Zoloft withdrawl

[Amy F.]

What are the withdrawl symptoms of coming off of Zoloft?  I'm a 27-year-old female and have been taking 100 mg. daily for chronic depression for a year and a half, and decided not to take it anymore due to the side effects (anxiety, nausea, headaches, dry mouth, light wallet).  

I abruptly stopped taking it 10 days ago and am starting to feel crazy.  I'm lightheaded, dizzy, disoriented, sleepy, irritable, and more emotional than usual.  I'm having difficulty 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 withdrawl sympton I've noticed is that I'm losing my taste for cigarettes.

I haven't discussed stopping the Zoloft with my psychiatrist because a) I've been too lazy to make an appointment, and b) she gives me **** for being a daily pot smoker.

What should I do?

[karma]

I took zoloft 50mgs a day for two years, stopped on my own had to restart again a year later, took it that time for 1 1/2 years then stopped last august on my own.  I never experienced any withdrawals. My dr. did chastise me the first time for stopping without his knowledge.  Oh well, when you don't have health insurance you do what you gotta do.  The zoloft really did help my panic/anxiety for quite a while, but after a year or so it seemed to stop working.  I"ve heard that is common. When I first took zoloft 6 years ago, the side effects were horrendous, thought I was losing my mind, cried uncontrollably, was a mess, just laid my head in my husband's lap and didn't move for a month till it kicked in.  It really made a difference after the first 6 weeks. Thanks to a panic support group on the net I survived those first few weeks.

[Tammy Turner]

I have been taking 50 mg of Zoloft for six months and I want to stop talking it. Can I stop cold turkey?

[chris]

i have been taking zoloft for a month for hormonal changes and anxiety that has heightened with my hormonal changes.  I am only taking 25 mg. , i have felt really good untill this past week, i am not sleeping well, very dizzy,and a little anxious.  I also take levoxyl .5 mg for thyroid disease, and zestril for high blood pressure.  I am 49 years old, a little scared of zoloft after reading some of the responses.  any chance prosac is better than zoloft.

[kim]

Zoloft is the worst experience I have gone through.  My panic attacks were so bad I would sit in a corner and cry.  I have also went from a size one to a size nine in all of two months.  I have not been eating differently and I also work out 3-4 times a week.
If anyone has had any significant weight gain and has some advice or tips let me know!!!
***@****

[holly]

i have panic disorder, and it is so hereditary...my mother, my father, sister, and both grandmothers had it, and that's just the people i know about!  i am the only one who is seeking treatment beyond  alcohol and drugs ( all the above were/are addicted to drugs/alcohol or both.)  i am taking zoloft 50mg and doing really well.  i had a few side effects that were aweful in the beginning, but after about a week they went away...phew!  i do not touch drugs or alcohol!!!!  i've been on the zoloft for about eight months now.  i've been thinking about trying to go off of it, but due to my strong family history i am terrified that the panic will just return.  are there any studies on the effects zoloft has on the body after extended use?  i have also heard about a problem where zoloft sometimes will just stop working...say it ain't so!!!  i don't mind taking the med if it means a normal life, but i am a bit of a naturalist and having a hard time getting use to the idea of taking a med.  also, i can not find a support group in my area; any ideas where to look.  i've already checked hospitals and community boards.
any  input would be  much appreciated

thanx
holly

[Sam]

Zoloft sucks!