QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
I've been on Zoloft since April '99. After consulting with my doctor, I'm tapering off my medication. This is the first full week I've been off Zoloft. Mental and social functions are great. Physical functions are poor. I have mild dizziness, lack of concentration and fatigue, to name a few. How long should these symptoms last before I should be concerned and consult with my doctor? I also contracted Valley Fever (Coccidiomycosis) in November '99, and I'm on 600mg of Diflucan. I'm not sure what side effects are from Zoloft or Diflucan, or from a combination of both. I am a 33 year old male .
ANSWER:
It could indeed be withdrawal, from the Diflucan, or a return of your depression. The simplest way out of the problem is to temporarily go on Prozac, probably for 2 weeks, and then stop it. Prozac slowly leaves the system and prevents the withdrawal syndrome.
