Safely Stopping Zoloft

[seagirl66]

I have been taking Zoloft for the past 8 yrs. 100 mil.  I'm 71 yrs old. I would like to stop. I have gained weight, have sweats, & just feel like it is time to stop. I have asked my Dr. several times if I could stop & he said that they are not addictive & I should stay on them. Last week I asked him again & his reply was the same as usual. After a long chat with him he finally agreed for me to stop. BUT when I asked him how to taper off he said that I could just stop. Now, I'm not a Dr., but I no darn well that one can't safely just stop taking the drug. I would appreciate any help with directions to safely stopping the drug.
Thanking you in advance.

[Lo62]

I've been on Zoloft for awhile, currently taking 100 mg.  I've wanted to be off for quite sometime.  My dr. has neglected to call in my refill in a timely manner and now and it's been 4 days since I've taken the Zoloft.  I am greatly considering not taking them, any longer from this point on.  I've experienced a little dizziness since I've stopped.  I'm changing doctors asap yet I am wondering if these four days without the Zoloft are considered "cold turkey" or if there are perhaps more withdrawal symptoms to be experienced.  I'd love your feedback on this issue.  Thank you

[seagirl66]

OMG!!!!!  I made a mistake. I do not take Xanax. I was reading some of the posts & Xanax must have stuck in my brain. lol I was asking about the withdrawls from the Zoloft.
Do you think I would be feeling then yet?

[cj29]

As long as you are following your doc's instructions you are doing the right thing in my opinion.  Xanax has a short half life and is out of your body fairly quickly, so yes, I would say that you are doing something right!  And yes, I think you would feel xanax withdrawals after three days....you are probably going slow...which is good!  Keep me posted and feel free to pm me as well!

[seagirl66]

Hi cj. Tonight I took my third dose of the 75mgs of the Zoloft. If I'm going to have any symptoms of stopping Zanax, do you think it would have started by now? What sort of symptoms come from  stopping? I thank you for your help.

[cj29]

Good luck!  If you really start to have bad withdrawal symptoms, you can go slower, in my opinion.  I initially had come off of it too fast and slowed down and it made a really big difference...hang in there and let me know how it is going!

[seagirl66]

Hi cj.

I took your advice & spoke with my pharmacists. She said to go from 100 to 75 for about a week or so, then to 50 & then to 25. I will be starting this tonight. Wish me luck!!!

[cj29]

It took a good couple of months for me.  I actually went pretty slow which did wonders for withdrawal symptoms with me.  Other than a slight headache, a little nausea, and some jitteriness, it really wasn't that bad.  I also realized that it would get better with time and it did.  I am glad that you are going to seek advice for this...that is the correct way..keep me informed with what is going on.

[seagirl66]

Thank you cj for your reply. I will talk with my pharmacists. I just feel like I don't need this medication. The reason I started them in the first place was when I lost my father. I was rushed to hospital with heart skips. After testing I was told I have PACS. Premature Arterial Contractions due to stress. After a year of putting up with the PACS I decided to listen to my Dr. & start the Zoloft. It did help me but I don't need them now or haven't needed them for years. I don't take Tranquilizers. How long did it take for you to stop?

[cj29]

Unfortunately some doctors, especially General Practitioners, don't have a lot of knowledge and/or much experience with meds like these.  I have tapered off of Zoloft after a year of use and my doc put me on a slow taper and even slowed it down when I was having a little more side effects than I wanted...which helped tremendously.  In my opinion, tapering, especially after long term use, is VERY important.  If your doctor is not willing to work with you on this, is there another doctor or therapist that you have worked with?  Also, I find pharmacists a good resource as well when it comes to questions about meds.  Keep us posted!