Depression Blog.com

i have been taking zoloft for over a year now and i really don't feel tat it helps me at all. i was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to get off this crap without feeling like a wacko. even if i try to wean myself off slowly my head does these weird little buzzing things and i have to start again.

Oh boy...I don't know where to start....I don't even know if this is an active site anymore. I started taking Zoloft (the fourth SSRI I have tried) for anxiety and panic attacks. At first, it was hard for me to be consistent with it....caused some nausea and jitters, but those eventually passed. It helped a lot with my depression and anxiety, regulated my sleep patterns, and kept my emotions on more of an even keel. However, the sexual side effects were pretty bad. And then.....there was the weight gain.

I was on it from June of 2003 until about three weeks ago. I have gained at LEAST 25 pounds. I have never had a weight problem and was not eating more or exercising less. I still have not noticed a decrease in my weight. At first, I thought it was because I was happy and maybe eating more....but even walking three miles a day and staying on a low-calorie-low carb diet was not helping. I suspected it was the Zoloft--even talked to my doc about it--but was told that it just couldn't be the Zoloft. I am only 24 years old. I highly doubt that my metabolism has just shut down!! Has anyone had ANY success in losing the weight that this drug causes you to put on?? I always had a very fast metabolism.....until Zoloft. Is this going to be a permanent struggle for the rest of my life now???

I have been on Zoloft for approximately 1 year. Dr prescribed Zoloft for me to assist with Anxiety and Depression. I have noticed an improvement in both, however, the side affects that I currently have are: loss of appetite, weight loss, lobedo gone, tremors, hot flushes and constantly tired, however, sometimes cannot sleep, headaches. I am currently take 150mg of Zoloft
As I am working is a very stressful environment, my doctor advised that I may not get taken off it until I either change to a less stressful job.
This is not an option and would like to know a way that I can counteract these side affects. Loss of Lobedo is affecting my relationship with fiancee and would like to know.
Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. I don't fully understand the side affects of Zoloft and would love you to assist me with this information.
Thanks for your assistance and I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

Back in '95-'96, can't remember which one, I went on Zoloft for depression and anxiety. It helped at first, but if I missed just one dose I would get cranky. I stopped cold turkey once, what a big mistake!!! I about lost it. Headaches, panic attacks, I thought I was going crazy. I took everything personal and cried aaalll of the time. I went to my doc and he said to never do that. We lowered my dosage slowly and were then successful. Good luck on getting off of Zoloft. Take it realllly sloooowwww.
In 2002 I tried Zoloft again and it didn't work. So, I'm on Effexor at nite and Wellbutrin in the morn. and loving life and living!!!

I have been on Zoloft for about 2 years, now at the max dose of 200 mg. I'm 35, and have been through several episodes of major depression in my life. This is my first time with any meds though.

On the good side, I think my mood has improved, I seem to sleep better, I'm more relaxed and less anger and anxiety prone, and I don't "plunge" for hours at a time anywhere near as much as I used to. However, I've definitely gained some weight--something like 10-20 pounds (which in all fairness I was warned about). My libido is way down, and it takes an act of God for me to.... I'm no less obsessive, but I seem to care a lot less about things. It's like I'm inurred to everything around me somehow. Also, the sleep improvement sometimes goes too far the other way--I have trouble with hypersomnia and some days no amount of sleep seems to be enough.

If the negative symptoms were limited to that, I would probably say that it's worth it. But there are other problems. I seem to have completely lost my short-term memory. My work has suffered because of it (I'm a research scientist). I don't know if I can blame that on Zoloft but the hardest part is that I have to maintain a VERY regular dosage. If I am even a few hours late
my visual processing is affected, like if I turn my head to fast my visual cortex can't keep up, or at times I experience the same effect you see in an old TV when the picture (complete with the feeling and sound of a static discharge). If I miss a dose outright, I go nuts.

I hate to have this classified as purely "negative" feedback, because I think the stuff has helped me. I just don't know what to think about the rest of the effects.

I have started taking zoloft today. My body is very sensitive to medication so they put me on a dosage of 25mg a day. It has worked immediatly. I have already experienced night sweats, shaking, nausea and upset stomach. I delt with the problem alot better the im dealing with the medication.

