[jpny]

My Dr. wants to start me on 50mg of Zoloft for depression. after reading about all the traumatic side effects that people have had, I'm terrified to even consider it. I got the scrip 2 weeks ago, filled it a week ago and just stare at it...things have been hard enough without the drug...will this really make things better?

[sundog]

Hi jpny. Everyone responds differently to medications. However, I have been on Zoloft for about 5 years and I've had no side effects at all. I take 100 mg per day. My psychiatrist wanted me to increase to 150 mg per day, but I did notice a problem each time I tried to go above 100 mg per day (restlessness and increased agitation). If I stick to 100 mg or below, I don't have these issues.

If you do decide to start Zoloft, I would suggest you ask your doctor to start you on a lower dose than 50 mg per day. There are 25 mg tablets and you can even break these in half. If you are worried about side effects then it definitely makes sense to start out on as low a dose as possible to see how your body reacts.

Good luck to you!

[Catlovers141]

I have been taking Zoloft for two weeks, and so far I haven't felt very many positive effects of it. However, it does take a while for that to happen and I don't mind continuing to take it because in my experience the side effects mostly went away really quickly. I usually react really badly to any medication and I have mostly just had nausea and drowsiness. The nausea went away after two or three days and I am just a little more tired than usual.

Zoloft is known for being fairly mild with side effects. There are always going to be people who react very badly to any medication but those are fairly rare (if it was common for horrible side effects to happen, it would be taken off the market). Plus, Zoloft has a short half-life, meaning that it won't stay in your system for as long as other medications. So even if you do have a bad reaction, it won't be a long time before it goes away if you stop taking the medication.

I know it is scary to start. I sat with the medication in front of me for a long time on the first day I had to take it just trying to convince myself to put it in my mouth. But your doctor is giving it to you because they think that the possible benefit outweighs the possible side effects. And if you decide you don't like it, you can always stop. This isn't a forever decision. But if you don't try it, you will miss out on the chance that it could really help you in what you are dealing with in life.

[trixielou]

ive been on zoloft for years 200mg a day i can tell if my serotonin is low & there r times when i realized i havent had my second zoloft for the day or sometimes it still gets low & i take an extra 50mg i workout regularly but sometimes i have bouts of insomnia & that messes with serotonin or if theres lots of stressors at one time

[jpny]

Thanks Sundog! I know that everyone reacts differently to different meds...I'm just terrified of everything I've read, both the good and the bad. I'm told it will take 4 weeks to find out if the med will work and if it doesn't...and the side effects become too much for me to deal with - that's what i'm really scared of!

[jpny]

Originally Posted by Catlovers141

I have been taking Zoloft for two weeks, and so far I haven't felt very many positive effects of it. However, it does take a while for that to happen and I don't mind continuing to take it because in my experience the side effects mostly went away really quickly. I usually react really badly to any medication and I have mostly just had nausea and drowsiness. The nausea went away after two or three days and I am just a little more tired than usual.

Zoloft is known for being fairly mild with side effects. There are always going to be people who react very badly to any medication but those are fairly rare (if it was common for horrible side effects to happen, it would be taken off the market). Plus, Zoloft has a short half-life, meaning that it won't stay in your system for as long as other medications. So even if you do have a bad reaction, it won't be a long time before it goes away if you stop taking the medication.

I know it is scary to start. I sat with the medication in front of me for a long time on the first day I had to take it just trying to convince myself to put it in my mouth. But your doctor is giving it to you because they think that the possible benefit outweighs the possible side effects. And if you decide you don't like it, you can always stop. This isn't a forever decision. But if you don't try it, you will miss out on the chance that it could really help you in what you are dealing with in life.

I was the the perscription after only 1 meeting with a psychiatrist. 1 hour and he wants me to take antidepressants...I had the perscription in my walet for a week-then filled it...I've been staring at the bottle for...today makes 3 weeks.
That's funny...if it only stays in your system for a short time...why do you have to be weened off it?

[sundog]

Originally Posted by jpny

.I'm just terrified of everything I've read

I can definitely relate to your fear! ((((jpny))) The internet is really a blessing AND a curse when it comes to the availability of information. Each time I am prescribed anything I now immediately rush to the internet and start googling information about the particular drug. Very often I then decide not to take the medication (based on horrible things I read). I started taking zoloft about 5 years ago now and I didn't use the internet so compulsively then!!!!! In recent years it's become harder and harder for me to take any prescription medication because I always manage to find something bad on the internet about it!!!! So I really can relate.

