[Reality_Perfection]

Hi,

About a week and a half ago I quit taking Zoloft cold turkey. I had been on it for about 2 months and while on it I started having dissociative symptoms. My psychiatrist told me that I could wean off of it because she said that it can cause dissociation sometimes. Being the person that I was, I went home and researched a little on Zoloft. After finding what I found, I decided that I was just going to quit it and if I absolutely needed it, I would only take a half. I was only on 50mg once per day. The thing is, ever since stopping it I would swear that I've been eating more. I did just get my period about 5 days ago though, so that could be why I'm wanting to eat more. I'm just concerned because I'm almost down to the weight I was at pre-Depakote. I've only gained about 3-4 pounds though and it was rather quickly so I guess it could be water weight.. I was just wondering if any of you guys experienced wanting to eat more/cravings and some weight gain after quitting Zoloft? I just don't know where all of these cravings and stuff came from? It's driving me nuts

[onionknight]

I think I had experienced wanting to eat more/ craving when I began Zoloft, so it can very easily be a withdrawal symptom. You weren't on it that long, but when you took the drug away suddenly, it sent your nervous system into shock so it is possible. While it is obviously causing you distress, it can also be a coincidence. Eating more (especially craving carbs/ sugar) and bloating are common during the period; an antidepressant can make this worse since they can act as an endocrine disruptor.

I don't want to lecture, but you really should have weaned off of Zoloft, even if it was a half dose for a week and then stopping. A year ago I quit Z cold turkey from 50mg, and I had headaches, increased emotionality and rebound depression. Z isn't necessarily one of the really bad ones for discontinuation, but it is still risky.

[sewerrats]

rebound depression is a very real threat when you stopping a med ,never mind stopping cold

[Reality_Perfection]

Originally Posted by onionknight

I think I had experienced wanting to eat more/ craving when I began Zoloft, so it can very easily be a withdrawal symptom. You weren't on it that long, but when you took the drug away suddenly, it sent your nervous system into shock so it is possible. While it is obviously causing you distress, it can also be a coincidence. Eating more (especially craving carbs/ sugar) and bloating are common during the period; an antidepressant can make this worse since they can act as an endocrine disruptor.

I don't want to lecture, but you really should have weaned off of Zoloft, even if it was a half dose for a week and then stopping. A year ago I quit Z cold turkey from 50mg, and I had headaches, increased emotionality and rebound depression. Z isn't necessarily one of the really bad ones for discontinuation, but it is still risky.

That's the weird thing, I started Zoloft and I suddenly had no appetite, but I had also started Wellbutrin a little before I started Zoloft, and I know that Wellbutrin can decrease appetite. Who knows? I know.. I really wish that I hadn't stopped it so suddenly, but at the time I was so disgusted with what the drug might have done to my brain. At the time, I felt like I had lost myself. I didn't feel any motivation and I didn't want to do anything. I was so worried. After stopping it, I feel more motivation and I actually feel like doing stuff. It's so weird. I mean that happened the day after I stopped it! I have had some mild brain zaps (I hate those.), but I've been able to deal with them. Oh.. I guess that could be why I'm eating more. I do know that I eat a little more on my period, but maybe the brain zaps have made me want to eat more too. I think I remember doing that when I've stopped other ADs even though I weaned off of them.

Yeah, I probably shouldn't have stopped it cold turkey, but I can't go back now. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder Type 1 about a year ago and that definitely would be a reason not to stop it like I did. My moods actually haven't been too bad though. My fiance said that ever since stopping it, my mood has actually improved even though I'm on my period. But I have noticed that I've become a little manic as well which can apparently happen to a Bipolar person when they stop Zoloft. That's so weird. But, regardless I do actually feel better. I guess I'll see what happens. I'm just glad to not be on that stuff anymore.

Thanks for the help!

[onionknight]

I really wish that I hadn't stopped it so suddenly, but at the time I was so disgusted with what the drug might have done to my brain. At the time, I felt like I had lost myself. I didn't feel any motivation and I didn't want to do anything. I was so worried.

I can relate to that, except I more or less lost my ability to feel not my motivation. I stopped Z because I didn't want to not have emotions, but the rebound depression/ OCD was so awful, I ended up on Effexor. Effexor zapped of all motivation, sadly.

It can take time for your body and mind to stabilize after starting/ stopping a drug. I'd say just practice good self-care, and if in a while, you still feel something is off, talk to your doctor.

[IndieVisible]

This is exactly how Zoloft is making me feel now! So it never gets better?

[sewerrats]

Zoloft dulls your imotions that's just what its suppose to do. if in weeks and months it turmoil the drug slows your feelings the very thing you have been hoping for for months , so why complain did you find it better in the depression and anxiety Zoloft has just stopped if so why take it. They cannot make you the person you want ,they can only stop the person you had become