Getting OFF Zoloft Myself

I am a 33-year-old woman who has been on Zoloft since the age of 19 to help with anxiety/depression.
My current dosage is 200mg/day - the maximum dosage, though I've heard of people taking up to 250mg! I also take 0.5mg Xanax as needed.

I've suffered from anxiety almost all my life. When I finally saw a doctor for depression at age 19 I was initially put on Cymbalta (nightmare & another story for another time). I was then put on Zoloft. Through the years, my doctors have told me that I'll probably have to take Zoloft for the rest of my life. I've tried quitting Zoloft before only to be put back the medication again due to major depression. In the last year I have made major changes to my way of life leading me to feel that I am stronger and can cope with my feelings in a more natural way on my own instead of relying on medication.

Since being laid off, I no longer have insurance to cover the doctor visits and medication (Yesterday I paid $93.00 for qty 60 100mg tablets!). I have stopped this medication twice before. The first time was easy - I had another health issue which put me in the hospital for 3 days off my meds, and once released I was on painkillers for weeks afterward. I'm sure the painkillers helped me through any withdrawals from the Zoloft. The second time I stopped taking Zoloft, I tried tapering off and made it successfully with little withdrawal side-effects.

As anyone will tell you - It is always important to discuss getting off any medication with your doctor. Everyone will have a different experience depending on several factors including the severity of anxiety or depression, current life circumstances, etc. The best way to get off of your medication is to gradually taper off.
NEVER QUIT COLD-TURKEY!!

My plan is to cut my dosage by 50mg for 2 weeks each. My current dosage is 200mg/day; however, in the last few months since being laid off, I've been trying to taper myself off Zoloft by taking 200mg one day, then 100mg the next day, then 200mg again --- with a few days missed here and there. I can tell you that on the days missed, I almost always experience brain zaps. Brain zaps are not pleasant and will remind me to take my meds right away. Since I have already begun to lower my dosage in the last couple of months, I am going to divert from my original 8-week plan below and try taking 100mg/day for 2 weeks and lower by 50mg from there.

My Plan
Week 1 & 2: 150mg/day
Week 3 & 4: 100mg/day
Week 5 & 6: 50mg/day
Week 7 & 8: 50mg/eod

I will be checking in periodically to let you know how I'm doing.
Today is Day 2 of 100mg/day. No noticeable changes to report just yet. Please stay tuned.

I feel like this post is a bit scattered and I apologize if it is hard to follow. My mind has been in a fog for years now (I'm sure it's the meds). I am happy to have found this forum and want to send out a "THANK YOU!" to ZolOFF and others for posting their experiences with quitting Zoloft. It is good to know I'm not alone in this.

For more information, I highly recommend visiting this post started by ZolOFF as it contains other stories and helpful tips for tapering off Zoloft on your own:
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=2436060

Welcome, and best of luck Mewo!

I hope your discontinuation goes very smoothly for you.:)

Please see our Resources for great self help material and coping skills that you may find helpful during your transition.

Keep us posted, and we'll keep you in support!

S.C.

wow sounds like you allready have a good plan to go on. i was on generic zoloft and it ws dirt cheap. 200 is the highest dose i have ever heard of any one taking of this stuff. i hope it goes well. the brain zaps were the worst part for me. comming up on 2 years zoloft free for me!

Too much, too fast!

Please do yourself a favor and start by cutting down in 25 mg increments. Do not do 50 mgs at a time or you will definitely feel withdrawal symptoms.

I was on 200 mgs also (one of the 5 times I took it) and had to do it 25 mg at a time for 2 weeks. Once you get down to 25 mgs, cut that in half so you are taking 12.5 mgs for about 2 weeks. Then if you want you can either stop, or take 12.5 every other day for a few days.

Don't torture yourself trying to get off of it too fast. Remember, it took some time for your body to adjust to the med, and it's going to take some time to adjust to coming off of it.

Please trust me on this one, I am currently coming off of it once again. Only from 50 mgs this time, but I've been on 25 now for 2 weeks. You'll thank me for it later, I promise...

Good luck!
Fox

I was at 100mg