Antidepressant withdrawals anyone?

[flonase]

Hello.. I just recently (the past 4 weeks) weaned myself off of zoloft 100mg after being on it for almost 9 years. Im still taking ambien 10mg (for 2 years). Im a 43 yr old physically fit and active female. Ive always been on the thin side and although Ive always had a sweeth tooth, I typically eat healthily and clean and allow myself splurges on the weekends. However, along with experiencing dreadful withdrawals such as unexplained anger and anxiety, I suddenly have this intense urge to want to eat anything and everything. I wake up in the morning fantasizing about food. I go to sleep thinking about it, even after a good dinner. Im constantly thinking about food! I have never been this way. Ive researched the side effects of coming off antidepressants, so I might know what to expect, but I have never heard or read about increased, INSATIABLE appetite, being one of them. I'm wondering if it could be the ambien? I have also been told to try switching to lunesta. I am beside myself and unfortunately my doctor has little to offer. Has anyone had any similar experiences?

[jno]

http://www.rxlist.com/rxboard/ambien.pl?noframes;read=145

[PhilBy]

The exact same thing happened to my wife when coming off/changing her antidepressant, this was about a year ago and she is now 3 stone over weight. She also fantasizes about food and even claims to be addicted to eating. This is totally out of character. She has also gone from leading an active life to one of feeling tired all day.

Thank you for bringing this matter to answerbank, I will certainly listen more and try to offer better advice than "eat less & excercise more"

It will be intersting to hear of any other similar 'victims'? If this is indeed a possible side effect then going by my wifes 'transformation' it's a pretty nasty one!

I'm off to www.ask.com and any other search engine I can find to research this............. To get my Susan back would be MAGIC!

[Greedyfly]

2 years took me to come off mine and I still get withdrawal effects every now and then - unfortunatly comes with the territory with some of these drugs

[Kay]

Hi flonase, Well done on being Zoloft/Sertraline free! You've done really well as Zoloft, like all the other SSRI's are very hard to come off due to the terrible withdrawal symptoms. All SSRI's cause cravings for food especially sweet things! Many people still have these cravings for anything up to 6-8 weeks after coming off an ssri as its still in the system,likewise the anger and anxiety. Ambien is a hypnotic/sedative. Did your Gp give you these to help with the anxiety and anger? Im a moderator of [email protected]. Please feel free to join as we deal with all ssri users and their problems with these drugs:-))

[Kay]

[email protected] Duh sorry flonase and anyone else.

[joannab]

I completely know how you feel. Its been over a year now since i came off Seroxat, i had terrible withdrawal symptons. And what your experiencing is how i felt and i still do now a year on. I am a very slim active person but i crave food like no ones business. What ever you do dont go on anything else i was so tempted to go on something else to make myself feel better but im glad i didnt. All i can say is the withdrawal symptons will go, i know its hard but be strong. As long as you have your loved ones support you will get through it. Good luck. Dont look back :)

[flonase]

Joannab ..thank you for your encouraging and kind words. I read that you also have/had intense food cravings. May I ask if your weight has fluxuated at all since going off? I know Ive already put on some weight and am concerned I won't fit through my front door should things stay going this way.