Bloating after going off Zoloft

Hormone testing is a good place to start. Are you going to see an endocrinologist? They will test your cortosol levels which can cause the abdomen to bloat and become distended.
You mentioned gastro scoping which has been ruled out, did they do an endoscopy or something else?
Have you been evaluated for endometriosis? Sometimes there's a corolation between this and irritable bowel which could also cause the bloating.
Just throwing some suggestions out there. Have never heard of this happening from going off zoloft.

Hey Daisy, thanks for the response. I've been working with my lyme doctor (I have lyme disease) on it but just made an endo appointment today. And yes, an endoscopy. And then I had abdominal imaging after being rushed to urgent care with what felt/looked like gallbladder disease. Gastro thinks I've been so bloated for so long that air is getting trapped in my intestines, which is what caused the sharp, gallbladder-like pains. He gave me meds to release the air and sure enough the stabbing pain went away. Still can't seem to get to the bottom of the bloating, though.

Getting by: oh yes, water pills have been my friend for the last 4 months. They help a TEENY bit, but not much, unfortunately.

Thank you, Amber. I'm so sorry you're going through similar GI b.s. It is most definitely NO FUN. And yeah, on top of being uncomfortable 24/7 feeling unattractive is definitely a huge part of it :( My boyfriend just bought us tickets to Coasta Rica in March and I am desperately hoping to have some solutions/answers by then because being in a swimsuit is about the last thing I want at the moment. I'll keep ya updated!
-Alison

Hey guys,
just wanted to update in case anyone stumbled on this and has the same issue. After 6 months we finally figured out that it was indeed going off the Zoloft that caused the bloating. I went back on and literally overnight the bloating went away. A week later and I'm 10 lbs lighter, back to my old weight. From what I've read/discussed with different docs this is either because of depression raising cortisol levels or serotonin levels in the gut which are affected by SSRIs.

I was on Zoloft for the past 9 years and Wellbutron the last 4yrs, prescribed by a primary care physican. Was referred to a psychiatrist 6 months ago who is helping me taper off my meds to see if I even need them. After being tapered off Zoloft, she increased my Wellbutron which well work on next. Anyhow, this is my first week finally off Zoloft and I feel so bloated. I attend low impact classes and walk a few times a week. I don't feel that I'm overeating. I have never feeled so bloated and I burp alot, which I don't normally. I dont drink soda, only water and green tea. Have a cup of coffee everymorning. From reading the post on 2/2012 from aquaholical she indicated that she went back on and it went away. I don't want to go back on and hope that someone has other ideas on how to stop this bloating. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. 

Good to know, I will look into. Thanks

Hi everyone,
does anyone know how to treat this bloating?
I am too stopped taking SSRI pills cold turkey, and immediately experienced severe bloating- which have only gotten worse over the years. The thing is, I took those pills for only 5 or 6 weeks, and now 4 years have passed since I stopped taking them and my symptoms are getting worse. I cannot eat because of the bloating and I am now underweight. I have done many tests- colonoscopy, gastroscopy, some hormonal tests, breath testing, allergies and many more.. The docs only discovered that I have an allergy for fructose (which I am sure I did not have before taking the pills, as I used to eat lots of fruits with no physical inconvenience).

I tried have infinite types of diets but noting works.
I am really desperate and getting back on the drugs is not an option, as in addition to the bloating (and other "less" disturbing physical symptoms- such as clogged ears, constant mucus, fatigue and more..) they actually caused me to suffer from panic attacks and OCD- both of which symptoms were none of my innitial emotional problems- I took the pills only to relief a very minor stress that I experienced at the time.

Does anyone know how to solve this bloating problem? I just want to add that I'm constantly bloated (even if I don't eating anything), but after eating and drinking (even just water) the bloating gets worse and painful. Alternative treatments as well as conventional (antibiotics, probiotics, supplements..) did not help.

I would really appriciate any help!!
Thanks!