I have been taking Zoloft for about 5 years now. I was prescribed it for my panic attacks. It worked, along with some therapy, I didn't have them anymore, but I would still get nervous about some things, like when we went on trips, etc.
Recently I tried to get off of it. I slowly dropped the dosage until I was completely off. It took me about 6 weeks to stop taking it. Once I stopped, I was fine for 2 1/2-3 weeks. Then, I had the worst panic attack I have had in years. And to me, that's when they are the worse, when you haven't had one in a while, then BAM, all of a sudden I'm freaking out and drive myself to the ER. I didn't go in, but I knew I was back to where I was before the Zoloft.
My body was so emotional for about a week. I wouldn't go to work, get out of bed, all I did was cry and have panic attacks. Which I have never been like that before, depressed. But it was awful. I was just wondering if my body had become dependent on the zoloft. I started taking it again after that awful week, but I feel like a failure. Just knowing that I have to depend on this drug irks me. Has anyone else tried to get off it with success or did you have reactions like me?

J-Love is 100% right. This is a chemical problem and it should be looked at as such. Don't beat yourself up about taking meds, they can really help a lot! You're very lucky you found one that really works for you.

I recently weaned off Celexa and it was really hard. I had tried unsuccessfully before. The difference this time is that I'm pregnant and I didn't have any other choice but to stick through it. I have been completely off for 8 weeks now and this is what I have learned...The first 4-6 weeks your body seems to go through some kind of withdrawal. It has these terrible rebound jolts of anxiety and depression. I too cried a lot and depression was never my issue either. Now I'm am adjusting and learning skills to handle this cognitively. It's not easy, but it can be done with enough determination. I will tell you, though, that I will most likely go back on my Celexa as soon as I deliver this baby b/c I just seemed to enjoy life more when I was on it. Hope this helps!

I have been on Klonopin and Zoloft twice. I have never had an issue weaning off either med. I have problems with Paxil though, horrible brain zaps. Klonopin, well I was on .25mg per day and the nurse said that dose was nothing, that I could just stop because in her words "It is not doing anything anyway!" So I did and 5 days later had the absolute worst anxiety attack I have EVER had!. I went back on and slowly weaned off. I am fine. I took my last Klonopin June of 2006 and last Zoloft pill Feb. 2007. So far, so good. But we are all different. Maybe you needed to stretch the Zoloft wean a bit longer? Talk to your doctor. I know I really stretched the klonopin wean as I NEVER EVER want to feel THAT again!

You are NOT a failure. Whow knows, I may need to go back on meds again, and if I do so be it. A diabetic needs their insulin, a cancer patient chemo drugs, asthmatic their inhaler...so to me it is just the same. If meds will help me, that is what they are there for.

You know what, don't be so hard on yourself. Medication is a resource and it can be a very valuable one. Right now, I am on Effexor and I am waiting and praying for it to work. Zoloft didn't work for me. The way I see it, medication to treat mental illness is no different than medication to treat anything-- my husband has to take medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol-- without it, he would literally probably be dead right now, and he's only 32. He has to depend on it, but thank God for it, it allows him to live. Anti-depressants can also save your life-- the quality of it anyhow. Be glad that it is there to take, don't put so much pressure on yourself to be free of meds, use it and live a good life. It is not something that artificially fills you with goodness, it is something that corrects a chemical problem.