Zoloft Withdrawal! Please help!

[jimmy 1965]

My doctor (psychiatrist) took me off ZOlOFT. I was on Zoloft for about 5 months at a max dosage of 100mg. When he decided to take me off he did the tapering down process in 25mg increments every five days so I thought that was a good tapering process. I even asked my family doctor and he said yeah that is a safe way to get off the med. I took my last 25mg dose this past Monday night. I never had issues when I was coming off the medicne but about three days ago I started having spells of feeling light headed. I have had bouts of flu type feelings and I feel very tired and worn out. Basically I feel like **** and I dont have the flu. My question is, How long does it take to get Zoloft out of your system? I know your never to stop taking SSRI meds abruptly but when you follow a good tapering schedule and you still deal with wwithdrawal symptoms that's enough to tick a person off. My doctor wants me to start Lexapro but he wants me to wait until Zoloft is completely washed from my system. How many days do I have to put up with this ****? Any answers or advise is much appreciated. You know the medical world tells us that you cant become dependant or addicted to these meds but I tend to dissagree the more I read about people having discontinuation syndrome after following doctors orders on a good weening off process.  

Take Care
Jimmy

[FrostyGal]

After reading these postings, I don't know whether I want to cry because my symptoms are the same as those I have read here and MIGHT be around for a long long time or because I am so happy to find I am not alone.  I was stunned to read about the diabetes and coughing related postings.  After building up to 100 mg of zolft over 7 years I had to be treated for gestational diabetes for my third pregnancy and was recently prescribed lipitor for high cholestoral.  I was six days into stopping cold turkey last weekend when I couldn't figure out why all of a sudden I started coughing when I didn't have a cold.  I was more alarmed when I was cleaning the carpet and it started to move like wavy water.  Then the nausea hit big time.  Someone commented about feeling like they were pregnant.  I can confirm this does feel very much like "morning sickness" in that I feel nauseated, weak, and I just want to eat saltines.  But I can add to that brain zaps, feeling like your eyes don't follow when you turn your head, headaches, dizziness, coughing, irritability, word recall and memory issues, insomnia, and a general zombie state.

I did take some more zoloft (actually the sertraline) a couple of times in the last few days, because I have three kids to take care of and I couldn't function well.  From everything I have read here, it seems to me that even when you slowly decrease the dosage you still go through this **** when you finally stop it for good.  Is it possible that decreasing the dosage doesn't have much to do with the degree you suffer withdrawal?  Maybe people just suffer different degrees of it no matter what?

Are people taking the Benadryl to reduce insomnia or are there other benefits from taking it?

[jbro2006]

wow - I'm so glad to find you all.

I started taking Zoloft at 25 - 50 mg in my early 20's for post traumatic stress disorder, I was suicidal at the time and I felt like it saved my life.  I loved it.  After some intense counseling and an overall improvement in my life, I went cold turkey - with no side effects at all.  I swear to god.  I felt great - never was an issue again for years.

Fast forward 10 years - quit smoking after 17 years and couldn't stop crying.  Asked the doctor for my beloved Zoloft and went on my merry way - few months later - I weaned off with (AGAIN)  NO side effects.  Maybe a little cranky?

Fast forward 5 years -

Had baby, had run in with crazy mom, got back on the Zoloft - stayed on for long, long time.  (4 years?)  Gained alot of wieght.  At least 40 pounds.

Started weaning off (want another baby)  BUT much to my suprise weaning off this time has been hellatious.  I just don't understand.  The dizzyness, rage and nausea are beyond me.  My poor son.  My husband is taking him fishing this weekend to give me a chance to unhinge in peace.  I don't have the brain zaps - thank god - but those of you that do have my utter and complete sympathy.

Why would I be able to wean off this drug two times previously with no side effects and now be SOOOO miserable?  This makes no sense to me.

[Bassman263]

Hello All!  I posted on here about a month ago, when I found this site, which was definitely a big help to me.  Seeing what everyone else is going through makes me feel not so alone in this, as no one I know has ever gone through this, and it's horrible.  I have now been off the Zoloft completely for about 2 months, and they withdrawals are still with me!  I don't have the brain zaps anymore, but now I have something worse.  I get this weird pressure in the front of my head, that goes from my forehead to both temples, and it makes me feel completely out of sorts.  Like I am on a different planet or something.  it's hard to describe but the first time it happened, I went to the clinic and they had to calm me down, as it created some panic, because it felt so weird and I didn't know what was going on.  And lo and behold, the dang doctor tried to give me another medicine to take, a cousin to Lexapro, Celexa.  I told him no way was I going to take another drug, as it has been hellish trying to get off the Zoloft.  These symptoms seems to come in waves, that last anywhere from 10 mins to an hour, and then I have a respite for a bit, then they come back again.  This has been going on for about 2 weeks now.  I also have nausea and dizzy spells, and those suck.  Point I am trying to make it, it may take some people a really long time(3 or so months) before the withdrawal symptoms go away completely.  During this time, you will feel anxiety, I know I do, I feel terror sometimes at nothing, and I even had bouts of complete anger and frustration at absolutely nothing.  So, take heart everyone, these symptoms are rough, they are the worst thing you will ever go through, but don't go back on the Zoloft!!!!  Don't do it!  It is not worth it, unless you really need it, and it really helps you with no side effects.  Instead of drugs, get outside and exercise, meditate, go fishing, go camping or do something that you enjoy that relaxes you.  Also, I have found something that seems to help me alot, and I pass this on as a kind of test to everyone.  I was having a bad day, and I started watching a few of my co-workers play chess, and I started planning out moves for them and such in my head, and it seemed to help.  I think that when we get creative, it uses some part of the brain that helps with the serotonin or something.  I am not sure if this will work for everyone, but give it a shot, do something that makes you think creatively, draw a picture, paint, make a dresser if you like woodworking, something.  It may just help.  That all said I am still going through withdrawals, and they really suck, and i hate it, and all it does is make me more determined to not go back on these types of drugs because after 2 months of hell, I don't want to do this ever again.  So, hang in there, and stay as strong as possible.  These things will eventually pass, and you will feel much happier and better.  If anyone would like to chit chat about things, or just needs some support or whatever, email me at ***@****.  My name is Jacob, and I would be more than happy to help in any way I can, even if its just a should to cry on or vent to etc.  Hope everyone has a decent day!  STAY STRONG!  Bass.

