Zoloft comments - read what others are saying about zoloft.
i took zoloft and im 17
it was the worst i hated i as sick slept all the time the place im at put me on it cause i agreed to but i have no histoy of depression im just very irridable but while i was on it for the last 2-3 weeks it was horrible
but now im off the pill
by jennifer On Thu Feb 28 17:55:55 2008
Zoloft
Dr. prescribed this for me 3 days ago. One of my depression symptoms is very low appetite. Well, it's even lower now, with Zoloft. BUT the years-long problems with constipation and other issues that go along with it Zoloft seems to have solved! Does anyone know why this would be?
by Lou On Sat Dec 23 21:51:08 2006
Zoloft withdrawal
I just wanted to share a successful strategy of tapering off Zoloft with everyone....
(I've decided to move this post
to my blog at emotional-times.com/zoloftwithdrawal - to give it extra visibility. - Mark)
by Anna On Thu Dec 21 13:04:13 2006
ZOLOFT WEIGHT GAIN--How to lose it
I've read all of these comments and just want to let you all know that you should...
(I've decided to move this post
to my blog at emotional-time.com/zoloft-weight-gain - Mark.)
by Mandy On Tue Dec 19 10:56:18 2006
Zoloft
I wish I had known. I did try to come off Zoloft slowly (3 weeks) but all the symptoms are here. Until I read this page, I was seriously thinking that I was having a nervous breakdown - suicide thoughts - the works. I have a great life - good kids - decent marriage (always room for improvement) but the last three weeks I have been unable to cope with the slightest thing - unable to handle or deal with my kids. Ripping everyones head off......Thank you for posting the site. At least I don't feel alone anymore. God I hope this is over soon.
by Rebecca On Thu Dec 07 12:11:07 2006
Zoloft comments
just found your site via search for "self pity" form of depression (my issue).
Having now spoken with proponents of various different ssri antidepressants and visited numerous websites, what matters is that the stories of useage effects and withdrawal problems seem to read identically. Like the same story over and over again.
So whats the benefit of these various medications (Zoloft, Effexor, etc)if you cannnot get off of them without going bonkers for an extensive time? Is the solution is worse than the problem? Several websites that i visited say virtually the same thing as this Zoloft site; even the words are the same.
The question is how does someone benefit from medication (if you can) and limit the downside effects (if you can)?
by Ktex On Sun Dec 03 12:05:25 2006
(Antidepressants are not vitamin supplements. They're powerful mood altering drugs that I believe should only be taken as a LAST RESORT, and only for a short time. To give the user - hopefully - some breathing room to get their life together. Taking them just to help you cope with day-to-day life may turn out to be a mistake. Eventually you'll have to face what you're now avoiding. That's my opinion. - Mark)
Zoloft Withdrawal
Just wanted to thank everyone who suggested to taper off Zoloft very slowly. I am now on Day 54 and I have had NO problems whatsoever. I started at 150 mg. daily and have dropped down 12.5 mg. (yes I cut the 50 mg. pill with a splitter)every 2 weeks. Very, very slowly. I am now on 100 mg and on Sunday will drop to 87.5 mg.
I've been on Paxil and then Zoloft for so many years, does it really matter if it takes a few more months?? Of course not. Take your time and you will succeed.
So Mark, my question to you - What are the chances of my panic attacks returning after I stop completely? I was afraid of bridges and highways when driving and now, I drive both. Since I now know that I have conquered that fear, does it seem possible that the panic attacks will not come back?
Thanks for your help. I truly appreciate it.
by Louise On Fri Dec 01 00:53:01 2006
(Well, it's certainly possible your panic attacks won't come back. Hard to say for sure. I do have a complete program
to reduce fear, escape anxiety and end panic. You can read about it at reduce-fear.com - Mark)
the withdrawl od zoloft
I have stopped taking zoloft and feel horrible. I am dizzy and cant see straight sometimes. I black out and have a difficult time raising my 2 boys. I get snappy and yell alot. I dont know what to do and need some support. My husband doesnt understand what Im going trough.
