Zoloft Withdrawl Help Please

[jmcca15]

Hi, I am a 20 year old female who was prescribed Zoloft (50mg) for anxiety and stress. It helped a little, but made me very tired during the day.  I could not afford to go back to the doctor or get a refill of the Zoloft after a month.  I stopped cold turkey and began experiencing rather severe symptoms: extreme fatigue even after sleeping over 10 hours a night, lightheadedness, mood swings, and stomach issues.  I have heard these symptoms are typical of withdrawl syndrome and can last anywhere from 1-2 weeks to months. I've been off the Zoloft for about a week now, but I am finding the symptoms are interferring with my school work and my daily activities more than I am willing to deal with.  Is there anything I can do that will help alleviate these symptoms until they are gone? Side note, this is the first time I have ever been on a mental health drug and do not feel anxiety or depression at all.

[jmcca15]

But anyway, this post wasn't supposed to be about my financial situation or lack of health care, it was about advice on dealing with the symptoms of withdrawl.

[jmcca15]

No, I am not required to have health insurance.  And yes there is a health department in my town, but even with the "sliding scale" it is more than I can afford because they require you to see a counselor before prescribing any mental health drug.  And I've checked on it, it's still rather expensive for someone without a job in college. Plus, I don't want to be on meds all the time. That's the whole point of stopping the Zoloft.  

[mooksmom]

To the best of my knowledge, and I have a son in his freshman year in college, students have to have health ins. They also have a RN on campus they can see for many minor things. I know from many yrs in healthcare, that almost every town has a health dept with a mental health section that will do a financial assessment then a sliding scale payment or free care. I hope this helps get you what you need.

[jmcca15]

Well seeing as how I don't have health insurance and I am a college student on her own, any monthly cost that isn't necessary is expensive

[jmcca15]

Sorry, I was only on the Zoloft for a month.

[Paxiled]

Zoloft, being long off patent, is extremely inexpensive, so it's hard to see how cost is a problem.  But you did what you did.  Some people report a hefty dose of fish oil daily can help with withdrawal.  Exercise is said to help as well.  If you were only on it for a month, as you seem to say, the withdrawal should pass fairly quickly.  Ginger tea might help with the lightheadedness and stomach problems.  And just be positive, relax with it, just regard it as being like having the flu, given that the symptoms you report are actually at the lesser end of the scale.

[mooksmom]

You didnt say how long you were on the Zoloft...very important information. If it was less than 6mos, you can count yourself fairly lucky and if it was me, I'd ride out the possible withdrawal symptoms you perceive. I really dont understand why you were put on ZOLOFT for anxiety or stress, but I admit we see patients put on antidepressants for all kinds of other reasons now a days.