Zoloft withdrawal, some odd side effects...

[Jessica]

I recently began experiencing some really crazy symptoms and this was within the same week that I went off Zoloft, kind of weaning myself off. I came on here and discovered someone else who had posted exactly what I was going through. I am going to quote it here word for word because I want input, I want to know how long it took Amy F. to feel better:

"What are the withdrawal symptoms of ZOloft? I'm a 27-year old female and have been taking Zoloft for chronic depression for a year and a half and decided not to take it anymore....

"I abruptly stopped 10 days ago and am starting to feel crazy. I'm light-headed, dizzy, disoriented, sleepy, irritable, and more emotional than usual. I'm having difficutly concentrating. Today I didn't feel "together" enough to drive my car. My nightmares have worsened in terms of intensity and violence (I have them every time I sleep) The strangest symptom withdrawal I've noticed is that I'm losing my taste for cigarettes."

"....I haven't discussed stopping with my psych... b) she gives me **** for being a daily pot smoker."

This is almost exactly a description of me, except I've only been on it for about six months, I took a week to wean myself off, and I am supposed to start a new presciption for Prozac, but these synptoms are terrible, (it's also starting to affect my breathing) and I wondered if anyone else has experienced this.

Thanks

[Becky]

i just thought i would add along with the million other comments that i experienced most of those same side effects as well.  i started taking zoloft last march for depression, which turned out to be borderline personality disorder.  i took it for a month and then i went through a week in which i experienced no depression, so i stopped taking it because i didn't think it was really doing anything- i thought i was just better.  i had only been on 50mg, which is a very weak dose, but after i stopped i would get odd experiences whenever i moved up/down/right/left.  it was like when you spin around until you're dizzy and then you stop but the room keeps moving and your body feels like it is, too. every time i moved and then stopped, i felt as though i was still moving. my eyes didn't match up with my body, and i saw everything kind of "delayed."  i was scared, so i decided to go back on zoloft, and the symtoms stopped.  however, they come back if i miss even 2 doses of it.  it's bizarre.  i don't even want to take zoloft anymore, but i am afraid to stop and let those weird experiences come back.

[withdrawing from CELEXA]

I stopped taking Celexa six days ago. It was prescribed for menepausal symptoms including night sweats, insomnia, irritability and irregular & painful menses.  After four months on Celexa, I decided to come off. I am always tired, have gained 10 pounds, but most distressing of all, I am chronically constipated.  Since stopping the druug in the last six days, I have developed flu like syptoms, an acute dizziness, and an irritable bowel; Explosive diarrhea and bowel distention (read: the bloats--can't zip my pants comfortably) are the worst problems. My eyes are extremely scratchy feeling and I'm exhausted and yawning by midday. My irritability has returned but I am managing to keep it under control (just barely). I have had various sleep disturbances, including vividly negative dreams and numerous   awakenings during the night for no apparent reason. I exercise, eat nutrionally balanced meals and am moderate in my habits. I suppose this will take some time
to leave my system and it is what it is. Unfortunatly, these significant physical and emotional disturbances were not laid out for me as a patient starting the prescription. I think I will work on the symptoms from a diet angle and try to forgive myself and go easy these next few weeks. Hope my family can too (-:

[Melissa]

Wow!
I'm a 27yo woman.  Been on Zoloft for about 18mos, following severe depression.  My psych and my PCP sent me to a neurologist after I started dribbling food on myself, "dropping" words, and losing small motor skills; neuro/psych guy diagnosed depression and I started on 50 mg, working up to 100 mg.  
It helped TREMENDOUSLY...more than I would've thought possible.  I've always been more than a little leery of treating emotional disorders with meds, but I'm a believer now!  With an appropriate diagnosis and the right Rx, these drugs really do work.  that doesn't mean they're not over-used or inappropriately prescribed, but I really believe Zoloft made the difference for me...went from a really bad downhill spiral into functionality.  I finished school, got my medical license, and have dealt with various personal stressors like a *normal* person.  Like I did before the depression.  I've been really, really pleased.  Had some trouble with my libido at first, but that resolved on its own.
Took it for about a year, talked w/my doc about going off (just to see what happened) and she recommended I wait until spring.  Missed a few doses (at first accidental, then "just to see") and was FLOORED by side effects.  Went back on my meds like a good girl.
Now, our insurance policy is changing and the paperwork (surprise!) is taking longer than it should.  This drug is incredibly expensive if you don't have insurance: $128 for 30 day supply at 150mg.
I thought I'd try a reduced dosage for a few days until the insurance came through, and have been getting steadily worse for the past 5 days.  
Physical side effects: the electric shock feeling others have described, incredible dizziness when I change position, and a kind of fullness in my head that makes it difficult to think.  Really hard time with my small motor skills...my typing is slower and lots less accurate (have to backspace a lot) and I'm dropping things unless I'm very careful.  
Emotional side effects: irritable, suspicious (just *sure* my lover's trying to leave me), lack of confidence in myself (of course, this might be the right attitude to have, given my lack of physical abilities), and difficulties with coordination (putting one foot in front of the other).
I don't feel depressed, I feel like an addict in withdrawal.  The medical literature does not describe these "side effects" & my doc acts like she doesn't really believe that I'm having these problems as a result of Zoloft withdrawals.  
At first I just planned on going back on the drug after the insurance kicked in.  Now I vacillate between going straight to the pharmacy and just paying for the %&!@ stuff myself and resolving to NEVER take it again.  
Some things that have helped me cope:
acting normal/pushing myself to perform normal daily activities like doing the dishes, getting up in the morning, brushing my teeth, etc.  
Exercise--I think the natural endorphins help your brain equalize.  
Alcohol--not the smartest thing, maybe, but it seems to help if I have a shot of Bailey's in my cocoa...maybe I'm just better able to deal with feeling disoriented if I'm tipsy.

It's also helpful to read that others are going through the same weird situation.  When you're diagnosed with an emotional disorder, even when you're surrounded by supportive people who are well-informed and act nonjudgemental, it's hard not to judge yourself sometimes.  Our culture really associates illness (of any kind) with character flaws.  Having an anonymous forum for expressing my feelings and experiences really helps.

Thanks!

[Melissa]

When I ran out of Zoloft, it took about a day and a half to start noticing withdrawal symptoms (I take 75 mg a day).

The first thing that started to happen was dizziness, light headedness and these weird 'jitters'. By 'jitters' I mean I felt like I got a jolt through my body every few minutes. The longer I was off the Zoloft, the worse the 'jitters' got.

Zoloft may allow me to deal with life, but I completely lost any desire for sex and I always feel like my life is a dream. Also, I have extreme difficulty concentrating.  

Since I explained to my psychiatrist these symptoms, she has put me on 150 mg of Wellbutrin to boost my energy levels and hopefully restore my sexdrive. Personally I just feel like I'm being drugged more than helped.

[kim]

I'm on vacation with my brother and forgot my zoloft at home. It's been four days and I have five more days to go. I am so sick I don't know what to do. I was wondering if there was anything I could take to hold off the withdrawl symptoms until I can get home on monday. :-(

[don]

Anyone wishing to learn the truth about one of the initial FDA studies that approved Zoloft should read this posting. I was in one of those studies and comlained loudly that the long term side effects were horrible. If your severe side effects last anything less than 3 years, you are very, very lucky. Pharmaceutical companies are interested in publishing the truth, only a profit. If you have had serious side effects after trying to withdraw from Zoloft, please contact me:

   ***@****

I will be happy to help you sue Pfizer. If you are considering taking Zoloft, DON'T.

    -don