Quit zoloft ... cooooold turkey

[kat1971]

After a year or so, of trying the different antidepressants, I found that Zoloft worked the best for me.  I was getting my life back and feeling good.  After 3 months of taking 100mg per day, I was surprised to learn that I am pregnant.  I swear its an immaculate conception... lol As hubby says "We don't even do it anymore".

So after talking to my psychiatrist, he recommended cold turkey (after I expressed concern with tapering).  So here I sit with brain shocks, bowel distress, depression and temper tantrums.  Has anyone else gone cold turkey?  Any idea's how long this is going to last?

[carter27]

Hmm, cold turkey is not such a good idea.  I was on small doses so I can't really tell you but I know that the feelings of cold turkey are very unpleasant.  I was in discomfort for three days.

But for you it could last longer.  Also it wouldn't hurt to wean yourself off it with your doctors help - because they can draw up a withdrawal plan for you.  But definitely, off the meds whether it is sooner or a little bit is later will be better for you and your baby.

[kat1971]

Three days??? I envy you..lol  Its been 6 days for me right now.  I think at this point weening is out of the question because, though it might offer some relief, it would prolong the withdrawal process.  I have weened off of several drugs in the last year... some of which.. too damn fast due to my doctor's ignorance (Cymbalta nearly drove me insane).

Thanks for your response though =D

[summerlion1123]

I have gone cold turkey due to the fact that I had no insurance. The doctor was just prescribing the medicine to me and then I would pay for it out of my pocket, but then he insisted I had to see him or a specialist to keep getting it and I couldn't afford it. Anyway, but dose wasn't as high as yours, so your experience is probably a lot different. I quit cold turkey and didn't even notice a difference. Just one moment I am coping with life, scraping by, and the next I am really angry at everyone and falling down a hole. Anyways, thats my experience, sorry its not more helpful. I'm sure you'll get past your withdrawl symptoms soon. Though I gotta say, other then brain shocks your symptoms sound like pregnancy symptoms. You might have to be uncomfortable for 9 months XD I know, I am just a bundle of cheerful ideas.

[BeenThereDoneThatTwice]

I was able to successfully, slowly taper off 50 mg ZOLOFT.

I had been taking 50mg for a year and a half for anxiety, panic disorder and slight agoraphobia.  At the same time I was seeing a wonderful anxiety therapist.

I eventually started feeling so much better and had changed alot of the things that triggered by condition to begin with, that I felt that it was time to taper off the Zoloft.  I had also gained about 30 pounds and realized that it was the Zoloft and I was not happy about that.

So it took me exactly 80 days to taper off the Zoloft.  I started by alternating 50mg days with 25mg days.  About 7 days after I started that I had a really bad day with a few hours of intermittent anxiety, nausea, feeling sick like you want to stay in bed, my thoughts were racing, etc.  No brain zaps though.  And I never felt so bad that I couldnt go to work.   So after that one bad day I felt a bit better every day and when I really felt good I took a razor and trimmed a little off the 50mg pill every day.

I always stayed on the same dose for one or two weeks until my body had that "adjustment day" and then I would wait a few more days and then take out my razor and then trim a little more off the pill for the next week or two.

I didnt have a deadline and I kept slowly trimming pills back until I was virtually taking a breadcrumb-size every morning.  My husband finally said to me that it was probably too small to even register in my body so the next day I didnt take anything,  I will tell you that (as I suspected) about 4 days later I felt like I was getting a bad cold, super tired, a headache, felt cranky and impatient, but did not have to miss work.  The next day I was back to normal again.

So its been a while and I am happily zoloft free.  By the way my weight is back to nornal too.

Its not an impossible task. Take it slow. be prepared for those bumpy days and understand what they are but if you taper nice and slow you will be fine.

[kat1971]

I had to quit zoloft 50 mg 5 years ago when I was taking it for post partum.. for the same reason... No insurance and it cost 140.00 a month!  The brain shocks are common for me with zoloft... when I first start taking it, when I up the dose and when I quit.  Finally I am happy to report that they are waning... and only occasional now.... YAAAY.

I like you, feel the same way (angry, tense, scraping by... etc).  Its difficult feeling this way... and even more difficult on my family.  The OB says I can safely take it during pregnancy, and left the option open for me to restart... but since I am already withdrawn... I am going to stick it out as long as I can.. I just hope the rest of my family will survive ... lmao

I don't feel too guilty.. I was just too nice to them to begin with  =D  and they can use some shaking up.. lmao

[kat1971]

If it wasn't for the pregnancy, I would have done it just that way (tapered slowly).  I have had hellish experiences with tapering too fast on other meds.  Cymbalta nearly sent me over the edge when my dr tapered me off from a mega dose, to nil, in only a few days.  Thank you for your advice and input!