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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Ryan's mom on May 17, 2005, at 14:30:34
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks! » Freedom, posted by Nettie on May 14, 2005, at 16:26:46
Good luck Nettie. It's been three weeks since I've been off Zoloft. I thank everyone for their insight and advice. What a wild ride! I'm looking forward to getting my own "personality" back again...not the one that keeps snapping at people....but the great thing is that I am feeling better. The dizziness has lessened. There have been days where I don't feel it and then POW it is back...probably due to lack of sleep or not eating properly...but I'm finally starting to feel the fuzziness dissapate....not gone completely...and still get exhausted by dinner time...but there is a lot more hope....so hang in there and know that the rough road is just a little bit longer...but you can do it... you've come this far!!!
Posted by DDTTBB on May 18, 2005, at 8:31:59
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks!, posted by Kristen0215 on May 17, 2005, at 9:35:13
A "zap" is hard to explain until you have one, but it's like a quick electrical jolt in your head, literally. Sometimes there is a bright flash of light with it. It isn't painful, that I've noticed, but it is annoying. It often happens if you suddenly move your eyes from one point to another. I have done research on it on the net, and I haven't found any good explanation for what causes it. I haven't had any major ones yet during my taper, but I had them a lot when I quit cold turkey two years ago. I am dropping down to 0 mg on Thursday, so we'll see if they come with it. The brain obviously reacts to the cessation of Zoloft.
Posted by Kristen0215 on May 18, 2005, at 11:39:49
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks!, posted by DDTTBB on May 18, 2005, at 8:31:59
oh my gosh! I have had those and they scare the crap out of me. I feel so disoriented afterwards. Good luck and thanks for the info.
Posted by DDTTBB on May 19, 2005, at 10:48:56
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks!, posted by Kristen0215 on May 18, 2005, at 11:39:49
Yep, those zaps are something. I took my last dose of Zoloft yesterday, planning on it being the last time I ever take it, so we'll see how my body reacts. The taper is the way to go to anyone thinking of quitting cold turkey off a high dosage. I have only had a couple dizzy spells, and I am having very wrestless nights the last three nights. I wake up over and over and over. I am feeling just great, though. No depression at all. In fact, I have so much more energy and drive without it. I really think it turns us in to walking zombies, to some extent. I do think it works, to an extent, for helping with depression, but man, I am loving life without it!
Posted by Kristen0215 on May 19, 2005, at 13:16:09
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks!, posted by DDTTBB on May 19, 2005, at 10:48:56
I was thinking of going back on the 150mg but I think I will just stick with 25 until I am ready to let go. That week with nothing was awful! I felt like a junkie. I do feel more upbeat and alive without having such a high dosage. I dont know how I will feel going from 25 to 0. Hopefully I will be ok.
Posted by Helenb on May 20, 2005, at 6:41:35
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks!, posted by DDTTBB on May 19, 2005, at 10:48:56
It is very interesting reading all these posts about coming off zoloft. I am currently coming off mine, was 100mg per day, one more week on 50mg per day then 50mg one day, miss the next. Have others had problems with anger as a withdrawal symptom? Dr made me laugh, want to put me on aropax... i don't think so.
Posted by Kristen0215 on May 20, 2005, at 6:47:37
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks! » DDTTBB, posted by Helenb on May 20, 2005, at 6:41:35
Yep I was definitely angry a lot, it's like my emotions were at an all time high. When I was sad, I was really down in the dumps, when I was mad I wanted to scream and pull my hair out. I only have one more day at 25mg. I am nervous about going to zero in a day or so....
Posted by Helenb on May 20, 2005, at 6:53:59
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks!, posted by Kristen0215 on May 20, 2005, at 6:47:37
I know how you feel, i felt like i could tear my hair out, the dr told me to take 6 weeks to come off it. But he also told me to persevere, as the symptoms will ease.
Posted by Kristen0215 on May 20, 2005, at 6:57:24
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks! » Kristen0215, posted by Helenb on May 20, 2005, at 6:53:59
I am just really scared to come off of it. I don't want to feel the way I felt before when I tried to come off of it. It disrupts my whole life! I feel like I am sick all the time. The nausea, dizziness and hot flashes are too much.
Posted by Helenb on May 20, 2005, at 7:01:25
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks! » Kristen0215, posted by Helenb on May 20, 2005, at 6:53:59
I have felt really dizzy, but i have had only one panic attck, the more the dr put the dosage up, the worse they got. I have been on zoloft for 1.5 years, and i can't wait to come off them. One of my best friends has finished coming off effexor completely, she is a new woman, so happy and carefree. I feel that on zoloft that i am almost a zombie.
Posted by DDTTBB on May 21, 2005, at 7:47:52
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks! » DDTTBB, posted by Helenb on May 20, 2005, at 6:41:35
I was a little irritable for the first couple weeks of the taper, but nto so much now, and I really haven't been outright angry. Everyone responds differently.
