tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29732645037284528722024-03-13T23:10:49.233-07:00Watch Me Quit Zoloft Cold TurkeyFollow the journey of a woman quitting zoloft cold turkey.Sarah Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11708153254275607308noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2973264503728452872.post-30351424454836115872009-02-01T18:12:00.001-08:002009-02-01T18:39:05.266-08:00End of Week 2 of Quitting Zoloft<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/y5ZacH2LaIE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/y5ZacH2LaIE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></div><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br />I'm really grateful that my sister helped me in my first week without zoloft & then convinced me to go back on the antidepressant. If this is you're first time to this blog you might be a bit confused, so please read the previous post to get a better understanding. <br /><br />Basically, I was prescribed zoloft by my doctor 4 years ago for PMDD and would really like to get off antidepressants completely. But you know what? It's hard. Really hard! I knew it would be, but I guess I thought I could just do it my way. Anyway, long story short & I've realized that this will likely be a long journey that I can't just do cold turkey. <br /><br />So, I've reduced my dosage to 100 mg (from 200 mg) and I'm trying to keep focused on my goals & targets. PMDD is severe for me and it's hard to explain here. Here are a few of the symptoms I experience for 2 weeks of every month:<br /><ul><li>bloating</li><li>constant nagging thoughts about weight gain</li><li>trouble sleeping (I wake up at 3 or 4am every night worrying about something I don't need to worry about)</li><li>irritability</li><li>sensitive & a bit neurotic</li><li>breast tenderness</li></ul>For the other 2 weeks I feel great! I'm focused, driven, confident, creative & an all round go-getter. So it's quite extreme for me to feel so low just because of PMS!<br /><br />Anyway, I've mentioned before that I'm really into the whole Law of Attraction idea, so I posted the above video that I found on You Tube for you to see. I don't know how to make videos like the one above, but it would be very cool to have my own little video to watch every morning as I wake up. I think my video would focus on health, wealth & happiness but I guess that's what everyone would do isn't it?<br /><br />Do you take Zoloft or another antidepressant for PMDD like I do? Don't be shy! Please leave your thoughts below.Sarah Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11708153254275607308noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2973264503728452872.post-20580798655386609172009-01-29T17:48:00.000-08:002009-01-29T18:26:59.411-08:00Days 7-10 of Quitting Zoloft<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMaQ-uQb1GaI_gAsiJvOlcx1Fn5j9sdvTkdeURZMQiTYOK7f_3S75zZR7IR6BxVGJWhKWSbBwseq1wYO5ycYu7f_EHHV08sLtN2KbO9QeA8oBs9XrhljsKH550NK0DQUr0AevPb9F-QUG/s1600-h/1128264_field.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMaQ-uQb1GaI_gAsiJvOlcx1Fn5j9sdvTkdeURZMQiTYOK7f_3S75zZR7IR6BxVGJWhKWSbBwseq1wYO5ycYu7f_EHHV08sLtN2KbO9QeA8oBs9XrhljsKH550NK0DQUr0AevPb9F-QUG/s400/1128264_field.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296898783757183314" border="0" /></a>I finally caved in and realized that quitting zoloft is not like quitting smoking. I am back on 100mg/day. I admit it - quitting cold turkey was an emotional roller coaster for me. The first few days were fabulous! But I also really put the effort in to treating myself right. I power walked, ate right, focused on the positive in my life and took Omega's and multivitamins. <br /><br />But then life got in the way. My work is insanely busy and I stopped the new routine and got side tracked by my professional life. That's when the emotions started to really come spilling over. <br /><br />I feel a bit defeated but hey, there are reasons people say you shouldn't quit anti-depressants cold turkey. I will get off zoloft some day soon, but cutting my dose back to 100mg after being on 200mg is still a great first step. I'm making an appointment to see my doctor next week.