how many days does it take to have zoloft/sertraline completely removed from the body?

Question

I've decided to stop taking zoloft/sertraline and might change to a more natural pill (St. John's Wort perhaps) as to not have the side effects that came with taking zoloft/sertraline. I am detoxifying myself of the aforementioned medications by eating "detox" foods like grapefruit, blueberry, and drinking green tea. Hopefully it will work faster this way so I can get on the St. John's Wort.

Answer 1

So you decided to stop cold turkey? You need to be weaned off that medication. Most people tend to have withdrawal issues.

Give it 6-8 weeks.

There is no credible data that shows St. John's Wort is effective at treating depression. It's all sketchy.

Have your doctor prescribe something else.

Answer 2

Let me just say that I know what your going through. Your not going to like this answer, but its not as bad as it may seem.
As mentioned, this is a drug that should be stopped slowly. I did the same thing and went off cold turkey, the reason for cutting down is that some people's system can not tollerate very much "shock" to their system. Just keep an eye out for severe chest pain and migraines.
The drug itself takes several weeks, however the side effects will last over a year. ya, i know. Don't get me wrong, you will feel "normal" after a while, but what the drug basically did is trigger, teach, and kick it in to gear - which it will remain that way long after the drug is gone from your system. Its nothing to be concerned about, just keep yourself in check. Without knowing your medical background or the exact reason for the treatment, dosage, etc this may not be an exact answer. If your going the natural route, that means that you are willing to beat the condition and thats awesome! Remember - there will still be hard days. If you have one, its not the end of the world, they happen to millions of americans every day! St. Johns Wart is a good remedy, but it does not work for everyone. sometimes its just a matter of finding the right dosage - sometimes it has the reverse effect in some people making them irritated. Check your local naturalist store, if you have one, sometimes a multi-forumula with different kinds of herbs/vitimans can help the balancing process more effectivily. Also available is kava kava, ginko, etc.. If this is for depression, usually there is a sleep deprivation in there somewhere. Calcium before bed time works wonders! Melatonin will also help with sleep, valerian root for times of "extreem distress" - if too much sleeping is the case then ginsing to just name one is a good source. Hi stress causes vitamin B to be used up quicker, a vitamin B complex would be beneficial.
I highly recommend a complete amino acid complex, along with vitamin D. Read up L-Tyrosine
Again, this seems like a lot - but it also depends on your situation. before you run out and spend hundreds of dollars on a shelf full of this stuff - evaluate what your biggest concern is and start from there.
There are also other ways, applied kinesiology is a useful tool. I know, I know, some think its fake and mental hog-wash, but those people also think that about depression as well. Dont knock it till ya try it!!!! Usually there is at least someone in a natural fool store or similiar place that can show you the right way to use it. Good luck to you!!!!

Answer 3

depends how fast ur metabolism is. Suppose u burn 2000 calories a day and eat a 1000 calorie meal then stop eating, ull start eating urself half a day after the meal. If u burn 1000 calories a day itll take a day. Overall to stop eating is a horrible choice cuz it doesn't work as well as eating healthy and the results are either u dont eat and u die or wen u eat u gain alot of weight cuz ur metabolism slows cuz ur body thinks ur starving and tries to preserve all the fat and energy it can