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Coming off of Zoloft

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Posted 2/17/2014 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Been on zoloft for 20 years and tried numerous times to quit and I would go into a relapse. With the help of my counselor and doctor, I tried again. I also did some research on the side effects of zoloft. Anyway, I was on 150 mg. I was fine on 125 mg then my doctor lowered my dosage to 100 mg. Over the years, when I got down to 100 mg I would get panicky and call my doc and he would up my dosage back to 150 mg. When I got to 100 mg, the side effects kicked in (crying, sad, anxious, etc). This time, I didn't panic. After 2 weeks, I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Made it through. My counselor and doctor thought it would be wise for me to stay on 100 mg until I felt strong enough to go down to 75 mg. After 4 weeks at 75 mg, the second level of withdrawals have kicked in. This time it is not as extreme as before but it is still uncomfortable. The withdrawal symptoms will feel like you are depressed but it is not. So far, I've been feeling down for one week. I will keep you all up to date.
Back to T
Posted 2/17/2014 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
I find this fascinating. I'm glad that you have been able to titrate down in a way that's safe and effective. I like that you're able to distinguish the w/d sensations, but that you're also aware that they aren't as severe, and that while uncomfortable, you are able to manage them.

This is very helpful information. There are so many different A/D's out there, that often we find ourselves bouncing back and forth between them, and along with that comes the questions of what possible effects are when coming off certain meds.

While we all respond differently to meds, it's beneficial to read of your experience. Thank you for sharing.



M.
Posted 2/17/2014 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you M!
I struggled for years to get off of it. Months of research on side effects of antidepressants was tremendous. I commend my counselor!
Posted 2/18/2014 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hey there and welcome to the A & P Forum.  You are lucky to have a counselor who would take the time to help you wean off of the medication.

Mine often says cut it in 1/2 for 3 day and just stop.  I know better than that so we sometimes clash but generally she is pretty good about working with me.

Sharing your information with the members will be a great help.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 2/23/2014 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, still waiting for my 75 mg to level out. Recovering from a cold didn't help but I am hopeful. I just want to thank God for blessing me with a wonderful counselor.
Posted 2/25/2014 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi FR. I am off zoloft for the first time in 10 years, which also means for the first time in my adult life. My last dose was 11/29/13. I'm glad you are taking it slow. It sure is a process.

What side effects have you noticed? I had the physical (brain zaps, flu like symptoms, etc) for about 2 weeks after my last dose. I have had some other strange symptoms too though. When I was first off I noticed a decrease in my appetite, but about a month ago my appetite completely vanished. I have lost almost 20 lbs which is a bit frightening. I imagine that over the 10 years on the meds I probably put on more than that incidiously, but I am still worried. I love to eat, and I just have no desire to. My doctor wants me to go back on the zoloft and says that I can't eat because I am anxious and depressed, but I worked too hard to get off of it to go back on that quickly. I really want to try to let my brain "recover" before I go back on, but this weight loss is scaring me.

I guess I'm wondering if you have experienced anything similar since you were also on the Z for a long time and also to say congrats on weaning yourself off and good luck on your journey!

--kate
Posted 2/26/2014 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kate,
I have a wonderful counselor. I didn't feel like eating but my counselor told me to eat even if I didn't want to. You have to re-train your thought process. I got my appetite back after a couple of days. I had eggs for breakfast, shrimp fried rice for lunch and chicken nuggets for dinner. Do you have a mentor? I wish I could give you the website that is also helping me. Hang in there! You have the will to eat. If your stomach is telling you, you are hungry, then eat. Sometimes we tend to listen to our thoughts and our emotions tags along.
Posted 2/26/2014 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
My doctor has been tapering me off since August 2013. He is slowly tapering me off. At times, I wish we could go faster. Since I am at 75 mg it will probably be another 4-6 months.
Posted 2/27/2014 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Can anyone tell me how the Zoloft helped them , I'm scared to start but I can't take all these sx anymore
Posted 2/27/2014 4:37 AM (GMT 0)
It made me quite sleepy all the time. I was supposed to be on it for a short time and was told it was not addictive. After several months, I couldn't get off of it. I was told I had to be on it for the rest of my life. Like I said, my withdrawal symptoms felt like you are going into a depression again but it's not. I did quite a bit of research on antidepressants which helped me a lot. The other thing is you have to find the root cause of your depression. Antidepressants only covers the symptoms and the root cause never goes away. I've been through several psychologists and psychiatrists and they never helped me. My faith in God has helped me tremendously and a wonderful christian counselor. As of today, I am feeling 80 percent better than last week which means I am leveling out at 75 mg. I am so excited. If I could go back 20 years ago, and what I know now, I would never have taken Zoloft. I wanted a quick easy fix.
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