<br /><br />What I'd like to do is see if I can get an appointment to see a hormone specialist, since I was initially prescribed zoloft for PMDD. Shouldn't there be someone out there that understands why my body/brain is like this and what I can do to deal with it?Sarah Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11708153254275607308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2973264503728452872.post-49606970811731424632009-01-25T20:37:00.000-08:002009-01-25T21:55:14.170-08:00Days 3-6 of Quitting Zoloft<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOeD7O7vP731b3yhLxHrpyd5ElDrTF0o1IzWRVqmWTfYzOJNK8EF8r-V7CnncFxSqcZRVWA6OQBwsAgMxuEIRsGmOzeT33uSwqKWgaM4er7mbd-SfPIcF-ycJHblwkY6NFSp1I9_JJJnT/s1600-h/1136293_yellow_flower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOeD7O7vP731b3yhLxHrpyd5ElDrTF0o1IzWRVqmWTfYzOJNK8EF8r-V7CnncFxSqcZRVWA6OQBwsAgMxuEIRsGmOzeT33uSwqKWgaM4er7mbd-SfPIcF-ycJHblwkY6NFSp1I9_JJJnT/s400/1136293_yellow_flower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295457465896678658" border="0" /></a>If this if your first time on this blog, please read <a href="http://howtoquitzoloft.blogspot.com/2009/01/day-1-of-quitting-zoloft-how-to-quit.html">this post</a> first.<br /><br />The first couple of days of quitting zoloft felt amazing. But then days 3-6 came along and oh boy, they were right when they say you shouldn't quit antidepressants cold-turkey! The head aches are constant (thank God for ibuprofen) but bearable. It's the anxiety and emotional outbursts that are doing my head in.<br /><br />I started out strong by listening to Tony Robbins and walking an hour a day. Work became a bit more intense and required me to hit the road and leave my new walking routine behind for a couple of days. I have to admit that I am a creature of routine. So, on days 5 and 6 of not taking my 200 mg dose of zoloft my emotions took over. Suddenly I found myself freaking out about finances (I have a great job, but my paycheques can be random so a bit stressful to say the least). Tears and tears and questions like "Should I just start taking zoloft again?" I'm not suicidal and never have been, but I have to admit that some pretty negative thoughts can seep in there when I'm not doing so well. <a href="http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2006/06/overcoming-depression/">Depression</a> is an ugly beast.<br /><br />No. I won't go back to taking zoloft.<br /><br />I know that my metabolism will return to normal. The money flows and the law of attraction can only bring me what I focus my energies and thoughts on. So without beating myself up too much for being so negative today I'm back on track.<br /><br />I'm eating loads of fish packed with Omega 3's and will get back on the exercise train tomorrow. I need at least one hour of focused exercize and mental work a day. Actually, I think everyone needs the same.<br /><br />Tomorrow will be day 7 of quitting zoloft. This has been a long week!<br /><br />What about you? Have you gone through any of this? Please share your thoughts below. Does it get better?!Sarah Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11708153254275607308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2973264503728452872.post-68921272741976890842009-01-21T23:06:00.000-08:002009-01-21T23:18:29.756-08:00Day 2 of Quitting Zoloft<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd9AzXN8d3TF2OKvb_2-mzq6b_vQnZ2-NB7XcJ-aaS_u16sX72MESbSL6GOyRuiJwDEdFi-iSU4Omdqzf0t0k3JizUA70_xoakHjd0OjYq5dF8lvwJLvgjLiyTSAhYcJz_kI26qhESinC/s1600-h/1133737_jumping.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd9AzXN8d3TF2OKvb_2-mzq6b_vQnZ2-NB7XcJ-aaS_u16sX72MESbSL6GOyRuiJwDEdFi-iSU4Omdqzf0t0k3JizUA70_xoakHjd0OjYq5dF8lvwJLvgjLiyTSAhYcJz_kI26qhESinC/s400/1133737_jumping.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294011294398425410" border="0" /></a>I had the most incredible & vivid dream last night that must have lasted hours. I kept waking up, thinking about the dream and then falling asleep again only to carry on with the same dream. It was very similar to being on anti-malaria pills when you travel to South America. Intense is not a strong enough word to describe the dream.<br /><br />I am also experiencing severe head aches - those haven't changed in the past couple of days since<a href="http://howtoquitzoloft.blogspot.com/2009/01/day-1-of-quitting-zoloft-how-to-quit.html"> I quit taking zoloft.</a> I had anticipated this but didn't quite know how bad they would be. Thank God for ibuprofin, water, Omega 3's and exercise. Tony Robbins is <a href="http://howtoquitzoloft.blogspot.com/2009/01/day-1-of-quitting-zoloft.html">still talking up a storm</a> on my iPod and helping me to stay focused & positive in this journey to beat depression & PMDD.