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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by bvisuze on February 12, 2006, at 18:46:04
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by janeB on February 10, 2006, at 8:54:45
thank you for your responses...they were very helpful and comforting.
i am wondering if about natural serotonin boosters...any information/advice?
Posted by joyeba on February 22, 2006, at 16:13:45
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by suec on February 10, 2006, at 10:51:26
I'm so glad I found this website. I feel like I'm not going crazy. I was on Zoloft for 8 months, and I didn't have money to get my prescription refilled, so I went from 150 to 100 to 50 and quit 2 weeks ago cold turkey. It has been HELL. I was on coke for a couple of years as a teen, and quit cold turkey with no withdrawals. This is 100 times worse. My doc never mentioned anything about this. I have constant "zaps" and I am so sick I can hardly take care of my kids. Being a single mother, I'm so angry that nobody ever told me this would happen. I'm just going to tough it out now that I know what is happening to me. I thought I had diabetes. My doc took me off valium because it is "addicitive". But I no side effects when I quit taking it. If that's addictive, I want to know what they consider this. I would have rather been depressed. Please warn anyone about these evil pills!!!
Posted by bvisuze on February 26, 2006, at 23:11:33
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by joyeba on February 22, 2006, at 16:13:45
i found a fantastic book...VERY helpful information about naturally boosting your serotonin levels. it's called "the chemistry of joy" by henry emmons, md
it's been great for me...i hope it provides some relief for you.
:)
Posted by jaclamac on March 4, 2006, at 10:16:39
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft » SalArmy4me, posted by bingo on October 9, 2001, at 15:14:09
I was on Zoloft( Lustral here in the UK) for 6 years. 25mg aday.I had flu the past couple of weeks, and stayed in bed, sweating heavily, han I thought..this is a good detox! perhaps I will stop the drugs....I did...and apart from a couple of days of dizziness, and 2 nights of wierdness, I seem to be fine! off it nows for 21 days...fingers crossed
Posted by msnattygrl on March 5, 2006, at 18:23:04
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by jaclamac on March 3, 2006, at 4:34:42
This forum has been so helpful! I tried getting of Zoloft last year and had fits of crying, flu-like symptoms, nausea...it was awful! Now I'm trying to do this right by backing off s-l-o-w-l-y. In late December I went from 50mg/day to alternating between 50 and 25 for several weeks (probably not the best idea; I felt really crazed from mood swings). Then I stabilized at 25mg and stayed there for a month (so far so good!). Then I started cutting off a little bit of the pill, and then a little more, then a little more, and so on, for about two weeks. Now I've stabilized at 12.5mg and I'm feeling really weird emotionally, crying all the time, and feeling like everything is very vivid and emotionally stimulating/depressing. I hope this is a side effect of weaning and not my natural non-Zoloft state (it's been 5 years, so it's hard to tell!). Bleh. I'll keep at 12.5 for another month and hopefully mellow out before I drive my fiancee completely mad. But I'm afraid: what if I'm just a biologically depressed person, and Zoloft has been covering it up? I hope not. The experiment continues....
Posted by Mia CD on March 6, 2006, at 21:45:25
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by msnattygrl on March 5, 2006, at 18:23:04
> This forum has been so helpful! I tried getting of Zoloft last year and had fits of crying, flu-like symptoms, nausea...it was awful! Now I'm trying to do this right by backing off s-l-o-w-l-y. In late December I went from 50mg/day to alternating between 50 and 25 for several weeks (probably not the best idea; I felt really crazed from mood swings). Then I stabilized at 25mg and stayed there for a month (so far so good!). Then I started cutting off a little bit of the pill, and then a little more, then a little more, and so on, for about two weeks. Now I've stabilized at 12.5mg and I'm feeling really weird emotionally, crying all the time, and feeling like everything is very vivid and emotionally stimulating/depressing. I hope this is a side effect of weaning and not my natural non-Zoloft state (it's been 5 years, so it's hard to tell!). Bleh. I'll keep at 12.5 for another month and hopefully mellow out before I drive my fiancee completely mad. But I'm afraid: what if I'm just a biologically depressed person, and Zoloft has been covering it up? I hope not. The experiment continues....
We are all experiments it seems with these antidepressent drugs. Around the time I got engaged ( just about 2 years ago) I had severe panic attacks. I saw a doctor. He started me on 100 mg then down to 50 and recently I felt I did not feel normal. I found myself unemotional sort of like a robot. Not able to cry when things were really sad. For instance my uncle passed away 7 montjhs ago and it was very tragic. I couldn't cry, I felt so bad. My husband and I got married in October and could not cry. I just moved away from my family and friends and can't cry. I just want to feel again. So I decided to bring myself down to 25 mgs for 2 weeks and for the past 2 days I haven't taken anything and experiencing some withdrawl symtoms. I felt like you today wondering if I was just biologicaly depressed. I felt hopless, just horrible. I took a nap and woke up and felt okay again.
