msuguy01010
05-13-2009, 12:11 PM
I started taking Zoloft a year ago for anxiety. I take 50mg once a day. I've decided I don't want to use a drug to help with my problems. I've been taking half my daily dose for a week now and I can definitely feel the withdrawal of the drug from my system. I have an increased anxiety that causes tightness in my chest. I also feel very unmotivated. However, I found that working out helps with the withdrawals. I go to the gym daily for at least 90 minutes. Working out has helped and hope it will continue to help.
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eyesworld
05-22-2009, 09:35 PM
I really think you should wean off under a doctor's supervision. How are you doing?
Chihiro76
05-26-2009, 06:21 AM
I'm new here, but I joined to get a better handle on my own Zoloft withdrawal symptoms.
I started taking Zoloft 50mg in late 2005, and that dosage was increased to 100mg by early 2006. By the beginning of 2007 the situation I had been in which was causing my original symptoms had abated and I felt much better and in control of things. I decided to taper off (with my Drs approval and guidance) and got completely OFF the drug and through the brain shivers and other physical symptoms and was drug free before a few major depressive episodes caused me to go back on them. Looking back I realise that these episodes were part of the withdrawals, but I didn't recognise them as such because the brain zaps etc had finished (in my experience, the brain zaps lasted about three weeks, just FYI).
So I remained on Zoloft for another 12 months, and again proceeded to taper off again in mid 2008 - this time I tapered over 3 months instead of 6 weeks. Again, I was drug free and zap-free for about a month before resuming the drug - because I felt the depressive episodes weren't fair on my family.
Knowing that a much longer taper was necessary, I commenced the taper as soon as the Christmas/NY period was over at the beginning of this year (2009) - this was now my third attempt, and I planned it out to military precision - incorporating potentially stressful events into a schedule and opting not to decrease dosage during those events. I would reduce the dose by 12.5mg every four weeks (using a complicated formula of taking 100mg for 6 days, 87.5mg for 1 day for the first week, then 100mg for 5 days, 87.5mg for 2 days etc) until I was down to 12.5mg every three days - as soon as the brain shivers came on, I would take 12.5mg and then nothing for three days and so on. Eventually I was down to 6mg every four days (I'm not kidding, I was shaving the tablets right down, it was ridiculous).
So even after my last dose, the brain zaps still continued for 2.5 weeks before they stopped. That was 12mg PER WEEK, and I was still having withdrawals.
It's now been 4 weeks since that last dose - it was a 17 week taper - but I still find that I am suffering from mood swings and depression every so often. Some days I feel completely fine, and other days everything gets on top of me, I feel like a failure, a bad mother, a terrible wife etc. I sat in a hairdressers chair on the weekend listing out (in my head) all the blessings I have to be grateful for, but could not stop the tears from spilling out. For no reason at all.
It was the usual period I've lasted in the past before I freak out and think I should resume the drug, but this time I thought of all the posts from commenters on forums such as this one and thought, "NO. WAY. NOT. THIS. TIME." I'm NOT depressed, this is the long term Zoloft use that has done this to me.
So gradually since then I've been feeling a little better each day, and hope to feel back to normal eventually - from what I read this could be as long as 3-6 months away, maybe longer.
Do any other users have any stories about how they felt after the physiological symptoms abated? How long did it take?
The most frustrating thing was that when I was first prescribed Zoloft, I was going through something that no normal person would cope well with - a critically ill infant, in and out of hospital. Why did they prescribe Zoloft for me rather than just telling me that everything was going to be OK and to just ride it out? Why do they just give these things out because you're having a rough couple of months. Anyone would be an emotional wreck while spending a few months in the ICU of a childrens hospital, for heaven's sake. And once you start these things, it's next to impossible to get off them!
My doctor just told me that the drugs would help me get through the difficult period - she said nothing about the side effects and withdrawals. Foolishly, I believed her. :dizzy:
I started taking Zoloft 50mg in late 2005, and that dosage was increased to 100mg by early 2006. By the beginning of 2007 the situation I had been in which was causing my original symptoms had abated and I felt much better and in control of things. I decided to taper off (with my Drs approval and guidance) and got completely OFF the drug and through the brain shivers and other physical symptoms and was drug free before a few major depressive episodes caused me to go back on them. Looking back I realise that these episodes were part of the withdrawals, but I didn't recognise them as such because the brain zaps etc had finished (in my experience, the brain zaps lasted about three weeks, just FYI).
