zoloft - wt. gain, possible weaning off

Hi - this is my first time on this board. I'll try to be brief. I've been on Zoloft since 2002. I loved it! No problems, worked just enough to keep me from giving up, you know? No wt. problems, weaned off ok at the very beginning of another pregnancy, did ok until baby was 2-5 months old. Kind of crashed, I think due to hormonal changes and having 5 kids. Went back on, fine, no wt problems. 2 miscarriages, then another baby, still the wt. gain didn't seem to happen. What I mean is that I would gain wt. during preg., then lose most or all of it. I never felt completely "pre-baby", but I didn't have to go out and get new clothes, either. Oh.... all this time I was on 50, then 100 mg. about a year ago, my dr. said to increase to 200 during PMS - so it's only for about a week or two that I take 200. Last summer I started putting wt on - I don't know how much. I don't have a scale - but I've gone up 2 pants sizes. I would guess I've gained probably 15 pounds, after losing most of the baby wt. I am still nursing, almost 40 and have a VERY unsupported life, emotionally, (my mom has severe drug problem, husband wants a divorce, 2 special needs kids - but honestly, they aren't a problem, they are actually easier than my typical kids! They just have more medical and educational needs than the others) So all these factors I mentioned have made me think it's just my body, mainly the almost 40 part. I feel like I've had perimenopause symptoms for about 5 years. But my best friend just mentioned that she thinks there is a link between Zoloft and wt. gain and after looking around on here, I see that she is right! I'm so disappointed, because I'm really afraid to go off of it. The situations in my life that made my tendency toward depression worse have only gotten harder. I won't be having any more babies, so I don't have to worry about the hormonal stuff (some of my worst times have been during preg. and post partum). I guess this is my main question: Since I didn't gain the wt. right away (for 6 years I had no problems), do you think that my wt. gain is really from Zoloft? I'm leaning towards no. I think I should REALLY try hard with exercising and watching my calories. Also, what are the brain zing things mentioned, mostly in regard to weaning off? If I wean off, what do you suggest? I'm so scared to do it! You know how it is...I feel like I just have to keep my head above water, get through each day.... my kids didn't ask for a depressed mom and JERK dad! But, I would LOVE to lose this weight!! Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

Hi there,

And welcome to the forum.

I am thinking (can you smell the smoke???lol), you started zoloft eight years ago.  As we get older, we do gain weight, and it is harder to lose.  So your age could be a factor.  I would take that into consideration.  I am 51 and it is hard to keep the weight off.  I really struggle, but I wont give up my ad at this time.

So talk to your doc and see what they say before you start weaning off.  And if you do decide to wean off, please have your doc help you. 

Keep posting, I am glad that you found us.  There is a wonderful group of members here and this is a good place to come. 

I hope that you have a good day today.  Keep us posted on how things are going.

Hugs, Karen