I am so glad I found this site because it gives me hope. To know that I am not the only one going through this is a relief. I would not wish this upon anyone. I have to wonder where this all comes from. I have 2 friends that have experienced panic attacks and had to go on medicine but have stopped. Both are in their mid 20's and female like myself. The more I talk with people, more seem to relate to this illness. You have to wonder is it in the food we are eating? The water we are drinking?
Posted by joyeba on March 7, 2006, at 15:47:47
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Mia CD on March 6, 2006, at 21:45:25
> We are all experiments it seems with these antidepressent drugs.We are definatly experiments. I have always been a happy person-went to my doc with sleeping problems a couple of years ago and he tried to put me on Zoloft then. I refused, but took it the last time I went back, about 8 months ago. He said the only side effect was weight loss. I felt like a zombie. When I didn't have money for my script, I knew it was a good time to quit. It's been over 3 weeks now and I feel great. I have changed my diet to less carbs and started exercising. The book that bvisuze reccommended has helped as well. My doctor never asked my about my diet or sleeping patterns-which of course is commmon sense, but they should ask. I can finally sleep through the night, get up refreshed, and when I get MAD I can yell at people..which sometimes is good. The medical system definatly needs an overhaul to the holistic approach.
>
>
Posted by whenry on March 9, 2006, at 13:22:59
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by joyeba on March 7, 2006, at 15:47:47
> i'm on my 8th day coming off 100mg zoloft (for panic attacks) cold turkey and i am experiencing extreme rage. i really feel like i want to hit someone. or drive off a cliff. i really feel like i shouldn't be around people, much less driving. my fiance and i are fighting nonstop because he is making me so mad! but - i don't know if it's the withdrawal making me so crazy. things are bothering me much much more than normal. i really feel like i'm going crazy, like i can't control my thoughts and they are mostly bad. the physical symptoms of withdrawal are gone, just the mental ones remain. also, yesterday was my 30th birthday and i was really upset about it. i had to force myself to smile whenever someone said "happy birthday". someone please help. has anyone else experienced this anger and frustration???
> > We are all experiments it seems with these antidepressent drugs.
>
> We are definatly experiments. I have always been a happy person-went to my doc with sleeping problems a couple of years ago and he tried to put me on Zoloft then. I refused, but took it the last time I went back, about 8 months ago. He said the only side effect was weight loss. I felt like a zombie. When I didn't have money for my script, I knew it was a good time to quit. It's been over 3 weeks now and I feel great. I have changed my diet to less carbs and started exercising. The book that bvisuze reccommended has helped as well. My doctor never asked my about my diet or sleeping patterns-which of course is commmon sense, but they should ask. I can finally sleep through the night, get up refreshed, and when I get MAD I can yell at people..which sometimes is good. The medical system definatly needs an overhaul to the holistic approach.
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by msnattygrl on March 9, 2006, at 13:40:30
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by whenry on March 9, 2006, at 13:22:59
I so understand what you are talking about. A few days ago I posted because I was having the mental side effects: intense fear and loathing, upset and crying all the time, hopeless, fighting fighting fighting with my fiancee. (I imagine that cultural factors make it more likely that men will experience similar issues as anger rather than sadness.) I feel for you. I just went back up from my 12.5mg to 25mg because I could not tolerate feeling this way, and frankly I now feel so much better! I plan to try to work my way down to 12.5mg (and eventually 0mg!) a little slower now.
Going cold turkey off this drug is not a good idea if you don't want to experience the emotional side effects. Might I recommend consuming a small dose (25mg or something) and working your way down so that you are less freaked out? And have you seen a doctor to help you with the withdrawal? Because withdrawal manifests as more than "physical" symptoms; there is emotion withdrawal as well.
Wishing you peace,
Natalie> > i'm on my 8th day coming off 100mg zoloft (for panic attacks) cold turkey and i am experiencing extreme rage. i really feel like i want to hit someone. or drive off a cliff. i really feel like i shouldn't be around people, much less driving. my fiance and i are fighting nonstop because he is making me so mad! but - i don't know if it's the withdrawal making me so crazy. things are bothering me much much more than normal. i really feel like i'm going crazy, like i can't control my thoughts and they are mostly bad. the physical symptoms of withdrawal are gone, just the mental ones remain. also, yesterday was my 30th birthday and i was really upset about it. i had to force myself to smile whenever someone said "happy birthday". someone please help. has anyone else experienced this anger and frustration???
