Withdrawals from going off 300mgs daily of Zoloft.

Hi, I am new to this forum. Recently I have been under a tremendous amount of stress, dealing with elderly parent issues, a grandson who has many disabilities and we have 100% legal guardianship of, and of course financial issues. I have been on 300 mg. of Zoloft for quite a few years, now. I did not stop taking them for the purpose of not taking them, but I ran out in the middle of the month and have not had the money to refill them.
I have probably been off them for about 2-3 weeks. I have been feeling so different. I cannot sleep at night, I am restless, I have had flu like symptoms like hot and cold flashes, the "zaps" have been almost unbearable, especially at night. I have been much more irritable than normal. I have been having very vivid dreams. I didn't know what was going on with me. I thought it was because of all the stress I am under, which I am sure probably had to do with all of the symptom withdrawals. I do have a lot of aches and pains and figured it was old age setting in, but have read some of the other letters from others here that they have had the aches and pains while on this drug. I think physically it would be better to try to suffer through without them, but at this time in my life with so much stress going on, I really think that I need to go back on them and down the road maybe try to talk to the doctor about weaning my self down to at least a much lower dose. Any of your suggestions will be appreciated.

Talk to your doctor. The worst of the withdrawals are likely over, but stopping a medication swiftly should be avoided for the stress it places on your emotions, your body and your brain chemistry. The same medication might be less effective now. This is why doctors recommend a tapering.

I used to take zoloft and there is a generic available. Have you asked for it? My memory is that it was pretty cheap.

Also, is there a religious charity in your area? I had to use a financial medication-help group a few years ago,not for my depression meds, but for Ulcerative Colitis medications which are not generic. It sprained my dignity, but I was thankful for the help at a time I needed it.

Feel better soonest!

I was prescribed 100mg of Zoloft for around a year and slowly weaned off for two months. I couldn't imagine quitting cold turkey at 300mg. The brain zaps I had were shocking but I'm sure yours were much more intense. If you have already made it past the worst part of withdrawal which is four weeks, why not find an alternative method to treat depression?

Since quitting the anti-depressants I made a decision to change how I lived. I started exercising and eating super healthy. Taking the all natural, holistic approach may seem like witchdoctor technology but it truly does work if you can be patient. Moderate exercise 30 mins a day will help you so much.

Good luck!