However, there is always the possibility that you will be pleasantly surprised! I really hope that is the case!!

[SingDanceRunLife]

I relate completely to being scared!

I was on Celexa, and it wasn't working out for me, so my doctor said we should give Zoloft a try, and immediately I thought oh no because I had heard/read so many negative things about it. I almost said no to giving it a try because I was so freaked. But honestly, the more I searched, the more I found positives among all the negatives, and I said okay to my doctor.

I started taking it yesterday, and it is the mildest in terms of side effects I have experienced with SSRIs. (I generally get hit hard by any and all side effects that I'll get right from the start). Honestly, it makes me more alert after I take it, and does make me nauseous, but that's it aside from possibly a minor headache, but I think that's from lack of sleep which is completely unrelated to the med. I'm hoping that these are the only side effects I experience and that it ends up helping, but as I've taken a whole of 50mg over two days (25mg per dose right now), I can't say yet.

[Catlovers141]

Originally Posted by jpny

That's funny...if it only stays in your system for a short time...why do you have to be weened off it?

Each individual pill only stays in your system for a short amount of time, but if you take it for a long time your body develops a tolerance (that's why with some drugs you have to take more and more to get the same effect). Your body is used to having it so you can't just stop it suddenly and have it not be there anymore. Your body has to get used to having it in lower and lower doses until you no longer take it.

[jpny]

I still haven't decided on what to do. Aside of the side effects...I'm affraid that it will make my own thoughts get the better of me. It's been hard enough just trying to talk about things...I can't imagine what that plus the meds would do.

[Kaygee747]

You're never going to know unless you take it. I took Zoloft before and my sex drive died and I couldn't "perform". I then found out that the same company that makes Zoloft, makes one of hte most popular erictile dysfunction medications on the market....a medicine called Viagra....

Tell me that isn't convenient.

[trixielou]

i tried other antidepres & they all gave me weird side effects except for zoloft if they start u at a low dose & u have side effects just work with ur doc so many times its trial & error

[jpny]

Originally Posted by Kaygee747

You're never going to know unless you take it. I took Zoloft before and my sex drive died and I couldn't "perform". I then found out that the same company that makes Zoloft, makes one of hte most popular erictile dysfunction medications on the market....a medicine called Viagra....

Tell me that isn't convenient.

Thanks for the giggle!

[jpny]

Originally Posted by trixielou

i tried other antidepres & they all gave me weird side effects except for zoloft if they start u at a low dose & u have side effects just work with ur doc so many times its trial & error

Was it worth it for you to go throught it all? Were you able to work or go to school while dealing with all the side effects? Obviously I really don't want to tell people what's going on, but I also don't want to have problems in a public situation.

[jpny]

Originally Posted by SingDanceRunLife

I relate completely to being scared!

I was on Celexa, and it wasn't working out for me, so my doctor said we should give Zoloft a try, and immediately I thought oh no because I had heard/read so many negative things about it. I almost said no to giving it a try because I was so freaked. But honestly, the more I searched, the more I found positives among all the negatives, and I said okay to my doctor.

I started taking it yesterday, and it is the mildest in terms of side effects I have experienced with SSRIs. (I generally get hit hard by any and all side effects that I'll get right from the start). Honestly, it makes me more alert after I take it, and does make me nauseous, but that's it aside from possibly a minor headache, but I think that's from lack of sleep which is completely unrelated to the med. I'm hoping that these are the only side effects I experience and that it ends up helping, but as I've taken a whole of 50mg over two days (25mg per dose right now), I can't say yet.

Please let me know how it's going for you!

[Catlovers141]

Originally Posted by jpny

Was it worth it for you to go throught it all? Were you able to work or go to school while dealing with all the side effects? Obviously I really don't want to tell people what's going on, but I also don't want to have problems in a public situation.

I know this question wasn't directed at me, but I will contribute my answer too.

I anticipated the same issue. I work and go to school, and I didn't want to have either of those impacted by side effects. The worst days of side effects will probably be the first few days you take it. What I did was take it starting on the weekend so that by the time Monday came around I had already taken it for a few days and the strong side effects wouldn't last too long afterwards. I still felt a little sick that week, but it was nothing that was unbearable.

[jpny]

Originally Posted by Catlovers141

I know this question wasn't directed at me, but I will contribute my answer too.

