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Question about Zoloft

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Posted 12/8/2014 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,
Tomorrow morning I have my appt. with the dr about how he can help my anxiety-depression... Once before I mentioned something to him, but was not NEAR to the point where I was ready for chemical Rx's... he mentioned something about Zoloft, but I said NO because every pt. I have ever cared for (home care) had diarrhea on Zoloft. Plus I read this:

This is from Drugs.Com website
Zoloft (sertraline) is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Sertraline affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression, panic, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

I think that is a good 'more scientific' website and by the sounds of it... should continue to refuse any suggestion of Zoloft..(plus if my attitude is bad, my fear of it will not allow it to help me)
I really want to try Prozac...and I hope he will agree to it... Do you think I am being unreasonable in my attitude toward Zoloft? Maybe I am... Sorry, just SUCH a bad morning and I'm nervous about tomorrow.
Posted 12/8/2014 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
I have read a ton on SSRI's over the last 6 months, as I have contemplated taking one (several times). From what I've read and seen on this forum is that IF you have side effects to an ssri, you will probably only have them during the start up phase. You have the chance to have intestinal "issues " with any ssri because most of the serotonin in you body (which what an ssri works on) is located in your gut.

From what I've read, Prozac is a little more stimulating than the other SSRI's. But, these medications all work differently for different people. What works for one won't always work for another, unfortunately.
Posted 12/8/2014 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Betts-

Are you seeing your family doc or a psychiatrist?

I read your excerpt as "Zoloft affects (targets) the chemicals in your brain that become unbalanced & cause depression, panic, anxiety or OCD symptoms."

Not sure if that's what is is implying or not.

What I know about it is that manyyyyy friends take it & it helped/helps them tremendously.

I tried it this past January (was replacing Cymbalta that had pooped out), & I did not have a good experience. I am not sure if it was the Zoloft or withdrawl from Cymbalta (I see a psych & they titrated me on it & lowered the Cymbalta appropiately). I've blamed the Zoloft but I now think it was possibly just not good to switch from an SNRI (Cymbalta), to an SNRI (Zoloft).

If you can try Prozac, I'd go for it. I loved Prozac. It helped me twice in college & there was no weaning off of it. It's the only SSRI that doesn't cause discontinuation syndrome bc it has a long half life. I tried it again before I went on Cymbalta in 2008 but it didn't work. I had taken name brand Prozac years earlier & this was generic. I've heard ppl who've taken name brand meds don't always get the same benefit from the generic counterpart.

I still say try it. Talk to your doc. Tell him it works good for your sister. My mom has been on Prozac since it came out in 1988 LOL

Sending you the best, friend. I've struggled the past 24 hrs myself so I empathize.

Big hugs!
Lisa
Posted 12/9/2014 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mom to G@Q and Lisa,
Thank you for your posts...I really appreciate your input, and thanks to anyone else that might post. It all helps to read about other's experience.
I guess what bothers/worries me more than anything is that whatever drug he gives me might 'not work right'... I suppose that is common... about 25 years ago I took Librium (don't even know if they make it anymore) and it did the job of eliminating sudden burst of rapid heart beat... at that time I hadn't even heard the term 'anxiety' ... I just knew some people got 'nervous'... :) Than several years ago was Rx'd .5 mg Ativan to help me sleep at night when I needed it... and those are the only drugs of that nature I have ever taken.
Well, must trust... Your mom, Lisa, being on Prozac for so many years encouraged me and made me feel more confident! Thank you.
Hugs to you both,
Bettsann
Posted 12/9/2014 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Betts,

Is this your first year ever for anxiety & depression? Did you say your daughter & sister have struggled before?

Let us know how the Dr appt goes if you can. I know starting a med can be scary but they can truly be sooooo helpful. Prozac was a miracle for me in my early 20's.

