How to stop taking Zoloft, Taper off or Cold Turkey?
90How I stopped taking Zoloft
If you are on Zoloft or other generic brand and wish to stop, are trying to taper off Zoloft and wondering if the side effects from lack of Zoloft is causing depression or anxiety attacks, or just want to know some more about how Zoloft affects you, then please read on.
I am not a health professional. I am just someone with personal experience with Zoloft. The information I have to share is invaluable because most Doctors don’t understand unless they have taken the drug themselves.
Zoloft withdrawals are severe, and the physically addictive qualities of the drug are the last thing anyone on it probably had any idea about. Chances are you were diagnosed with a form of depression and amid tears the Doctor hands you a packet of tablets, or a script and instructs you that they will start to make you feel better in a few weeks.
Zoloft - All great until it's time to quit!
Zoloft has been considered one of the safest SSRI's (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) by Doctors and readily prescribed as it has been found to be extrememly effective in assisting the increase or serotonin, or happy hormones in the brain. It is considered so safe that I was advised to continue taking the medication while pregnant and breastfeeding.
This is what happened to me, and I was in no position to do anything except trust the Doctor’s judgement. I am not ungrateful, as although in hindsight a more suitable drug could have been prescribed, I am no longer suffering from depression.
I must advise that you shouldn’t do anything without consulting your health care professional. There are so many different types of depression and some people really need to stay on their medication.
I came to a point where I was happy, and just wanted to be normal. I longed to get off the tablets as I knew I wasn’t depressed anymore. My circumstances had changed so the factors which had caused my depression no longer existed. I did the right thing and asked my Doctor how I could stop taking Zoloft.
I was given the standard advice. I needed to start taking the dose down 50mg at a time. After dropping the dosage I had to wait until the side effects wore off before I took the dose down again.
I was obedient, after all the Doctor can’t be wrong. I even agree that this method is the safest possible way to rid yourself of the drug.
If only the smile was the only side effect!
WHAT THE DOCTOR WON’T TELL YOU
When I dropped the dose down I felt so sick. I couldn’t sleep and my mood dropped. I tried to stick it out for weeks but began to be anxious that I was getting depressed again. I was devastated. Maybe I would never get off these drugs.
So I bumped the dose up again (I got as high as 200mg) and just kept taking them.
I started feeling better after a while and thought I would give it another go. This time I turned to my trusted friend the internet search engine instead of the Doctor.
The first thing I discovered is that Zoloft contains a highly addictive drug. When you stop taking it there are severe side effects, more so for some than for others. One of these side effects is a depressive mood and sleeplessness! What a relief that I hadn’t been getting sick again when I had tried to stop taking it, it was just a side-effect. If only my Doctor had known.
It is very important to understand this as when you are suffering Zoloft withdrawal symptoms your brain can get very confused and you feel like you are going insane. Headaches, insomnia and nausea are only the beginning of what can be experienced. The fear of getting depressed again is so real for anyone who has suffered from any form of this mood disorder. To wean yourself from the drug you need to have mental strength to keep telling yourself that it is just a side effect and you are still sane!
The other important thing I discovered is how long Zoloft stays in your system. I won’t go into the technicalities, because what the scientists say and what I read about differed. Some people experienced side effects for months.
Zoloft Withdrawal
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HOW I GOT OFF ZOLOFT
The thought of the pain of tapering off the drug, waiting months until the side-effects of a dose decrease wore off only to have to go through it all again just made me mad. So I was really really really naughty, and went cold turkey.
That’s right. Don’t do it. It is really dangerous.
I was very sick. I had to take tablets to help me sleep at night. I kept seeing my little dog running through my house when he was outside. The hallucinations made me jump, but it was the voices that were freakier. I couldn’t think straight. Overall I was very ill.
I was a tough cookie, and it paid off. It started getting better after a couple of weeks, and then eventually after about 6 weeks I was well on the mend.
I did it, and I have been drug free at the time of writing this for two years.
Not everyone is as bloody minded as me though, so here are some tips;
· Get some good medical advice. Don’t just let them get away with the standard blurb, but ask lots of questions.
· Make sure you have a support network of people who understand what you will be facing.
