Question:
MY ZOLOFT HISTORY: I was put on Zoloft 50mg/day 8/98 for depression. I've gained 40# during the 3 years I have taken it. I have a low self esteem that is controlled by my ideal image, and being overweight is making that aspect of my depression worse. Rage and irritability while on the medicine were controlled and seemed to have a rational beginning and end. I was able to smile. I had a nervous breakdown (3/00), and an anxiety attack (5/00) while on Zoloft 100mg. I went through 7 or 8 months of very effective therapy which ended 11/00. PRESENT: I have just weaned off Zoloft according to my doctor's directions at my request starting 4/1/01. My prescription was for 100mg/day. The first week of weaning I alternated 100mg and 50mg every other day. The following week I took only 50mg, and the last week I took 50mg one day and nothing the next. I am now off Zoloft. My first PMS cycle since being off is not going very well. I've been very angry, have had violent thoughts, and almost uncontrollable anger. The up-side to going off Zoloft is that I've lost 10# in 4 weeks, and my libido has increased immensely. (When I started Zoloft, I had no libido due to severe depression.) Others symptoms include dizziness, the feeling you get when you look down from a high cliff over and over, increased heart palpitations, less bloating. Smiling is becoming very hard to do again. ARE ALL OF THESE SYMPTOMS (some of which I also had while on Zoloft)A DETOXIFICATION? HOW LONG WILL THEY LAST? WHY AM I CONGRATUALTED ABOUT BEING OFF ZOLOFT LIKE I'VE JUST CONQUERED SOMETHING? AM I ADDICTED TO ZOLOFT EMOTIONALLY OR PHYSICALLY?