Posted by msnattygrl on March 9, 2006, at 13:41:04
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by whenry on March 9, 2006, at 13:22:59
I so understand what you are talking about. A few days ago I posted because I was having the mental side effects: intense fear and loathing, upset and crying all the time, hopeless, fighting fighting fighting with my fiancee. I feel for you. I just went back up from my 12.5mg to 25mg because I could not tolerate feeling this way, and frankly I now feel so much better! I plan to try to work my way down to 12.5mg (and eventually 0mg!) a little slower now.
Going cold turkey off this drug is not a good idea if you don't want to experience the emotional side effects. Might I recommend consuming a small dose (25mg or something) and working your way down so that you are less freaked out? And have you seen a doctor to help you with the withdrawal? Because withdrawal manifests as more than "physical" symptoms; there is emotion withdrawal as well.
Wishing you peace,
Natalie> > i'm on my 8th day coming off 100mg zoloft (for panic attacks) cold turkey and i am experiencing extreme rage. i really feel like i want to hit someone. or drive off a cliff. i really feel like i shouldn't be around people, much less driving. my fiance and i are fighting nonstop because he is making me so mad! but - i don't know if it's the withdrawal making me so crazy. things are bothering me much much more than normal. i really feel like i'm going crazy, like i can't control my thoughts and they are mostly bad. the physical symptoms of withdrawal are gone, just the mental ones remain. also, yesterday was my 30th birthday and i was really upset about it. i had to force myself to smile whenever someone said "happy birthday". someone please help. has anyone else experienced this anger and frustration???
Posted by suec on March 10, 2006, at 7:44:42
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by whenry on March 9, 2006, at 13:22:59
It is very dangerous to stop zoloft cold turkey. That is why you are having these symptoms. Doctors try to say there are no withdrawal symptoms, but there are. But even your doctor would tell you to never just stop. I would call my doctor, tell him what you did, and have him advise you. Maybe you should go back to the 100 mg, then start to taper off. Good luck. Sue
Posted by joyeba on March 10, 2006, at 14:34:07
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by whenry on March 9, 2006, at 13:22:59
I disagree about getting back on the zoloft. It seems the withdrawal is the same whether you are taking 12.5 or 100 from everyone I have talked to. If you have panic attacks and rage, I would ask you doctor to put you on Clonzapem, or Valium to get you through the next couple of weeks. It is much easier to get off of, No matter what the doctor says. Just remember, it's only your mind playing tricks on you, and you can try and control it by remembering that. Good Luck!!!!
> > i'm on my 8th day coming off 100mg zoloft (for panic attacks) cold turkey and i am experiencing extreme rage. i really feel like i want to hit someone. or drive off a cliff. i really feel like i shouldn't be around people, much less driving. my fiance and i are fighting nonstop because he is making me so mad! but - i don't know if it's the withdrawal making me so crazy. things are bothering me much much more than normal. i really feel like i'm going crazy, like i can't control my thoughts and they are mostly bad. the physical symptoms of withdrawal are gone, just the mental ones remain. also, yesterday was my 30th birthday and i was really upset about it. i had to force myself to smile whenever someone said "happy birthday". someone please help. has anyone else experienced this anger and frustration???
> > > We are all experiments it seems with these antidepressent drugs.
> >
> > We are definatly experiments. I have always been a happy person-went to my doc with sleeping problems a couple of years ago and he tried to put me on Zoloft then. I refused, but took it the last time I went back, about 8 months ago. He said the only side effect was weight loss. I felt like a zombie. When I didn't have money for my script, I knew it was a good time to quit. It's been over 3 weeks now and I feel great. I have changed my diet to less carbs and started exercising. The book that bvisuze reccommended has helped as well. My doctor never asked my about my diet or sleeping patterns-which of course is commmon sense, but they should ask. I can finally sleep through the night, get up refreshed, and when I get MAD I can yell at people..which sometimes is good. The medical system definatly needs an overhaul to the holistic approach.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Bev UK on March 10, 2006, at 17:20:57
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by joyeba on March 10, 2006, at 14:34:07
I have been on Zoloft(Sertraline) for around 6 years and was also prescribed a anti phycotic drug at the age of 7 for anxiety and oh my god I had the worst time of my life coming off of them I ended up on a ward for 3 months and was treated like a mad woman by my Doc, Who clearly never had a clue to what I was feeling. I recently got married and would love nothing more than to get pregnant but have been told the risks of Zoloft during pregnancy are unknown, I now feel I have more problems on the drug than I may have if I was off them. I reduced my dosage from 150mg originally to 100mg to 75mg and 8 days ago I ran out and just decided enough was enough, I have done nothing but cry my hormones are awol I am angry snappy, and am suffering major panic attacks, The usual sort of thing like oh god will this last forever and am I going to die, I have been to work and dragged myself along and I am sure I am doing the right thing I would rather deal with the real me than feel like a junkie. And I know from my past experiance that there is a light at the other end of this dark tunnel, Please all keep your chins up and on the times that you are strong tell yourself it will all be over soon (do not fall back into your pills to make it all better as all this does is hide problems that will never be cured, They need to be raw to be sorted out like ripping a plaster away to expose a sore before it heels. It has helped me so much to read about all your experiences although I do wish such a site never had to exist, I know now that I am not alone, I will keep you all posted.