<br /><br />One thing that is amazing is my change in mood. I'm finding humour in every day activities again, and joy in playing with my niece & nephew. I gather I've been a bit of a grump lately so it's refreshing to know that the clouds of antidepressants are lifting. I am happy, healthy & doing pretty damn well I think. My family is worried I'll crash, but so far so good.<br /><br />I am starting to feel like myself again. I didn't even know I had changed so much on zoloft, but now that I can see a bit clearer it feels amazing. Has anyone else out there gone through this? I'd really like to hear from people who have quit zoloft & what changes they noticed as well. Please share your thoughts below. Thanks!Sarah Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11708153254275607308noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2973264503728452872.post-37197551285129097422009-01-20T18:34:00.000-08:002009-01-20T19:01:08.526-08:00Day 1 of Quitting Zoloft<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Eur8ZS7CBY57v7jzM7sIvAyEoOH1ZD2elxNQjAlIb5GQ5xiqGD5UmhPKzv-GfMS-zgAxtxRBgrImHxNnOPpKhMtquPBsKmIFldvFuWDNVCWVXBPgQ6ffzXh-ZvQV3kn4rKOgEiWE3Uf_/s1600-h/1010750_tulips.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Eur8ZS7CBY57v7jzM7sIvAyEoOH1ZD2elxNQjAlIb5GQ5xiqGD5UmhPKzv-GfMS-zgAxtxRBgrImHxNnOPpKhMtquPBsKmIFldvFuWDNVCWVXBPgQ6ffzXh-ZvQV3kn4rKOgEiWE3Uf_/s400/1010750_tulips.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293570233296237442" border="0" /></a>I knew that quitting zoloft cold turkey would be tough. I've read all the warnings against it and was prepared for some withdrawal symptoms like head aches, blurry vision, aches & pains. Before I go on, I should say that I'm not recommending that anyone else do this. I am just determined to get off the antidepressants and need to do this my way. I also happen to be a writer so figured I should write about my journey. So with that disclaimer out of the way, let's continue with the first 24 hours.<br /><br />I started yesterday with the blog, went for a bike ride to clear my head & listened to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Get-Edge-Program-Transform-Your/dp/B000BMASVS">Tony Robbins.</a> I have to admit that I love his voice & just listening to him speak about taking action for your self & your goals really helps me. But while I was listening to the CD, I fell asleep - at 8:00pm! I mentioned in my <a href="http://howtoquitzoloft.blogspot.com/2009/01/day-1-of-quitting-zoloft-how-to-quit.html">previous post</a> that one of the reasons I want off zoloft is that it makes me so damn tired. So in my first day of not taking zoloft, what happens? I'm exhausted! <br /><br />So off I went to bed, figuring it's better just to give in than to fight it. I had planned to wake up at 6:30 and get up and go for a walk before doing anything else. I wanted to listen to more of Tony Robbins & really get focused on my day & why I'm putting myself through the pains of quitting antidepressants. So what happened next you ask? <br /><br />Well - let me tell ya. When they say you'll get head aches when you quit zoloft they weren't kidding. I swear to God, I thought my head was in a vice - like the clamp they show you to use in wood shop. I have migraine head aches somewhat regularly (another symptom of PMDD, the reason I went on Zoloft in the first place) but this head ache was completely different.<br /><br />I turned over & went right back to bed. What's the point in waking up with that kind of pain?! So an hour later, I crawled out of bed & the head ache was gone. It returned around 6:00pm tonight, as I was walking along the ocean listening to my ipod. <br /><br />I also experienced some blurry vision which for a writer is kind of tough. It made it difficult to write emails but not impossible. Just weird really. My thoughts are fairly clear - I am not depressed or sad or irrational or crying all the time. I'm also not suicidal & I never have been so that's a relief.<br /><br />I was able to work no problem, and haven't napped once today. Don't get me wrong, I like a good nap. But I shouldn't need to sleep every afternoon after getting a full night's sleep and working from home. I make my own hours & have a job I absolutely love, so really - napping shouldn't be a part of my daily routine. I was very happy to feel energetic & like I could actually get everything done in the day that I wanted to and then some more.