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Zoloft Withdrawal

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Posted 4/27/2011 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on 200 mg Zoloft for a little over 3 years now.  My prescript ion ran out over a week ago and I haven't had time to fill it  Yesterday I started feeling really sick.  Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, vertigo, blurry vision, disoriented, lack of concentration, tired, light headed, headache...  My mood is fine but physically I feel terrible.  I can’t concentrate which is affected my work and I really don’t feel safe driving because my blurred vision and the vertigo makes it almost impossible.  I've also been taking Exalgo (pain medication) for about 3 months now which my doctor wants me to wean off of but I stopped taking that all together as well.  I assume my symptoms are coming from the withdrawal of Zoloft more than the withdrawal of exalgo but Im not sure.  I've thought about stopping the use of Zoloft for many months now but these symptoms are horrible.  Does anyone know how long they last and if I should expect them to get worse? Thanks for listening! Post Edited (TryingToHeal143) : 4/27/2011 2:39:45 PM (GMT-6)
Posted 4/27/2011 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi TryingToHeal143,

Welcome to the depression forum. Don't be surprised if when you go off zoloft completely you feel depressed. It sounds like it was working for you but I guess the only way to know for sure is to stop taking it and see how you feel. But that can be a hard way to go as it takes six to eight weeks for it to get back in your system completely if you decide to start taking it again. One thing that I make sure of is that I always have my antidepressants. And I think that the same should go for you. The doctor didn't give them to you just for the heck of it. He/she probably thought that you needed them. So if I were you, I would get the prescription filled before you feel worse.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/27/2011 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reply.
A few things though...
When you say "Don't be surprised if when you go off zoloft completely you feel depressed"...what do you mean by that? I've been off it completely for a week and a half and dont feel depressed. Are you saying that I should expect to feel depressed if I continue to stay off it?
I also am confused by your post, "It sounds like it was working for you but I guess the only way to know for sure is to stop taking it and see how you feel." As you read in my post, I have stopped taking it. I'm sorry, maybe your post is clear to everyone else and just confusing to me based on what I originally posted. Maybe I should add confusion to my list of symptoms. :(
Posted 4/27/2011 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
TryingToHeal143,

I strongly recommend you getting your prescription filled. My guess is that it won't be long before you start feeling really awful. It's up to you to wait and see if that happens. I don't know anything about Exalgo, or the combination of Zoloft and Exalgo.
When I first tried to get off of Zoloft (way too quickly), I remember having trouble sleeping and wanting to jump out of my own skin, as well as being extremely irritable and depressed. I made everyone around me miserable. You shouldn't put yourself through what I went through, though I understand that you may need to see for yourself how your body reacts.
I was on 200 mg of Zoloft for over 3 years, just like you. I thought I could get off of it in a couple of months. about two weeks after that couple of months, the EXTREME withdrawal symptoms began. I put up with them for another two months, and when I couldn't take it anymore, I got back on 150 mg. In the end, it took me A YEAR AND A HALF to safely end my prescription. Keep in mind, that after 3 years of taking Zoloft, your brain chemistry has changed! Good luck, pay attention to your body and take care.
Posted 4/27/2011 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
TryingToHeal143,

Oh, and I'm thinking that the physical symptoms you are experiencing are due to the withdrawal of Exalgo (though I don't know anything about it) or the combination of withdrawing from both at the same time. I don't remember having significant physical symptoms, like the ones you are describing.
Posted 4/27/2011 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
None of us want to be dependent on a drug, and you don't have to be!!! Just get off of it SLOWLY!!! It may take up to a year, but you will get there. There's no need for you to feel awful.
Posted 4/28/2011 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
It can take a long time for this to go out of your system. I was taking effexor for a while and stopped. For awhile I felt okay, but when it left my system, then I had real trouble. I couldn't walk straight, or talk right, my mind was all over the place and I was super irritable. Depression and a combination of withdrawals. But once you are off of it for a long time, if you are depressed again, you will know that you needed the medication. Just like Ninjascr said, it takes awhile for it to leave your system and this could get worse.

