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Zoloft Recommendations

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Posted 11/24/2006 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
New here, looking for some advice.

I've been having anxiety/depression for the past couple of months, with unexpected panic attacks, went to the doctor and I played it off like it was nothing serious (even though it has really been affected my life lately) and did not talk to him about the panic attacks just the depression, he noticed that i had lost about 20 lbs. and that worried him so he prescribed zoloft.  I was apprehensive to take it but then I had my worst panic attack yet and decided to take it that night.  He has me on 50mg. (100mg tablet cut in half).  Since I started taking it(3 days ago) I have been very nauseouswhich makes it hard to put more weight on, I plan to stick it out after reading many of these threads that say to wait out the side effects, but  I have been reading a lot about zoloft lately and most people that are taking it for panic attacks are only on 25mg.  Should I start cutting the pills in 4 and take 1 instead, I know i should probably talk it over with him, I have an appt. in 2 weeks but i would like to know what to do right now.  Any help is greatly appreciated.

Posted 11/24/2006 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW
This med usually takes from 4 to 6 weeks to feel the full effects of it
If I were you I would go back to doc and be totally honest about all you are going thru
This is a real disorder and has to be treated as such
You may need something fast acting for in between to help you thru this all
I am glad you found us here and hope you post often
You will come to see the great ppl and support here for one another
it has been my life line for quite some time
I really would not do anything with meds til you talk to doc and you can buy something from over the counter to help with the nausea
I went to 88 lbs and drank ensure with ice cream lol milkshakes and lots of mashed potaoes ( easy on tummy) and have started to gain weight
Post often and again

WELCOME
Lyn
Posted 11/24/2006 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much, Lyn

I'm very new at this so any help is greatly appreciated.  Reading through old posts help a lot.

Please shine some light on this new development:

I got home tonight and felt great (it was time for my 3rd dose of zoloft) I was actually hungry so I took my zoloft and started to make some food to eat, when i sat down to eat it i started shaking from my legs all the way to my teeth, and i totally lost my appetite.  It lasted for about 20 minutes and was accompanied by discomfort in my head in both temples, heart palpitations and a racing heart.  I keep trying to tell myself it was just a panic attack but I'm concerned that it was because of the zoloft(allergic reaction) because it wasn't the same as the other panic attacks i've had.   I have also been having heart palpitations all day today.  Please help, anyone.

Posted 11/24/2006 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to keep posting, but I think this Zoloft is causing more anxiety than before I started it, does anyone know of a complete list of side effects of Zoloft.  I keep feeling like there is a lot of pressure in my head, like my ears need to pop.  Could this be the Zoloft?

I also wonder how anyone on here that is on medication can deal with the side effects.  I keep feeling that the sides effects are causing damage to my body.  The nausea isn't just me thinking I am going to throw up, it's this chemical that I have introduced into my causing me to be nauseas because it is harming me.  Maybe it's just me, if anyone can help me to think of this differently i surely would appreciate it. 

Posted 11/24/2006 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again
I am really starting to wonder IF this is the right med for you
I was on it yrs ago and could not take side effects and actually had to stop the med .........
I would really suggest going to doc and list all your symptoms and what happens to you when you take this med .......take it with you .......if need be go to Emergency dept .........
BUT untill you go to doc or see a professional do not stop taking med cold turkey
These things you are going thru hun sure dont sound right to me anyways
Please keep me posted and if ya need to talk my yahoo and msn is under my name I am not easy to reach at times as I do HW modding and also look after dad with Alzheimers BUT at least try okay
Please please find out what is going on '
I am not trying to alarm you at ALL 'Just worried that this med may not be for you
Take care and do not apologise for posting okay thats why we are here
Support is one of the biggest things A/P ppl need and you have it right here
Luvs
Lyn

 I do apologise for taking so long to answer this .......usually on holidays and wknds it is slower but I am always on thru from 4:30 am to around 9 or longer like today lol......unless I have something to do

Again sorry took so long

hoping today goes better and you do see a doc or go to ER

Lyn

Posted 11/24/2006 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much for your support,

The pressure in my head went a way last night and it turned into a headache which I have this morning, but still no appetite. 

After I went to the doctor's a week ago I had the best three days I've had in a long time I ate three meals everyday and felt really good (but not 100%) but good(I play drums in a band and we had a small show and I even felt good in a bar with lots of people around), Then I had a panic attack at work(which I hadn't had in about a month) and that is when I started taking the Zoloft.  I can't help but feel that maybe it wasn't right to start taking it. 

My original plan was to not take the Zoloft and get back to the CBT (I have the Lucinda Bassett program)  But I had the Zoloft in case I needed it.  But then when I had the panic attack I thought the best thing was to take the Zoloft, but now I am second guessing myself, because I feel worse now then before I started taking the Zoloft.  I don't worry as much about other stuff but maybe that's because I'm worried about the medication instead of other stuff.  I've only taken three doses of Zoloft and I know that the more you take the harder it is to get off of it, so I'm not sure if I should stop or keep going.  I could ween myself off of it, I'm only on 50mg.  Please help.

Posted 11/24/2006 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
As you said it has not been that long BUT I would call your doc and tell him/her what is going on and ask for something fast asting like a benzo ( ativan diazapam xanax to name a few) but I would suggest that not be done over phone ..........
It may be all you need I dont take SSRI's myself just ativan or diaxapam when needed and I am doing great
Yes Lucinda Bassetts book is great she writes from her own experiences with this DD
Please contact you doc asap .......;
Lyn
Posted 11/25/2006 7:01 PM (GMT 0)

Hi dolppl

I am taking 100mgs Zoloft for anxiety, I started on 50mgs and thought the side effects would never go away, I was very jittery and more ancious, funny feelings in the head, pretty much the same symptom's as you. The side effects did go away after about 2 weeks, when I went up to 100mgs I had the same thing, I have klonopin to help with the side effects.  I am feeling much better now. It really does take time to work if you can wait out the side effects.

Lyn is right you should call your doc about a benzo to help you, until you adjust to the Zoloft. If that doesn't work, I would think you are one of the many who can't take SSRI'S. I'm sure your doctor will advise you on this. I hope you are feeling better soon and it's nice to meet you.

smurf Hugs Judy

Posted 11/26/2006 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
I hope you are reading and seeing the support you are getting hun
keep posting k and let us know how you are
Take care
Lyn
Posted Today 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
I was very skeptical about zoloft too when I first started taking it. It's been about 6 weeks since I started on it and I am very glad that I stuck with it. I'm only on 50mg and it helped me alot! I did have very bad side effects to the point my dr suggested me to switch the med but I wanted to give it a try. I did feel very nauseous, shaky, anxious and depressed for about first 2 weeks. I lost weight since I lost my apetite. Then things got better and better. I started laughing more. I didn't let things bother me easily. I also used to get paranoid about EVERYTHING! I couldn't even go to sleep at night for years because I was scared that someone might break in and kill me or a serial killer is carefully planning to kill me one day. With help of zoloft and Trazodone(for sleeping aid) I can now go to sleep peacefully and not as paranoid as before. I'm actually thinking about asking my dr if I could take 75mg instead of 50mg since some anxiety came back lately.
But I hope it works for you as it did for me.
GOOD LUCK!
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