So I remained on Zoloft for another 12 months, and again proceeded to taper off again in mid 2008 - this time I tapered over 3 months instead of 6 weeks. Again, I was drug free and zap-free for about a month before resuming the drug - because I felt the depressive episodes weren't fair on my family.
Knowing that a much longer taper was necessary, I commenced the taper as soon as the Christmas/NY period was over at the beginning of this year (2009) - this was now my third attempt, and I planned it out to military precision - incorporating potentially stressful events into a schedule and opting not to decrease dosage during those events. I would reduce the dose by 12.5mg every four weeks (using a complicated formula of taking 100mg for 6 days, 87.5mg for 1 day for the first week, then 100mg for 5 days, 87.5mg for 2 days etc) until I was down to 12.5mg every three days - as soon as the brain shivers came on, I would take 12.5mg and then nothing for three days and so on. Eventually I was down to 6mg every four days (I'm not kidding, I was shaving the tablets right down, it was ridiculous).
So even after my last dose, the brain zaps still continued for 2.5 weeks before they stopped. That was 12mg PER WEEK, and I was still having withdrawals.
It's now been 4 weeks since that last dose - it was a 17 week taper - but I still find that I am suffering from mood swings and depression every so often. Some days I feel completely fine, and other days everything gets on top of me, I feel like a failure, a bad mother, a terrible wife etc. I sat in a hairdressers chair on the weekend listing out (in my head) all the blessings I have to be grateful for, but could not stop the tears from spilling out. For no reason at all.
It was the usual period I've lasted in the past before I freak out and think I should resume the drug, but this time I thought of all the posts from commenters on forums such as this one and thought, "NO. WAY. NOT. THIS. TIME." I'm NOT depressed, this is the long term Zoloft use that has done this to me.
So gradually since then I've been feeling a little better each day, and hope to feel back to normal eventually - from what I read this could be as long as 3-6 months away, maybe longer.
Do any other users have any stories about how they felt after the physiological symptoms abated? How long did it take?
The most frustrating thing was that when I was first prescribed Zoloft, I was going through something that no normal person would cope well with - a critically ill infant, in and out of hospital. Why did they prescribe Zoloft for me rather than just telling me that everything was going to be OK and to just ride it out? Why do they just give these things out because you're having a rough couple of months. Anyone would be an emotional wreck while spending a few months in the ICU of a childrens hospital, for heaven's sake. And once you start these things, it's next to impossible to get off them!
My doctor just told me that the drugs would help me get through the difficult period - she said nothing about the side effects and withdrawals. Foolishly, I believed her. :dizzy:
blueplate
07-01-2009, 06:52 PM
I have reduced dosage from 100 to 50 per day over 2 weeks, then 50 to 25 in the last week. I have started feeling head whooshes, lethargy, and anxiety for the past week. I was familiar with the "zaps" from when I would run out and not refill for a few days. Day 3 would guarantee zaps. I am glad I found this board, because it sounds like a pretty common experience. However, my doctor didn't ever warn me of the weaning effects, and it doesn't look like any of your doctors had much to say specifically, either. Btw, this tapering is doctor-prescribed. Good luck all.
hamstachick
07-20-2009, 02:18 AM
I'm new here, but I joined to get a better handle on my own Zoloft withdrawal symptoms.
I started taking Zoloft 50mg in late 2005, and that dosage was increased to 100mg by early 2006. By the beginning of 2007 the situation I had been in which was causing my original symptoms had abated and I felt much better and in control of things. I decided to taper off (with my Drs approval and guidance) and got completely OFF the drug and through the brain shivers and other physical symptoms and was drug free before a few major depressive episodes caused me to go back on them. Looking back I realise that these episodes were part of the withdrawals, but I didn't recognise them as such because the brain zaps etc had finished (in my experience, the brain zaps lasted about three weeks, just FYI).