Posted by DDTTBB on May 21, 2005, at 7:50:23
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks!, posted by Helenb on May 20, 2005, at 7:01:25
I totally agree with that zombie effect. I definitely feel like I have a personality again. I am happier, more outgoing, and have more motivatoin to do things. I think Zoloft almost makes you not give a care about much.
Posted by Helenb on May 22, 2005, at 20:29:04
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks!, posted by DDTTBB on May 21, 2005, at 7:50:23
You are so right, i thought that i had depression and anxiety attacks before i started taking zoloft, my panic attacks got worse after i started taking zoloft. I started my first tapering off yesterday...woohoo!!!!
Posted by SLS on May 22, 2005, at 20:38:58
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks!, posted by Helenb on May 22, 2005, at 20:29:04
Hi Helen.
> I started my first tapering off yesterday...woohoo!!!!
How did you plan to go about discontinuing Zoloft?
- Scott
Posted by DDTTBB on May 24, 2005, at 2:39:28
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks!, posted by Helenb on May 22, 2005, at 20:29:04
I have been off Zoloft five days now, and I am having a horrible time sleeping at night. I am waking up a lot, and having obsessive thoughts that keep me from going back to sleep. I am typing this at 2:30 a.m. My wife just left our bed to sleep in another bedroom, so I assume I have been thrashing too much. I had similar problems the first time I quit Zoloft. I took a sleep aid two nights ago, but it didn't help at all. I hate this facet of the withdrawal, but otherwise I am doing really well without Zoloft. People are mentioning that I seem to have so much more life in me lately. I hope this sleep disorder is just temporary.
Posted by missred on May 24, 2005, at 11:49:16
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks!, posted by DDTTBB on May 24, 2005, at 2:39:28
> I have been off Zoloft five days now, and I am having a horrible time sleeping at night. I am waking up a lot, and having obsessive thoughts that keep me from going back to sleep. I am typing this at 2:30 a.m. My wife just left our bed to sleep in another bedroom, so I assume I have been thrashing too much. I had similar problems the first time I quit Zoloft. I took a sleep aid two nights ago, but it didn't help at all. I hate this facet of the withdrawal, but otherwise I am doing really well without Zoloft. People are mentioning that I seem to have so much more life in me lately. I hope this sleep disorder is just temporary.
I feel your pain. I understand what you are going through. I wish I would never have gone on Zoloft a 2nd time. Doctor's are so eager to push meds! How did you wean off mg/days? I hate the "dark place" you get thrown into when you quit. take care, its not you.
Posted by DDTTBB on May 24, 2005, at 22:16:33
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks!, posted by missred on May 24, 2005, at 11:49:16
I was on 200 mg and cut 50 mg per week, then from 50 to 25, then 0. What's weird is I am doing really pretty good during the day. I had a bad day Sunday, with a lot of dizziness and the zaps, but otherwise during the day I have done well. It's the night I fear now.
Tapering has definitely worked better for me than when I quit cold turkey the first time, and I went back on it in November of '03 because I became suicidal and checked myself into the hospital when my first wife filed for divorce, so I can totally understand my psychiatrist putting me back on it, but things are going very well for me now, and it's time to get off it for the last time, because this withdrawal is not cool!
Posted by missred on May 25, 2005, at 10:21:08
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks!, posted by DDTTBB on May 24, 2005, at 22:16:33
> I was on 200 mg and cut 50 mg per week, then from 50 to 25, then 0. What's weird is I am doing really pretty good during the day. I had a bad day Sunday, with a lot of dizziness and the zaps, but otherwise during the day I have done well. It's the night I fear now.
>
> Tapering has definitely worked better for me than when I quit cold turkey the first time, and I went back on it in November of '03 because I became suicidal and checked myself into the hospital when my first wife filed for divorce, so I can totally understand my psychiatrist putting me back on it, but things are going very well for me now, and it's time to get off it for the last time, because this withdrawal is not cool!what time period did you take? did you stay on a dosage until symptoms subsided? How long overall has this taken you? How long have you been completely off? Are you having vivid dreams? Are you in "the dark place" at all? are you experiencing much "emotional liability"? I have envy that you have the courage to go off! good job!!
Posted by DDTTBB on May 27, 2005, at 10:45:43
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks! » DDTTBB, posted by missred on May 25, 2005, at 10:21:08
> what time period did you take? did you stay on a dosage until symptoms subsided? How long overall has this taken you? How long have you been completely off? Are you having vivid dreams? Are you in "the dark place" at all? are you experiencing much "emotional liability"? I have envy that you have the courage to go off! good job!!
