Weight Loss after Zoloft

I was looking to see if anyone was still around from all of the old weight gain threads. I wasn't a member during that time those threads were active but I have been reading them all over the past few days. I feel like I have so much in common with everyone!!!

Also, on the first thread regarding weight gain & zoloft, a user by the name of Mekkie posted a website that I guess had some helpful info relating to the topic but I couldn't find the link anywhere on that thread!! Does anyone know the website Mekkie posted??

I started a 50mg dose of Zoloft in Feb 2007. I never put 2 & 2 together that my weight gain was being caused by this medication. It was right around Halloween that I started getting really irritated and how steadfast my weight was becoming. I exercise on a regular basis and it seemed as though I was gaining, gaining, gaining. It didn't make sense. I started searching online and found this wonderful board and read up on all the issues other Zoloft users were having with their weight. I called my doc to get instructions on tapering off because I wanted off of this nasty beast. I initially went onto Zoloft for anxiety issues but now feel totally depressed because of how fat I am! In Feb 2007 I weighed 144 and from that point wanted to still lose about 15 pounds of baby weight I had lingering around. Well...fast forward to Nov 2007, I weigh 165! And I have actually changed my diet to reduce process foods, high fructose corn syrup, etc etc and have continued my active lifestyle by exercising at the very least 3x a week. So, my doc advised me to take 1/2 my dosage (25mg) for one month and then stop from that. Well, me being the awnry person I am, took the 25mg for 2 weeks and then went cold turkey. I haven't had any Zoloft since Dec 12. The entire time, I have had horrible headaches, they get worse with noise. I almost feel like I am in a constant state of a hangover. The dizziness, headaches, irritability. And having a toddler around pretty much exacerbates these effects.

I am wanting to know when these withdrawal side effects will subside??

Shy is correct, it is not good to go cold turkey as the backlash can be really tough. 

I know this thread was about Zoloft but any stories in how people did re weight loss after stopping SSRI would be helpful.

Thanks

Kitt

Thanks for the replies. The physical withdrawal side effects have gone away...the headaches, dizziness, hangover feelings, etc. However, I feel like I am 200x more irritable than ever right now! It could also have to do with the fact that I am starting my period next week but still...it is much worse. I feel like I am going to bite someone's head off at the drop of a dime.

I know that I have a very strong desire to never be put on a medication like Zoloft ever again. I hate the way I look now. And it has really poorly affected my sex life with my husband. I don't want to be intimate because I feel so ashamed of the way I look. It is really frustrating and I wish I would've been told the truth that weight gain is a common side effect instead of being told that there were practically no side effects. At least I would be anticipating it instead of wondering what in the heck is going on inside of my body. I will continue with my healthy eating habits and will probably bump up my exercise routine if I can find the time.

I have been reading alot of material by Dr. Andrew Weil. He is the Clinical Professor of Medicine and Director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the Univ. of Arizona in Tucson. His approach to combining conventional medicine with alternative medicine in order to practice preventative medicine is very insightful. I am going to start on some B-complex vitamins along with the recommended dosage of Omega-3's to see if it helps balance out my moods.