zoloft withdrawals

[az333]

I have stopped taking my zoloft because I am  nursing and concerned about side effects. I am having terrible headaches, tiredness and nausea. Has anyone else experienced these withdrawals? How long do they last?

[brian406]

I WENT OFF ZOLOFT AFTER ABOUT 4-5 MONTHS OF 150 MG`S A DAY.I`VE BEEN OFF IT FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND MY SYMPTOMS WERE LIKE A SINUS INFECTION COMBINED WITH THE FLU.THE ONLY THING THAT TAKES THE EDGE OFF THE SYMPTOMS FOR ME IS MARIJUANA.BUT I DONT RECOMMEND THAT SINCE YOU ARE A NURSING MOTHER.    

[kdre76]

I stopped taking Zoloft about two weeks ago after being on 100mg for about a year and a half. My 'scrip ran out and I moved out of the state that my doctor was in. I don't have insurance and she was seeing me at a discounted rate.
Anyway, to all of you that wrote in with tales of suffering the zoloft withdrawals, thank you. I thought there was something wrong with my brain, aside from the anxiety/depression.
I've been experiencing what I like to call "latigo" a form of vertigo, but different than the feeling I had when I started the medication. Back then, I had obvious vertigo, but this feels like I have exposed nerves in my body, and whenever I move I get a "jolt", like my nerves are raw. It's nerve-wracking. I also have neck aches, severe mood swings, and serious irritability. On the plus side, I am feeling like I just opened my eyes all the way for about a year. While on the zoloft I felt kind of air-headed, confused, sedated. I was calm, which helped the anxiety, but after a while the zoloft seemed to make me feel more depressed--lacking motivation, putting off chores, not bathing, sleeping a lot. Now I have more energy, I laugh more, and YAY! My sex drive that was as good as dead, has returned to me.
I went through a whole pregnancy on this stuff, which I think helped me with mood stabilization, and even nursed my baby on it--he's as bright as a star at one year old--very well-adjusted and happy. I thought I felt more like myself when I got on it, but now I'm feeling more like myself being off of it, aside from these ridiculous withdrawal symptoms. We'll see how it goes. I'd do almost anything not to have anxiety anymore, but I don't want to feel numb and out-of-body like I had been. Can I get an Amen?

[jwmm06]

hello im jen, i just got off my zoloft and it really helped me to be on topomax at the same time. Topomax helps with headahces, and the nausea and everything, please remember this is my personal epierence. i take serequal to help with my sleeping so im not so tired in the am. or pm. good luck az333

[hippydippygal]

Ha..You are absolutely right...Most drs....do not know much about the antidepressants -- it is trial and error since everyone's body chemistry is different....My dr., psychiatrist, for 20 years changed meds periodically and was a genius at diagnosing..told me that seratonin reuptake inhibitors were the drugs I needed i.e. zoloft....Wellbutrin is not one of them...My body was using up the seratonin our bodies make that calm us..i.e hair standing on end and terrified for no obvious reason, or any slight problem, or situation...would go over the edge...freaking out....Drugs worked well for a long time...now don't know if it's my life situation which is horrific...marriagewise, moneywise..all ways....OR do I need something else like a jump off a cliff....but they are hard to find in Florida.  Dr. here, not a psychiatrist, said I should try Wellbutrin...I told him what my other dr. said and he told me he has patients wtih the same anxiety/depression/panic disorder who have been helped with Wellbutrin...???!!!! jan

[hippydippygal]

Never stop antidepressants instantly...You have to come off them gradually...I've run out of time released xanax I take at night and have felt like a spring that was wound so tight my teeth were chattering.....muscles tight (unfortunatley, not all the time! Not a good thing) and felt like I was going to come out of my skin...As soon as I had a small dose of the time release xanax, it disappeared...Junkie eh?  Have had problemos forever wtih depression/anxiety....More on the depression side now even with meds...it's better, not like it used to be....couldn't go into stores cause I would associate the stores with the panic attacks....could go on and on....meds help but it's very confusing...Cut them back and still cry alot...My husband does not understand it, and I get yelled at and starts lots of bad fights....that adds to the depression/anxiety and cry more! No jobs and that is a major stressor....don't know what to tell you now that you have stopped, but it's also unhealthy to just stop the meds..they are very strong...call your dr. and ask what you should do..jan

[laurenruth]

I have been on zoloft for 3 years. Im currently 30 weeks pregnant and my doctor suggested that I get off the zoloft and take wellbutrin. I took zoloft for panic attacks and anxiety never for depression. My doctor said it was my choice but I dont want to hurt my baby please can someone give me advice I feel horrible and cant stop crying and am feeling very nervous.

[Milkmom]

Hi Nursing mom,
Call a lactation consultant and have her give you the info on Zoloft. Most drugs are compatible with BF and outweigh the risks. I can tell you that many moms do take Zoloft during pregnancy and nursing. It is one prefered by Doctors. I work in the BF field but for legal reasons I cannot tell you to take it. It is researched in Dr. Thomas Hale's book, Medications and Mother's Milk. Good luck, and pat yourself on the back for nursing, we need more moms who nurse thier babies:-)

Jenny

[msowards]

Hi.  My primary care doc. decided to take me off of Zoloft cold-turkey and put me on Wellbutrin.  He had no idea that these drugs worked on two totally different parts of the brain.  I have found that most docs don't really know much about this area of medicine, and you have to do your own research.  

I understand that you don't want to harm your baby.  I, myself, am 26 weeks pregnant with my second child.  I take 200 mg. of Zoloft per day, but I really think I need to be on some other drug.  Were you taking the Zoloft during your pregnancy and/or any other drugs?  It would be great to know the information you were given.  Every therapist, MD, OB, etc., I have talked to has given me a different opinion. . .frustrating!!!!

Best of luck to you and your new baby!!

[rita02]

you should not have stopped taking zoloft abruptly. this medication needs to be weaned from your system. these symptoms can last a long time if you do not wean off. call your doctor for instructions how to taper down.

[sick stomach]

Hi I unfortunately I don't have any experience with coming off of zoloft but I have just been prescibed it.I was wondering how it worked for you and if you had a hard time when you started taking it.Wish I could help with your question.