Cold turkey on zoloft.

[woodchopper]

I stoped taking zoloft last week because i wanted to quit , was on zoloft for 8 months ,I stopped cold turkey, what are the symptoms,?

[raincitygirl]

Hi Woodchopper:

I don't have experience with this particular drug, but have weaned myself off drugs in the past and always follow the doctors' guidance. You've probably read the internet and know it's VERY risky to go off antidepressants cold turkey! It could even lead to sucidal thoughts. Why do you want to do this so suddenly??

I re-read your first post and remember it: You didn't sound like you had CBD, and I think I responded at the time that every expert I've read says CBD is NOT hereditary - so the fact your brother has it, would be an extreme coincidence for your having it too. I note you said you would have a second MRI in March and Neuro follow up in July. I really hope you'll keep us posted on what you find out.

Meanwhile - why don't you follow your doc's guidance as to the timeframe on trialling yourself off zoloft?

Keep in touch.

Anne G.

[woodchopper in reply to raincitygirl]

HI Raincitygirl I had my new M.R.I will be seeing the Newrologue only in 3 months, They are over loaded need experts to read the M.R.I . As for getting of Zoloft. I don't have any problems I started taking Zoloft 8 month ago they were not pleasant to take. The doctor suggested others they all gave me problems, Its been 15 dayes I feel much better . I feel normal again , As for my brother I see him about every two weeks., In bed most of the time sometimes in his wheelchair. he can't walk has to be fed and sleeps a lot. Im sure he would rather have my problems with Zoloft. I,m luckey started cutting my wood supply for next winter. I have a few problems I'm dizzy every morning plus I started getting a whooshing sound between my ears plus tinnitus which I had for about 25 years , I got this from chainsaws and motor boats, I will be seeing my DOC shortly. hello to Kevin catch you later raincitygirl by WOODCHOPPER.

[raincitygirl in reply to woodchopper]

Good luck Woodchopper - I read something else today that said less than a 1% chance that PSP or CBD is genetic.... Hopefully you just have power chainsaw exposure reaction!! (small joke there.)

Stay warm

[Kevin_1 in reply to woodchopper]

Best of luck with it Woodchopper!

[Kevin_1 in reply to woodchopper]

Just thinking - Could it be that your dizziness is because you are still adjusting to coming off the Zoloft?

Everyone has a different response rate. Check out the withdrawal symptoms I posted.

Best of luck with the scan - hopefully there s nothing seriously wrong.

Best to you

Kevin

[easterncedar]

Have you spoken to your doctor about it?

[Kevin_1]

Hi woodchopper

Brave, but not the best way to go.

Zoloft is Sertraline an anxiolytic.

With all SSRIs coming off them is not difficult, but they should be titrated down.e.g. reduced slowly.

You brain has adapted to the SSRI being there. This is not addiction as such, merely your brain reduces the number of SSRI receptors because of the presence of the SSRI and it needs to make more and that takes time.

So the way to come off it is to reduce the dose gradually over about a two week period. This gives your brain a chance to readjust.

So in our Liz was on Citalopram, very similar to Sertraline. She was on 10mg so for one week we halved the tablet and the next it was quarters and then a trial stop. She had no withdrawal symptoms on the trial stop. So we left it.

The half life for SSRIs is quite long - typically two weeks to reduce in the system.

If you get any of these at an unacceptable level go back up a dosage level and give your brain a little more time before stepping down again.

However, as others have said. This is really one to discuss with your Doctor first.

Having said all of that - Good to see you here again.

Wishing you the best with it.

Kevin

P.S.

Symptoms you may experience as you titrate the dose down:

Poor sleep

A feeling of being agitated

Muscle agitation.

Dizziness

Irritability

Visual disturbances

There are others, but these ones are more common.

This is another take from a pharmacist:

pharmacistanswers.com/quest...

[raincitygirl in reply to Kevin_1]

Kevin...did you see WChopper replied to you on my reply further up?.... a.g.

[Kevin_1 in reply to raincitygirl]

Thanks - I missed that.

[Hidden]

This is from a google search:

healthline.com/health/depre...

Talk to your doctor.

[Kmacgamwell]

Trust me. Get back on it.

Go to your doctor.

I did this with Paxil... horrible.

Just take it.

It's a control issue... take your drug and go to the doctor.