I started taking Zoloft about 15 months ago - because of major stress (layoffs, ...) at work. Initially it helped calm me down & sleep a bit better - but the effects don't seem to have lasted (though its possible my reference point has changed since then). The key question is A-Fib. Roughly the same time frame I started Zoloft - I discovered that I was having an irregular heart-beat. I have found NO documented correlation between the two - but the timing of the symptoms makes me suspicious.

Are you aware of any side effects (or allergies to the drug) that might affect heart rhythm?

[moderator comments: Hello Kollen
Yes and maybe no. Essentially the main thing that Zoloft does is raise your serotonin levels. That is the same thing the street drug Ecstasy does (of course Zoloft does not do it near as much as Ecstasy).

If you were prescribed Zoloft with an already healthy serotonin level (or if you are prescribed too much medication) then it could boost your serotonin levels too high. If serotonin levels went to high then it could throw off many of your autonomous features (such as heart beat).
thanks
aaron]

I've been taking Zoloft for about 2 weeks for anxiety. From my personal experience, L-Tryptophan did not treat my anxiety enough. I've had severe sinus symptoms after starting to take Zoloft. Also, I have a terrible rash all over my body, with swelling. Could you please tell me if perhaps Zoloft is causing this rash? Also, will the sinus symptoms fade after a while? Thanks.

I have been on zoloft for the 2nd time after being off for 10 mos for anxiety , but I feel horrible , insomnia, legs and arms tingle , diarrhea at first wich is now getting better, feel cloudy in the head and I am stopping the med . I started with 50 mg and went to 25 I feel so weird.

While I have had no bad physical side effects from zoloft, my current meds, there have been mental bad effects. Mainly, I find that my creativity on this drug goes down the tubes. Right now I have tapered form 200mg / day down to 25mg / day and I feel more creative and mentally awake than I have in years.

While I have had no bad physical side effects from zoloft, my current meds, there have been mental bad effects. Mainly, I find that my creativity on this drug goes down the tubes. Right now I have tapered form 200mg / day down to 25mg / day and I feel more creative and mentally awake than I have in years.

I took Zoloft several years ago...with no complications. After I stopped (by working myself off the pills-not stopping cold turkey) I felt like my brain was racing. I couldn't think straight. That went on for almost a month before it went away...It scared me.

I had to start Zoloft again two weeks ago. The doctor gave me a sample pack with seven 25mg pills and then twenty-one 50mg pills. After nine days of using the meds, I had to stop because I was experiencing so many side effects. I couldn't sleep at night. I couldn't (and still can't) come to orgasm. I BEGAN having panic attacks-which I haven't had in two years. Although my moods were better...the side effects were too severe.

I have been on Zoloft 2 years now for slight depression. (50mg) It began helping me after just 3 days. But, I have gained 45 lbs since and can only assume it is from the zoloft. I was never an over weight person. I just decided this week to discontinue the zoloft and will have to wean off of it. It worries me a little, but..I had taken this drug about 4 years ago for about a year and tappered off of it. I remember having headaches and zaps (the best way to describe it). This lasted about a week. I remember at the time thinking I never wanted to go through that again. My brain just hurt. *also, I have seem to have lost all sexual desire while being on it. If anyone else gained weight on it, then stopped it, I would like to know if the weight will decrease?

I have been on Zoloft 2 years now for slight depression. (50mg) It began helping me after just 3 days. But, I have gained 45 lbs since and can only assume it is from the zoloft. I was never an over weight person. I just decided this week to discontinue the zoloft and will have to wean off of it. It worries me a little, but..I had taken this drug about 4 years ago for about a year and tappered off of it. I remember having headaches and zaps (the best way to describe it). This lasted about a week. I remember at the time thinking I never wanted to go through that again. My brain just hurt. *also, I have seem to have lost all sexual desire while being on it. If anyone else gained weight on it, then stopped it, I would like to know if the weight will decrease?

my hubby took zoloft for 2 years and it worked well except for a slight decrease in libido but nothing terrible. He took a 10 month break and tried to start again with all of these horrible side effects...exhaustion, fever, chills, irregular heart beat, crying spells...it seems to me that after reading all of your feedback that zoloft doesn't work the second time. Weaning must do something to your brain that makes it not respond to the drug again.

I have a family member who has begun experiencing (after taking Zoloft) what he thinks may be a side-effect...his lower jaw "involuntarily" moves back and forth from side to side very very regularly...anyone else out there have this as a side-effect? Any input, insight or advice would be greatly appreciated. Help is needed rather quickly. Thank You

I have been on zoloft for about a year for anxiety and depression. To be honest, I never really noticed a difference until my doc bumped up my dosage to 100 mg a day. I started on 150 mg a few weeks ago and noticed an immediate difference.

