I took Zoloft for 3 years to treat my
anxiety and recently decided with my
doctor to go off it. I tapered off
correctly and finished altogether about a
week ago. Within the past few days I've
experienced extreme nausea, almost like
motion sickness. I read that this is a
common side effect but I want to know how
long it lasts. I've also experienced mood
swings since going off the medicine. I've
had little patience and am easily
frustrated. I experienced none of these
symptoms while taking Zoloft. Will they go
away soon?
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johnR
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 229
Posted: 06-01-07 13:19pm
If you want your mood swings etc to go
away you need to learn new coping skills
to replace the meds because meds only work
while you are on them. If you want lasting
relief you may want to try cbt. I suffered
from panic, anxiety and depression and cbt
has changed my life more than I ever
thought anything could this past year. I
highly recommend giving cbt a try. If you
can't afford a cbt group pick up a copy of
been there, done that? Do this! By sam
obitz (tao3.Com) and start doing the tea
form exercise in it. We started with this
book in my group and it is a easy read and
teaches you how to counter your thoughts
in the middle section. The more you work
on the exercises the more relief you get,
I am still improving today. Good luck to
you
Zoloft is an anti-anxiety/antidepressant
agent. It does mess around with the
chemicals and neurotransmitter in your
brain. Even if you were off them a week
ago, your brain and body still needs time
to adjust. What you're describing seem to
be what's called a "withdrawal effect".
When you get off some medications, some of
them will still be in your system for a
while before it clears out, especially
when you've been on them for so long. It
takes a while for your brain to adjust to
the changes. And yes, definitely, new
coping skills are a plus! They will help
you with grouding yourself when you feel
anxious. Any antianxiolytic/antidepressant
takes up to 4-6 weeks for full effect, so
give it about the same amount of time when
you go off it. It's your brain's way of
telling you about the new adjustments and
it being not used to not taking the meds.
All the best.
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Kermit
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Oregon
Going Off Meds Posted: 06-04-07 00:38am
You are Not ALone............
I was in your shoes about a nine months
ago. I was diagnosed with severe
depression and was on Wellbutrin for four
years. I hated the side effects and
decided It was time to get off. I was
gifted by a dear friend from my church
with a product called Ageless X- tra-
started taking it because I heard it
helped with managing stress and it gave
you natural energy. I started taking it
and noticed I was no longer craving my
typical afternoon dose of coffee or
chocolate. I also was told it could help
with mental clarity and focus and help
manage depression. I did not believe it -
because I was told by my doctor I was on
anti-depressants for life. My entire
immediate family is on them - it's a
genetic disposition they called it and my
mom was diagnosed with
Bi-Polar/Schizoprenia.
I was on the Ageless Xtra for 6 months
before I had enough courage to wean off of
my Wellbutrin. I was scared. I really
put it to the test - because I chose to do
this the most stressful time of year for
me -September. I'm a teacher. Well, that
was just over 9 months ago, and I
continue to live my life - no longer
exposed to the nasty side effects of the
drugs.
I am now a believer in natural health
products because I have found something
that has worked for me. I am so glad God
gave me the courage to take a risk - I now
know that there is a place for Natural
Products and Supplements - I call it God's
Pharmacy. There are alot of great things
out there that can help. The key I
believe is to do your research and be open
minded to give it a try.
