Zoloft and severe headaches

I started taking Zoloft October of 2003. I started with 25mg & slowly graduated to 200mg. Over the past year I have gained 25lbs. even though I exercise 4 days a week for an hour & watch what I eat every day. I couldn't understand why I was gaining weight when I was watching so well. I asked my doctor about weight gain with Zoloft & he said that it actually makes you lose weight. I finally decided to check out websites about the side effects & I was so shocked at how many other people had weight gains also. So I decided to take myself off of Zoloft. For about a week I dropped down to 100mg a day but then deiceded to quit cold turkey & have been feeling like crap ever since. I have severe headaches (which I very rarely ever get), constant feeling of nausea, electric zaps that start at my feet & shoot up through my body, feeling when I turn my head too quickly like my brain is slow to catch up with my eyes & I feel like I'm gonna fall if I don't hold on to something or just relax for a minute.

I realize this is my own fault because I quit cold turkey on my own without consulting with my physician, however I want other people out there to know that you aren't going crazy that the withdrawal symptoms are real & really bad.

I just want to know how long before I start to feel normal again without constantly feeling sick on my stomach.

I am a 20 year old male, 150 pounds, and I've been taking Zoloft for about 8 months now. First I started with 50mg daily for anxiety/depression. It helped a little, but I was boosted up to 100mg daily after about a month or two.

My anxiety problems quickly diminished, but I was having crazy mood swings. Happy one moment, depressed the next. Now I get those crazy head zaps and fogginess almost every day I take it. Side effects also include churning/unsettled stomach, disconnected feeling, "pins and needles" every time I move my head (like coming down from acid), zombi effects, jaw tension, restlessness, lack of motivation, severe headaches, grinding teeth, and vivid dreams (not a bad thing). It hasn't effected me sexually though. Haven't had any real problems with weight gain either.

I highly recommend smoking marijuana occasionaly to reduce side effects. Although pot isn't recommended by others, I find that it really helps to even you out while on this medication. It quickly and effectivly relieves jaw tension, restlessnesss, headaches, unsettled stomach, and that crazy-ass fog headzap thing. That is the worst part of Zoloft for me. I can deal with all the other small side effects, but when it feels like you are a zombie coming down from acid, you just wanna punch the doctor who prescribed it to you.

Perhaps I'm taking too much, or not enough. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow, so I'll see what he has to say.

I'm glad that the drug helps with my anxiety, but I'm not really sure if all the side effects are worth it.
If you haven't experienced the zombie thing yet, just stop taking Zoloft for a day or two and you'll know what I'm talking about. DON'T MISS A DOSE OR YOU'LL START CRAVING BRAINS! BRRRAAAIIINNNSS!!!!

i have had weight gain severe headaches diaheria and yes the weird bad strange dreams where i wake up and i am afraid and wondering if it really happen i am glad i found this site cause now i know i am not insane

Zoloft was working for my depression (very slowly though--took about a month or more), was helping with my lethargy (that worked a lot quicker -- within a week or two), also worked for my panic attacks. I didn't even mention to my doctor that I had panic attacks, but after I started taking the Zoloft for depression I noticed that the panic attacks virtually disappeared. Problem is, I stopped taking the Zoloft without consulting with my doctor (big mistake), and lately I have noticed very severe headaches every day that don't go away with Excederin (usually works for me). I also notice some level of paranoia (although not extremely serious). Zoloft saved my life and my job, but I would not advise stopping cold turkey without consulting with a physician.

severe headaches

severe headaches, diarrhea daily, gave me the shakes, insomnia, began grinding my teeth, hypertension, weight gain, couldn't concentrate or focus on anything.

I have been on Zoloft for about a year and it really does work, but i out of nowhere decided to get off the drug without seeking my doctor and it gives severe headaches and makes every sound or noise pound into my head. I do think it works very well for the depressed patients , but it works best with certain people. I have not had any problems with the diarrea or other side effects although it does disrupt the sex life a bit. I do recommend the drug in some cases but it really isnt for some people.