Trouble quitting Zoloft

Hi

I thought while I was here asking about my sister in-law's suicide, I'd ask you all something else:

What is the general consensus about quitting SSRI's, particularly Zoloft?

I was prescribed Zoloft by my PCP after my Crohn's diagnosis last summer. I took 50 mg/day for about 4 months and decided to stop because of weight gain and sexual side effects.

I had heard that you have to taper down, and I took 25 mgs for a few days, then took 25 mg every other day for a week maybe, then quit.

What a horrible feeling! I had clammy skin, flushing feeling in my cheeks and constant sweating. I thought it would go away but even 5 weeks later it was just as bad or worse, only now I also had tingling in my hands and feet. My skin felt super sensitive. I honestly think it was getting worse with time, not better.

I started back up on the 50 mg dose and felt much more "normal" after about 3 days.

How the heck do I get off this stuff?

I want to try Wellbutrin SR and see if that does the trick w/o the weight gain. Assuming I get the prescription, do you think I should I start that up while tapering down or wait until I'm totally clear of the Zoloft?

Thanks in advance for any input!

Hi Zoey

Sorry you are havng probs with getting off zoloft. To thnink that they tell us they are not addictive. I was so upset when I tried stopping Prozac and got these electrical zaps in my brain. Anyway over the years I went from Prozac to Zoloft to Effexor. I think because they are similar I never got any withdrwal going from one staright to the other. Its good to taper down though then go straight to the other SSRI before fully stopping the other.

best of luck
GT