Hope that is more clear to you.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 5/3/2011 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, thank God for this forum! It's nice to know you aren't alone in this big world after all. I too am tired of the fogginess, weight gain and exhaustion. I'm going to experiment with acupuncture to deal with my depression. Stay tuned and wish me luck!
Posted 5/3/2011 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Momma,

Welcome to the HealingWell Depression forum. I am so gad that you have joined us. This is a wonderful place to come and talk about things. And I hope that you take advantage of that. You are definately not alone so keep posting, and shareing.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 12/1/2011 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
A month and 2 weeks clean i thought i was doing well then the crawling and shocks and tummy pain came back .

healthy diet and vitamins and oils i am still doing .

Feels like my body is telling me i need to go back on frustrated
Posted 12/1/2011 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
Keep hanging in there Gothic Rose Vampire. If it gets too bad, call your doctor though. I hope you are able to stay off of the meds if that works for you. Many of us have to take them, but there are a few who don't.

Welcome to the forum. Feel free to start a thread about yourself if you would like to. A lot of members do. It helps us to get to know you better.

Do take care.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 12/15/2011 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on 50 mg. Zoloft (Sertraline) for about 7 years. I actually felt normal on Zoloft. My anxiety went away and the episodes of depression also were resolved. I was able to deal with whatever life handed me (including loss of a business and divorce) without feeling completely devastated.

I've recently moved to another state and don't feel like going through the hassle of finding a doctor and starting over. So when my prescription ran out and no refills were left I just decided to stop cold turkey and see what happens.

My last 50 mg. dose was Friday night. It's Wednesday night. No change so far. When does the withdrawal start? How long will it last when it does? (I have Xanax in case of emergency but will only take it if I have anxiety or a panic attack).

I sleep good, have vivid dreams (but always have had vivid dreams). I think of them as a movie about the challenges I'm facing in my life right now with an interesting twist or slant from my subconscious mind.

Any input would be much appreciated.

Thanks.
Posted 12/15/2011 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
I would figure if you are going to have withdrawals it will be within a week. Usually it happens when the drug is out of your system. You may not have them with the zoloft. I am glad that you have xanax for anxiety. It works wonders. I would get with another doc asap and access the situation. But your depression may have been situational and you might not need meds. Wouldn't that be wonderful? I hope that you don't have witthdrawals. Keep us posted. And welcome to the depression forum.

Take care. If you would like to, feel free to start a new thread about yourself. If not, that is fine too.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/17/2012 7:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone. I have read some of these post but couldn't find any information about how to stop the withdrawal effects after they've started. =(

I have been on 100mg of zoloft for a year and recently quit it cold. I was good for 4 days but now I'm sick, anxious, depressed, etc.

Based on this forum I realize I should have tapered off. Thus I will start taking it again asap and then start to taper slowly. However, how long until the current withdrawal issues subside?

* Can anyone who has tried to go cold but then got back on in please chime in. I know everyone is different but I'd love to here some first hand accounts.
Posted 1/17/2012 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gabfab,

Welcome to the forum. ;I would suggest calling your doc and ask him what to do. I think the withdrawal effects last a couple of weeks. I hope that you get through this, maybe take a part of a pill to see if it helps. But I really would consult your doc on this...

Be careful...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/18/2012 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Update: I stared taking my Zoloft again and the withdrawal issues are getting much better already. I think for anyone who tries to quit cold turnkey, but then gets sick, they should likely start taking the pills to stem the pain.

Anyhow it was only after 7 days off Zoloft that I got the bad withdrawals so I assume it'll take 7 days to gt back into my system fully. It's been a nightmare journey. Next time I will taper slowly for sure. Ugg I wish I never went on this stuff to begin with. =(
Posted 1/18/2012 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
I am glad that you are feeling better. The symptoms of withdrawal are no fun.