The problem is...my memory is going. My short-term memory. I used to be a great speller; there are words I can't even remember how to spell anymore. Since I make my living as an editor, these things are a problem. Does anyone know of any SSRIs that don't affect the patient's short or long-term memory? Has anyone weaned him or herself off zoloft and learned to deal with a condition without meds?

Zoloft has given me my life back, but now it's taking parts of it away.

I have recently began using this drug. To anyone out there who is in desperate need of help, please..Use this medication as a final resort. It takes a really long time to kick in and the side effects absolutely SUCK. I have never felt so bad in all my life, I would rather stay the way I was before then be on this stuff. I am now in the process of weaning off of it, I just have to talk to my doctor.

been on zoloft for 7 yrs. and through 2 pegnancies. after 2nd son developed high blood prit essure and cholesterol. being treated with cozzar 50mg for blood pressure. Just recently stpusart having weird symptoms. numbness on left side of body head to toe. tingling on left side of face. pins and needles in arms very week in general. numb right finger. pinching over left eye. extremely dry eyes. pains in joints of toes and fingers. headaches, pulsing in arms and legs like little jerks. foggy can't concentrate. forgetful. period is a bit off for about 6 months. had mri of brain and cervical spine. no ms no lupus, no lymes disease. extensive blood work everything normal. can zoloft be doing this.

Ok, so here's the thing, my boyfriend is in iraq and he's been getting reslly depressed. They have him on zoloft to help him. Also, they are putting him in sleeping meds. He's gonna be coming home soon, so i was wondering if i could get some help on the side effects. I know all the side effects, and i can deal with him having them. but i was wondering if there is any kind of counteract drug for the side effects, if so.. could you let me know about them?? please? i'd really appreciate it.

I am now taking Zoloft for the second time in my life. The first time I was on it to treat anxiety. I used it for three months, and it helped. I was able to wean myself off of it slowly. I am now back on it, and have been taking it for two weeks. While it has helped decrease the intensity of my panic attacks, it has also caused a lot of problems. I now have difficulty sleeping. I also get severe headaches, nausea, and weird tingling sensations all over my scalp, like pins and needles. These side effects are really affecting my ability to focus. I constantly feel tired, groggy and completely spaced out. I don't know if I will be able to stay on the medicine if these side effects persist.

I've been a zoloft junkie for the past 10 years, and I'm wondering how the hell I'm going to stop. I've deliberately tried to kick it a few times and I've been in unintentional prolonged situations without zoloft, but each time my experience was like so many of the horror stories on this page.

On one hand, I can honestly attribute a large amount of personal and professional success to the positive effects of the drug. Years ago, it helped me pull myself together emotionally, which in turn gave me the abillity to really focus on my work for the first time in my life. My collegues noticed a night/day difference within weeks when I started. I like to think of it as my 'emotional amplitute' that was simply turned down to the appropriate level. The train-wrecks that have resulted in every attempt to quit over the past few years seem to corroborate the notion that I should stay on zoloft for the good of myself and everybody around me.

Although I'm told by friends and family that I'm more even-keeled emotionally on zoloft, I don't think I want to live the rest of my life with the side effects and the incredible expense. I feel as if I'm somehow missing out on reality. While it has certaily reined in my 'emotional amplitute,' it has also had a muting effect on my overall experience of life. I have gained almost 75 pounds, my libdo has been dampered, and I feel like I'm abolutiely sleeping my life away.

I'm going to try to heed the advice offered here of slowly tapering off my current daily dosage of 100mg and see how things go.

I have been on zoloft for about 4 months now to treat major depression. While my mood has greatly improved there are significant side effects the most troubling is the large decline in my short term memory. I see 2 other messages above with the same problem.

I have been on zoloft for about 4 months now to treat major depression. While my mood has greatly improved there are significant side effects the most troubling is the large decline in my short term memory. I see 2 other messages above with the same problem.

I experienced the numbness. Not only the complete disconnection with everything to a detrimental degree, but also even with my basic functioning.
I needed more sleep all the time, i slept all the time and yet i seemed to need more.
No clarity~
No concentration, no short term memory.
No libido.
Waking up in midle of night and noticing that i am completely PHYSICALLY NUMB.