I used a four (five?)-week taper. One Thursday, I cut it to 150 mg (from 200), then to 100 exactly a week later, then 50, then 25, then 0. I have been totally off since last week Thursday. I did not worry about what symptoms I was having before dropping the dosage...I just wanted to get off Zoloft. I have not shaved off a little bit to counteract the withdrawal symptoms. This stuff will not be in my system ever again. The withdrawal effects have been much, much milder with the taper. I have had dizziness and rarely the "zaps," and some stomach upset, but overall I feel great. My personality has re-emerged out of nowhere. My in-laws said I have talked more with them the past two times I've seen them than in the entire year and a half prior I had known them. I am energetic and just damn happy. People are mentioning it. I am happier at work, and I get out of bed in the morning raring to go. It is amazing. I literally feel like a kid again.
Yes, I have had a few vivid dreams, and some were bad ones, but that's minor, and everyone has some bad dreams. I have been taking a couple Unisom pills before bed and they have helped with the insomnia a great deal. I can honestly say that I have not had one depressed feeling at all during this whole taper. I have not been in "the dark place." Quite the opposite, actually. I must mention that my life situation has improved dramatically. I moved from a very bad, depressing marriage to a controlling wife and a debilitating divorce to a new marriage that is the way marriage should be, so I think that contributes a lot to it. I am also a teacher with only two more weeks of school until summer vacation, so I'm riding that wave of good feelings too.
I really think everyone reacts to the withdrawal differently. But people, please taper! It was awful quitting cold turkey. Just know that life without Zoloft can actually be better than with it. I will always make the disclaimer that I do think Zoloft works, but it's not something to be on for life.
Also, for those with significant weight gain, you can lose it all. When I quit Zoloft two years ago, I started excercising a lot, and a couple months after I quit, I was literally 15 pounds lighter. Some people thought I was sick because I lost the weight so fast. It will take some time before the pounds start to come off, but it will happen if you exercize regularly. Of course, since I went back on Zoloft in late 2003, I have gained back about 35 pounds, mostly in my gut, but I am psyched to lose the weight again, hopefully for good. This was the main reason I quit it. I hate having this gut when the rest of my body is very slender. It looks almost like I'm a pregnant man!
Posted by Freedom on May 27, 2005, at 14:06:10
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks!, posted by DDTTBB on May 27, 2005, at 10:45:43
Here is my update on my withdrawal.
I have been off completely since last Thursday as well. I tapered just like you. OMG....talk about energy, feeling happy, feeling free and feeling like a kid is an understatement!! I really don't know what happened to me, however, I have also experienced no lows, no dark moments, and I am feeling again, and it feels great to feel!! I have my sex drive back after 2 years!!!
I feel like dating and meeting people which I haven't done in so so long. I thought it was because my nose was in the books for 2 years in my Masters Program, however, I feel differently, very motivated and positive!!! Someone told me the other day that it looks like I have lost weight, not that I was very very heavy...however, I went up a pants size and chunked up no matter how much I exercised. I agree, Zoloft is a great drug, however not something that should be a lifetime thing. I am very happy for you and thank you for being honest and sharing and keeping it real...Best Wishes to everyone!!!
> > what time period did you take? did you stay on a dosage until symptoms subsided? How long overall has this taken you? How long have you been completely off? Are you having vivid dreams? Are you in "the dark place" at all? are you experiencing much "emotional liability"? I have envy that you have the courage to go off! good job!!
>
> I used a four (five?)-week taper. One Thursday, I cut it to 150 mg (from 200), then to 100 exactly a week later, then 50, then 25, then 0. I have been totally off since last week Thursday. I did not worry about what symptoms I was having before dropping the dosage...I just wanted to get off Zoloft. I have not shaved off a little bit to counteract the withdrawal symptoms. This stuff will not be in my system ever again. The withdrawal effects have been much, much milder with the taper. I have had dizziness and rarely the "zaps," and some stomach upset, but overall I feel great. My personality has re-emerged out of nowhere. My in-laws said I have talked more with them the past two times I've seen them than in the entire year and a half prior I had known them. I am energetic and just damn happy. People are mentioning it. I am happier at work, and I get out of bed in the morning raring to go. It is amazing. I literally feel like a kid again.
>
> Yes, I have had a few vivid dreams, and some were bad ones, but that's minor, and everyone has some bad dreams. I have been taking a couple Unisom pills before bed and they have helped with the insomnia a great deal. I can honestly say that I have not had one depressed feeling at all during this whole taper. I have not been in "the dark place." Quite the opposite, actually. I must mention that my life situation has improved dramatically. I moved from a very bad, depressing marriage to a controlling wife and a debilitating divorce to a new marriage that is the way marriage should be, so I think that contributes a lot to it. I am also a teacher with only two more weeks of school until summer vacation, so I'm riding that wave of good feelings too.
>
> I really think everyone reacts to the withdrawal differently. But people, please taper! It was awful quitting cold turkey. Just know that life without Zoloft can actually be better than with it. I will always make the disclaimer that I do think Zoloft works, but it's not something to be on for life.