I have been felling a lot of nausia and have been in alot of pain. I hate the way I feel and very much wanna og back to the way I felt in high school. I was a happy child once. I love my family very much and so despertly want to get better so I can be a better wife and mother. Feeling the way I have been latey has made it so hard. If you have any avice please let me know. I forgot to mention that I was on zoloft for 4 yrs. Im feeling terrible and really need some help/answers on how to cope with it naturally. I have gained weight(alot) sonce I have been on it. Grrrrrrr...al in all I would just like my life back....is that to much to ask??
by Jamie On Fri Dec 01 00:11:49 2006
(Cut back slowly instead of ending them abruptly. Get a good quality omega 3 fatty acid and a good quality Vitamin E supplement. - Mark)
Zoloft
I was on Zoloft for a while and it didn't do anything for my depression. Forturnately, I came of Zoloft cold turkey with no side effects. Wish I could say the same about the effexor XR that I went on after. I'm struggling with effexor withdrawl right now which I've written about in the effexor area of the website today.
by Andrew On Fri Nov 17 20:22:10 2006
Zoloft
Hi, I am also a person who "used" to be tall and skinny and now I weigh 195lbs. It is the most depressing thing I have ever experienced. I asked my doctor every time I went in if it was the zoloft and he said that Zoloft does not have a weight gain side affect....he is wrong.
I went to my gyno and had her run every test possible to see if it was hormones or throid issues...negative.
I just switched doctors and have changed my medicine to wellbutron. God I hope this works, I cant stand to look at my self anymore!!!
by Trista On Sun Nov 05 16:37:41 2006
Finally free of Zoloft
Hi there. After reading many stories I decided many people were looking for a light at the end of the tunnel. I have been on and off Zoloft for a number of years. My doctor would suggest a return to the drug when things got a little 'tuff'. Only the last time I was on the drug did I wake up to the unlivable side effects while on it and the devastating side effects of withdrawl. I experienced total lack of sex drive and a totaly numb feeling emotionally.
I decided to withdraw from the drug primarily for a return of my sex life with my very patient husband. Well you all know what happens with withdrawal I pretty much expereinced all symptoms including wanting to divorce my husband and run away from my too beautiful children. I have been off Zoloft for maybe 3-4 months now and am doing much better. I expereince the highs and lows of life, enjoy intimacy with my partner(after 1-2 months withdrawal, cry during sad movies, have lost the extra 8 pounds I somehow gained and never EVER consider using this drug again.
It angers me so much to think people are daily being prescribed these drugs without the knowledge of the severe side-effects of taking the drug and withdrawal. I wonder how many people have successfully killed themselves while withdrawing from these drugs?
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Zoloft withdrawal
Just an update -- I've been tapering down from a few years of 150 mg. Zoloft. So far, I am on Day 26 and down to 125 mg. and still absolutely NO awful withdrawal side effects. I am thrilled after reading all of the horrible things that can happen.
The main thing I learned from reading this site is GO SLOWLY !!! Two weeks on each dose, then decrease by only 12.5 mg. It might be slow, but, heh, it works.
by Louise On Tue Oct 31 00:00:53 2006
Zoloft/Adderall and Blackout
I've been taking Zoloft for about a year now. The Adderall I have been on for half that long.
I was on my way from work a few days ago. I worked till close like I have on many nights and I was out of there by 10pm.
My job is right around the corner from my home, a five minute drive. So it doesn't take long at all for me to get home at night.
I was driving along, almost home. The next thing I know I'm waking up in the woods, my airbags are out and my car is totaled. On top of that, I've been out for a couple hours. To say the least... I really questioned my sanity. I ran home and woke my parents who were probably as shocked and confused as I was.
I'm what you would call a "good kid". I don't do drugs or drink (especially when driving).
I've had an MRI, CT scan, EKG, EEG, and about every other test you could think of. All came out normal.
