Another Zoloft question

[Johnboy185]

hello , im a 42 yr old male and have been taking 150 mg of zoloft for over 10 yrs now for depression .
the thing is i would like to come of them to see if i am still depressed , if the zoloft is having an effect , sometimes i can feel  the depression their and feel as tho zoloft is keeping it at bay ...

i think maybe if i come of , the suicidal thoughts will flood back , but i seem to lack emotion or empathy on zoloft after so long , i dont know what to do ...

memory loss etc i dont know if its the zoloft or other reasons ?
any advice would be apreciated ....thankyou v much ....john

[Salyna]

John, I was on Zoloft, at 150 mg. for four years.  I weaned myself off of them after about two years, and I took a break during my last pregnancy.  The key is weaning, so if you decide to do this, talk to your doctor first.  This isn't a medication you just quit.  If you have the lack of emotion, it could be that your dosage is too high.  As well, you might be feeling o.k. because of the medication, which is a good reason to stay on it.  I weaned myself off the first time because I thought I didn't need it anymore.  No feelings came rushing back.  It was gradual, but more intense this time around.  Maybe it felt intense because I knew what it felt like to "feel good".  Anyways, after about three months of being off, I was right back on again.  I think I'm going to be someone that is on life long anti-depressants.  I'm o.k. with that - it's quality of life that counts, not that I'm taking medication to help me get there.  I am no longer on Zoloft as of last month, as I didn't feel it was helping me anymore.  My doctor switched me to another med, but still in the Seratonin family (like Zoloft).