Zoloft : After 15 years, is getting off of it immpossible?
361638
I was on Zoloft for about two years, and just started cutting down on the amount of pills I took, and after a month, suffered no side affects
504234
Dont worry. My bf was on Zoloft and was exactly the same. He could go for ages and then when he dropped the pills, became a quick boy too. \n\nWhat happens when you are on Zoloft is that your body is subdued and all functions are slowed down. After all, it is designed to calm anxiety and depression.\n\nIt wore off after a few months and everything went back to normal. You just have to wait for it to leave your system.
873819
www.adrugrecall.com has info about the Zoloft recall. Best wishes.
404961
I was on 20mg anti deppressants for 9 months, which was called Paxil.  I was running out and I had moved 10 hours away from the doctor that prescribed it to me, so I decided to get off of them.  I cut them in half and I didn't feel any different and then I threw out the last few pills I had.  That's when I had withdrawals, which was horrible!!  I've never been through withdrawals with anything and it was so bad that while I was walking to work one day, I had to turn around and go back home because I just couldn't make it.  It lasted for a good week and finally I was off of the pills for good.  I can't say that I'm cured, but truly and honestly I don't want to go back on the pills.  I was told that I did the wrong thing and I should of consulted a doctor before getting off of them, which I think you should consult your doctor before you get off of the pills for good.
214452
I have seen many people/friends try to do this and if you are doing it without dr supervision it can be extremely dangerous. Effexor can affect your body for a long time after you stop or decrease it especially your moods. If you dont like taking it or are having side effects I encourage you to discuss this with your dr before making any changes. If it is an issue of cost contact your dr or pharmacy many drug companies will provide you your medication if you meet certain criteria\nGood luck
115135
It really depends on the particular antidepressant. About.com is a good place to get an info sheets on individual medicines. If in doubt check with the doctor who is tapering your meds. Never quit cold turkey.
895778
Yep - I've got it too.\n\nI used to take Effexor, but it killed my libido and the withdrawal effects are super-awful (I now kind of understand drug addiction - vomiting, dizziness, the whole she-bang) I took a lot, though, 150mg so that didn't help.  The med helped the anxiety a ton, though. So much that I thought I was better and decided to wean myself (bad idea - don't do it - you will be sorry 3 months later and have to spend another 3 months getting something new into your system)\n\nI am now starting Prozac.  So far the only bad side effect is I can't take it before bed or I don't sleep well.  It is too soon to tell if it is working - so it isn't helping much yet.  Hopefully soon.  \n\nGood luck.  Go to a psychiatrist - they can prescribe meds and have much more background than a family physician so they will have experience with lots of meds.
946442
I only take Zoloft and Niravam, but my cousin was recently put on Cymbalta...she has had severe debilitating headaches and cannot go to work...She also says she has the desire to mutilate and kill herself and others.
1128626
Fluoxetine, Prozac and something long.
752356
I love Prozac!  I can not live without out. I was told to stay on Prozac for nine months as well. This drug works good, well before the ninth month, with me anyway. I guess that is when you will get the complete effect of it.  The only thing I did not and do not like (the one that sticks out in my mind the most that is) is the lack of sex drive.  That is a bummer.  I have been on it now for 15yrs.  I tried to ween myself off a couple of times with my Doctors awareness but I would start to go down hill after a month or so. So back on it and feeling good again. Guess the other side effects were not worth remembering or just were not that bad to be burnt in my mind. Good luck.
49483
You really should work with your doctor because from personal experience, and experience from other people I know, you should not try to do it yourself. I was weaned from effexor over a total of 8 weeks, I stepped down from my dosage every 2-3 weeks, depending on how I felt. You definitely do NOT want to stop cold turkey, you can possibly get the "rebound effect" which I compare to the actual symptoms that may have gotten you to start taking anti-depressants in the first place, intensified. It's not fun to go through, so really, the best thing to do is to consult a doctor, and if you can't, then take 4-8 weeks to slowly get off of them.