I anticipated the same issue. I work and go to school, and I didn't want to have either of those impacted by side effects. The worst days of side effects will probably be the first few days you take it. What I did was take it starting on the weekend so that by the time Monday came around I had already taken it for a few days and the strong side effects wouldn't last too long afterwards. I still felt a little sick that week, but it was nothing that was unbearable.

thanks for contributing!
I was thinking of taking sometime off if I decided to try it. I really don't think that its a good idea to be around people when I have no idea how I'm going to react. I've never taken anything like this and it's really freaking me out.

[jpny]

I took my first pill yesterday and woke hyperventalating and then my stomach felt like it was on fire. At least I decided to take some time off from work/school. I've been shaking all day and felt dizzy. If this is supposed to make you feel better...then why does it make you want to stay in bed all day with the covers over your head. I feel like I'm walking around in a daze. If this is supposed to help then why does it make you feel this way?

[sundog]

I'm really sorry the first pill had this effect on you (((((((((jpny)))))). That sounds horrible. What dosage did you take?

[jpny]

Originally Posted by sundog

I'm really sorry the first pill had this effect on you (((((((((jpny)))))). That sounds horrible. What dosage did you take?

50mg - this is the first time I've every been on anything like this.

[sundog]

Can you call or email your doc and ask about starting at a lower dose? I know that Zoloft comes in 25mg splittable tablets so you could potentially start at 12.5 mg per day. Definitely best to contact your pdoc about this. I really hope it all works out.

[jpny]

Originally Posted by sundog

Can you call or email your doc and ask about starting at a lower dose? I know that Zoloft comes in 25mg splittable tablets so you could potentially start at 12.5 mg per day. Definitely best to contact your pdoc about this. I really hope it all works out.

I'm supposed to see the doc tomorrow. When I called to set up an appointment I told him I didn't like the way it made me felt...He asked how many days have I been taking it and I told him 1...he laughed. He maybe very well educated and been in the field for a long time, but it's a little distrubing that he laughed at me. You'd think that a shrink would have a little more empathy.

[vertebrae]

jpny wrote on Monday, February 14th, 2011:

"I took my first pill yesterday and woke hyperventalating and then my stomach felt like it was on fire. At least I decided to take some time off from work/school. I've been shaking all day and felt dizzy. If this is supposed to make you feel better...then why does it make you want to stay in bed all day with the covers over your head. I feel like I'm walking around in a daze. If this is supposed to help then why does it make you feel this way?"

jpny ...

I've been taking Zoloft for approximately seven and a half years now and this is the second SSRI medication which I have had success with (prior to that, I was taking Prozac from 1987 to 2003 ... was among some of the first individuals prescribed it).

Zoloft tends to have minimal side effects, however, like other forum members have mentioned, the medication acts differently in different people according to several factors.

Those factors may very well include:

• Physiological makeup (i.e. your body and brain chemistry).

• Heredity (i.e. if your blood relatives have a history of mental / emotional health conditions).

• The dosage level in which you begin your course of treatment using Zoloft to treat the primary and secondary issues it was prescribed for (be it "depression", "anxiety", "OCD", etc.).

• Any potential underlying physical conditions that may interfere with Zoloft and its beneficial effects.

• Any other medications which you may be taking that might possibly conflict with the effects of Zoloft. Also, please note that if you partake in eating grapefruit / grapefruit juices (but not citrus juices as a whole), you must refrain from doing so. Grapefruit and its juices have a counterproductive effect upon Zoloft and must be strictly removed from your diet. An article on this issue can be viewed here: http://drugs.about.com/od/medication...uice_drugs.htm

• Additionally, you must refrain from all alcoholic intake as well. SSRI's and alcohol do not mix.

Honestly, I think that your physical "reactions" to Zoloft (with this only being the first day or two that you've had it in your system) are more likely due to preconceived stressors or trepidation in taking it. The mind can create some powerful reactions (hence what is known as the "placebo effect") and I am willing to think that this very well may be applied to your case.

Stick with the medication and ride out the possible side-effects. It will take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks before you may begin to notice slight changes for the better in your mood. If not, then let your psychiatrist know and they will adjust the dosage accordingly.

In my case, I have noticed that over time, I have built up an acclimation to it and subsequently, the positive effect it has had upon my OCD, depression, anxiety concerns has begun to wane. Only then have I gone up in dosage (I began at approximately 125 or 150 mg. / diem and am now at 200 mg. / diem). So far so good.

