Zoloft

[Talking Hands]

My doctor started me on Zoloft today for depression. Anything I need to look out for with this medication. He told me to take 1/2 tab for this week and then up it to a whole tab. After that he will revisit it in a month and see how it goes.

 

[KelNottAt]

I don't know anything about Zoloft. (Be sure to read the package insert.) I just wanted to wish you the best.

My dad used to take Zoloft...and it worked like a charm for him, although he was taking it for a different diagnosis.

Kelley

 

[Rajah]

When they tried me on Zoloft, I had a horrible, horrible headache for the first day and the only hangover I've ever had. I was too dizzy to drive into work, and had a hard time walking. I didn't stick with it. (Though in my case, they didn't have me step up, they started me on a whole tab)

That was a few years ago, and now I'm on Effexor instead, and it works so much better for me. I had a headache with effexor, but not nearly the symptoms I had with Zoloft.

Good luck. *hugs*

 

[xCourxCorex]

I think this is just a "teen thing", but when they first put me on Zoloft for depression almost two years ago, it had a reverse effect at first. I went into a deeper depression and became suicidal. After about a month, however, everything was going back on track. I read an article about something similar in a magazine, but they said it was more common in teenagers than adults.

Good luck

 

[DMickey28]

I just wanted to give you a hug. My doctor started me on Wellbutrin XL today.

 

[HoneyPooh]

Everyone may have different side effects, but when I went up to a whole tab I had the shakes terrible the next morning. Scared the heck out of my hubby cause the whole bed was shaking (muscle spasms). After that first morning I had no problems. Just make sure if you go off it that you come back down the same way you went up.

 

[goofyforlife]

I took Zoloft a few years ago....About a week and a half into taking it I got horrible hives on my arms one day and the next day it felt like my throat was closing.......

I called the pharmacy because nothing like that was listed as a side effect but sure enough the pharmacist knew of a few people who had similiar reactions and he said that since it takes about a week to get the drug in your system that was why i was only just reacting to it.....

When I called my doctor to ask for something else he claimed "no one was allergic to it".

Then again my "no one" daughter is allergic to Strattera (an adhd drug) that also claims doesn't cause allergic reactions. She was covered head to toe in a large rash after starting that.

Hi...I'm no one and so's my daughter...

 

[lbgraves]

My doctor prescribed it for me but I couldn't tollerate it. The half dose that they started me out knocked me out. It took everything in me to not go to sleep since I was taking care of the kids 3 & 5 at the time. I called the pharmasist & was told that it could take 3-4 weeks for my body to adjust to it. I just didn't take it anymore. I wish that there was something that wasn't so strong available. It happened to me with Paxil when I was pregnant with DD & having a hard time too. I only took one dose. They make me feel drugged. Of course every person is different & has a different tollerance level.

 

[Val]

A good resource for drug side effects and interactions is: crazymeds.org . Odd site (obsurdly funny, dark, dark humor) run by people dealing with their own mental illnesses. At times the individuals who run and post the boards are REALLY funny and help put things into perspective. No pity parties on the site- but good info and support. The info is accurate and informative (especially "things your doctor didn't tell you" section). Their discussion sections can be helpful too.

 

[Rajah]

Hi Goofy. Another "no one" here. In my case, it's allergy medicine. *every* time I take a benadryl, claritin, allegra, zyrtec, etc any more, I break out in horrible hives. When I take it, I break out. When I don't, I don't (or at least not much). The allergy doctor refuses to believe me. It's "coincidence" (despite my year's worth of testing this theory out. )

Glad to know I'm not the only "no one" out there.

 

[Lil_Tink]

Dont know...


Best of luck for good results

 

[Chuck S]

My former employer is taking Zoloft. I think your Doctor is doing the right thing by starting you at a low dose. Even if you are feeling less depressed, listen to the people around you in your life, ask them to be honest and frank if they notice negative changes in our personality or things that seem "out of character" for you...report those changes to your doctor, whether YOU believe them or not. Recognize that your friends and loved aren't trying to be cruel, they want to help you, freely talk about your meds to your friends, ask them their honest opinions.

Do NOT adjust the level of your medication yourself (Oh, I feel better, I can take less or don't need it anymore).

Do NOT skip days, take it as directed..these drugs literally alter chemical balances in your brain and affect the thought process...it is what they are designed to do. If you notice any negative effects, contact your doctor ASAP.