<br /><br />I've been taking Omega 3 before each meal & I am making dinner with salmon (wild), broccoli & sweet potatos. Yum. So, I'm doing the right things. <br /><br />So far so good right? <br /><br />Oh and I should tell you this funny thing - after being in a complete fog for months, not excercizing, gaining weight & generally feeling pretty crap, suddenly today I told my sister I could do ANYTHING. And I meant it. Kite surfing! Sky diving! Rock climbing! Ballroom dancing! I can do all of those things & more! I was so excited to share my excitement with her. <br /><br />Being off Zoloft is pretty good so far. Let's see what tomorrow brings.Sarah Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11708153254275607308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2973264503728452872.post-19104586107809395412009-01-19T12:54:00.000-08:002009-01-19T14:50:42.971-08:00The Situation: Why I am Getting Off Zoloft<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilC_I1hqGmtpV3k8gaM5-kb5KlmgWwdmrs2M6IaAh6eY4Z-4PGVhLMZEuEgH1si-uesfiuRhWgwfJ-X0Mx2FlfvinklKqpiIZ57Ipzsv0U_a11hc6Cxhxyp1IEH4T0G8XBkgkmjW3C0so/s1600-h/1061859_flowers_srb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilC_I1hqGmtpV3k8gaM5-kb5KlmgWwdmrs2M6IaAh6eY4Z-4PGVhLMZEuEgH1si-uesfiuRhWgwfJ-X0Mx2FlfvinklKqpiIZ57Ipzsv0U_a11hc6Cxhxyp1IEH4T0G8XBkgkmjW3C0so/s400/1061859_flowers_srb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293111738507696082" border="0" /></a>I've been on Zoloft for a little over 4 years now. I started taking this anti-depressant for severe PMS (sometimes known as PMDD) when I had moved to a different country & town. I was alone, working a job that would make anyone miserable and knew I needed support. So, after looking at my family history of depression, speaking with my relatives about their anxiety disorders & how zoloft had helped them I figured I'd give it a go.<br /><br />At first, I loved zoloft. I felt as though the fog around my head had cleared. I worked out all the time, lost some weight & kept the struggles of my job in perspective. I swore by Zoloft. I thought it was a miracle drug & couldn't understand why I hadn't started taking it earlier.<br /><br />Fast forward 4 years.<br /><br />The fog is back stronger than ever. I've moved countries again, run a successful company and am self-employed. I have an amazing family, supportive friends and a great lifestyle of health, fitness & nutrition. But...something isn't quite right. I went from 50 mg of Zoloft to 100mg thinking it was just that I needed to change my dose. Then up to 200 mg.<br /><br />Now I fall asleep every afternoon. I sleep 10 hours a night and still...I'm exhausted. The backs of my knees hurt. I weigh 196 pounds (I was 160 when I started taking zoloft). Last year, I worked out 3-5 times/week and once a week with a personal trainer. I lost 10% of my body fat which was fabulous. But still, no weight loss.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong here - I am not fixated on dieting, weighing myself on the scale or counting calories. I do read about nutrition & eat a healthy, well balanced diet. I refuse to "diet" as hey, we all know the pitfalls of dieting.<br /><br />I eat healthy and I am active. So, today I did some research online. Turns out there are a whole lotta people out there complaining about zoloft and weight gain, sore joints & exhaustion. Well how about that?<br /><br />I believe in the law of attraction & have found that it has worked wonders in my business & professional life. So, I've decided to quit Zoloft cold turkey & use the powers of attraction, Omega 3 & a multi-vitamin and exercise to make this work for me.<br /><br />I am aware of the side effects of quitting in this way - I will likely feel dizzy, get headaches, sleep differently than I usually do & generally feel quite rough. I know it is not advised to quit any medication cold turkey. But I also know that I can do this. I quit smoking this way, and while zoloft and cigarettes are not one & the same, I need to try this for me.<br /><br />Follow along on my journey to quit antidepressants & get healthy, fit, active & most importantly - happy! Clear head, here I come!<br /><br />So to start this journey, I'm off to go for my first bike ride of 2009. It's a beautiful sunny day and since I am self-employed I can take off whenever I like.<br /><br />But how about you? You must have stumbled across this blog for a reason - what is it? Are you trying to quit zoloft as well? Please share your story in the comments below.Sarah Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11708153254275607308noreply@blogger.com1