Dizziness From Stopping Zoloft?
Monday February 21, 2005
Q. I recently quit taking Zoloft. I was told by my doctor that I did not have to come off slowly and was advised to just quit taking it. It was prescribed for mood swings during menopause. I'd been taking the drug for approximately 5 months. I'm not having a problem with mood swings, but am experiencing a problem with getting dizzy from time to time. Is this one of the side effects coming off the drug?
A. Yes, this is a possible side-effect of coming off Zoloft. Here are some articles that I think will be helpful to you:
Comments
I took zoloft for about 3 1/2 months. I tapered off for about a week or so, and then just stopped taking them. It’s been over a week since being completely off them – was fine until a couple days ago, when I started getting the “brain shivers”…little electric shock feeling in your head – it’s like your brain gets the chills and you shiver – but your brain shivers, not your body. I took zoloft last year for a few months as well – I got the brain shivers then too. I found the term on the internet when I began to link the shock feeling I was having with discontinuing the zoloft. It really freaked me out at the time, which probably didn’t help. I had no idea if this was just the beginning, or if my health was in danger. But eventually, the brain shivers went away, and I was totally fine. So, I guess what I’m saying is…the brain shivers are nothing more than an annoyance for me. Hopefully, it’ll be the same for you!
Great to hear Brandi! And congrats to getting off Zoloft. I have been on Zoloft for about 9 years for depression and ocd. For the last month I have been slowly weaning myself off and have experienced the “flu-like” feeling and dizzy-brain zapping that everyone is refering to. I have been totally off the meds for 3 days now and I am just hanging in there with the dizziness…I also feel like I am asleep and dreaming everything that I am doing (although I am really awake). Its scary, but it will be well worth it when I am drug-free. Brandi, thanks for sharing your story with us!
Hey can totaly relate. Been on zoloft for 8 years and gradualy went from 100mg to 25mg 25mg increments a month. I went from 25 to nothing at the start of the week and i feel almost every side effect: dizzyness, the shocks, virago, that dreamy feeling…. I cant wait to get off zoloft and live my life!
I ve been on zoloft for 8 months but decided to drop it.I was getting tired of being “uneffected” or noy caring of what was happening around me.so i ve been off of zoloft for 5 days now,not long i know but i’m feeling sapped as far as enegry goes.I havent had brain shivers yet,its good to know they could be comming..The flu like symptoms I can completely attest to!Will these symptoms leave and how long can it take? Mad props for you who are dealing with our issues instead of escaping from them!!!including me.Thank yall for your comments,powerful stuff!
I was on zoloft for 7 months, slowly weaned myself off them 1 week ago. I’m sorry to hear of the wicked side effects, but so happpy to hear its not just me. Zoloft helped with depression but I gained 20 lbs. GRRR I’m going to try and take life one day at a time and count the many many blessings in my life!!! AND pray I never need zoloft again.
I have only been on zoloft for 2 weeks and it’s been hell for me. I can barely walk because I am so dizzy, I have a rash all over me including boils on my chin and I feel worse than before! I am going to get off this med asap and try Wellbutrin I think. Hope everyone else is doing well coming off this drug; it’s nasty!
I took Zoloft for 9 months or so. I went through some stressful times and I thoughtit would help. I got tired of the not caring feeling and lack of interest, not to mention the 20 pound weight gain. So I weaned myself. I have been completely off for almost a week. It is the absolute weirdest thing, the dizziness. I feel like I’m drunk. It happens often, but I deal. Then last night I had a martini and whoa. The martini effect was beyond intensified. I felt SO gone. Like I was in a complete dream-like state. I knew immediately what caused it. I did my research before weaning. So it was frightening, but very odd. I hope this goes away soon. I have pretty bad motion sickness and a couple times a day the “dizziness” makes me feel sick. I refuse to go back on it though. I actually feel like myself and my 2 year old son is thrilled mommy is willing to be crazy again. Hand in there.
Just wanted to thank everyone for leaving their comments. I am having some medical issues which were at first thought to be completely psychiatric, so I was prescribed Zoloft. Of course, now that I have a correct diagnosis, I slowly came off the Zoloft, but these “brain shivers” had me all freaked out! I thought it was a horrible side effect of my illness, and I’m relieved to know it’s probably just the Zoloft. I can’t wait till they go away. I took my last dose on Monday, and here I am on Friday feeling weirder than ever. Your comments made me feel A LOT BETTER. Thanks again.
I’ve been using Zoloft for over 10 yrs. I weaned off by taking a month to reduce intake. It’s been about 3 months now and I’m still having flu symptoms. The fatique is terrible, and I’m irritable because I’m feeling sick and tired all the time. How much more of this do I have to take?
Took 7 months to wean off zoloft–has been on since 1991- 100 mg. Today is day #28 drug-free…symptoms subsiding dramatically as of today…long, hard road getting off–tried many times, the slower the better. I get through the symptoms day-by day. Found taking 1/2 Benedryl during withdrawal phase and now is helping.