That was 9 years ago. My spelling has NEVER recovered. My wonderful and once reliable awesome memory has not come back either.

Presently I have disorganised speech in conversation~ lack of concetration etc. Can anyone factually say what other problems Zoloft isnt responsible for? No.

To me, Zoloft is like a bad metaphor.

Its a game of trial or error, where the statistical mice have to pay! to be tested on.

Its like cutting your leg off
when you have a splinter.

Zoloft is an insidious beast!

The End

Well where do i start?
I have been taking zoloft for about 1 month or so!
On zoloft i cant even think back two years befor and im 20!!
yesterday i forgot a dose and had the worst panic attack i have ever had!!
Its really scares me but my doc, keeps telling me she wants me to stay on it!!
Its hard i m eating alot my panic attacks seem scarier and my heartbeat seems off!!
can some one help me please???

I have been taking Zoloft for a long time. I was on 50mg. for a 1 yr are so and was O.K. But the doctor keep raiseing my dose.Know I take 100mg. and feel worse. I have been trying to cut my dose down real slow I mean really slow and I can not get off of them. Do not and I mean do notbelieve any doctor that say they are not addictive they are and the doctor are crazy. There is one FNP that is trying to help me and Ithank God for her. DO NOT get on any SSRI.

Thank you for your time

Zoloft helped me in the beginning,like it did for many of you...now, i feel i have made a dreadful mistake. I should have weaned myself off years ago but I was niave and believed my dum-ass docs. I too have felt robbed of my real emotions, the good and the bad ones,never really feeling the joy or the bond when I delivered my two boys,living in a fog, loss of memory,tingling and pressure in my right arm,weight gain of 15 lbs.that refuses to come off no matter the calorie cutting ,the treadmill, the chasing after the boys, the walking the dog etc...all these symptoms can REALLY make one depresed can't they for ----'- sake!!!!!! Truth is, there is no long term wonder drug out there that is successful or safe for us, the studies just aren't evident.There is evidence however, that ssri's are failing us in the long run. It's okay to have times of difficulty,it helps us to appreciate the days when it ain't so bad...please don't get me wrong,I do think short term use of these drugs along with therapy of some sort can be beneficial but I think it's wrong for docs to be handing out prescriptions left and right to people who are experiencing a low in their lives instead of exploring other alternatives. In fact, I read that the majority of psychologists interviewed stated that drug thearapy should be a last resort due to a lack of full understanding of the effects, short term and/or permanent. I am currently on 12.5 mgs I've beem on all sorts of dosages for the past six years but I finally want this poison out of every pore in my body. I want to feel every emotion to the fullest again, but mostly, I want to be who I am, who I was, I miss that person. I feel for all you souls who are trying to get yourselves off of this poison and back your true blue selves again!!! Good luck and goodnight...phew,I'm tired..what else is new....Eden. XoXo...

Hi it's Eden again...just wanted to add that no one absolutely NO ONE, not your spouse, your mother your best friend your brother even especially your doctor knows what it's like to have to come off of these drugs unless they have done so themselves. Each person is unique with different chemical/hormonal makeup thus making every experience different, what I'm trying to say is no one can really say for sure what a drug is going to do for you, while being treated and when it's time to stop treatment, it’s going to be a crapshoot. Some may lose weight, while others gain or some become more out going while others may experience complete loss of energy. I wish the answers were black or white. Unfortunately there's a lot of 'grey' to yet be understood. Only you know your body and what feels right, so when you speak to your doctor and the only thing they can say is "maybe we should increase the dose.." or "no, I don’t think the drug is the reason behind that.." you should trust your instincts and do what you think is best. Since my weaning off of Zoloft now for the past few weeks, my husband has notice that I'm not so quick tempered and have felt less anxious...go figure...also, my weight has not really budged, lost only a pound but the important thing is that I'm feeling better just knowing that soon this crap will be history...one day at a time...signing off now as "less confused than before"...hang tough everyone...

I've been on Zoloft for a couple of years now and
don't ever recall having any negative side effects. I tend to sleep better when taking it
and my memory seems to improve while taking it
as well. My doctor also takes the stuff and he
takes 200mg a day just to stay on an even keel.
It was prescribed for me primarily for depression
and I have a touch of ADD as well. I only need
50-75mg a day to keep me on an even keel. I
think it helps me out a lot, but everyone is
different. I tried many other antidepressants
including Wellbutrin, Paxil, Serzone, and even
Lithium. None of the others helped and only
made my condition much worse. You guys might
be getting too large a dose of Zoloft, ask your
doctor about decreasing the dose and see if that
helps. I personally like the stuff, but I never,
ever, take over 100mg/day. Like I said, we're
all different. Best of luck....