Posted by whoopdeedoo on March 27, 2006, at 7:55:37
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Gina on May 30, 1999, at 13:27:18
I'm scared guys. Been off Zoloft for 3 weeks, have basically had a flu every since, extremely low energy, fatique, dizzy, weak, nerve zaps, tingles, woozy, colds every other day, bouts of random anger and intense irritability.
PLease let me know if this is normal after 3 weeks, and how much longer I have before I return to normal!!
Thanks.
Posted by jaclamac on March 27, 2006, at 7:55:46
In reply to has anyone tried becalmed?, posted by Charlotte Wilson on August 27, 2004, at 15:53:41
Hi, yes I have just started taking them, and I feel absolutely brilliant! feel so focused and calm, I also was on zoloft, went cold turkey 6 weeks ago. good luck, give them a go....
Posted by ladydee54 on March 27, 2006, at 7:55:49
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by whoopdeedoo on March 20, 2006, at 20:48:16
Relax, it was a full two months before I felt OK after withdrawal. On the other hand, my depression returned full force for the next year and now I'm taking Lexapro, 10 mgs a day. so far so good.
These drugs are tough to get off of. Just keep in touch with your MD.
> I'm scared guys. Been off Zoloft for 3 weeks, have basically had a flu every since, extremely low energy, fatique, dizzy, weak, nerve zaps, tingles, woozy, colds every other day, bouts of random anger and intense irritability.
>
> PLease let me know if this is normal after 3 weeks, and how much longer I have before I return to normal!!
>
> Thanks.
Posted by Joe84323 on March 27, 2006, at 7:58:01
In reply to withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Shelly on May 4, 1999, at 17:37:51
I read this thread before I started Zoloft about 8 months ago, but decided to do it anyway as I was having chronic panic attacks, and thought my life as I knew it was over.
To go off Zoloft (Still coming off) I went down from 100 mg to 75 for a week, then 50 for a week, then 25 for a week. The day I ended Zoloft, I started taking some Wellbutrin I had leftover from attempting to quit smoking.
I took Wellbutryn for 5 days. The two days after I stopped Wellbutryn (has longer half life less withdrawal symptoms,)I experimented with St. Johns Wort.
St Johns Wort is a Reuptake Inhibitor in itself (some kind of protein causes this) and isnt the same effect as Zoloft, but keeps my serotonin steady whilst the SSRI's filter out of my system.
I am still irritable somewhat, but The St. Johns wort makes my sleep better, helps me wake up better, and makes me more productive.
I think after two months, I will continue a small regimen of St. John's Wort, which is incredible in itself.
The past two days I have had a ringing in my ear, and every sound is like 4x as loud, and sometimes I reply to friends while really I am hearing somebody talking 2 blocks away.
Some sort of crazy Superman stuff? eh?
God Bless peoples.... good luck
Posted by joyeba on March 27, 2006, at 10:46:54
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by whoopdeedoo on March 20, 2006, at 20:48:16
> I'm scared guys. Been off Zoloft for 3 weeks, have basically had a flu every since, extremely low energy, fatique, dizzy, weak, nerve zaps, tingles, woozy, colds every other day, bouts of random anger and intense irritability.
>
> PLease let me know if this is normal after 3 weeks, and how much longer I have before I return to normal!!It took right at 3 weeks for me to feel better. After the third week, I didn't feel completely better, but I wasn't so sick. Took a while for the head zaps to go. Drink lots of water, take vitamins and keep yourself as happy and healthy as possible. MAKE SURE you get enough sleep. This seemed to help me tremendously. I have been Zoloft free for a couple of months now and feel fine. Although, I still get a head "zap" every now and then. YOU WILL get through this. It just sucks really bad. My depression is back again, but I am fighting it the natural way, with exercise, doing things I enjoy and getting lots of sleep.
