Posted by Sgt.207 on July 9, 2005, at 12:41:30
In reply to Re: Horrible GI upset w/ Zoloft withdrawal..need help! » Sgt.207, posted by JaneB on July 9, 2005, at 12:01:57
Thanks Jane
I have been on Zoloft since '98. I always took a low dosage [ranged from 25 mgs down to about 2 mgs]. I weaned down to 2mgs in '03 then stopped. I had real bad nausea, so bad that I really couldn't eat much for about two months. I also had my stomach become partially paralyzed for a while. As the withdrawal continued, I began to dehydrate, even though I was drinking and did not have any diarrhea; and suffered from bad muscle weakness. The final straw was a weird tingling sensation in my gut, going into my upper legs, along with a strange feeling in my pancreas. After two ER trips, the doctors said I was fine and that I should just re-start the zoloft. I did re-start with about 5 mgs and after about a day or two the withdrawal stopped. What I can't believe is how I suffered from such withdrawal, even after tapering down to 2mgs. Since I started Z in 1998, I gained 65 pounds. During my withdrawal period I lost 40, only to regain it all after restarting. I now plan to come off again but intend to use the liquid zoloft to assist in doing it even slower.I only wish someone told me to hold out a little longer in 2003 - I was off zoloft for about two months when I went back on. If I only knew that a couple of weeks later and I would be fine I would have toughed it out.
I am glad you're doing ok with coming off of Z.
Thanks again.
Chris,
> On Zoloft I had nausea, gallstone type pain, severe episodic diarrhea. I had no idea it was related to the zoloft.
> Withdrawing from zoloft I had more severe debilitating diarrhea and nausea. I had a colonoscopy which was normal.
> Zoloft free now and my nausea, stomach pain and diarrhea have subsided.
> It took a long 2 months after being off zoloft completely. I had done the very gradual taper and then took a tiny zoloft when dizziness was unbearable for 2-3 weeks.
> I have been free of stomach issues for 5-6 weeks.
> Zoloft free for 3 months.
> Total cholesterol lowered by more than 60 points.
> Does this help? I wish I had kept a more accurate journal but I am pretty sure of specifics because of doctor appointment dates which I have used for memory and reference.
> By the way, an internist told me that if I went off Zoloft I would probably have more problems with multiple symptoms. I went against that doctor's advice and discontinued following advice on this helpful board.
> A family practice physician told me that if I would exercise I would be fine without zoloft. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to exercise while experiencing debilitating diarrhea?! But since he thought I would be fine without Zoloft (and clonazepam which I needed to sleep while on zoloft) I did it.
> Now I am med free and back to exercising! I have 9 years of depression and/or antidepressant-induced apathy/inactivity to undo.
> Jane
>
> > Jane,
> >
> > What type of stomach issues did you have during withdrawal and for how long.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Chris
>
>
poster:Sgt.207
thread:505314
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050611/msgs/525457.html