Hi, I must tell you that I would never .ever again take Zoloft even if I were dying! Which is what really happened to me; I nearly died. I had taken zoloft for about 3 years and I started having thoughts of killing myself. I was put on oxygen because of the lack of it in my blood. My veins started to disappear. And so did my sexual moods. I had to have the air conditioning turned up as hihg as possible to e able to breath even with my oxygen. A doctor that I was seeing told me it was an interaction to a medication that I had been taking. He did not specify which drug it was. so I tried omitting drugs on my own. nothing happened until I just did not take Zoloft for one moring. I was knocked out cold for nearly 12 hours on my bed and when I awoke I turned over and I had a sexual ixitability by just the action of my panties touching me on my clitorius. I haad no sexual felling for over 3 years ;this changed in the twelve hours I was asleep and off zoloft. I lay there for about another hour and I just pulled of my ozygen. My veins had returned to my body. I could actually see them , where before I had none that was seeable from the outside of my body. They could not even get blood out of me or put in an IV thithis was horrible. I had layed there for 3 years coming closer to death every day and it was Zoloft that had been doing it. It is a dangerous drug never take it. Your life actually depends on it

I have been on Zoloft for 3 years, due to severe Panic attacks, and anxiety. I have noticed recently that I have become more depressed and don't care about any thing, also I am tired all day and up all night, I was only on 100mg. But just went down to 50mg to see if that would be good for me. any advice would be helpful. (the doctor tried to take me off Zoloft 3 times and every time my panick attacks came back, now he said that I can't be off of it.)

I have taken both zoloft and prozac. Both help depression and/or anxiety. If they improved my sex drive I was not aware of it. But both took the pleasure away, because they retard your strong feelngs, thus I come not climax. My wife took celexa, which did improve her sex drive some, but like the others and prevented that last experience.

I have been on many medications for depression, but I have never had the issues that I am having with Zoloft. At first I thought this was the answer to my depression, until I realized how horrible missing just one days dose makes you feel. Now roughly 3 years after starting on 300mg a day, I have weaned down to 100mg a day, but I can not manage to get my dose any lower unless I start going through withdrawal symptoms that are worse than any flu or sickness I have ever dealt with in my life. My doctor still can not believe I am experiencing these problems. I have no sex drive, I am more depressed than ever and I keep a sore throat and terrible muscle aches. I either can not sleep or I sleep for days on end, yet I feel like I never even shut my eyes. DOES anyone have any solutions for getting off this terrible drug without feeling like I am going to die after not taking it for a day or so? God bless all of you who are struggling with this demon med!!

Zoloft seems to wrap me in cotton. I really like to ride my bike but not at the expense of wacking my ribs/shoulder or arm because, I can see myself faaaallllliiiinnnnggg but the zoloft takes away my reflexes.
I like to smell the flowers/air after it rains/the clean air on a frosty day. Say goodbye to all that when on zoloft. They say to ween youself off slowly.
I go to AA. Do they say to ween yourself off slowly? I don't think so. Zoloft does for me what alcohol used to. But it's legal. for me I feel better going to twelve step programs dailey and actually looking at what is recommended.
Lee M.

Zoloft does not help me very well. It makes me feel like a zombie and it really slowed my metabolism down. I have been on Zoloft for two years now and since then, I do not eat any mroe than I did before the medication, and I've went from 145 pounds to 215 pounds! (Embarrassing). I've been 5'7" for the past two years. I am sixteen years old. I would like to find a medication that will treat my depression, social anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder without me feeling like my mind is being controlled and I want to find a medicine that won't slow my metabolism down! I try to take myself off of Zoloft but I get very suicidal and bad migraines, even when I try to ween myself off a little bit.

I should add that I did fianlly get my Rx refilled, and I am going to continue to take the meds until I work out a more suitable alternative. I don't want to give the impression that I was recommending that people should quit "cold turkey".

I started Zoloft about 2 weeks ago for anxiety. Half-pill doses for a week and then full pill doses. The third day after taking the full pill dose I broke out in an itchy rash from the waist up...torso, back, arms, neck and face. My doctor told me to stop the Zoloft immediately. It has been over a week, but I still have a bit of the rash. I am also very sensitive to medication and could tell the Zoloft lessened my reaction to things almost immediately. It truly is like being in a "cloud." I just didn't care and it made me soooo sleepy! Glad to be off of it!

