Zoloft related?

I am so very lost and am hopeful someone can shed some light on this.

I have suffered from anxiety and related depression and panic attacks since I was a teen (I am now 30). For over 10 years I took zoloft. On the advice of my doctor, I took it at a very low dose (25mg)through my pregnancy and now have a healthy little girl who is almost 2. In September, I decided that I wanted to taper off the remaining 25 MG. As doctors have been unhelpful in my past tapers (my highest dose was 50 MG), I decided to do it slowly on my own. I took my last dose on November 29. Despite having minimal symptoms with the taper, I felt pretty awful when I went from 6.25 MG to 0. After about 2 weeks, most of the symptoms were gone and all that remained was a reduced appetite and a very seldom brain zap.

Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago. In the interim time, I have had major stressors that were completely sudden and unexpected. Bad time to be off meds for the first time in my adult life. I have had no appetite, have lost 12 lbs (was about 150, so while I have it to lose, not insignificant), have had body aches and fatigue, and now for the past 3 nights, drenching night sweats. Two days ago I discovered a swollen lymph node in my neck and I have weird looking yellow patches on that side of the inside of my throat. I am terrified that something major is wrong with me and my doctor is completely dismissing me. She says I have a virus and gave me Motrin. We are a military family and this has only been my doctor for a short time--she doesn't know me from Adam.

I am so overwrought and fearful for my health. Could the stress of the past few months have suddenly taken my appetite and caused the sweats?? I am so worried that I have some sort of cancer and I a terrified to die and leave my baby girl without a mom.

I have made another doctor's appt for today and am bringing my husband for support, but I am just so, so scared. I don't want to go back on meds bc I was so emotionally numb on them and the withdrawl is so hard, but I would if all of these symptoms were related to depression/anxiety/withdrawl. I'm so, so scared.

I had and still have health problems (but they are now managed). Also in my early 20s I had zoloft 200mg...i took myself of i felt like i was speeding and things crawling up my spine etc. I did through chakra meditation and a book called Feeling Good. It took me about 3 months sevral hours a day (not a luxury id have now as a mum).

BUT..can i suggest as you have all these worries playing over in your mind that you try and deal with that in some way (sounds like your physical side is being taken care of in a manner of sorts). When i was like this...waking up worrying always anxious and running things over my head etc i finally got to a point where i decided to do something about it (without feeling like i was burdening my friends and family). Lucky for me after alot of web searching one of the universities ran a free wellness course that included online material (which they gladly posted to me) and regular phone calls to talk..plus i could call or email if i needed..this was for 3 months and 6 months aftercare where i could call. all i had to do was take surveys online before i looked at my lesson for the week and they used it in their studies. I am in australia...wherever you are maybe just maybe theres someone who can help you.

i have also found writing ALOT tends to get rid of my worries..i have used this for years (and sometimes get paranoid someone will find it and read it...lol).
In the course i did they suggest to set aside a time to worry in the day and worry your heart out...then let it go. Another technique i tried when id wake up and be plagued by negative worries was to think of 10 things i was thankful for...sometimes this really worked...especially when you start to run out of stuff and you come up with really silly things.

Good on you for not wanting meds too but if all else fails theres no shame in taking them at all. I guess you could try everything else you can think of first...and give it a really good shot. If nothing works then you know.. for your quality of life you may need to. Pros and cons list?

Thank you all for the kind words. My doctor did run some blood work today and I am trying to remain calm and stay off the internet as I wait for the results. I have also placed a call to a local therapist who takes our insurance and am waiting to hear back.

In the meantime, though I don't know any of you much at all, I would really appreciate any good thoughts you could send my way. I am very scared that I have something major wrong with me and until I can get that reassurance I am not in a good place at all.
Thanks so very much.

Thanks, Charlie. It means more than you can know.

Again, thank you all for your replies. I am feeling so low still and just knowing there are people out there that would take the time to respond makes me feel a bit of warmth.

I did hear back from my doctor regarding some of the bloodwork. It is normal with the exception of some elevations that are common when fighting a viral infection. I am trying desperately to stay off the dr. google, but as my night sweats and lack of appetite persist, I am still very concerned.

Has anyone had nightsweats (drenching) and loss of appetite as symptoms of depression and anxiety? My doctor thinks all of these symptoms are as a result of my anxiety, but I am having a hard time accepting that as I am waking in the middle of the night drenched. I look like I have run a marathon and I have to change my pajamas and pillow case.

My dog continues to be a source of much sadness and anxiety. We are treating his suspected condition but not seeing the improvement we would expect and I am fearing that we will soon have to make the ultimate decision. He has been my companion for 8 years and has been through every aspect of military life. I fall apart when I think of my life without him.

I did make an appointment to see a local therapist on Monday evening (so very grateful she has late evening hours so that I my husband can be home with my daughter while I go) and I am really hoping that will help me.

In the meantime, I have a friend watching my girl for a few hours this morning (the only time I have ever left her with anyone but family--yay for more anxiety!!) and I am going to the library and/or bookstore to look for some reading materials.

Again, I can't say enough how much everyone's kind words have meant to me. Though technology has it's drawbacks, being able to connect with people who are in or have been in the same position is a true blessing.

Karen, thanks for the reply. I don't know that the sweats are hormonal as I am only 30, and my doctor seems unwilling to consider anything other than a viral infection and anxiety as the cause... With my insurance I don't have the option of seeing another doctor :/

Just trying to take it one hour at a time. Thanks so much.