Withdrawal from Zoloft

[ladybugbob1029]

I have been on Zoloft 50 mg a day for the past 2 years (I have been on and off of it several times over the past 7 yrs) for anxiety and panic attacks.  Most of my anxiety is health anxiety related to my heart.  I've had tachycardia a few times and ever since have been convinced that every little funny feeling or flutter is my heart.  Anyway - I am now 23 weeks pregnant and have been weaning off of the Zoloft over the last 8 weeks.  Last wednesday I had my last partial dose and have had none since.  I remember before when I went off of Zoloft having some weird withdrawal side effects, but this is the longest I've been on it and I don't remember them being as bad as what I am having now.  I just want to know if anyone else has ever had this...............I'm not having the brain "zaps" that most people complain about.  Mine is more like a sudden surge of dizzines when shifting my eyes or making sudden movements.  Also - i am very tired (could be the prganancy).  The feeling in my head though is driving me nuts!  Although my anxiety has not come back, I can't help but to think - what if its something else and not the Zoloft withdrawal.  Anyone had experience coming off of Zoloft?  Or had the funny head feelings that I mentioned above?  Any  comments would be appreciated.

[Britt42]

I am having the same problems. I was on 100mg for 3-4 months and slowly tapered off for 3 weeks. I have now been off of it completely for 3-4 weeks and still feel plain awful. I have major headaches/migraines and I'm super dizzy. I have noticed my anxiety is getting worse again. I can't tell if these are withdrawals or something else. My doctor doesn't think the headaches are from going off the meds, but that's when it all started. Very frustrating feeling this way 24/7!!

[Tooten]

I have been on 100mg Zoloft for at least fifteen years for neuropathy in my feet.....The whole time I have felt as if I had no feelings...felt numb....I told my doctor two weeks ago I wanted to get off of it...so I am to take 50 mg per day for three months and then she will tell me to go from there....for the first couple days I had no problems.....then BOOM all the symptons you are all talking about came....I am still having them but not as bad the last couple days......when I am nauseated or my stomach is bothering me in any way I feel weird in my head and very shaky....SO, I started taking Spring Valley brand Super Strength Probiotic Acidolphilus - 2 billion active cultures.....I take it twice a day.....I am not nauseated anymore and feel so much better....still have some of the symptoms, headache, weak, shaky, dizzy, perspire, then cold but not nearly as bad as before.....It is worth a try everyone; it is sure helping me so far.......

[Fatima620]

About 7 years ago ..I was going through a child custody battle and divorce and for the first time ever, got fired from a job..all in the same month of November.  I had already started having panic attacks back in August and all of this was too much to bear.. My Dr put me on 75 mg. of Zoloft..immediately the panic attacks stopped, but so did everything else in my world..I could not care less about anything in my life for the 2 months I was taking Zoloft..I belive I was over medicate..at the time I weighed 113lbs and am 5' 6"..would go days without eating due to the anxiety..When I decided to get off of the Zoloft, it was awful...Nightsweats, I could hear glass shattering in my head..gun shots..more panic attcks..disorientation..not able to cope with reality..the list goes on..but eventually  I taught myself how to fight the panic attacks..deep breathing..running..walking fast..jumping up to touch the ceiling..anything to get the nervous energy out of my system.
It all went away, until 6 years later..another relationship gone wrong..moving the kids again..finances etc..I started having the panic attacks again..so bad I could not drive myself to work some mornings..The Dr put me on 10mg of Lexapro.. it did wonders for me..I felt great, my outlook on life was very optomistic..I really enjoyed the way I felt just fine Not overly fine but just good on the Lexapro.  I took the Lexapro for almost a year and decided to stop taking it at the advice of my DR.  It took a while but I stopped cold turkey one day a week ago..Immediately I felt bad..sad..hopeless..night sweats..vivid dreams that meant nothing..a feeling of anxiety to do something but no energy to do anything..I had been laying in bed for days..watching tv..gained about 5 lbs..became depressed..Today I decided that maybe I am not ready to come off the Lexapro..that I like feeling good, being happy and having the optimistic look I had on Lexapro..I am sure one day I will have to stop taking it but right now is not the right time..

[ladybugbob1029]

Thanks for the response!  My dizziness seems to be getting better - its not as bad midmorning to midafternoon, and seems to be mainly bad in the morning and the evening when I'm tired - so that may have something to do with it!  Its SO frustrating!!  I said this last time when I went on the Zoloft that I wouldn't come off again except while I'm pregnant, and had intended to go back on it after delivery, but now I'm not so sure.  Withwithdrawal effects like this I'm not sure if its all that safe to be on it to begin with - although it has definately been a lifesaver for me.

[cj29]

I have been on and off Zoloft a couple of times and there are withdrawals in my opinion.  I had headaches, sweats, and dizziness originally.  I actually went on a slower taper and it helped tremendously.  The effects will go away just like they did the last time when you came off of it, in my opinion.  Also, remember you are pregnant! (I know it is hard to forget:)). You are definitley going to be feeling a litte different....keep us posted!