Hugs & much support-
Lisa
Posted 12/9/2014 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa,
Yes, for the combination of those two it has been just the past year. I have suffered from depression in the past...just depression...but taking St John's Wort and enough of the right B vitamins would help that...
My daughter started having panic attacks about 15 yrs ago after her brother/my son died... and the drs helped her...it took several years to get it under control... but she really worked at it and succeeded. She is going through menopause now and is having a rough time with it... plus, she is of the same unstable Irish nature as I am!! :( ...
The dr I am seeing tomorrow is my GP... He is not quick at ALL to dispense ANY kind of meds (which basically is good)... Anyway, I will let you know tomorrow afternoon/evening how it went. THANK YOU again.
Hugs,
Bettsann
Posted 12/9/2014 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck Betts!! Looking forward to seeing how it goes.
Posted 12/9/2014 10:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Betts

I understand your anxieties re taking medication especially when you start to do a bit of research and find out about the possible side effects.

Medication really is a personal choice and we are all different when it comes to antidepressants and what works well for one person may not work well for an other. When you start an AD the weird thing is that things can get worse before they get better and you may experience side effects but these usually pass after a couple of weeks once your body gets used to the medication and you should always be under the supervision of a doctor.

Medication will only help to ease your symptoms so it is always best to combine them with some sort of talking therapy such as CBT or Mindfulness which get great results in treating your anxiety/depression.

Keep us posted with your progress we are here to support you.

Hibee
Posted 12/9/2014 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. I've been on Zoloft for many years and haven't experiences any issues - even when I first started taking it. Granted, I was on a very low dose and gradually built up. Side effects can occur with any medication. But just because some people have them doesn't mean you will. Read up on the side effects and their frequency on all the medications you're considering. Then speak with your doctor about the one he recommends and go from there. Let me know how it goes for you.
Posted 12/9/2014 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Betts!

I am another Sertraline user, who actually didn't experience many side effects in the beginning. I am quite happy with the positive effects of the medication.
This statement you read in that forum website exactly means that SSRIs are helping to balance the chemicals in our brains, which is the cause of anxiety/depression most of the times. That is also what my psychiatrist told me when I started sertaline first time.

Of course, I don't find it weird that you feel anxious about starting medication, that is very normal :)
I recommend you to discuss it with your dr again.

The only thing I can say is that the first 1-2 weeks of sertraline may increase anxiety but this is a common effect with all of the antidepressants anyways. and I don't think it will be different with Prozac.
Though, you might not have any side effects at all. I think you really shouldn't think about those.
For me, the benefits of sertraline is worth ANY side effect which comes in first couple weeks.

I hope you have a good discuss with your dr. Keep us updated <3
Posted 12/9/2014 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
I am so grateful that so many of your responded... That is really what I needed. Thank you all ever so much. My friend Bob will be picking me up in a few minutes and its Off We Go!! :)
I fully intend to say YES to his suggestion of possible therapy... You all take good care.
Love,
Betts
Posted 12/9/2014 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Betts,

Lots of great input above! I will just add my encouragement!

I hope it goes well and you get the plan of action that you need to feel your best...

...let us know, okay?

With support.:)

S.C.
Posted 12/10/2014 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
Happy to say the doctor visit went very well. He was very patient, very attentive, and even though I was crying a lot!--he said 'just the right things' to encourage me...
He prescribed 10mg Prozac....and also recommended (but he left it up to me) that I have several visits with the resident counselor... I said I would be GLAD to do this...NOW...had he said "What I want you to do is...." and that would not have set as well. :-)
I took my one a day Prozac when I got home...and even though he said it will take a number of days for it to kick in...well, lets put it this way... I am NEVER one that naps... I was tired and worn out from all the worries and anxiety, etc the last few days...AND within a few minutes of lying down: I FELL ASLEEP...I would wake up once in awhile, felt peaceful: thought: gee, this feels good...and then would go back to sleep. I am sure some of my exhaustion was worry over the visit itself and how it would go...
So...I am just hoping for the best.
Posted 12/10/2014 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
Great news all around!! It sounds as if just going in has helped you to feel better about the situation, and given you some hope!!

So happy for you. turn

Keep us posted and we will be here cheering you on!

S.C.
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