Then I read the side effects of Zoloft. I've never had any of them until now, and the one that I did get is probably of the most serious. "Fainting" and "Low blood pressure". I read the labels of adderall and it cautions against taking if you have low blood pressure due to "fainting spells and cases of vertigo"
Yeah...
by Leah On Mon Oct 30 14:11:03 2006
Getting Off Zoloft
I just wanted to add to my comment from yesterday. I told you that I am taking MonaVie, which is a blend of 19 fruits, including the acai berry and that I had halved my medication. Yesterday, I was having brain zaps and headache. I decided to increase my intake of the MonaVie from 2 oz twice a day to 2 oz three times a day. This morning I awoke pain free and have not had ANY brain zaps - not one, even while stretching and bending. I truly believe this is a gift from God. Please visit Monavie.com and get back with me.
by Paula On Sat Oct 28 12:54:07 2006
Zoloft withdrawal symptoms
Please, please, PLEASE someone tell me how long these withdrawal symptoms are supposed to last?! I've been tapering off, 25mgs. every two weeks from 150mgs. and am now at 50mgs. This weekend I should be cutting that down to 25mg but I don't even think I'm going to make it through the damn day! My symptoms are the sames as others ... dizziness, nausea, anxiety, eye/vision problems, irritability, going to slam my head into a wall, slam others as well ... when it the name of all that is holy will it stop?! I seriously contemplated stopping my car over a major bridge yesterday and jumping.
Please someone tell me if it took you 2 weeks, 2 months, 2 years. It's a waste of my time to even ask a doctor. My PCP sent me for a CAT scan because of the headaches, my eye doctor suggests surgery for the muscle pull behind my eye, my shrink needs to come out of the 1970's...my point is I'll trust other sufferers before I'll trust the medical profession anytime soon.
Thanks.
by Cleo On Sat Oct 28 12:50:48 2006
Getting off Zoloft
I have been on antidepressant medication for 21 years; tricyclics until about 11 years ago when I switched to SRIs. I am taking MonaVie and have been able to halve my dosage so far. I have some brain zaps, but not really severe. I invite all your readers to review www.monavie.com and get going!
by Paula On Fri Oct 27 23:26:59 2006
Zoloft withdrawal
It feels so good to know that I am not alone with this weight gain. Thanks for the support.
An update -- so far, after 15 days -- no side effects at all from tapering. Started at 150 mg Zoloft, then just finished 2 weeks at 137.5 mg. Today I dropped to 125 mg and plan to stay on that dose for 2 more weeks. Don't care how long it takes as long as there are NO side effects.
I'll give you updates in a week or so.
by Louise On Sun Oct 22 23:44:26 2006
Zoloft and Weight Gain
Hello, I just wanted to add my experience to the group.
I had been on Paxil for about 1 year, gained 30lbs. Due to the weight gain, was switched to the Zoloft. Meanwhile, with the added weight on my small frame I had some musculoskeletal problems and needed to undergo physical therapy for my hip.
Also,While on the zoloft I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Which I am wondering if there is a connection between the zoloft and the thyroid because I didn't have any family history and other than the depression no other past medical history.
Well, after being on the zoloft for about 3 years total I was extremely frustrated with the fact I was thin my entire life and I was now looking into joining weight watchers (nothing against weight watchers).
I tapered slowly off. I did have withdrawl "shocks" and dizziness. That went away. But the weight is still there after 2 years of being off the zoloft. That is with exercise, good diet, and treating the hypothyroidism with levoxyl.
Does anyone out there have any recommendations on how to get rid of this weight? I would greatly appreciate any insights or methods. Thank you!
by Penny On Thu Oct 19 22:01:00 2006
is zoloft just as much of a problem?
hi all i would like to know about the withdrawls people have experienced about the anti depressant drug zoloft if any at all. my doctor has prescribed this drug for me to take and after reading about this drug mentioned in this web site, wondered if this is the case with zoloft. i would greatly appreciate some advice on this drug and it's affects of [withdrawl]!! with kindest regards steve
by steve On Wed Oct 18 17:33:00 2006
Weight loss after Zoloft
Has anyone ever lost the extra weight that was put on after taking Zoloft or Paxil after stopping the drug?