So I remained on Zoloft for another 12 months, and again proceeded to taper off again in mid 2008 - this time I tapered over 3 months instead of 6 weeks. Again, I was drug free and zap-free for about a month before resuming the drug - because I felt the depressive episodes weren't fair on my family.
Knowing that a much longer taper was necessary, I commenced the taper as soon as the Christmas/NY period was over at the beginning of this year (2009) - this was now my third attempt, and I planned it out to military precision - incorporating potentially stressful events into a schedule and opting not to decrease dosage during those events. I would reduce the dose by 12.5mg every four weeks (using a complicated formula of taking 100mg for 6 days, 87.5mg for 1 day for the first week, then 100mg for 5 days, 87.5mg for 2 days etc) until I was down to 12.5mg every three days - as soon as the brain shivers came on, I would take 12.5mg and then nothing for three days and so on. Eventually I was down to 6mg every four days (I'm not kidding, I was shaving the tablets right down, it was ridiculous).
So even after my last dose, the brain zaps still continued for 2.5 weeks before they stopped. That was 12mg PER WEEK, and I was still having withdrawals.
It's now been 4 weeks since that last dose - it was a 17 week taper - but I still find that I am suffering from mood swings and depression every so often. Some days I feel completely fine, and other days everything gets on top of me, I feel like a failure, a bad mother, a terrible wife etc. I sat in a hairdressers chair on the weekend listing out (in my head) all the blessings I have to be grateful for, but could not stop the tears from spilling out. For no reason at all.
It was the usual period I've lasted in the past before I freak out and think I should resume the drug, but this time I thought of all the posts from commenters on forums such as this one and thought, "NO. WAY. NOT. THIS. TIME." I'm NOT depressed, this is the long term Zoloft use that has done this to me.
So gradually since then I've been feeling a little better each day, and hope to feel back to normal eventually - from what I read this could be as long as 3-6 months away, maybe longer.
Do any other users have any stories about how they felt after the physiological symptoms abated? How long did it take?
The most frustrating thing was that when I was first prescribed Zoloft, I was going through something that no normal person would cope well with - a critically ill infant, in and out of hospital. Why did they prescribe Zoloft for me rather than just telling me that everything was going to be OK and to just ride it out? Why do they just give these things out because you're having a rough couple of months. Anyone would be an emotional wreck while spending a few months in the ICU of a childrens hospital, for heaven's sake. And once you start these things, it's next to impossible to get off them!
My doctor just told me that the drugs would help me get through the difficult period - she said nothing about the side effects and withdrawals. Foolishly, I believed her. :dizzy:
Hi there! I was reading your post about Zoloft and your experience with it. I was wondering if you could tell me how you are doing now? I have panic disorder and debate daily whether I should start taking Zoloft or not. It's agonizing for me to have to take another SSRI, but so are panic attacks. I am wondering if once we start SSRIs, we are doomed to stay on them forever. I took Lexapro and stopped it; tried it again 3 months later and it made things worse, so I had to stop. Now I feel I need something again and I've read Zoloft helps with PD. But to start it all over again. Side effects, withdrawls, starting again, stopping and not being able to use the same med, and having to find another, then the same thing...or running out of meds I can take. Any help would help.
Thanks!
I started taking Zoloft 50mg in late 2005, and that dosage was increased to 100mg by early 2006. By the beginning of 2007 the situation I had been in which was causing my original symptoms had abated and I felt much better and in control of things. I decided to taper off (with my Drs approval and guidance) and got completely OFF the drug and through the brain shivers and other physical symptoms and was drug free before a few major depressive episodes caused me to go back on them. Looking back I realise that these episodes were part of the withdrawals, but I didn't recognise them as such because the brain zaps etc had finished (in my experience, the brain zaps lasted about three weeks, just FYI).
So I remained on Zoloft for another 12 months, and again proceeded to taper off again in mid 2008 - this time I tapered over 3 months instead of 6 weeks. Again, I was drug free and zap-free for about a month before resuming the drug - because I felt the depressive episodes weren't fair on my family.