· Don’t give up. If it gets tough keep remembering the goal and use the support you have in place.
· Inform the people you live with. Most people don’t understand mental illness, but if you are jumping because you had a hallucination it’s best this doesn’t take them by surprise.
In the end it may take a lot of determination, and it appears to be better for some people than others. When I realised the effect Zoloft was having on my body I got angry and just wanted the drug out of my system.
INFORM OTHERS
May I humbly encourage you to talk to others about your experience with Zoloft? It is a highly effective drug, but some Doctors who don’t have an expertise in depression may prescribe it too readily, when other options which are not addictive are available.
Whether you are on other medication for a different mental illness such as Lithium for bipolar or Ambien for insomnia the professionals need real experience rather than just the manufacturers research and technical information on brain chemistry. Unless we spread information then this may not change, as it is not the editors of the medical journals having the real life experiences.
It is hard to admit to others when you have had a mental illness, but I always liken it to a broken leg. The only difference is your brain is broken and they can’t see it.
Information is power, so I encourage you to learn as much as you can about Zoloft and its side effects and this will empower you to overcome as I have.
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If you are reading this you may need a laugh?
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Sounds almost like my experience getting of Xanax (poison). I went cold turkey and nearly had a grand mal seizure with my husband and kids watching. Not fun. They should tell us these things when they prescribe them. Hope you are doing better now.
That must have been awful for you. I suppose with everything there are pro's and cons, but most people don't get consumer choice with these things due to the circumstances of the prescription. At least they don't give everyone shock therapy anymore!
Thank You for this article ! I thought I was going crazy. I tried comming off slowly like the Dr said but I am just so ready for these to be out of my system. This is my fourth day with no meds and the dr and pharmacy says to start taking them again , it will help. I have been up since 2:00 this morning , and that was after a night of hysterical crying that I have never experienced. I was able to subdue the crying last night with wine but I can't keep doing that I have a job and a family.I did see images last night while lying awake in bed , and again thought I was crazy so it is very comforting to read that someone else has gone thru exactly the same thing. I will not take another pill , I want these out of my system and will continue to tough it out. If you happen to look at this page anytime soon any more advice you can offer me would be greatly apperciated, this is such a lonley hopeless feeling. I have never felt like this and this stupid medicine did it. Thank you again.
Hey Mandy, you are a tough cookie. It's a hard road to take and if you have to give in and take some don't feel like a failure, you can give it a go another time another way. Keep in touch with the Dr, and watch the wine it's a depressant and won't help in the long run (I have been there done that too). Better to get over the counter sleeping tablets that aren't addictive.
OMG Zoloft and Xanax are horrible! I was suffering postpartum
depression and the doctor prescribed both of them! I also quit cold turkey and was horribly ill and hallucinating! Oh and incredibly irritable! I started working out at the same time to sweat it all out of my system! I made it but my Lord it was the hardest thing ever! Willpower people its no good for you! If I can make it and be a success story so can you! Be strong be patient and you will make it!!
I went on zoloft after I had my son, however I have turned into a pathetic drunk and put on 15kg, I also became incrediably forgetful and i feel numb all the time. I am just starting to taper of the drug, however I cant seem to do it as the brain temors driver me insane, I'm determined to come of this drug, but I soooo scared of the brain temors
Thank you very much for this. I appreciate your first-hand knowledge and your strength. I've been on Zoloft for six months and decided to not renew my prescription as I have never liked pills in the first place and was always fogetful about taking them. I went cold turkey about 1.5-2 weeks ago and feel good, no depressive moods, sleeping well. The only side effect for me would be "feeling a a bit weird in the head" LOL. I feel slightly detached and a bit light-headed. Helpful to read ur story and the comments here re: hallucianting, as sometimes I think I'm seeing things out of the corner of my eye at night, but it lasts a millisecond. I never told friends/family I went on meds and haven't been to the doctor since I got prescribed so these forums are so beneficial to a stubborn male like myself! Thanks again and I wish you good luck and health
Have taken zoloft for 11 years,have tried to just stop taking it as well. I am now trying again ,it has been only 5 days,not able to sleep well,cry @ all that youal' have gone through as well.It was good to read all your input,to know im not going backwards that i can tough it out @ come out to the other side.Thanks to all of you out there.