842560
Wellbutrin or Wellbutrin XL works fine for many, and not for others.  I do believe perhaps being on Zoloft  or another for years first may have something to do with it.  Some people report bad experiences however; it could be that they hadn't been on another med prior to its use.  Doctors can also prescribe Wellbutrin in addition to another medicine such as Zoloft.  Zoloft could be more used to calm down the emotions more such as crying a lot etc., and the Wellbutrin to give you the motivation to do something while not so down.  Everybody really has to do a trial and error to figure out what works best for them.  For others Paxil or others might have worse side effects for them.  I believe there are about 3 different types of these antidepressants with differing main ingredients, so some people do better with a drug from one of the families of drugs, while others do better with another.  I don't think you can really go on somebody else's experiences, as you'll find extremes either way probably for every medicine.  If it was a new drug not used much lately, then I'd think extreme responses to your question would be more worrisome.   Trying anything is better than nothing, and you can always switch after the appropriate amount of time.  I agree with the other response about your age, if you are younger perhaps trying another would be better given the potential for higher suicide risks.  Your doctor will probably ask to see you in two weeks to check on your progress; call their office if your worried about effects before then.  Good look and remember you're not alone!
541652
Yes - When I started taking meds 15 yrs ago, I finally realized what it was like to feel normal!  Today I take 900 mg of lithium, 100 mg of zoloft and 150 mg of effexor.   Both my father and grandfather committed suicide due to this disease, yet modern medecine was less advanced at that time than today. I don't miss much work as a result of the bipolar, plus I have a high stress, high level position at work, and, I have 3 children and am married.  I did miss quite a bit of work due to breast cancer but that is another story.  The bottomline is this disease is like many others, if you manage it properly, life can be very normal...you can play from the same deck of cards as most everyone else.  Being bipolar is not terribly different from many others diseases; like diabetes, which at the beginning of the 20th century was considered a mental disorder.  The biggest difference I see between functioning and nonfunctioning patients is 1.) willing to be responsible for self - a.) take meds as prescribed - b.) do not drink alcohol or take recreational drugs - c.) don't use your condition as a crutch or an excuse 2.) follow these simple steps and your treatment will help you.  I saw a lot of doctors due to my breast cancer and received astonishlingly ignorant comments from some - "you take these meds?" "why?" "that's enough meds to kill a horse"  and I'm petite...Comments like that foster shame which gets one mind thinking...I don't need/want to take all these pills...but I know without a shadow of a doubt I need the meds...and ignorant people, whether they are doctors or not, will not derail my health.  I have had some problems associated with tremors and a twich, but for the most part they have been lessened by modification of the meds.  hope this helps. Godspeed.
1057142
Dosage increases can take some getting used to, so if she can tolerate it she might want to just wait a week or so and see if the side effects subside.  If it's really creating a problem for her, she should call her psychiatrist.  They may have her go back to the old dosage, switch her to something else, or prescribe a second medication to control the side effects.\n\nWhen I had my Zoloft increased to 150 mg I started having some problems with hyperesthesia.  If I touched my nose or scratched an itch I would feel very nervous and ittitable.  My psychiatrist added Buspar and it seems to be helping.
205034
After reading the truth about the origin of anti-depressants, I would do everything but take Zoloft. I have seen too many tragedies due to the mind altering effect of Zoloft. There is no such thing as a happy pill.
1097971
I have been on Zoloft 100mg daily for almost two years.  The only time I have problems is when I forget to take it or get slack because I have been feeling good.  I found out that you have to keep taking it even when you feel great, because if you stop, you feel really rotten and the depression seems worse than ever.  The doctor told me that it is not likely to have to raise my dose, most people do not become "immune" to it, so it is unlikely it will stop working.  If you start having depression start to creep in, talk to your doctor and they can adjust your dose.  Hope this eases your mind a little and remember...Don't sweat the petty stuff & Don't pet the sweaty stuff."
140323
Zoloft.  Dr. prescribed though.