Knowing that a much longer taper was necessary, I commenced the taper as soon as the Christmas/NY period was over at the beginning of this year (2009) - this was now my third attempt, and I planned it out to military precision - incorporating potentially stressful events into a schedule and opting not to decrease dosage during those events. I would reduce the dose by 12.5mg every four weeks (using a complicated formula of taking 100mg for 6 days, 87.5mg for 1 day for the first week, then 100mg for 5 days, 87.5mg for 2 days etc) until I was down to 12.5mg every three days - as soon as the brain shivers came on, I would take 12.5mg and then nothing for three days and so on. Eventually I was down to 6mg every four days (I'm not kidding, I was shaving the tablets right down, it was ridiculous).
So even after my last dose, the brain zaps still continued for 2.5 weeks before they stopped. That was 12mg PER WEEK, and I was still having withdrawals.
It's now been 4 weeks since that last dose - it was a 17 week taper - but I still find that I am suffering from mood swings and depression every so often. Some days I feel completely fine, and other days everything gets on top of me, I feel like a failure, a bad mother, a terrible wife etc. I sat in a hairdressers chair on the weekend listing out (in my head) all the blessings I have to be grateful for, but could not stop the tears from spilling out. For no reason at all.
It was the usual period I've lasted in the past before I freak out and think I should resume the drug, but this time I thought of all the posts from commenters on forums such as this one and thought, "NO. WAY. NOT. THIS. TIME." I'm NOT depressed, this is the long term Zoloft use that has done this to me.
So gradually since then I've been feeling a little better each day, and hope to feel back to normal eventually - from what I read this could be as long as 3-6 months away, maybe longer.
Do any other users have any stories about how they felt after the physiological symptoms abated? How long did it take?
The most frustrating thing was that when I was first prescribed Zoloft, I was going through something that no normal person would cope well with - a critically ill infant, in and out of hospital. Why did they prescribe Zoloft for me rather than just telling me that everything was going to be OK and to just ride it out? Why do they just give these things out because you're having a rough couple of months. Anyone would be an emotional wreck while spending a few months in the ICU of a childrens hospital, for heaven's sake. And once you start these things, it's next to impossible to get off them!
My doctor just told me that the drugs would help me get through the difficult period - she said nothing about the side effects and withdrawals. Foolishly, I believed her. :dizzy:
Hi there! I was reading your post about Zoloft and your experience with it. I was wondering if you could tell me how you are doing now? I have panic disorder and debate daily whether I should start taking Zoloft or not. It's agonizing for me to have to take another SSRI, but so are panic attacks. I am wondering if once we start SSRIs, we are doomed to stay on them forever. I took Lexapro and stopped it; tried it again 3 months later and it made things worse, so I had to stop. Now I feel I need something again and I've read Zoloft helps with PD. But to start it all over again. Side effects, withdrawls, starting again, stopping and not being able to use the same med, and having to find another, then the same thing...or running out of meds I can take. Any help would help.
Thanks!
ritualangst
07-21-2009, 11:09 PM
i took zoloft for 2 years for severe anxiety/panic/depression- it helped me more than i can say but i was also lucky enough to get out of the situation that caused me to need the zoloft so under my doctor's supervision i slowly weaned myself off and OMG do i remember the "zaps" they are the worst but you know what??? they go away- you just have to keep cutting down on your dosage- take care of yourself physically (exercise-meditate-walk whatever you like) and try to keep up on your fluid intake and stay away from the junk food- be patient which is the hardest thing to do but honestly- when you finally do get through the withdrawl process and if you are indeed ready to be off the zoloft you will be a brand new person- the sun will be so much brighter- your smile will be so much bigger- your appreciation for all you have will increase 100% and you will be so proud of yourself but ONLY if you are ready to come off the zoloft because that may be what you need right now more than being off it-i wish you luck and never give up
ccoderun
08-16-2009, 02:23 PM
Do it slowly, and you'll be just fine. I know, it's what you read from posts everywhere, but as a fellow (and soon to be former) Zoloft user, who is successfully withdrawing right now, I can say that the former statement is definitely true. (*You may be different, btw, so I would NOT recommend this route for everyone.*)
I am currently tapering off myself, making up my own schedule. I wasn't in a hurry to stop, so I figured that I could do it myself (no consultations or suggestions from my doc) as long as I went SLOW. (*You may be different, btw, so I would NOT recommend this route for everyone.*) Starting on May 19th, I started decreasing approx 25% every month or more.