1 year on 100 mg Zoloft. Dropped dose to 50 mg...no problems. Went to 25 mg..no problems. Discontinued use...withdraw symptoms started in a few days and have been building ever since although I think I peaked now going on 1 1/2 weeks. I get a weird dizziness when on getting off the computer and after driving. Also, it is kind of like quitting caffeine cold turkey. Starting to feel slightly like anxiety is returning - the reason I was on the stuff to begin with. It really helps knowing this is temporary due to withdraw. I'm confident all will be well, but I think it will take at least a full month.
A little over 2 years ago i was going thew a divorice and i took a FML to take cake care of my sick mom she passed away in six weeks one day when hospice was here they notice me and sugested i see my family doctor for depression and of corse she put me on zoloft started out at 25 soon 50 then 100 then 150 then 200 i gained 75 pounds over the past 2 years
i was told that is not a side effect well its been all most 3 weeks that i have stoped taking zoloft cold turkey and have lost 22 ponds i feel ok have my moments the crying for no reason and i snap easy but catch my self and say i can do this i am bound i can do this . i was so happy to find this site to know i am not alone
Thanks everyone for sharing your stories. I've been off Zoloft for about 3 weeks and although the physical withdrawls and "crying about everything" are starting to pass, the anxiety and irritability are still there. I'm so worried I will lose my mind. I'm a single, 44 year old woman with only my dog (cute as she is) to keep me company. I have friends and family but I can't stand this anxiety/depression. Does it go away? How do I know if I still need the Zoloft?
Thanks :)
I am with all you guys. I was taking zoloft for about a year and went up Tomas far as taking 200mg. I didn't have money to pay the copayment to refill my perscription so I had to wait. Well a few days passed and I was ok. However, the 3rd day I started feeling sick. Shaky, anxiety, brain zaps and tiredness just feeling horrible. This continued the fourth and fifth day. I am
lying in bed today afraid to get up because when i
start to walk around, I feel dizzy and sick and I get brain zaps. I don't even know what's going on... Someone tell me please. How long does this last? And why the brain zaps? How
long do they last? I've decided to go through with this and stay off the zoloft to see how I do. But I am so dam sick.... Ugh!!! Help!!! Please.... What can indo to stop these withdrawal symptoms....
I have been on Zoloft for 3 years, suffering post natal depression after my first child, fell pregnant again and now have my 2 beautiful bubbas! Well Zoloft served me well! In fact i believe it saved my life! I was very suicidal, had implemented everything i needed and it was all in front of me ready to go! It was one last thought to reach out to my husband just to tell him i loved him that ended it - i confessed over the phone and he came straight home from work! Since that day I have been taking zoloft! That was until last week, most ppl who have taken it will know how it kinda makes you dull, forgetful etc, well i had gone to a friends house to visit for a couple hours and had forgotten that my husband had put my 11 month old baby in the car for me to take!!! I nearly killed my baby!!! I was in horror, luck and only shear luck saved him, had it been a few degrees warmer that day i would have been planning my babies funeral! Let this be a warning to all mums who take these meds!!!!!
I have not taken a single dose since that day! 8 Days in, going cold turkey! Yes it is taking its toll - but not taking my babies life!!! I have had very little sleep all week,major headaches etc, but i have asked for help with the kids and hopefully it will soon get a lot better. Never again will i take mind numbing drugs again! There has to be a better way!!!!!!!!
I told my family what I was about to go through and they all just said you making it up and being happy gets rid of the side effects. And they all have mental illness. I take it for anxiety i got off of it cause it was causing my body to stop being able to accept food and i never had panic attacks before until the 10 yr mark. So I sit alone at home...with a husband who wants to break it off cause he assumes I'm complaining to much. Its not like I'm doing the mood and comprehension issues and nausea on purpose, yes I like them makes me happy...geesh. So I sit and talk to my ancestral guides theyve kept me bubbly sane all my life even through mental and physical abuse from my dad. Month 2 and still nauseous and right brain pain from sinus too back of my skull. Thanks for the write up I'm gonna show it to willing readers of my family.