I've been on Zoloft for a few years and i just went cold turkey 11 days ago and i feel like total CRAP! I'm nauseous, dizzy and have had a miserable headache for days. I just started researhing a couple days ago and this blog helps. I read it should be out my system in 14 days but reading these comments has me conveninced that's not gonna happen. i have gained about 40 pounds in the last few years and my doc keeps saying it's age and metoblism slows and blah blah blah. i'm hoping being off zoloft will help me lose and get back in shape cuz i do workout and eat good but i'm getting nowhere with it for years now. i've tried to stop before but i couldn't get past the 3rd day - i had to take one but now i'm hoping i've gotten this far maybe i'll be normal again sooooon!
GOOD Luck to everyone trying to kick it. it really sucks so far!

i've been taking Zoloft for 7 year. i had some mild depression that made me feel like crap and wanted to get better. The depression went away realy quick. Within one or two months my memory got much better and my ability to focus on prodjects and work made me decide to stay on the medication. i'm wondering if anyone else has had these resuls. thanks

www.drugawareness.org

Stay away from all SSRI's they are very harmful!

My girlfriend started taking Zoloft about 4 months ago because she has anxiety when she is in a public place alone. For the last 6 years she has been the most loving and affectionate person I have ever known. She also had the sex drive of a rabbit. She has shut down completely in every emotional and sexual way possible. I tried to calmly communicate with her how its making me feel. She listens to me but she might as well be a zombie. I have never in my life felt insecurity like this. The person I know is gone. I will never leave her because she is so out of it, that I have to take care of almost all her and my responsibilities. If I leave, her life will collapse. But at least she will feel not so nervous in a grocery store. And the kicker is she said that she still feels nervous in public places. Thank you Pfizer for destroying so many lives for profit. She's a very attractive 32 year old woman that was proscribed 150mg by so called doctor because she's insecure like most attractive women. I am now taking care of an infant, have zero sex life, and have nobody to comfort me from my overwhelming emotions. Anyone that reads this better understand, that if you value the person who means the most to you. I plead that you NEVER EVEN CONSIDER TAKING ZOLOFT, especially if your in a once in a lifetime relationship. I have never been so emotionally devastated in my life. I almost feel like she died, God forbid.
P.S. Those idiots who are going to suggest Wellbutrin to counteract some of these side effects, don't insult me, she has been on that for 3 months also...

I'm hoping someone can help me. I was on Zoloft for three years...and weaned off completely over a year ago. I had gained about 40 pounds on it. A year later I STILL couldn't lose any of the weight despite the strictest diet and exercise. Went back to my doctor, she had a thyroid test done and all of a sudden I'm hypothyroid (with low tsh levels). There is no family history of hypothyroidism; I've never had weight problems before, either. My doctor says the Zoloft could not have a permanent effect on my metabolism, but I think it's too big of a coincidence; I think the Zoloft is to blame for my now-screwed up metabolism. I'm now on thyroid medication and the weight is finally coming off. But she told me I'd probably have to take that medicine for the rest of my life! My question is, has anyone else on Zoloft experienced any permanent "damage" to their TSH levels? I'm really curious about this. Or has anyone experienced temporary problems losing weight after quitting Zoloft, but been okay later on?

Any input would be helpful. Thanks!

Take it very slow, and if your symptoms are very bad, contact The Road Back for help.

I have been on Zoloft 50 mg for panic attacks. Was on it for over a year. I have weaned myself from it SO SLOWLY a little over a month. I talked to my GYN...she says it relaps, but to be honest it's all BS to me. I feel so betrayed that I wasn't told that I would have such a hard time and such heavy symptons of lightheaded, extremly tired, feeling fogged out. It comes and it goes, it's. I am not bauling my eyes out, or feel stress, my body did ache for a little bit, but this feeling the above symptons is making me feel terrible physically. So far haven't taken any for about a week. Please tell me there is light at the end of the tunnel and I will be back to my norm soon and when? That would help me know this is all temporary? This will give me hope...I want honest answers please, I would like to start going back on my treadmill to work out, how can I if I feel like this.

PLEASE HELP ME WITH HONEST ANSWERS, I AM NOT GOING BACK ON THESE THINGS IF THAT IS WHAT YOUR ANSWER WILL BE.

