Wellness

[LilacTree]

@natesgrandma

Sorry I infiltrated your thread, but the meds we are talking about are so widely prescribed and very controversial.  I hope anything I said did not upset you.  As I put in caps, these are my opinions only and not meant to dissuade you from taking your med.

I think you are right in continuing your med and adhering to your doctor's treatment of your issues. 

I hope you will get better soon.

[GCR18]

I would call the Dr's office on Monday and get an appt.  Something is wrong if you've felt bad for four weeks.  Could turnout the drug isn't for you and needs to be changed for something else.

[stargazergal]

I am right there with you...... mine for an out of the blue panic attack at work.

ugh.   Experienced anxiety in fear of having another...... so with that said.,

started on 25mg.  and moved to 50mg. recently.   It has taken the

edge off somewhat..... but still am experiencing the anxiety in certain

situations.   Am noticing that I am dreaming more, which is not

necessarily a bad thing ( they are not nightmares).   Will see how

this goes.   And hope for the best.   Keep us posted !

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@natesgrandma wrote:

Thank you so much to everyone.  This really helps me.  I am just going to wait it out for 2 more weeks (Im pretty miserable) but I have already put this much time into it.  I really appreciate all the advice. 

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[winamac1]

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@Hearts4Me wrote:

I have extreme OCD and anxiety issues.  I started on Zoloft 3 weeks ago.  Started on 25mg and will move up to 100mg this week.  OCD requires much higher dosages of SSRI's rather than what is prescribed for depression (which I think I also have due to hating the empty nest).

Anyway, I haven't really noticed anything too terrible yet with the side effects.  I expect I will as I keep moving up the dosage.

For many years I refused to take anything for the OCD, but it's just so extreme that it's ruining my life with my family.  (I don't like germs...and that obviously is putting it mildly).

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You haven't noticed anything "too terrible yet with the side effects" as you were started, appropriately, at a low dose.  25 mg. is about the lowest dose you can go.  I used to sell a drug that directly competed with Zoloft many years ago.  Zoloft was prescribed often, but if physicians started patients above 50 mg., many couldn't tolerate the serotonin-type side effects.  Zoloft, like other SSRI's, can cause dry mouth and some nausea.  Starting it at a low dose dramatically increases the adherence rate.  100 mg. is actually a low dose.  In the Pfizer clinical trials for MDD (major depressive disorder), the average dose used for depression was 143 mg in one trial and 144 mg. in another trial.  OCD requires a higher dose.  I'd not be surprised if you go higher than 150.

Going off Zoloft, again, it has to be titrated down slowly or one will get discontinuation symptoms--nausea, headache, feeling weird, g.i. issues, etc. Zoloft has a lower bioavailability than some SSRI's so therefore it can cause more diahhrea as it can get caught in the gut.  

Just FYI.  Good luck!

[winamac1]

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@natesgrandma wrote:

I am seeing a Dr. and I am trying to get  in touch with him today.  I have been on zoloft for 4 weeks - I have been  feeling sick the whole time.  nausea, headaches, stomach trouble,etc.    Isn't this a long time to have these side effects? I am trying to stay with it for a couple more weeks, but don't know how much more I can take.  I just need some opinions if anyone has taken this.  Like I said, I am talking to the dr. today.  I am taking zoloft for generalized anxiety disorder.  I feel like I am never going to be normal again.   

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What dose were you started on?  Are you taking it with food?  If I were you'd, I would ask for a different antidepressant.  Lexapro has been known to have fewer side effects.  I do not sell Lexapro, but I know about it due to selling in the class years ago.  If you were started low on Zoloft, you should not be feeling like ****** after 4 weeks.  I'd ask to switch or go down slowly on the dose, let your body get adjusted, and then go back up slowly if you want to retry it.  

Speak with your clinician--!  Good luck

[stargazergal]

Update to now.   My panic attacks have totally subsided and am happy to report

the generic zoloft have shown no side effects.   I am thankful that I can go on about

my days thus far without the butterfly feeling at work.   I can honestly say though,

going out to public functions are still a hurdle for me, and sometime grocery stores.

Some times worse than other times.   Still working on that part.   Let us know how you

are doing okay?

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@stargazergal wrote:

I am right there with you...... mine for an out of the blue panic attack at work.

ugh.   Experienced anxiety in fear of having another...... so with that said.,

started on 25mg.  and moved to 50mg. recently.   It has taken the

edge off somewhat..... but still am experiencing the anxiety in certain

situations.   Am noticing that I am dreaming more, which is not

necessarily a bad thing ( they are not nightmares).   Will see how

this goes.   And hope for the best.   Keep us posted !

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@natesgrandma wrote:

Thank you so much to everyone.  This really helps me.  I am just going to wait it out for 2 more weeks (Im pretty miserable) but I have already put this much time into it.  I really appreciate all the advice. 

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