I need some encouragement.
Thanks
by Louise On Mon Oct 16 03:01:36 2006
Zoloft withdrawal
I gained about 30 pounds on Paxil quite a few years ago and my doctor refused to believe that was possible since the literature never mentioned it back then. He eventually switched me to Zoloft and I've been taking 150 mg. for years to treat panic disorder. I was unable to drive on highways and bridges. I've licked that situation with the help of Zoloft and now I am tapering off my medication because I can't stand the extra weight.
So far, I have had NO withdrawal symptoms because I have been reading about how horrible it was when cutting down too fast. I am spending 2 weeks at each dose. Now on day 10 - 150 mg down to 137 1/2 -- yes, I got my doctor to give me 50 mg tablets and I've cut them in 1/2 and 1/2 again with a pill splitter. It works great. I'll keep you posted as I taper down - hopefully with NO adverse reactions. It will take months but I'm willing to drag it out to avoid symptoms.
by Louise On Mon Oct 16 02:14:16 2006
Zoloft
I went to my dr. after being on Celexa w/success for about 2 years. Apparently you become immune to antidepressants and that's why I went to see my doc. She prescribed Prozac which gave me headaches and fatigue. I initially told my dr. I was struggling w/fatigue and mild depression. She then put me on 50 mg Zoloft/day.
I've been on it for a little over six months and it has not been a good experience. I can't pinpoint why I did not see the horrible side effects sooner. I've just been in a haze. Completely exhausted (napping everyday when my kids nap) and the weight gain has been so stinkin' discouraging. I am training for 1/2 marathon and running 5-6 days per week along with strength and toning exercises daily.
I have still been gaining weight. As a woman who had more than a few lbs on after my last child I made it clear to my dr. that this was an issue even more so than the mild depression.
I am so extremely upset that my dr. would prescribe this drug w/o giving me a clue about these side effects that I so clearly did not want to deal with. Do drs. get kickbacks from drug companies that are so attractive that they do not even bother to research or care what they drugs may do to their patients??? If this was happening to my husband or one of my kids I would be standing on my soapbox and fighting for answers as to why it's okay for drs. to pull out that little persription pad and jot down whatever the flavor of the month is.
I am now going off Zoloft and am already having dizzy spealls. Every time I turn my head I feel off balance. Headaches and insomnia are setting in also. I called my dr. and asked how to properly go off Zoloft and was told to take Bendadryl for insomnia and 25 mg every other day for two weeks.
She's crazy if she thinks I am going basically go off it cold turkey. I did it w/Prozac and went crazy for almost three weeks. Thank you for this website. A place to vent and more importantly a place to share and not feel like a freak on a drug you see as a bouncing smiley face on TV commercials.
by Michelle On Sun Oct 15 20:44:44 2006
zoloft withdrawal
I had been taking zoloft for 7 years, up to 200 mg. per day. I'd decided to stop cold, and have experienced stomach cramps, intense headaches, sleep jerks, nausea, and am very very very cranky. I'm wondering how long this will last until i return to normal, although after being on zoloft for 7 years am not sure what normal will be. I also find that it feels like I am going through each day in a fog.
by mb On Sun Oct 01 11:57:27 2006
zoloft weight gain
I have been on zoloft for 3 years now...went on it the last 2 months of a very difficult pregnancy.....bedrest with twins....very stressful and lots of anxiety.....
anyways,it has been more then 3 yrs actually that I have been on them and I will say that I have not lost any of my "baby weight".....maybe about 12 pounds but I CANNOT seem to loose anymore and I go to the gym and do cardio and weights and everything and there is no change.....
I had been to the doctors a few weeks ago and while I was waiting for him I stepped on the scale and just shook my head and at that point he walked in and asked what was wrong and I tolod him how frustrating it is to work your but off and see no results and he casually says,"Oh,but you are on zoloft so that will keep and extra 20 pounds on for sure", and I have to tell you-this was news to me...I thought Paxil was the weight gainer,,,,,not zoloft....I have been on 200mg as well for the past year or so and am in shock that this coulod be the reason as to why I am still "big"........
