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Weaning off Zoloft Day 1

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Posted 4/9/2014 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

I came across this post as i was researching about Zoloft and weight gain. I have ready a great deal about this and know now that my experience is not unique. I have struggled with anxiety disorder and depression most of my life but the thought of taking medication made me too anxious to try it ever.

I had severe post partum depression after the birth of our second son which presented with RAGE. I never hurt my baby but i would hurt myself by banging my fists in fits of rage when i couldn't get him to sleep at night. I finally talked to my doctor who confirmed that this was post partum.

She started me on zoloft which i happily took as i hated the way i was behaving. This was 2.5 years ago. the first 2 years on zoloft i felt as though i was starting to live my life for the first time ever, no anxiety, no depression, i was content and alive!!! it was a miracle pill and i loved it!

However, something changed about six months ago. not sure what caused the change but i knew it was there. I started to feel more bloated than usual, more spacy and distracted. I started skin picking my face and back, which was something i had stopped doing even way before i started zoloft. I was totally unfocesed and unmotivated and finally started to work out to feel better. it's been 3 months of doing 3-4 aggressive classes a week and eating well and my weight keeps going up!!

I remembered recently that when i started zoloft i was dropping weight like crazy. I was at 103 and couldn't gain weight and thought it was because i was breastfeeding. this week i am at 124 and i know it is from Zoloft! i started to wean yesterday from my dose of 75mg to 50mg. I want off of this medication and i know it is no longer doing what it did the first 2 years i was on it. I have depression because of the weight gain and feeling more aggitated.

I do hope that once i'm weaned off i will see that my brain chemistry has changed such that i won't need to take anything but if it has not i will likely try something else because my anxiety was debilitating and as my husband said to me the other night, "your rage is scary".

It has been a blessing to have found a forum where others are sharing their experiences. I will continue to share mine.

Thank you!

Posted 4/9/2014 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Three,

I'm glad you found us here at HW. As you pointed out, you'll see a lot of people sharing experiences with various meds. It's a fountain of information here!

Sometimes our bodies just sort of 'adapt' to a particular medication. The good news is that there is quite a variety of different meds to choose from.

Discuss with your doctor the changes in your state and how you feel, and your doc can arrange a titration schedule to get you off of one medication,....(and perhaps even see how you do without any, as you may not need it anymore.....not everyone needs to take A/D's forever, so that is one possibility!)

If you find that being med-free perks up your anxiety/depression again, your doctor can always try a different one. Sometimes it's a juggling act until we find the right one, and sometimes, it's a few juggling acts as try different meds all together searching for what works.

You're not out of options, and it's a good thing that you're so in-touch with how you're feeling/reacting....that you're aware of it.

Let us know how you make out, and again, welcome aboard!





M.
Posted 4/9/2014 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
Three13

Welcome to HealingWell.  One thing you did not mention was how tall you are. If you were underweight at 103lbs and now you feel you are overweight I suspect you may be dealing with some self-esteem issues.You may have a picture of what you should look like and not recognize that you look fabulous just the way you are.

Medications can stop working or perhaps the dose needs adjusting.  Do make an appointment with a Psychiatrist to discuss the many medications available and perhaps find a weight neutral antidepressant.

I hope that you stick around and post often-this is a great place for info and support.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 4/9/2014 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome!

Wishing you the best on your wean!

I am going to post a couple of resources for you in the hope that you find them helpful.

The first is site specifically on weaning from A/D's and anxiety meds. You might find some good info in there.

http://theroadback.org/



Below, is the link to our Resources. I do believe that since you are going off of a med...essentially letting go of one form of anxiety management...that is is always benenficial to pick up another set of 'tools'.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

Inside, you will find all sorts of great self-help coping skills to practice if you find that you need them.:)

Keep posting here with us as well. Support is key!!

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat

Posted 4/9/2014 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone! I just finished my Pilates class and feel great. It doesn't hurt that it's finally sunny out:) I'm 5'3" and have been comfortable at 110 most of my adult life. I'd be so happy to back to that once weaned.

I'm curious, what are some weight neutral ADs? I've read that Wellbutrin might be one. Of course it can be different for each person.
I had picked Zoloft with my primary because it had the best profile with breastfeeding but my son is weaned so that's no longer a concern.

Thank you everyone for all the information.
313
Posted 4/11/2014 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Day 4 of going from 75mg to 50mg zoloft has been very positive. I feel less disconnected and spacey. I have not had any withdrawal symptoms thankfully. I will plan to continue on 50mg to complete a week and potentially go down to 25mg if things are still going well.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend!

313

Posted 4/11/2014 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Three,

Thanks for the update! Sounds like things are going great!!

I am sorry there was no answer on your last question...you may want to start a new thread with that specific topic...but yes, you are right, everyone reacts differently, so take any input with that in mind.

Keep up the great work, and have a fantastic weekend yourself! :)

S.C.
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