3 mos later and I have been down to 25mg for the past two weeks now and doing great. I've read a lot of horror stories with quiting this medicine, but I never experienced anything too bad. Yes, there were dizzy and headache spells, but nothing that I couldn't handle, including even experiencing these while at the office working (don't get me wrong- that sucked!).
But I am here to say - GETTING OFF ZOLOFT IS VERY POSSIBLE IF YOU GO SLOW! (and yes, I was "shouting" that! :)
C Code Run
I am currently tapering off myself, making up my own schedule. I wasn't in a hurry to stop, so I figured that I could do it myself (no consultations or suggestions from my doc) as long as I went SLOW. (*You may be different, btw, so I would NOT recommend this route for everyone.*) Starting on May 19th, I started decreasing approx 25% every month or more.
3 mos later and I have been down to 25mg for the past two weeks now and doing great. I've read a lot of horror stories with quiting this medicine, but I never experienced anything too bad. Yes, there were dizzy and headache spells, but nothing that I couldn't handle, including even experiencing these while at the office working (don't get me wrong- that sucked!).
But I am here to say - GETTING OFF ZOLOFT IS VERY POSSIBLE IF YOU GO SLOW! (and yes, I was "shouting" that! :)
C Code Run
dancerone
09-12-2009, 10:36 AM
THANK YOU, THANK YOU THANK YOU ALL. I started 10 months ago because of a meltdown and was placed on a 200mg dose plus xanax when needed. Over the initial period of it taking effect, it helped me through a rough time. After the 100 visits to numerous doctors my endocrinologist(my God) took over and recognized I was having major anxiety. After several months, I was feeling so much better. Nothing pretty much bothered me. And the, I realized my emotions were locked in this zone. I was not enjoying it, the weight gain, the loss of sexual desire ....I was ready to wean off. I began with 150 for a month...I was okay....I went onto 100mg a month.... I was okay.... I went on 50 a month....I was okay.... I kinda of stopped and BAM.... I was experiencing those ZAPS. those pulsating waves...sleeping in the movies, sleeping at the Japanese drumming, and them not sleeping at night. Oh boy, life was beginning to be challenging again. Not depressed but starting to question the physical il feelings. Was the anxiety coming back. Please no. Went back on 25..splitting thoses 100mg to quarters. All physical bad feelings lifted. My next step and question can a 100mg pill be cut into eighths.
Fortunately, I found this symposium--and I wish you all well. You saved me from another bad passage. So thanks a million. I am rooting for all of you
Fortunately, I found this symposium--and I wish you all well. You saved me from another bad passage. So thanks a million. I am rooting for all of you
empress610
09-21-2009, 05:43 PM
I've been on zoloft for about a year and a half. It is the only thing that helps with my migraines. I would get neurological symptoms as part of the migraine attack and zoloft has completely stopped those symptoms. I tried getting off of it last fall. I'm only on 50mg and I dropped down to 25mg and the neurological symptoms came back (not as bad though). It really scared me so I went back to 50mg. My doctor said I probably have to take zoloft for the rest of my life. She said it would be healthier to take the zoloft than to experience neurological symptoms that could damage my body. I really don't know what to believe. I really dont want to attempt getting off zoloft in 5 years or 10 years b/c I know it would be much harder to do. I know there are people with migraine that have been taking it for more than 10 years but there is not much research on its effects on your body over a long period of time.
jeannebeanne
10-28-2009, 03:30 AM
I'm new here, but I joined to get a better handle on my own Zoloft withdrawal symptoms.
I started taking Zoloft 50mg in late 2005, and that dosage was increased to 100mg by early 2006. By the beginning of 2007 the situation I had been in which was causing my original symptoms had abated and I felt much better and in control of things. I decided to taper off (with my Drs approval and guidance) and got completely OFF the drug and through the brain shivers and other physical symptoms and was drug free before a few major depressive episodes caused me to go back on them. Looking back I realise that these episodes were part of the withdrawals, but I didn't recognise them as such because the brain zaps etc had finished (in my experience, the brain zaps lasted about three weeks, just FYI).