I decided to wean myself off and for the past week and half,have been only taking 100mg and so far so good.....no wierd side effects......yet..you know,it is mazing when you look back and realize how long you have been on these meds and it was all because of the "weight" issue at the doctor.....I actually wouldn't have even thought about how long I had been on them until that moment.....wake up call....
not sure I actually do need to be on them,,,it has just become a habit....also,,was reading the weight comes off slowly too......we'll see.......best wishes to you all
by robyn On Sat Sep 30 00:46:25 2006
Zoloft and withdrawl
My mom had been on zoloft for about a year and while she was taking it she started getting horrible w/d symptoms like the nausea and the zapping so bad that she almost couldn't move at times.......
it took her awhile to figure out what was going on seeing as how this was all happening while she was on the drug.....so next thing was,to try and kick it and needless to say it was worse then all what she had experienced being on it----how strange though,,,,,
my sister got the zaps while she was on it too,,,,I never have had any negative experience on it but had to go on it at the end of a very high risk pregnancy with with twins and I have to say,3 yrs later and all the hard work I have done to lose the baby weight and nothing has budged.....it totally sucks!!!!!
It was my doc who mentioned it to me.....I had casually brought up my weight and how frustrating it is to be stuck and he said:oh-remember,you ARE on Zoloft and will most likely be carrying around and extra 20-25 lbs.......
well, enough is enough...I am on 200mg of this stuff and just 4 days ago,dropped down to 100 and nothing has happened regarding w/d.I hope it stays like that.Was reading a good story on ivillage about the higher the dosage,the more the weight gain....very interesting because they really don't have alot of detailed info about weight gain and withdrawl and those 2 are about the most important.......
anyways,not sure if anyone will even read this but this is my 2 cents and really,I guess in the next month or so we will see what really happens to me regarding these 2 topics.......good luck to all and hang in there.......
by Robyn On Sun Sep 24 01:01:13 2006
Zoloft Withdrawal
Oh...my..word. Upon reading all these comments about paxil and zoloft, I realised that this whole thing was NOT in my head!
I was originally on 50mg of zoloft a day due to intense depression that I had been experiencing since I was in like 8th grade (this was now grade 12). So anyway, they ended up having to increase it to 100mg a day and I was also on lamictal and fluanxol at night and in the morning because I just seemed to be getting worse and worse.
Anyway, eventually I started settling down - I felt alot better and slightly more normal than I used to. However, I just felt like something was missing. Sure I felt less depressed but I felt less happy too. And I felt like my creativity had diminished - I felt dead inside.
So then I first cut down on the lamictal. Then the fluanxol. Then the worst one of all - the zoloft.
I started only taking 50mg in the morning, and I immediately felt something was wrong. I was suddenly more irritable than I had ever been in my entire life - constant pms. And I was enraged at the slightest irritation. I felt like I wanted to smash something if my pc froze or my hair went in my eye or anything small like that. I was also angry with EVERYONE.
I am usually a very soft-hearted, loving, almost "fluffy" person but I just felt like I hated the world. When I saw my ex and I heard about something stupid he did I was so angry I was actually shaking, felt sick and I wanted to actually find him and punch him into oblivion.
I wanted to run away and just get away from everything. I stopped even trying to cope with my varsity work. I had zaps everytime I moved and I felt like I was dreaming and hallucinating about everything and my heart was beating in a weird way. I felt nauseous and just felt like I was breaking down inside. Everytime somethng went wrong I would be scheming up a suicide plan. I thought I was crazy.
