ashbo0o said...
Sertraline (generic brand of Zoloft) definitely made me gain weight. I started on 50mg in January 2012 and my relationship with my family, friends and long-term boyfriend increased SIGNIFICANTLY. Almost like a miracle.
However, the 50mg didn't seem to be quite enough for me and I upped the dose to 100mg in March. As soon as summer started I went to the beach and gained a significant amount of weight (for me).
Mind you, I am 21 years old, 5'1. All of high school I was 110, all of college was 115 and very recently 118. After the beach I was 125.
Now I have reached points where I am 135lbs. WHAT?!?!! My metabolism is crazy awesome and since being on Sertraline for 6 months its been horrid, obviously. I quit cold turkey 2.5 weeks ago and experienced the extremes of all of the side effects when stopping an anxiety medication.
I am 133lbs now but I understand it is probably still in my system. I have experienced 1 panic attack and definitely been fightings often with a lot of people. No suicidal thoughts; but it is clear I need a medication. I am currently on Bupropian (a generic brand) that is supposed to help with maintaining weight/dropping it. I started it 2 days after I dropped Sertraline.
My doctor said it was fine to quit cold turkey. It really was. I survived without benadryl, wine or anything. Brain zaps were new to me and pretty scary though.
ANYWAY, I just wanted to brief you on my experience so far, ZoLoff and would love to hear about any weight loss/gain you experience with your new life off of ZoLoft. Thanks for your posts. I literally registered for this website because I wanted to see your blog.
Thanks again!
Hi, Ashbo0o!
I'm glad that you enjoyed reading my post, and I'm happy that you feel like you made the right decision for you and are doing well! You are def brave to have quit cold turkey, but it's reassuring for you to share that on this forum.
I'd also like to add for other people reading this, that I haven't had to supplement with benedryl or wine or anything like that in a month. I'm completely *free* at this point now.
I feel as though the most noticeable thing that has happened for me since I quit Zoloft has been weight loss and decreased (AKA back to normal person's) appetite. Zoloft made me eat like a football player. I was 24 years old, 5'4" and a size 6 or 8 when I went on Zoloft. It made me go up to a size 16, within a mere 2 1/2 years. It made me lazy. I didn't care about
dieting or exercising at all, and I was a fitness fanatic before I went on Zoloft.
Since I've quit, I'm almost back into a size 12. My jeans are falling off of me. That's pretty quick, considering it's only been out of my system for maybe 2 months. I'm running a 5k, and I'm doing the "Insanity" fitness program. I feel like the positive aspects of my health came right back. People are noticing and commenting on my almost-effortless weight loss.
When I was on Zoloft, I was doing Weight Watchers AND P90x AND very intense spinning and I kept gaining weight (Had to will myself through all of that very, very much, and couldn't sustain it. Don't have to do that these days; naturally want to be healthy.) My sugar cravings were absolutely through the roof on Zoloft. I couldn't stop thinking about
cake, and
cookies, and ice cream and...you name it!!! It was ridiculous. So, I know my positive changes are coming from being Zoloft-free right now.
I'm sorry to hear you put on weight so fast, and as a young woman, it's very discouraging. I've never been on a different antidepressant for an extended period time, so I don't know if a different antidepressant would do this to me, but right now, I'm trying to explore natural options. However, I obviously have nothing against pharmaceuticals when needed. I hope that your new medication is working out for you and that your weight continues to come off.
What really matters is that you're happy, but I know that you can't feel happy unless you feel healthy and beautiful, too! Good luck w/ everything and post any updates!