>
> Also, for those with significant weight gain, you can lose it all. When I quit Zoloft two years ago, I started excercising a lot, and a couple months after I quit, I was literally 15 pounds lighter. Some people thought I was sick because I lost the weight so fast. It will take some time before the pounds start to come off, but it will happen if you exercize regularly. Of course, since I went back on Zoloft in late 2003, I have gained back about 35 pounds, mostly in my gut, but I am psyched to lose the weight again, hopefully for good. This was the main reason I quit it. I hate having this gut when the rest of my body is very slender. It looks almost like I'm a pregnant man!
>
>
Posted by Freedom on May 27, 2005, at 14:16:54
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft - thanks!, posted by missred on May 24, 2005, at 11:49:16
This is the one drawback for me....my sleep has been so messed up....no matter how much I train myself and structure myself, I am restless, wide awake, etc. I have restoril (use as needed) however, I don't like to depend on benzos, so I only take them if I really cannot get sleep, Insomnia was an issue that began after my brain injury and post surgery, thats when I I went on Zoloft two years ago. however, I really think this time the sleep issue is withdrawal from Zoloft, its different than 2 years ago....I also have body zaps of electricity inside my body...and my body jolts at night, very strange. However, like you, I am feeling better and happier. so it seems like its part of the body finding its balance...
> > I have been off Zoloft five days now, and I am having a horrible time sleeping at night. I am waking up a lot, and having obsessive thoughts that keep me from going back to sleep. I am typing this at 2:30 a.m. My wife just left our bed to sleep in another bedroom, so I assume I have been thrashing too much. I had similar problems the first time I quit Zoloft. I took a sleep aid two nights ago, but it didn't help at all. I hate this facet of the withdrawal, but otherwise I am doing really well without Zoloft. People are mentioning that I seem to have so much more life in me lately. I hope this sleep disorder is just temporary.
>
> I feel your pain. I understand what you are going through. I wish I would never have gone on Zoloft a 2nd time. Doctor's are so eager to push meds! How did you wean off mg/days? I hate the "dark place" you get thrown into when you quit. take care, its not you.
Posted by Helenb on May 27, 2005, at 21:08:44
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft -sleep, posted by Freedom on May 27, 2005, at 14:16:54
It is amazing how many Drs push antidepressants (i live in Australia), and it is like they are handing out lollies. I'm starting my second week coming off zoloft, i'm actually starting to get sleepy at about 8.30pm (i was never getting sleepy before at all). Hang in there, the sleep does come. I've also started getting into a really good sleep routine, by going to bed at the same time every night, and then waking up at the same time each morning, i really believe that this is working. Also praying for sleep works a treat too.
Posted by DDTTBB on May 27, 2005, at 21:13:42
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft -sleep, posted by Helenb on May 27, 2005, at 21:08:44
> It is amazing how many Drs push antidepressants (i live in Australia), and it is like they are handing out lollies.
Well, to some extent, that's what the purpose of psychiatrists are. They are allowed to dispense medication. But, it is very clear that they have the drug companies in their back pocket.
>
>
Posted by Freedom on May 29, 2005, at 10:04:01
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft -sleep, posted by Helenb on May 27, 2005, at 21:08:44
Thanks for the input on sleep...I pray every night regardless of sleep or no sleep....I am very spirtitual and very into holistic healing. I am taking whatever action I can to help myself as far as relaxation techniques, etc. I also am into structure and go to bed the same time every night. I think everyone is effected differently and what works for you may not work for everyone else....We can do our part, however, the rest is up to biological, physiological, and chemical reactions. I am grateful that I feel so full of energy and I can see clearly now....
> It is amazing how many Drs push antidepressants (i live in Australia), and it is like they are handing out lollies. I'm starting my second week coming off zoloft, i'm actually starting to get sleepy at about 8.30pm (i was never getting sleepy before at all). Hang in there, the sleep does come. I've also started getting into a really good sleep routine, by going to bed at the same time every night, and then waking up at the same time each morning, i really believe that this is working. Also praying for sleep works a treat too.
>
>
>
Posted by Freedom on May 29, 2005, at 10:11:06
In reply to Re:withdrawal from Zoloft -sleep, posted by DDTTBB on May 27, 2005, at 21:13:42
> > It is amazing how many Drs push antidepressants (i live in Australia), and it is like they are handing out lollies.
>
> Well, to some extent, that's what the purpose of psychiatrists are. They are allowed to dispense medication. But, it is very clear that they have the drug companies in their back pocket.
> >
> >
> Psychiatrists are doing what they know. I am glad I was on the meds...they helped me. However, I think its important to take accountability and responsibility for our own healing and utilize whats out there, but know when we no longer have a use or need for a certain medication.
>
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