I went through that with effexor. I ended up going back on it. I took it for many years. I am now taking pristiq. It works very good for me. I do take a mood stabilizer with it. The combination is good together. I hope that you find what is right for you. Don't lose hope, it sometimes takes a few tries to find what will work for us.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/22/2012 6:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all,
I am just starting tapering off of 100mg zoloft to 75mg two weeks ago. I was doing fine and everything until a couple days ago. I have been getting hot flashes, nausea, and night sweats. Also palpitations and cold-like symptoms. Now my period is late. I'm not quite sure if it is hormonal for me or if it is withdrawals...how soon has anyone had withdrawal symptoms? I do have an appointment in a day with my dr. but just thought it would be nice to get some feedback from others in the same boat.

Zoloft has been a lifesaver for me the past 6 years and I have had not problems with being on it. It gave me my life back but I am looking to get pregnant with my husband soon so I am trying to see if I can taper to a lower dose. I feel for those who have had bad experiences with it, but I personally have had a great experience being on it. Now I hope that I am going to have a good experience tapering off of it. Best of luck to everyone =)
Posted 1/22/2012 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kismet42,

Welcome to the forum. I know tapering off is hard, but you will get through it whether you go off, or just lower your dose. I am glad that you are seeing the doc tomorrow so he will know what you are going through.

I am so glad that you are posting your experience. Keep posting and let us know how you are doing. Oh and congrats on deciding on having a baby. You are going to be a great mother. I just know...

I am glad that you have joined us.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/24/2012 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Kismet,

Your symptoms sounds like mine but I went from 100 to 50. I suggest going super slow (1-2 month per 25mg drop). Anyhow I found that getting back on it stopped my withdrawals. I hope your taper goes well. Please update us all.

G
Posted 1/25/2012 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
sorry, It effect on male potency?
Posted 1/25/2012 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lower,

Welcome to the depression forum. I am not sure what you are asking. If it is a question or something that you are going through. Feel free to start an introductory thread about yourself if you would like to. We would like to get to know you better.

Take care, keep posting.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/24/2012 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
I wanted to jump in here. I too love this site. It helps to be able to talk to someone with the same issues/understanding.

I have been on Zoloft for years. I decided to get off of it. I want to know that I can deal with life on my own, w/o drugs. I spoke w/ my MD who gave me the taper schedule and I've followed it exactly as he suggested. My symptoms have not been as bad as some of you, but I've had them all to some extent. I'm @ the end of the taper- I should be done in 2 weeks. I'm on 12.5mg every other day. What I'm feeling is weepy, dizzy spells and some headaches. Can anyone tell me how long they experienced side effects after they quit? I'm 63 y/o but far from elderly...I don't want to feel this way. It really puts a crimp in my life.

Thanks for listening and I await your response.

Posted 4/24/2012 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
I tired taking drugs like that but my body is really sensitive so I started taking a natural product that my moms friend reccomended. i been using it for 2weeks daily and my anxiety has reduced and my depression aswell. If you want more info let me know. Im praying to God this product will not just reduce it but get rid of it for life.
Posted 4/26/2012 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Zoloft since 2005.  I started taking it for post-partum depression.  It did help initially and I felt more able to function in a work setting.  I have not noticed excessive weight gain but I can exercise daily for an hour or more and have absolutely no effect on my weight.  I have been in constant pain since 2002 so I didn't notice a huge change in pain.  In the last year, I have had more stressful situations happen and my dr upped my dose to 100mg.  I have had more headaches, I am exhausted all the time, but yet I don't sleep very much and I don't feel like being social ever.  I have no sex drive (that sucks).  My mom talked to me last night about getting off of it because she thinks I seem more flat since I have been on it.  I think she meant that I am not as animated and I never really cry or show much emotion.  My family is very emotional on all levels and I am not fitting in very well.  Recently I went cold turkey off of it and I felt really great but then something happened and I was scared I couldn't cope so I jumped back on it.  Last night, I split all of my 100 mg pills into 50mgs.  I want to do two weeks at that and then jump down to 25mg.  I want to be off of these meds as soon as possible.  I am going to look for all natural ways to boost my seratonin levels.  I am so glad I found this site. 
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