>
> Thanks.
Posted by SallyW on April 1, 2006, at 0:18:27
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by jaclamac on March 3, 2006, at 4:34:42
Get the liquid zoloft, a 1 ml. syringe, and titrate down very slowly. 1ml = 20 mg. The 1 ml. syringe is marked off in tenths (.1), so you can really manage the dosage quite well. For some reason, I was able to titrate down more quickly with no side effects using this method. Had major problems trying to break pills. Lots of side effects. Warning: at higher doses, the liquid mixed in orange juice is a little like a screw-driver for breakfast - I don't drink, so I just had to hold my nose and swallow fast ;-) Good luck!!!! I've been off for 7 months and it's great.
Posted by Luci on April 13, 2006, at 11:20:16
In reply to Re: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Mia CD on March 6, 2006, at 21:45:25
hello all,
Been on Zoloft for many years. Decided recently that i'm tired of being numb and on drugs. I started weaning myself off from 200 mg to 150 for 1 week, them 100 for another week, then 50 for one more week. I think i should have done 25mg for at least 1 week or two but i didn't. I've been off Zoloft completely now for2 1/2 weeks, my symptoms have been incredible. Been so nauseated and so very dizzy i actually got scared and went to the emergency room(everything checked out fine) (I didn't tell them about that).
The sounds of people talking and tv', etc are magnified 4x louder, i'm very irritable and my sleeping patterns are way off. I don't recall feeling so nauseated, oozy, fatigued and dizzy in my entire life. oh yes and some anxiety also.
Nevertheless i'm commited to see this through.
Praying hard that these debilitating symptoms subside soon....
Luci
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Posted by peter007ty on April 14, 2006, at 19:52:55
In reply to Redirect: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Dr. Bob on March 27, 2006, at 7:59:53
hi living in australia its my second day of coming off 200mg of zoloft been on it for 2 years after industrial accident and surgery to remove 2 disc in my back not sure if i can do this i dont know any one else in this country on zoloft also on 200mg celebrex and 8 panadine forte a day so giving allup together hope this is not suicide at present i feel so ill not sure what to do
Posted by SLS on April 14, 2006, at 21:19:35
In reply to Re: Redirect: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by peter007ty on April 6, 2006, at 11:58:47
How did you go about discontinuing Zoloft?
- Scott
Posted by zoloft on April 19, 2006, at 1:11:58
In reply to Redirect: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by Dr. Bob on March 27, 2006, at 7:59:53
I recently came off of Zoloft after being on it for 8yrs at 50mg. I tapered off it very slowly with direction from my GP. It's been almost 3 weeks now that I have been off completely and I'm still going through the withdrawal symptoms. My double whammy is that I am also pregnant and went through both pregnancy and withdrawal symptoms. If I stayed on the Zoloft, I was having worse pregnancy nausea and vomiting. Being off them has subsided the vomiting, but nausea is still there. I am now 14weeks pregnant and the worst symptom is the dizziness and "buzzing" in my head. I feel like I'm having a migraine without the headache, all day, everday and it makes me scared of driving. I feel okay when I'm sleeping, but when I wake up, it starts all over again. Especially when I'm woken up suddenly - it hits sharply.
Please help. How can I get over this, and how long is this supposed to last? My GP says, a couple of weeks. Well, a couple weeks have past. I hate this feeling, I hate the constant "brain zapps", blurred vision and "sick feeling"! I feel dysfunctional, and I KNOW it's NOT a recurrence of the depression!!
HELP!!
Posted by ladydee54 on April 19, 2006, at 1:12:02
In reply to Re: Redirect: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by zoloft on April 15, 2006, at 15:35:02
You gotta hang in there, there is no way to shorten this. taking any other drug will only prolong it. eventually the head zaps will go away. the one thing that has never gone away for me is the faint "whooshing" that I hear at times, usually after a meal for some reason!
all other symptoms will subside given enough time. drink plenty of water and just hang in there!
Posted by SLS on April 19, 2006, at 6:12:08
In reply to Re: Redirect: withdrawal symptoms coming off zoloft, posted by zoloft on April 15, 2006, at 15:35:02
I don't like the idea of anyone allowing withdrawal symptoms to persist day after day. It isn't necessary. However, since you are so far along, I doubt you would consider reintroducing SRI medication.
One thing that does help mitigate withdrawal symptoms is small amounts of diphenhydramine (Benadryl). It is an over-the-counter antihistamine / anticholinergic.
- Scott
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