Three weeks down the line, and I am still struggling. I am paranoid, still having fits of rage and cry at the slightest provocation. There are days when I feel that no-one cares or understands, and that I cannot trust anyone, including my friends and family. But on the bright side - the physical symptoms have just about cleared. So I am now praying that one of these days I will be back to normal, whatever normal is.
by Cari On Mon Sep 11 10:16:50 2006
Zoloft Withdrawl
I have been on Zoloft for 7 or 8 years now and have decided I am ready to stop taking it. Little did I know that the withdrawl symptoms would come straight from hell! When I was first prescribed Zoloft, I was told it was not at all addictive and that I would have nothing to worry about when it came to stopping the drug. Boy, was I ever mislead!
I have been tapering myself off of the Zoloft for about a month now. I am now only taking 50mg every other day, after being on as much as 200mg/daily. At first, the only thing I noticed was the 'Zaps' ///for those who do not know what the zaps are, it's as if someone is playing that old Asteroids video game inside of your head/// My doctor thinks I am nuts when I tell him that I have the zaps but anyway, that is all I really noticed at first. After getting myself down to 100mg every other day and now just 50mg, I cannot sleep. When I do, my sleep is overran by weird dreams and sometimes nightmares.
I am noticing that I am a little tense, irritable and sometimes even cry for no reason but I keep telling myself it will pass and that I will make it through this. Much like the diahrrea from hell that Zoloft can cause when you first start taking it, my bowels are also going through withdrawl and it is causing stomach pain and irritable bowel.
I guess what I am trying to relay is that we are not alone in this. From the other comments I have read here, we are all facing similiar symptoms and hopefully being able to read these blogs, it will help us all through. I am going to keep up the fight when it comes to tapering off and finally eliminating my zoloft usage. I am finally realizing that life can feel like a sinking ship sometimes for all of us... we just have to do our best to find the positives and not let it overcome us, if we can.
Hang in there, my fellow 'zappers'! We can do this!
by Lori On Tue Sep 05 14:35:28 2006
Zoloft Withdrawal Part Two
Just in case anybody is curious I last wrote in July 29. It is now August 6th, Sunday. A week and a day later.
The ZAPS are 90% gone...after a HELLISH (BIGBIGBIG understatement) week with the hot weather and the worst migraines I have ever had...not to mention the zaps, vomiting, as well as the general feeling that I was going to die...(apparently I didn't).
I think i can safely say the worst is over and the Zoloft is KICKED. All that remains is the slight nausea at times and feeling a bit scatterbrained. It takes a little extra thinking to spell, do math and other everyday stuff...
This too shall pass...
Like I said before, everybody is different and I can only speak for myself, but I just want to convey that, contrary to some stories one can read, especially on the 'net, is that Zoloft can be kicked if one is stubborn enough.
The effects will NOT kill you even though it will seem that way for a few days. Hang in there -- I came to within one day of breaking.
Free at last.
by Bryan On Sun Aug 06 23:38:36 2006
Zoloft Withdrawal - week one
I stopped taking 200mg/day of Zoloft 1 week ago. Cold turkey this time. No feelings of depression, suicide, etc...just the ZAPS are extremely irritating! (and slightly nauseating)
No doctor so far seems to comprehend what the ZAPS are, and do not acknowledge them with anything but a raised eyebrow. So knowledge is my only weapon for dealing with this.
I have the idea that I didn't really need Zoloft anymore except to feed the habit because, so far, my general outlook has not changed, just feel crappy, verging on a migraine, (nothing new here). And those godawful zaps.
This is my 3rd attempt to get off it. Unlike before, I know the cold-turkey crap will eventually wear off AND WILL NOT LAST FOREVER like some people have written, even heroin w/d takes about a month I'm told (but MUCH worse), but I wonder if I should be using 5-HTP to compensate for the reduced seratonin levels.(Cannabis helps a little for the nausea and zaps)
Are the zaps and headaches caused from withdrawal or reduced seratonin levels?
In a nutshell I'm feeling physically a little sick but (so far, knock wood) mentally OK. (as of July 29). And smoking da weed...does it help, hurt, or not make any difference? I don't know but I'm keeping with herb and coffee for now, I'll think about those after I kick the Zoloft..quit cigs a while ago.