If your depression seem to get worse instead of better, do not hesitate to contact your doctor, it may be that Zoloft isn't the right drug for you...it may take a few different tries to find the "right" med or dosage...just as with any drug or medication, it affects different people in different ways.

If you have unexplained feelings of greater depression, or thoughts of harming yourself, contact your doctor immediately.

It sounds scary, but in most cases Zoloft works well once the proper dosage is found for the individual....just be aware of the warning signs that it may not be the right choice for you. The reason I mentioned all the negative, is that one side effect could be the patient "looking at the world through rose colored glasses" but not seeing the negative effects...friends/family are important to use for feedback. Be patient, finding that dosage can take a little time, and their may be a few mood swings involved

I'm sure you'll be fine and feeling like "you" soon.

 

[Talking Hands]

Chuck, knowing my doc we will be calling me if I don't call him. He is very on top of things and very willing to keep in contact with his patients. I have a daughter and husband who both have no problem telling me if I am off and my husband has no problem calling my doc and letting him know if I am having problems. In fact he was at my appointment today.
Thanks for all the warnings. I hope this will be the right one for me but I know that we may have to go through several meds or doeses to find the right one.

 

[Planogirl]

Zoloft worked like a charm for me many years ago. I had NO side effects and felt so much more in control of my life. I hope that it works well for you too.

 

[Chuck S]

Chuck, knowing my doc we will be calling me if I don't call him. He is very on top of things and very willing to keep in contact with his patients. I have a daughter and husband who both have no problem telling me if I am off and my husband has no problem calling my doc and letting him know if I am having problems. In fact he was at my appointment today.
Thanks for all the warnings. I hope this will be the right one for me but I know that we may have to go through several meds or doeses to find the right one.

Lisa,

I'm glad you have a great doc! That certainly makes a difference, along with your caring and supportive family Most of those were personal observations of my employer (he tended to do all the wrong things). He is doing much better now, and takes his Zoloft faithfully every day...after he realized that he needed to listen to those around him.

I'm sure you'll do fine, don't get frustrated if it takes a while to stabilize

 

[hydster]

I've tried almost every single anti-depressant out there. My experience with Zoloft was awful! I did the step up routine and the first couple of days were irritating with a headache and small hand tremors. When I took the next step up it was horrid. I tried to stick it out for at least 2 weeks but I couldn't do it. I could NOT sleep at night EVER! I was awake, my mind was racing all over the place, couldn't have a coherent thought, cried easily and felt like I had just taken a whole bottle of ephedra. It also wiped out my sex drive and I could have cared less about romance or anything related to romance.

I switched different pills until I found Wellbutrin XL and I love it! Lost weight on it and it didn't affect my sex drive and I had more energy. I've been on it for 2 years now and have to say I'm glad I FINALLY found something to work!

Best of luck to you! And stick to finding one that works..if you truly need it you'll wonder how you did without it.
Heidi

 

[LindaG4458]

I've been taking Zoloft for at least 15 years. It has worked better for me than anything else, although my doctor will periodically try something new. I feel lousy, then we return to the Zoloft. I am allowed to adjust my dose from 100mg to 150mg if there is a situation that warrants it. 99% of the time 100mg is plenty.

Good luck. If this particular medication isn't the right one for you there are plenty of others. One of them will be just the thing.

 

[Mishetta]

I was on Zoloft for about a year. I really had no side effects except in the romance department. That bothered me a lot so I was interested in trying something else. In the meantime, I joined Curves (exercise not only does a body good but a "mind" good too!) & that really helped me get out of my depression a lot too. Now the worst part of taking Zoloft was weening down. I tried to cut down faster than the Doc suggested & I felt popping in my head & also it felt like my lips had an electric current running through them! Once I went back to what my Doc prescribed, (the dosage/rate of speed of cutting down) all was well!

Just follow your Doctor's recommendation to a "T". Any weird side effects, please call your Doctor.

I have to say, being on Zoloft for a short time, gave me my life back. Good luck to you.

 

[torismom]

I took zoloft for 3 months and in that time I gained 50 pounds and it made me feel very compulsive.That honestly was the strangest 3 months of my life.It didnt work for me but I am one of the few .

I hope it can help you and that the zoloft is right for you.

 

[Pete's Mom]

I've been taking 50 mg of Zoloft a day for almost 2 years. No sides effects or drugged feelings.

Lisa - Do you mind if I ask how many milligrams he prescribed you?