Would appreciate some advice to getting back to me and an answer on when this will be out of my system.

Thanks so much,
Ang

I suffered from anxiety my whole life, but it became dramatically bad about eight months ago. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't be in social situations, every little thing would set me off. I began to get depressed and hopeless, NOTHING in therapy was working.
When my therapist suggested I go on medication, I completely broke down. I had never imagined I would be the type to take pills, and I felt like they wouldn't work.
I was put on Zoloft, and didn't feel anything while ramping up. But, after a week on 50mg, my anxiety was gone. (Not completely, but 98%, which I feel is a normal functioning level)
At first I had insomnia and appetite issues, but I switched from taking at night to taking it in the morning.
It's been three months and I've had great success.
I have no side effects at all, and I've been comfortable, emotionally, getting through my first quarter at art school.
So, my advice is to see a trusted psychiatrist, and try what they suggest. They know best. Also, if a brand doesn't work, there are others. My psychiatrist mentioned several options to try if Zoloft doesn't work.

Note: We also discovered about a week after I started on Zoloft that I had Hashimoto's disease, which is a hypothyroid. I take Synthroid for that, but I'm also still on the Zoloft.

I was on zoloft 25mg and that seemed ok. Then my Psychiatrist upped my dose to 50mg and I feel so detached from the world and really anxious and jittery. Is this normal or what should I do.

Ok so I have been on zoloft for about3 weeks and my Psychiatrist put me on 25mg at first and I felt better for the first week. I went back to see him and he placed me on 50mg. I have felt so weird on it and it makes me jittery
I don't feel attached to myself and my panic attacks have become worse. I am also feeling severely dizzy and I get bad headaches from it. Please someone tell me what I should do.

I had been taking Zoloft for about 2 years for anxiety and IT SUCKS!! I have gained close to 50 lbs, sleep or want to sleep all day long, have no sex drive, horrible migraines ... the list goes on and on!! Just a little over a month ago I decided to wean myself off. I had tried to do it so many times but after a few days the side effects were so bad I started taking it again. I felt totally trapped like I would never get off of this crap! It has been a month since I completly stopped and I was a wreck the first few weeks, I cry a lot and my mood was horrible but I am finally starting to feel better. I prayed to God every day to just please help me get thru the side effects so I wouldnt get back on them again and he definatly listened! I feel so sorry for everyone trying to get off, it is so hard. The weird buzz thing in your head is finally almost gone but now I cant sleep at night and cant even nap anymore during the day and am still having some tingling in my arms & hands but I know with time it will pass. God be with all of you trying to get off this horrible drug!!

i have been taking 100mg a day for 8 months, but a few weeks ago my doctor lowered my dosage to 75mg a day. i've been feeling incredibly stressed, irritable, and exhausted. i've been dismissing my friends and have been so frustrated. could this have to do with the lower dosage?

I have a comment on this horrible drug; I took it for quite a while (not that good at helping depression). I finally got rid of them and man what side effects. I have had dizziness, and my head just feels wierd, plus horrific nightmares. I would encourage anyone not to destroy you life with this drug.

my father went to the dr just to day and told thr dr he was having some memory lost. the dr put him on zoloft. i ;ve read the comments below. no one is on zoloft for this reason. and the side effects don't seem to be worth it not to mention going off the drug if any here has been given zoloft for memory loss. is this drug worth please get in touch i don't what him on something that does more harm than good thanks

Hello...I've been on 100mg of Zoloft for many years now. Rently, I had some financial difficulties and was taking it about every other day instead of daily (for about two weeks). I got back on tract and have had it the last two days straight. Do you think it's normal for panic to set in about 3 days ago? It's not gone yet even after two days back on track. Just worrying...maybe it will take a couple more days of taking it appropriately?

I'm 13 and I've been on Zoloft for about three months because of depression and anxiety. It's hard to tell which symptons are from the medication and which are from depression and stupid teenage girl hormones. From the first night I took it, I slept horribly. Since then, I've taken Nyquil or melatonin every night if I want to sleep more than two hours. Sometimes I feel like just a shell with a dead soul inside. I can't draw, paint, write, or speak eloquently anymore. I feel so suicidal, even more than I did before taking Zoloft. I feel like someone else and sometimes I look around and wonder what the hell I'm doing here.
ALSO, is it just me or do antidepressants have freaking weird names??