zoloft

[carmen802]

If Zoloft isan't an addicting drug,then why do you go through withdrawals while trying to get off it?

[carmen802]

I go to cognitive therapy once a month. Seems to help.But I really think that I have lost a chemical in my brain,and it will not come back.I've tried 3 x to go off Zoloft,and always back on.
I do walk a mile everyday,and that helps too.
How are you feeling after being off Effexor for a yr?

[atthebeach]

I was on effexor for 13 yrs at the highest dose possible. When I ran out or would forget to take it I got extremely anxious and emotional. I did not like that I had become depend. I tapered down and then and would skip days and stopped. At first I was again so anxious and emotional cried about everything I didn't think I could do without it. I can tell you I haven't taken it for a year now. The brain does heal. Your natural endrophins.serotonins and dopamine have to begin to produce again on their own. This takes time. Exercise really helps to get them moving again.
Be very careful with the ativan.benzos are very addicting and hard to get off.
I am so sorry for your lose.
Psychiatrist only prescribe meds. Have you been to talk therapy? To help heal the emotional scars and wounds.
Exercise and prayer have really helped me.
Life continues to throw us curveballs, it is possible to have peace.
I will pray for you.
Sending hugs.hope.encouragement and peace
Debbie

[carmen802]

and I noticed in the last yr I was becoming angry over stupid things,not sleeping good,anxiety, etc.But in this last yr,my grandma passed away,I have went through menopause,etc. So all in all trying to get off the Zoloft with everything else going on,probably wasn't a good idea.
I just wish I could be without it. BUt I don't think I can. I'm not ashamed taking it or anything,but I am a little confused about the withdrawal thing.
I started taking Zoloft 16 yrs ago after losing twin babies. Someone told me that after that sad time in my life I lost a chemical in the brain.So is that chemical always lost?

[carmen802]

I was taking 50mg of Zoloft for 16 yrs.Last year I started tapering myself down to half a pill for awhile,then started skipping dosages every now and then for a yr. Last March I started having really bad anxiety after seeing my doctor(ex doctor with very harsh bedside manner).That same day I went to a phyciatrist who said I was having withdrawals form the Zoloft. He put me back on 50 mg for a month or so.I was still having issues,so he upped it to 100mg a day. PLus he prescribed Ativan 3 x a day as needed. The dosesage of that is 0.5mg. I usually take about 2 a week.
So do you think I am depended on the Zoloft now? I have tried 2 other times going off it and ended right back on. But this time it was very bad trying to get off. I don't want to ever go throught that again.

[atthebeach]

addicting or dependency? you brain becomes used to the meds and when you stop taking them your brain is missing the chemical the med gave it.
this will produce withdrawal symptoms.
did you taper off the zoloft?

The withdrawal symptoms usually last for 1-2 weeks but in some cases they decrease over a period of one month. It is recommended that the usage of Zoloft is gradually decreased. What happens is that Zoloft has a half life for about one day. That means that every day that passes without you taking Zoloft, the level in the blood falls about 50%. After two days the level of Zoloft is reduced to 25%, after three days to 12, 5% and so on until it wears out completely. And because of its half-life, it can cause many problems.
what kind of symptoms are you having?