I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea, but here goes. I am replying to this so that maybe it will help. I was on SSRI for only a year, but at the highest dose. I kept telling my husband that I did not think it was making a difference. I was sooooo wrong. I became pregnant and my doctor told me to stop taking it immediately. no weaning or phasing out. What a strange experience. First I felt that nothing was happening any different. Did not feel any of the symptoms mentioned. Then, I got mad over something and realized that my affect for the past year had been very flat. not real happy, not real sad. That was what made me panic. I then started getting the racing heart, tunnel vision, slight ear ringing (like being on a plane), as well as some nausea. I talked to the doctor, who told me it was due to pregnancy. I believed this and started to ignore it. It did go away. The point is, while I believe that there are symptoms to getting off of SSRIs, somehow just like with panic and anxiety, distraction can cause it to lessen enough to be bearable. I indirectly became destracted by ignoring. It was very hard at first, but then became habit. My symptoms lasted for 3 to 4 months, for whatever reason. hope this helps.

Hello again! I know how you feel! I was such a scatter brain during my withdrawals also. It was really hard for me because at that time I was an editor and I had such a hard time concentrating on anything I was doing. But, like you, I had to go to work. It's so hard having responsibility and dealing with this at the same time! Talk to your boss and let them know what's going on so they don't think you're flaking out on them or something. If he/she understands the situation, they will be more forgiving. Maybe he/she can double track you for a few weeks until you get back to normal. People are a lot more understanding of this then we give them credit for. Have you quit cold turkey or are you weaning off it? If it is getting really difficult, you may think about weaning. Take half a pill for a few weeks. And then half of that half for a few weeks and so on until it's gone. Talk to your doctor about that and see if that would help. Hang in there!!

I too just recently tried to wean off effexor. the side effects are crazy. expecially the blurred vision and not being able to concentrate. But like any drug, if you take it for a long time it is going to have it's detox effect on our bodies. If you are thinking about going off of meds(I had to go back on because the side effects were too much for me to handle) just keep in the back of your mind that these symptoms are caused by our bodies trying to heal itself from the medications. I don't know if this will help you, but just knowing other people have the same problems really help me. Take care. :)

Vickers, Thanks so much for your reply. It sounds like you did live through a real life nightmare. I hope this does not last much longer. I am so miserable. Alot of the symptoms you mentioned sound very familiar. Especially the extreme dizziness and electrical shocks running through my body starting at the top of my head. I think these "electrical shocks" are what provoke the weird twitching in different parts of my body. I know this is going to sound insane, but it feels as if my brain has shrunk or something and it is moving about inside my skull and being mashed or squeezed. It's a pressure feeling. I am very nervous too and have random aches and pains all over my body. My mind wanders, or maybe races would be a better description. I can barely concentrate on anything. Honestly I am struggling right now trying to type this post. I hate having to drive, go out in public, and mostly I hate having to go to work like this. I have a very long drive to and from work also. I am a corporate office manager and I have ALOT of responsibility. I handle huge amounts of money. I do payroll for all the employees, pay all of the company's debts, do the taxes and order all the parts and materials that keep our company up and running. It would be a handful even for someone who does not have panic and anxiety disorder. I am finding myself making alot of mistakes while dealing with this withdrawal crap and it is just unacceptable. Taking off work for a while is not an option for me because there is no one there who can take my place. So far I have managed to hide this from my boss but I dont know how much longer I will be able to. I have to work, and it took me a long time to get the position I have now. My job is a huge stress factor but what can I do? I have created a ton of debt for us so now I HAVE to help my husband pay it off. Sigh....... I truly feel sorry for my loved ones who are having to put up with me. I am so scared!!! I will stop rambling on and feeling sorry for myself now. Thanks for listening. Samantha

I don't know about Zoloft. But, I was on Paxil for 7 years and when I came off it - Holy Cow!!! It was like an acid trip gone seriously bad! I weaned off it very slowly for about 3 or 4 months and the whole time was horrid. The first 2 or 3 weeks were absolutely insane. I don't know if this helps, but these were my symptoms: -Tunnel vision -Blurry vision -Inability to really see color - I could see color, but it didn't really register -Unbelievable anxiety -Lightheaded beyond anything I ever felt before -Buzzy feeling in head -Muscle aches -When I laid in bed, my legs would ache and cramp all night and would involuntarily twitch and jump -My stomach felt like a solid mass of pain for about a week and a half -Electrical volts running from the top of my head out my fingers and toes -I did not feel the ground beneath my feet when I walked for almost a month -Unstable feeling when walking like I was tilting to the side -Extremely vivid dreams - to the point that I didn't know when I was dreaming and I was awake and I started hiding knives and other harmful objects before I went to bed out of fear that I would do something in the middle of the night and not know it -Bursting into tears for absolutely no reason - I would be talking to someone and in midsentence I would have tears running down my face -And my personal favorite - I could hear myself blink! It sounded like a scratchy noise everytime I blinked I'm sure there were many more symptoms and side effects, but those are the ones that really stick out for me that I remember - it's been about a year ago. The only thing that helped me was remembering that every day would be better than the day before. Remember that today is easier than yesterday and tomorrow will be easier than today. Even if it's just a tiny little bit - it will be better than today. The key is to just take one day at a time - one moment at time. If you really want off it, stay off it and do not give in. This will pass eventually - I absolutely promise!! Also, look up Zoloft withdrawals in your search engine. I did this when I was getting off Paxil and found a couple websites that listed symptoms and online support groups. Very helpful! Hang in there! You will get through this!!

I desperately need some feedback from anyone here who has experienced what it's like to come off of Zoloft (or other SSRI's) after taking them for a long time. I was on Zoloft for over 4 years and now I have gotten to a point where it no longer helps me. I went back to the doctor about a week or so ago and he wanted me to wean off the Zoloft while starting to take Effexor. (and Xanax as needed) I knew very soon that the Effexor wasn't right for me. I couldn't stand the way it made me feel, heart racing, insomnia, nausea, etc. I work full time and wasn't even able to do my job because of this. So, I called the doctor back after a few days and he told me to go ahead and stop the Effexor. Now all I am taking is the Xanax when I have to. I have read many, many times that Zoloft is not addictive, BUT I am having some really strange feelings. Extreme bouts of dizziness, nausea, feeling off balance, muscle twitches, mood swings, trouble concentrating, etc. I know these are all symptoms of panic and anxiety but right now these feelings are not the same as just "REGULAR" symptoms. Believe me, after having this crap for around 15 years I can tell the difference. I go back to the doctor in a little over a week, but it would be nice to hear other people's experiences with coming off Zoloft or other meds. So if anyone out there has a similar story to share please do. I need some comfort and reassurance to help me get by until that dr's appointment day gets here. I can't help but wonder, do I have something else wrong with me, or is this the normal Zoloft withdrawal? Thanks, Samantha