One More Thing: Zoloft w/d FOR ME is far worse than Nicotine was, while caffiene is the most difficult of all of em. Caffeine is Zoloft on Steroids. Weed is relatively mild but too expensive, so that's next on the hit list. For now, though, it is Fun Time with the Zaps. Ouch! With any luck I'll hold out this time.
by Bryan On Sat Jul 29 13:04:56 2006
zoloft/anxiety disorder
I want to thank you for all the topics you've covered on Emotional healing. I think you hit the bull between the eyes and it's sad that our Doctors have gone to just treating "symtoms" and forgotten that each person is only 1/3 body and that the mind and spirit make the whole.
I was placed on Zoloft a year and a half ago for anxiety disorder. my doctor never asked why I was anxious, or what was going on my life that I was stressed about. Not many want to take the time to heal emotions, so thank you for making the stand in a medical society that LOVES bandaids!!!
by Becca On Fri Jun 23 20:49:49 2006
Alcohol and Zoloft
I have Hypoglycemia and should not drink, but I do on occasion. Since I started taking Zoloft, I notice that I crave alcohol and drink until I am intoxicated. It hits me faster and the outcome is more severe. I have decided to give it up totally for the next 5 months, maybe longer. How can I find out chemically what is going on when I drink and take Zoloft?
by Dione On Wed Jun 21 14:04:18 2006
Depression and Zoloft Withdrawal
I just found out I am pregnant, so I had to stop my Zoloft rather abruptly. The withdrawal symptoms for me are a pain, but fortunately I do not have any life-altering issues.
The first time I experienced them I failed to make the connection to Zoloft withdrawal and scared myself silly that there was somehting seriously wrong with me (I have an imagination that can turn stomach pains into cancer for certain)!
My main symptoms are an electric "zapping" feeling for about two weeks, very bad stomach pains/diarrhea, feelings of heart palpitations, though on examination my heart is fine (this one only for a few days, though) and the least pleasant: terrible nightmares. Some of the most upsetting and disturbing dreams I've ever had. Hard to describe, really.
I've stopped taking it abruptly before and experienced the same symptoms, though you really are not supposed to for this very reason. I guess this is why they suggest you taper off slowly.
Although these side effects sound alarming and admittedly scare me just a little (I can't believe my body can get so dependent on a drug!), I really do think the risks outweight the benefits most of the time. My depression makes me a different person.
Some days it feels like a task just to get out of bed and get myself showered. It is an overwhelming and terrible feeling realizing nothing, absolutely NOTHING, is of interest to you. People who do not suffer this terrible imbalance often do not understand.
My experience has been that many people seem to believe "just getting out and doing something" is the solution. They fail to understand how terribly overwhelming that thought can be when the emptiness, or I guess the apathy hits. At least, that's how depression has always hit me.
Similarly, I get very anxious. Let's face it, not wanting to do ANYTHING all day can do that to you! Everything in life becomes a major stressor and a major cause for alarm and panic. My temper flares out of control as I get hysterical over something as simple as not being able to find a parking spot. EVERYTHING seems daunting.
When I'm on Zoloft, that changes slightly. Honestly, it's not a cure-all for me. It is by no means a miracle drug. It does, however, take the edge off. And that edge is all I need sometimes to keep functioning. That edge gives me an advantage over depression, and makes me WANT to overcome it. It makes my life just a little smoother, and for me, the stomachaches of withdrawal are worth that.
However, nobody told me anything about withdrawal symptoms when I started Zoloft. I rather wish someone had. I still think I would have opted to take it, had I known, but I sincerely believe the withdrawal symptoms are a bigger problem than what little attention to them doctors give warrants. This seems especially true given that some people have some major life-altering withdrawal symptoms that appear to worsen their depression!
While I don't think this is a cause to ban Zoloft and stop giving it to all patients, I do definitely think it's an area that should be more thoroughly explored. For what it's worth, that's my two cents!
by Jessica On Thu Jun 15 00:06:30 2006
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