So I remained on Zoloft for another 12 months, and again proceeded to taper off again in mid 2008 - this time I tapered over 3 months instead of 6 weeks. Again, I was drug free and zap-free for about a month before resuming the drug - because I felt the depressive episodes weren't fair on my family.
Knowing that a much longer taper was necessary, I commenced the taper as soon as the Christmas/NY period was over at the beginning of this year (2009) - this was now my third attempt, and I planned it out to military precision - incorporating potentially stressful events into a schedule and opting not to decrease dosage during those events. I would reduce the dose by 12.5mg every four weeks (using a complicated formula of taking 100mg for 6 days, 87.5mg for 1 day for the first week, then 100mg for 5 days, 87.5mg for 2 days etc) until I was down to 12.5mg every three days - as soon as the brain shivers came on, I would take 12.5mg and then nothing for three days and so on. Eventually I was down to 6mg every four days (I'm not kidding, I was shaving the tablets right down, it was ridiculous).
So even after my last dose, the brain zaps still continued for 2.5 weeks before they stopped. That was 12mg PER WEEK, and I was still having withdrawals.
It's now been 4 weeks since that last dose - it was a 17 week taper - but I still find that I am suffering from mood swings and depression every so often. Some days I feel completely fine, and other days everything gets on top of me, I feel like a failure, a bad mother, a terrible wife etc. I sat in a hairdressers chair on the weekend listing out (in my head) all the blessings I have to be grateful for, but could not stop the tears from spilling out. For no reason at all.
It was the usual period I've lasted in the past before I freak out and think I should resume the drug, but this time I thought of all the posts from commenters on forums such as this one and thought, "NO. WAY. NOT. THIS. TIME." I'm NOT depressed, this is the long term Zoloft use that has done this to me.
So gradually since then I've been feeling a little better each day, and hope to feel back to normal eventually - from what I read this could be as long as 3-6 months away, maybe longer.
Do any other users have any stories about how they felt after the physiological symptoms abated? How long did it take?
The most frustrating thing was that when I was first prescribed Zoloft, I was going through something that no normal person would cope well with - a critically ill infant, in and out of hospital. Why did they prescribe Zoloft for me rather than just telling me that everything was going to be OK and to just ride it out? Why do they just give these things out because you're having a rough couple of months. Anyone would be an emotional wreck while spending a few months in the ICU of a childrens hospital, for heaven's sake. And once you start these things, it's next to impossible to get off them!
My doctor just told me that the drugs would help me get through the difficult period - she said nothing about the side effects and withdrawals. Foolishly, I believed her. :dizzy:
I have been completely off Zoloft for about a month. Took it daily for nearly 7 years because everytime I tried to stop I would feel awful. Awful included...brain zaps, dizziness, loss of energy, crying jags, and even having difficulty completing projects or getting to appointments on time. I had a triple tragedy in 2001 that eventually led me to being perscribed Zoloft. Before that, I had gone through so many difficult times...divorce, death of my dad etc. I always thought of myself as a strong woman. I regret starting it. Now at the month mark i am still having brain zaps, dizziness which causes nausea and general malaise. I am going to the doctor tomorrow to say...???what??? I don't want to go on a different antdepressant. I wouldn't be depressed if I didn't feel horrible. Good luck and hang tuff!!!
I started taking Zoloft 50mg in late 2005, and that dosage was increased to 100mg by early 2006. By the beginning of 2007 the situation I had been in which was causing my original symptoms had abated and I felt much better and in control of things. I decided to taper off (with my Drs approval and guidance) and got completely OFF the drug and through the brain shivers and other physical symptoms and was drug free before a few major depressive episodes caused me to go back on them. Looking back I realise that these episodes were part of the withdrawals, but I didn't recognise them as such because the brain zaps etc had finished (in my experience, the brain zaps lasted about three weeks, just FYI).