Thank you for your story. I can relate. I had to go back on zoloft (which I had been on for a few months before falling pregnant) when 13wks pregnant with my fourth baby. I felt so guilty about having to be on an antidepressant while growing this beautiful baby, but the uncontrollable crying was worse and the doctor and midwives convinced me that a healthy, happy mum makes a happy bub. I am so greatful that I did. I took zoloft all the way through my pregnancy and while breastfeeding and it worked wonderfully. I weaned myself off it when my baby was 10months old, however 8months later, after a string of stressful events, I realised that I did infact need to be on zoloft and that I had severe clinical depression and that it was not my fault. Thirty minutes after taking my first tablet, I began to feel the chemical change in my brain and I began to get better from that moment on. There have been times in my life where I have been able to manage my depression with diet, exercise, meditation etc however there have also been times where I have been doing all of these things and more and have woken one day with the heaviness of depression throughout my whole body. I would advise anyone to listen to their own body as we are all different. Do what works for you. I agree that doctors do not always know and from my experience I have discovered that most of them have not experienced depression themselves and unless someone has, they have no possible idea of what it feels like. My father suffers schizophrenia and my sister has bipolar so unfortunately, for me, there is something genetic. Depression is not something to be ashamed of. It is an illness. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain, just like a broken part, yes. We all need to talk about it more. I really believe this. Thank you
Thank you for sharing, I too have a family member who may always need medication, and my grandmother was bipolar. I am very thankful that I no longer need medication, but it is good to remember as you have pointed out that there is a time and a place for it, and we all react differently. The more me talk about these things and get depression and mental illness out in the open the better.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. The thing I have found when I forget to take my meds for a few days is a strange almost crackling sound in my brain that is accompanied by a buzz feeling and maybe even something visual. It all happens simultaneously and lasts only 1 or 2 seconds, leaving it hard to really describe. I just know it feels horrid. Unfortunately I am in the "have to take them forever" group of people, but I absolutely loath it... It makes me so angry sometimes.
Hi Joni. I know .... I feel weird after even taking them a couple of hours later than usual. I could definitely not take them a day or two late. I have read that they work much better if you take them at exactly the same time every day. I am just so thankful that I only need 50mgs to balance out the chemicals in my brain and if I have to take them forever, I really don't mind because they help me to be 'me'. I have tried without and it's just not worth it for me. I used to feel angry too that I had to have them but I accept it now. It is a physical illness, like any other and is not your fault. All the best.
Thank you, MellyMoo (great name by the way) Yes, I have also excepted it now. I started them about 11 years ago now, and after going through a few years of denial and rebellion I have come to realize that life is better with them. I do have DID though so sometimes an alter may forget them for a day. Usually not two days though thankfully, but I always know immediately when this happens because of the zap my brain goes through when I have skipped.
Thanks for your kind reply and encouragement!
Been on Zoloft for 3 weeks take ambien to sleep hate taking all the meds not sure I still want to take it will the side effects be bad if i stop it now.
I agree. Any type of antidepressant that is stopped suddenly can make you so ill. Your mood can come crashing down, you may experience irritability, cry loads, feel nauseous and become light headed.
Always come off prescribed medication slowly, its still tough but once its all out of your system you will start to feel better. Always with the advice and support of your Doctor though!
I recently quit my job and moved out of state. I had been taking zoloft for about six months after dealing with severe ocd and anxiety. My doctor told me that he would still prescribe me the zoloft after i moved to help me get through the tough time. I haven't heard back from my doctor after numerous calls and messages. I have been out of zoloft for four days now. I am moody and emotional, not to mention I feel so extremely dizzy and lathargic it is hard to function. After gaining about 18 lbs while on the zoloft, i want to stay off of it now that I'm going through this withdrawl already, but I'm just not sure if I can do this much longer. I am unemployed, chubby and lonely in my new city. Does anyone have any idea how long this withdrawl could last. I realize it would have been better to come off the zoloft slowly but it is too late now. My poor boyfriend can't understand, and my mom just wants me to take the pills for the rest of my life i think. Any thoughts?
Hey there polkadot, how bout you get yourself to a doctor. You need meds buddy. Just a fact of life for some. Worry about whether or not you can go without them when you are settled and not so lonely.