[renal123]

I am now off Zoloft completely for one week.  I, too have brain zapping, and a feeling like i'm going to lose conciousness.  I totally flipped out on a friend the other night over nothing (she locked the car doors while I was driving) totally out of character for me.  My doc suggested Wellbutrin and I am on it now 300mg a day.  I'm in a total fog.  One good thing, i really don't feel like smoking, i have 5-6 a day down from a pack a day habit.  I'm going to hang in there and ride these symptoms out.  Good luck to everyone.  

[kf2353]

I found this site just before picking up the phone to call at least one of my doctors to see what is going on with me.  I will preface this with the fact that I had been on 100mg Zoloft for about 10 years for anxiety/depression after the death of my mother (continued on it because my gynecologist said that I might need it for the rest of my life to control a possible 'chemical imbalance.')

Now, the past couple of months - since February - have been a wild and confusing ride for me.  At that time, I lost my father quite suddenly to a massive heart attack at 72, I then decided that at 54 it was time to see the family doctor ... even though I've been seeing specialists for "woman" things, allergies, etc.  Well, he found that I've gained over 50-60 lbs. in the last ten years (Zoloft?), and my blood pressure and cholesterol were dangerously high and immediately put me on blood pressure and cholesterol medications.  My thoughts ... "man, I hate taking another medication on top of Zoloft & Allegra, Albuterol, Nasacort!"  But, this BP and cholesterol thing is a little more life threatening than my anxiety or sneezing & wheezing.  SO, THE BIG STORY HERE ... about four weeks ago I decided to stop the Zoloft ... cold turkey.  I also started a wonderful healthy eating regemine (Sonoma Diet if your interested), started drinking lots of water and walking on my treadmill for at least a mile each day, have lost 17 pounds and even want to redecorate my house (more energy and interest in life than I've had in a long time).  Felt great!  If I was having withdrawal, I didn't know it!  THEN, (after the doctor ordered stress test indicated a possible blockage), a cardiac cath was ordered and I'm told little or no walking until after the procedure (which I, unfortunately, put off for three weeks).  During that three week period, I continued my healthy eating habits, but didn't concentrate so much on drinking lots of water and of course little or no exercise.  THEN THE AWFUL head rushes, flu symptoms, aching muscles, crying fits, rages, loss of concentration (well, you all know) ... I even told my husband that I hoped I didn't live through the cath!  To bring this long story to somewhat of an end, I had the cath this past Monday and no problems, I have a healthy heart; and, all of the blood-work and tests I've had since going to my family doctor indicates that, at 54, there's absolutely nothing wrong with me ... praise God!

Why do I still feel so physically bad - I can't move my eyes without these awful head rushes (a/k/a 'zaps)!  I'm thinking perhaps this is a side effect of the BP or cholesterol medication (most especially the cholesterol meds because they have a well-known side effect muscle pain.)  That was my question when I decided to research the internet on Zoloft withdrawal instead of continuing researching BP and cholesterol side effects.  AND I FOUND YOU GUYS!  Once again, praise God I am not alone and you have helped me lock down my "problem," and I will join the crusade to warn people about these awful effects.

I have started drinking a lot of water again (as it really seems to help the head things going on) and will be able to get back on the tread mill soon (when this cath incision heals enough), I do anticipate feeling better.  I am so happy TODAY that I've found you guys and the reason for feeling like I want to die ... and Zoloft was the cause!

Hang in there everyone and I will too.  I'll let you know how diet and exercise work on the withdrawal symptoms ... I certainly have to feel better soon!!!!  This is withdrawal stuff is beyone miserable!

[Reldalee]

I'm a 49 year old post-menopausal woman who has been on anti-depressant/anti-anxiety meds for over 14 years. I'm new to this forum, but after withdrawing from Zoloft 50 mg/week (300 mg to 0 mg) over the last 6 weeks with no side effects other than some mild dizziness, my first 2 days completely off Zoloft have been nasty, and I wanted to touch base with other Zoloft users.  I feel as though I've been run over by a truck with muscle pain and weakness, and a simple walk to the store exhausted me for the rest of my day.  I still take 450 mg Wellbutrin and 50 mg Trazadone at night to sleep, and my doctor knows that I'm off the Zoloft.  But he wanted me to replace the Zoloft with SerroquelI (which has weight gain side effects, and I am now 60 pounds overweight) which I did not do. I went off the Zoloft because I am visiting an ex-boyfriend next month, and would like to be able to have an orgasm without resorting to high-end machinery. I also felt numb and fuzzy a great deal of the time. I expected some withdrawal symptoms, but the flu-like symptoms and the weakness were a surprise.  I heard about them for the first time in this forum - for those of you who have (or had) them - do they last a long time, or god forbid, get worse?  And why don't doctors tell us about them?  Any help would be greatly appreciated - just knowing that other people have experienced these symptoms has made me feel less of a freak.