So I remained on Zoloft for another 12 months, and again proceeded to taper off again in mid 2008 - this time I tapered over 3 months instead of 6 weeks. Again, I was drug free and zap-free for about a month before resuming the drug - because I felt the depressive episodes weren't fair on my family.
Knowing that a much longer taper was necessary, I commenced the taper as soon as the Christmas/NY period was over at the beginning of this year (2009) - this was now my third attempt, and I planned it out to military precision - incorporating potentially stressful events into a schedule and opting not to decrease dosage during those events. I would reduce the dose by 12.5mg every four weeks (using a complicated formula of taking 100mg for 6 days, 87.5mg for 1 day for the first week, then 100mg for 5 days, 87.5mg for 2 days etc) until I was down to 12.5mg every three days - as soon as the brain shivers came on, I would take 12.5mg and then nothing for three days and so on. Eventually I was down to 6mg every four days (I'm not kidding, I was shaving the tablets right down, it was ridiculous).
So even after my last dose, the brain zaps still continued for 2.5 weeks before they stopped. That was 12mg PER WEEK, and I was still having withdrawals.
It's now been 4 weeks since that last dose - it was a 17 week taper - but I still find that I am suffering from mood swings and depression every so often. Some days I feel completely fine, and other days everything gets on top of me, I feel like a failure, a bad mother, a terrible wife etc. I sat in a hairdressers chair on the weekend listing out (in my head) all the blessings I have to be grateful for, but could not stop the tears from spilling out. For no reason at all.
It was the usual period I've lasted in the past before I freak out and think I should resume the drug, but this time I thought of all the posts from commenters on forums such as this one and thought, "NO. WAY. NOT. THIS. TIME." I'm NOT depressed, this is the long term Zoloft use that has done this to me.
So gradually since then I've been feeling a little better each day, and hope to feel back to normal eventually - from what I read this could be as long as 3-6 months away, maybe longer.
Do any other users have any stories about how they felt after the physiological symptoms abated? How long did it take?
The most frustrating thing was that when I was first prescribed Zoloft, I was going through something that no normal person would cope well with - a critically ill infant, in and out of hospital. Why did they prescribe Zoloft for me rather than just telling me that everything was going to be OK and to just ride it out? Why do they just give these things out because you're having a rough couple of months. Anyone would be an emotional wreck while spending a few months in the ICU of a childrens hospital, for heaven's sake. And once you start these things, it's next to impossible to get off them!
My doctor just told me that the drugs would help me get through the difficult period - she said nothing about the side effects and withdrawals. Foolishly, I believed her. :dizzy:
I have been completely off Zoloft for about a month. Took it daily for nearly 7 years because everytime I tried to stop I would feel awful. Awful included...brain zaps, dizziness, loss of energy, crying jags, and even having difficulty completing projects or getting to appointments on time. I had a triple tragedy in 2001 that eventually led me to being perscribed Zoloft. Before that, I had gone through so many difficult times...divorce, death of my dad etc. I always thought of myself as a strong woman. I regret starting it. Now at the month mark i am still having brain zaps, dizziness which causes nausea and general malaise. I am going to the doctor tomorrow to say...???what??? I don't want to go on a different antdepressant. I wouldn't be depressed if I didn't feel horrible. Good luck and hang tuff!!!
jeannebeanne
10-28-2009, 03:35 AM
thanks for the encouragement...been off for a month now and still feeling rough!
svwilloughby
11-13-2009, 02:23 AM
I wanted to ask anyone if they have been on zoloft for post-partum depression. I have been on for about 4 months now and I tried once to wean myself off. Bad idea. I was feeling a whooshing feeling in my head as well as back pains and other muscle pains, pains in my hands and feeling like shocks all over my body. Along with that, I felt very helpless and irritable. Now while I recognize that others have been on this far longer than i have, I have to find a solution to weaning myself off because I no longer have health insurance and only have one refill left of my presciption. I am a wife and mother of 3, including an 11 year old, a 16 month old and a 5 month old. So as you see, something has to give. I have to get a handle so that when the presciption does run out, I am still even and can care for my family. This is really a big deal for me so if anyone has any experience and has been successfully weaned off, I would appreciate hearing from you. My prescription is only 25mgs.