In time, side effects will subside. Be they possible sexual side effects (decreased libido), visual (blurring of vision), insomnia, and so on. Don't become fixated upon the various side effects listed along with the Zoloft prescription. If you do, then you'll almost feel as if you'll come down with a case of Bubonic Plague or leprosy or some other far-fetched side effect.

OK then, remain positive about the medication. Know that you are on the road to progress and that you've taken a very large step in that direction, as a result of getting the Zoloft within your system.

Take care and be well,

vertebrae

[jpny]

Originally Posted by vertebrae

jpny wrote on Monday, February 14th, 2011:

"I took my first pill yesterday and woke hyperventalating and then my stomach felt like it was on fire. At least I decided to take some time off from work/school. I've been shaking all day and felt dizzy. If this is supposed to make you feel better...then why does it make you want to stay in bed all day with the covers over your head. I feel like I'm walking around in a daze. If this is supposed to help then why does it make you feel this way?"

jpny ...

I've been taking Zoloft for approximately seven and a half years now and this is the second SSRI medication which I have had success with (prior to that, I was taking Prozac from 1987 to 2003 ... was among some of the first individuals prescribed it).

Zoloft tends to have minimal side effects, however, like other forum members have mentioned, the medication acts differently in different people according to several factors.

Those factors may very well include:

• Physiological makeup (i.e. your body and brain chemistry).

• Heredity (i.e. if your blood relatives have a history of mental / emotional health conditions).

• The dosage level in which you begin your course of treatment using Zoloft to treat the primary and secondary issues it was prescribed for (be it "depression", "anxiety", "OCD", etc.).

• Any potential underlying physical conditions that may interfere with Zoloft and its beneficial effects.

• Any other medications which you may be taking that might possibly conflict with the effects of Zoloft. Also, please note that if you partake in eating grapefruit / grapefruit juices (but not citrus juices as a whole), you must refrain from doing so. Grapefruit and its juices have a counterproductive effect upon Zoloft and must be strictly removed from your diet. An article on this issue can be viewed here: http://drugs.about.com/od/medication...uice_drugs.htm

• Additionally, you must refrain from all alcoholic intake as well. SSRI's and alcohol do not mix.

Honestly, I think that your physical "reactions" to Zoloft (with this only being the first day or two that you've had it in your system) are more likely due to preconceived stressors or trepidation in taking it. The mind can create some powerful reactions (hence what is known as the "placebo effect") and I am willing to think that this very well may be applied to your case.

Stick with the medication and ride out the possible side-effects. It will take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks before you may begin to notice slight changes for the better in your mood. If not, then let your psychiatrist know and they will adjust the dosage accordingly.

In my case, I have noticed that over time, I have built up an acclimation to it and subsequently, the positive effect it has had upon my OCD, depression, anxiety concerns has begun to wane. Only then have I gone up in dosage (I began at approximately 125 or 150 mg. / diem and am now at 200 mg. / diem). So far so good.

In time, side effects will subside. Be they possible sexual side effects (decreased libido), visual (blurring of vision), insomnia, and so on. Don't become fixated upon the various side effects listed along with the Zoloft prescription. If you do, then you'll almost feel as if you'll come down with a case of Bubonic Plague or leprosy or some other far-fetched side effect.

OK then, remain positive about the medication. Know that you are on the road to progress and that you've taken a very large step in that direction, as a result of getting the Zoloft within your system.

Take care and be well,

vertebrae

I guess as a 7 year vet of taking this you know best.

[sundog]

Originally Posted by jpny

I'm supposed to see the doc tomorrow. When I called to set up an appointment I told him I didn't like the way it made me felt...He asked how many days have I been taking it and I told him 1...he laughed. He maybe very well educated and been in the field for a long time, but it's a little distrubing that he laughed at me. You'd think that a shrink would have a little more empathy.

Ugh, I'm really sorry your pdoc laughed. That's very unhelpful! I used to see a therapist who would sometimes tease me a bit. He was a really nice guy and I know he didn't mean it in a nasty way. He was just trying to get me to lighten up a bit and laugh at myself. And I do see the value in that. But the point is, it's a VERY fine line to tread when it's coming from someone you are seeking help from.

Anyhow, I'm really sorry your pdoc wasn't more help when you called him. I really hope you get more sense out of him tomorrow at your appointment. Wishing you the very best!