Zoloft withdrawl update

[9041missy]

It's been about two weeks since I've started tapering off Zoloft. In my previous message I said I would keep updating my progress. This is my second message. The side affects are decreasing. No abdominal pain, the episodes of dizziness are far and few between now. I'm not tired like I was. I am down to 100mg's every other day from 150mg's every day. I still have two weeks to go before I am fully off. I'm not sure how my body will react when I'm finally off them completely, but as I said, I will write again.

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Missy

[bluzmastr]

Hi-and good luck to you....after being on the zoloft rollercoaster for years,trying my hardest to stop for good.It has been about 7 weeks now since i totally stopped takin it, after reducing down to 50mg.I am having a hard time.The zaps are mostly gone and the sex side effects, but i am extremely deppressed.and extremely angry-irratable, some dizziness and twitching also remain.My fear is of permanant damage.
but i am hanging in there,at least for as long as i can stand it-lol. what is scary is i forget that its the withdrawal,and feel like its just "me"(my personality)which is false.Ive NEVER been so negative and angry-(all the time).but i am determined to get off this crap.I am telling you this not to scare you,but so you can prepare,and be aware this can happen, but maybe you will be lucky.I am coping(?) by alot of exercise,quiet time/meditation,self talk-but at times it feels like the whole world is out to piss me off-seriously!anyway-if you need to talk-im on yahoo messenger-bluzmastr-or e-mail me-good luck......
38yr old male,calif.

[netbellav]

Hello. I have been taking 200mg of Zoloft for almost a year and decided to quit cold turkey about two or three weeks ago. Thanks to the internet I didn't panic when the the dizziness and other withdrawl symptoms began (and are still going on).

I have a suggestion for others going though withdrawl from antidepressants, or anyone interested in finally getting off these things. Yoga. I began studing Yoga via books and DVD's while on Zoloft. The benefits from the Zoloft began to lessen and I simply did not want to increase the dosage, so I turned to Yoga which included not only the postures but breathwork and meditation. Results were not immediate, but I continued to practice and I can honestly say that this has changed my life. For the better. I recently began formal study at a local studio and then made the desicion to quit the drugs. This practice has helped to give me the courage to face my probelms and the confidence that I can "make it" on my own. This may not be for everyone, but it sure can't hurt to try. I quit the Zoloft cold turkey, but also had been practicing for quite some time before that. It's probably not a good idea to quit the drugs and then take up the practice. Sounds kind of dangerous to me. If anyone want to talk more about this or decides to try this type of practice, let me know. I'm very interested in other peoples experiences.

[WoozelGirl]

I just wanted to add in my two cents. I was taking Zoloft 100 mg for anxiety and had been taking it for about four months when my prescription ran out and I ended up deciding to stop cold turkey. During my time on Zoloft I gained about 20 lbs (my weight never fluctuated more than +/- 3 or 4 lbs before Zoloft) and had bad sexual side-effects. As I just got married a year ago, these problems have been devastating to me.

When I was prescribed Zoloft I was told that it was a safe medicine that a lot of people used with no difficulties. I'm so happy to have found everyone here, because my withdrawal symptoms have been so severe I thought something was terribly wrong with me until I stumbled on this message board. I've been having the "zaps" and terrible vertigo and fatigue to the point where I've fallen down on several occasions because my legs just wouldn't support me. Yesterday I slept for 14 hours straight. I really feel that people should be warned of these things before they are prescribed Zoloft and related medications - had I known, I would have NEVER started it, anxiety or not. I have never been addicted to anything in my life, and to suddenly be experiencing withdrawal has been hard for me to deal with, especially as I am an active graduate student in chemistry and right now I feel that I'd be a danger in any lab because of the withdrawal symptoms.

I wish luck and blessings on all who are going through the same thing. Thanks to all for being willing to share your experiences!

[cattys]

Missy, That is great that you are doing good going off the zoloft.

The dizziness and agitation is what gets the best of me and I end up taking a dose. I have been trying to get off of it because of weight gain.

I wish you continued sucess.