Off Zoloft, now exercising more and eating less

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I recently tapered off of Zoloft after taking 100mg for 10 years. I've been really surprised at how much I've been able to motivate myself to exercise and the fact that I'm just not as hungry as I used to be. I never really noticed it while I was on the drug because I had other things going on in my life, but I had never been able to keep a regular exercise routine like I did before the drug. I think i also was craving carbohydrates and I've just lost that craving now. My mood still fluctuates but it hasn't been too bad and I'm stable. Plus the exercise is helping my mood. I've lost over 15 pounds since jumping January 1st.

 

It's ironic that the Zoloft reduced my exercise motivation when that's something that helps get out of depression. This was one of the reasons I wanted to get off Zoloft; I wasn't sure what my baseline was anymore and what kind of effect the medicine was having on other parts of my life. The SSRI helped in certain areas of my life, but had some negative effects in others. I'm hoping I'll be able to keep off the ADs indefinitely and so far, so good!

[[Be...]]

Congrats on coming off Zoloft successfully. I wish more would come on and tell us their AD success stories. This is so good you are exercising. I have been exercising right from the beginning of tapering. It helps so much with mood, anxiety and sleep. GL and come back again and let us how you are doing.

 

Becky

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Thanks for the encouraging words Becky. One of the reasons I ended up on this board is because the first time I tried tapering off Zoloft I wound up compensating by taking Klonopin. It was a horrible cycle and when I tried CT off the Klonopin I suffered panic attacks. First this first was getting off the benzos, then 8 months later coming off the Zoloft. That was the right way to do it.

 

Exercise sure does help through the whole process, along with mindfulness, healthy eating and some chamomile tea!

[[Be...]]

Oh yes, chamomile tea. I drink it at least once a day, and sometimes three. I am trying to do more mindfulness lately and it really helps. Yes you did it right and slowly tapered. I'm going to try tapering off the remaining Trazodone 1 mg soon. It's an teeny tiny dose but sure does pack a punch. Even that I'll do slowly.

 

GL,

 

Becky 

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I'd like to taper off 20mg of prozac I'm on now. If I got more motivation and less cravings that would be amazing. Prozac is doing nothing for me,  but I'm afraid to taper since I'm so sick from benzos. Prozac is considered a stimulating AD so I wonder if I'd be less on edge without it.

 

Travis, did you feel well after the benzo taper before you tapered Zoloft or did you just do it anyway?

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Travis, did you feel well after the benzo taper before you tapered Zoloft or did you just do it anyway?

 

Yes, I think I'd been off Klonopin for about 6 months before beginning the Zoloft taper. I'd been feeling well from the moment I jumped so I knew I was stable, but wanted to make sure.