[jennybell]

I've been on 100mg zoloft for postpartum depression for about 1-1/2 months. In the last week it seems to have just quit working. I've slowly spiraled down until I now am to the point where I was seriously contimplating suicide 2 nights ago, I'm exhausted even after sleeping all day and night, I cannot concentrate enough to get anything done, and I have obsessive thoughts.

I called my prescribing doctor, but he is out until Tuesday and the one on call told me that it would not just quit working. I have an apt to talk to my prescribing doctor when he gets back, but don't know what to do in the interum.

Help!

[ECHOES]

I'm sorry you're struggling.

Is there something happening in your life that could be causing you to feel this way at this time?

(((hugs))) if you like them....

It sounds like... you had a baby recently... could you ask your pdoc.. if hormones cause an impact.. on your meds...

And are you getting enough sleep.. and.. enough food? because that also impacts moods.. for some people..

I'm trying to think of all the things that impact... moods.. what.. I have felt... maybe it will help...

taking at the same time everyday....

more (((hugs)))

[jennybell]

Yes, had a baby about 3 months ago, she was an unexpected pregnancy. A lot of things have happened that I'm sure brought on the depression in the first place. Lost our first child in 2004. Had 3 more, healthy babies since that time. My husband and I started a business last fall. He's been gone a lot because it's a construction company and he has to travel and be on the job sites. Had to put down my cat 3 weeks ago due to cancer.

Lot's of stress. I used to deal very well with stress, but not in the last 2-3 months. I have a strong family history of depression/anxiety as well. My OB said I am basically a walking billboard for postpartum depression.

I eat fine, except when I'm already down then I forget/don't care to. Also I get enough sleep... too much probably. I sleep well at night and could sleep all day given the chance. I am really struggling with fatigue. I do have periods, hours here and there, where I feel okay but it's more down than normal lately.

The Zoloft was working great. I had terrible side effects the first week then noticed a huge diference in my moods. Now it's all backward.

[jbug]

zoloft is an ssri and in my experience it has quit working for me but not that quickly. I would speak with my prescribing doctor and see what he says. My pdoc says that ssri's have a bad habit of quitting working and that is why some people have to have a number of them that work for them and just keep going back and forth between them.

Jbug

[314159pi]

i bet your pdoc will raise your dosage and after a week or two at the higher level you'll be ok again.
this is not going to be an easy month for you. try to hang on. sounds like the doctor on call for your pdoc needs to grow a new pair of stones. don't be afraid to call him back and read him the riot act.
this problem can't be fixed quickly and your pdoc should be part of the process.
if you feel you need the safety of a hospital you should go and check yourself in. remember that your number one caregiver is you yourself.
g'luck
-pi

[(JD)]

Yes, they can. It still might be somewhat progressive, and once it hits below a therapeutic dose, it feels like it "just" stopped. It's common. You will probably need an increased dose.

Keep taking the prescribed dose.

Are you taking tablets or capsules (sorry I don't know meds well, I'm not a medical doctor.) If tablets, and there's a line across the middle of it, you might call the on-call doctor and ask to take an extra half now (and each day.) Or you could do that and just leave a message that you are going to do that. You can find a 24 hour pharmacy, and ask what the effects of that would be and if other people have done that, taken a small increase "in the interim."

But hey, work on thinking good stuff, and distracting yourself from how poorly you're feeling for another day or so can't be that difficult? I mean, you are strong enough to do that, right?

[prayerbear]

I have been taking Paxil for OCD for 10 years and it seemed to quit working! I became more obsessive so I switched to Zoloft.I noticed you are taking 100 mg. Zoloft-ask your doctor if you can take up to 200 mg. Zoloft(maximum dose) I have been taking lithium for bipolar for about 6 months and I don't think it is now strong enough.I think my brain got used to that dose and I am moodier than ever for bipolar II. Please do what your doctor advises only. Also, have your thyroid checked as this can really cause depression. I have an underactive thyroid which can make me tiptoe around me moody! GRRR! up and down, prayerbear