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Quitting Zoloft
Hello, I’ve been taking between 25 and 50 milligrams Zoloft for about 14 years for anxiety. It helps but I’ve become increasingly worried about the long term effects. I have quit cold turkey and tried tapering off several times and I always return within a couple of weeks because of the withdrawal symptoms.. dizziness, crying, fogginess, and agitation mostly. The agitation is the worst part. I find myself so irritable I can’t bear it. And then I feel horrible for having been short with my husband or family. But I struggle with if I need medication and worry about the long term side effects. I wonder if it has changed who I am. I’d like to be off it. My doctor has also prescribed .25 mg Xanax which I rarely use. It gives me comfort just to know it’s there if I need it. Any advice or insight for stopping Zoloft? And thoughts on if taking Zoloft for this long changes your personality and who you are? Thank you!
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Please allow me to give a little background and clarify. I was put on Zoloft in April 2020z. By June 2020, the heart palpitations were so severe I had trouble having a conservative and sleeping. To help with the palpitations I was put on Propranolol. Thus began the medical professionals giving me a long list of why the palpitations were happening. Some things they tried blame was caffeine, alcohol, over the counter medications, illegal drugs, unresolved emotional issues. Before I started taking the Zoloft, I did not consume caffeine, alcohol, illegal drugs, took over the counter medications sparingly. I openly admit my father was an alcoholic and all the problems that caused. When I discredited all their excuses, I was told that I was experiencing the nacibo effect. That means I was not really expecting the severe side effects, I was just saying I was because the withdrawal effect are listed in the literature. And that everything was “all in my head” and I needed considerable psychological help. Meaning more drugs. I refused and kept digging for information and tapering the Zoloft.
In April 2021, I discovered the genetic testing for drug sensitivity. I gave the information to my doctor and she agreed to refer me for testing. In August 2021, I got the results that provided my genetic in the reason for my problem with Zoloft. The report lists I am a rapid metabolizer of the drug. The report does not use the phrase “not in my head.” My medical professionals started using that phrase when I was able to discredit all their other excuses. Sadly my medical professionals did not understand what is happening with my body being a rapid metabolizer. They kept telling me it was all in my head and kept pushing me to switch around medications. I kept refusing.
I kept digging for information and the natural healing practioner took me as a client. (I started with the natural healing practitioner in December 2022). Our combined efforts discovered the information in my first post of this thread. And I had print outs from medical publications to prove everything. Once I politely and respectfully presented the information to my medical professionals, they finally agreed that the problem is indeed genetic. And finally stopped saying everything was all in my head. I now have their support. They admit they have learned from my research. My pharmacist is especially interested.
Please remember, this is my experience. I am sharing my experience to help other find their way off Zoloft and hopefully other medications.
I tell people to use my information as a starting point. Do their own research to match their own situation.
I hope this clarifies everything. Please continue to ask me questions for further clarification.
I took the genetic testing and went with their first choice and the rx had horrible side effects. Had to get off it.
I am glad it worked for you .