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Anyone that took zoloft for a year or two and then stopped?

Posted , 4 users are following.

m59611
m59611

I just started taking zoloft for mild depression and I would like to hope that I don't need to be on it for the rest of my days. I'd like to believe that being on zoloft will give me the opportunity to develop new habits to improve my mental and emotional health and then stop taking it. Is there anyone who did something like this? Were you able to improve yourself and then stop taking the drug? What was it like coming off it? Or are you so happy with it you'll never stop? I'm a 54 year old male. Apologies for the age/gender bias but I've read that these factors influence drug effects. Thanks.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • a-new-day
    a-new-day m59611

    Posted

    i've been on and off antidepressants a long time (over 10 years)

    currently i am on 100mg sertraline and am not going to stop this time, i have absolutely no problem taking them forever

    everyone's experiences are different, but speaking for myself, what i found is, in the past i would take antidepressants and do well on them, but after around 1 year of taking them and feeling fine, i stop.  the problem is, eventually, my depression and anxiety always finds its way back.  i did have one time where i was fine for about 8 months after stopping antidepressants, but the depression and anxiety managed to find its way home again, i think it was during a crappy miserable depressing winter smile

    i also found in the past, that if i was not on antidepressants and a stressful event happened (lost job or relationship/family problem etc), then i was much prone to becoming depressed/anxious again

    so to summarise, i'm staying on antidepressants because it simply offers me 'protection' and the ability to cope/live life normally without constant worrying, fear, and so on

    we don't know what's round the corner in life (or how long we around for), so my attitude is, while i'm here, i'm going to make sure i'm happy and enjoy life, and sertraline let's me do that.  it's really that simply.  i'm not about to give up a good thing.  it's one little pill each morning to keep my mental health in check.  i'd be mad to stop taking them.

    • jay98357
      jay98357 a-new-day

      Posted

      Well said a new day. I am on week 10 and yes I still have bad days but a bad day on sertaline is no where near as a bad day without.

      I am only on 50mg but I do feel I could do with going up to 7mg. Like you if it means taking a pill a day to feel better so be it.

      Today I haven't had a good day

      I had a few panic attacks while driving but I pinched myself hard (and I mean hard) and got to my destination, luckily In one piece 😊 I can also feel my low mood is creeping back but I know I can't expect miracles as I have struggled with this for nearly 30 years. I actually said to my mother the other day, (which was a good day) that I felt the same as when I was 18... just before my panic disorder started

      So yes.. If I continue on this path. . I shall be taking that little pill a day.

      Good luck. X

    • jay98357
      jay98357

      Posted

      75mg.. not 7 Sighhhh
    • a-new-day
      a-new-day jay98357

      Posted

      jay it sounds like you should consider going to 100mg.   personally speaking here 50mg was no way enough for me (but i started with 50mg for a month or so, just to help keep those dreaded startup side effects at bay)
    • jay98357
      jay98357 a-new-day

      Posted

      I think you are right sweetie. I am going to the docs on the 28th so will discuss then. I have been feeling quite good but I can feel it creeping back. Bloody anxiety and black dog... grr
  • pictishpunkgirl
    pictishpunkgirl m59611

    Posted

    I took it for 2 years and stopped, mainly due to the side effects. I am happier off it than on it. I'm no longer grossly bloated and depersonalised.

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