Hi, everyone! I found this forum and have a very specific concern about going off Zoloft.
So, here's my story. I went on Zoloft my second year of college, which was 2002/2003. Very shortly after beginning the medication, I became bulimic. (I don't really think it had anything to do with the medication, I think I was just redirecting my depression.) I wasn't the type of bulimic who ate normally and binged/purged in addition to that, I was the kind who threw up most of what I ate, whether it was a snack, a small meal, or a binge. (On a sidenote, I have heard this diagnosed as a purging anorexic, but regardless, I was throwing up most of what I ate.) Naturally, I lost weight. When I started on Zoloft, I weighed 135, which was my weight after gaining my "freshman 15". (I am 5'5'' for reference.) In less than two months, I was down to 120 and over that summer, I lost to about 115. My eating disorder continued on for two more years, for a total of 3 years. During that time, my weight fluctuated between 110 and 117. I finally sought help and along with the therapy and severe chest pains I began having when purging, I was finally able to gradually recover. I completely stopped the behaviors of my eating disorder in 2006. Since then, I have maintained and even lost a bit more weight. I had gotten down to 106 lbs without even trying to but am now maintaining at 110. During this time, I have eaten what I wanted and for the most part, I haven't watched what I eat. My appetite is pretty small now, so I think that certainly helps.
So, back to the Zoloft. I have now been on it for... 6 years. I can't believe it's been that long. But over the last 2-3 years, I have stayed quite thin and haven't had to watch what I eat at all. I want to stop taking Zoloft, but I am afraid my body or appetite will change and that I'll gain weight. No one wants to gain weight, but my biggest concern is that I will gain weight and fall back into being eating disordered as a result. Does anyone have any advice? Am I being paranoid for no reason? I just feel like my appetite and weight have been perfect for the last two years and am afraid that going off Zoloft might change that. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a ton!!! =)
Post Edited (Annette R) : 8/14/2008 10:18:17 AM (GMT-6)