I was on 200mg and I've gone cold turkey because I felt too weird with them in my system, boy was I wrong. I get a ringing in my ears when I turn my head, I have thoughts that don't feel like my own, things that look like people in the corner of my eye, low moods, etc. I'd never touch them again but this is hell. It's apparent to me that these drugs have not been tested enough.
Hi all, I am a 31yo mother of two. I got on Zoloft for situational depression in college. The main side affects for me are sexual side affects (didn't know what I was missing until I briefly got off of it for a few months during my first pregnancy) and the memory loss (mainly short term). My memory used to be brag worthy. But now, it is the source of constant frustration and arguments with my husband. I saw "The Marketing of Madness" on youtube and decided at that point to get off Zoloft. I was on 100mg and slowly after a couple of months I just went down to 50mg. I am super irritable and I feel like my anxiety and depression are back. I have been experiencing sleep disturbances, disturbing dreams, irritability... My husband wanted me to get off, unfortunatley he doesn't understand depression, let alone withdrawls and tonight after I called him lazy for not turning off his cell phone that was beeping because the battery was low, his response was "you know, you are crazy." So, yea, he's not the most supportive person. That said, if anyone has any advice or success, I would be very grateful. I currently am eating a more plant based diet, but I definitely need to work on getting enough sleep (hard with a 8m old) and exercise (I never could force myself even before zoloft).
I've been wanting to get off Zoloft for a long time. I'm 40 y/o and I've been taking it for 12 years! It helped alot in the beginning but now, i dont know. I feel stronger and like i may not need it but Im scared to stop, I'm afraid I'll go into some horrible funk! After reading all of the above, I realize I'm going to have to face this one day and there will be side effects. I'll just have to be strong and do it!
I searched the internet this morning specifically to check if there were side effects when stopping the use of Zoloft. Glad to find I am normal! Funny, the Doctors say you can stop at any time and not have problems... Ubt I worry about cold turkey and always reduce dosgage slowly over the course of weeks...BUT I wondered why was I now having harder time sleeping, and why was I haveing these really strange dreams, which I ususally never had..now they were several times every night! I have thought now imporoved as I started walking, and yes tring to laugh, as these fill in and return to normal, and naturally, what the drug was trying to do... This posting was very helpful to me. Thank you!
I have only been on 100mg zoloft for 10 days.. Will I have symptoms quitting cold turkey?
I started at 25mg, then 50mg, then 100, finally, i questioned my clinic practioner; saying why are you doing this, raising them up on me, when i said repeatedly that i was feeling better! It was free of cost to me through a program that helped people who did'nt work, and/or had no income, so, yes i was and am thankful for them! But, don't forget their called practioner because they're practicing on you!!
Thank you so much for this. I've been on zoloft for about 5 months and I'm on 150mg now. I kept quickly upping my dose before, because after 2 weeks I would feel more depressed again and wanted that feeling to go away. I really felt the zoloft was helping me for a while, but the last month and a half or so I've been physically feeling worse. I'm not sure if I'm developing new side effects or not. I've had horrible insomnia and headaches after taking my pills. I was lucky if I was able to get two hours a night of sleep. So, after already becoming paranoid about any medication because of bad experiences with every other one i've tried (prozac, lexapro, and wellbutrin), I decided to try and skip a night here and there to see if it would make a difference. And it did. I seem to have much more energy and motivation and can finally sleep normally again. I've been skipping every other night or so, but have decided that I really want to be drug free. I'm tired of medications screwing me up. Reading this really helped me feel much better about everything now. Thank you!
Stay AWAY from the drug. I have only taken 2 pills then stopped because every time I swallowed I kept having a clicking noise in my throat and excessive saliva.
I stopped and after 8 days I'm experiencing vivid dreams/severe ear pain that last a few minutes at night that wakes me then goes away. I had been experiencing sweats hot/cold and muscle twitches/spasms and constipation along with anxiety. I'd advise anyone to who has just started that things only get worse the longer you leave it. It's really annoying. I feel so weak :-/
Rochelle Frank 2 years ago
I admire your courage in going cold turkey. My opinion of most prescription drugs, is that they often do more harm than good. Good luck in your journey. Good hub with good, first-person advice