, I'm on 50mg a day. I had to start it, I can't bare it anymore. I don't think they're working yet, but I feel calmer.

I have to see my doctor again in two weeks, so I'm gonna ask him about it.

A little calmer is about all you'll get.

Not worth it to me not to want to make love... that makes me a little calmer. :angel:

'A little calmer, yeah, they are working, probably at full effect. Been on them two weeks?

I take that back, I don't feel calmer. I've been taking them for 5 days. If they don't work by the time I go back, the doctor said he would give me something else.

I hate this :(