Zoloft

[absopozilutely]

Since this has nothing to do with HIV, I'm posting here, but considered Treatments, and Side effects, i'm sure you all will let me know if i'm wrong.

Anyways, I was curious if anyone has tried Zoloft before, or Sertraline? I'm on Buspar and Klonopin right now for Chronic Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Panic attacks, and its not helping, Doctor seems to think I need stronger so we're starting Zoloft, today was day 1 on half a pill, 25 mg's and I didn't feel a thing, No side effects, YAY. However, I did have bad anxiety again, I'm supposed to raise my dosage in a few days (Tapering up?) but wanted to see what you all thought about it? I really really do not want to stay on a Benzo, I've already been on it for awhile and I just dont want to get addicted, so I asked to be taken off of it. Its not working, and the Buspar i'm really sensitive to. I had anxiety prior to DX. Anywho, thanks for the advice.

Always,
Abso!

[zach]

hey abs, is depression or anxiety your primary issue? i know the zoloft label lists anxiety, but my experience with zoloft is that it took some time before i noticed any real effect. during that wait; for immediate stabilization, benzos were effective.

benzos are habit forming sure, but not to the point you're going to rob your neighbors or turn tricks on the corner (unless thats your thing)

slow and careful ramping up your dose, taper up going on, and taper off if you ever stop for any reason. stopping zoloft cold (and most antidepressants) without weaning throws you into a tailspin. and you don't feel immediate relief with zoloft, its a cumulative thing, you'll see maximum improvement in a couple weeks to a month.

what i've witnessed and experienced, a lot of people stop taking those meds when they "feel" better, they don't stop the right way, and they haven't learned non-med based coping skills... it all adds up to a perfect recipe for disaster.

as an aside, were you reluctant to put this in mental health? no shame in that, we're all crazy here

[mecch]

Zoloft takes awhile.
And what instant side effects are you referring to, and fortunately didn't get?

[Jeff G]

You got some good advice in this thread . I know from personal experience how frustrating finding the right antidepressant can. It takes patience and a willingness to methodically try each one for the recommended time to see how it works or to resolve side effects . There are times when people hit the jack pot the first time.

I know very little about anxiety meds so this thread can be a learning experience for me as well .

[absopozilutely]

Yeah Anxiety is my primary problem, it's a real bitch. While tapering up my doctor is keeping me on Buspar and Klonopin. I woke up with a migraine, I'm hoping it's not from the Zoloft, I had migraines before when they tried me on Lexapro for anxiety. I'm really going to try and tough this one out and see if it works. lol as for where I posted, no problem posting in here, I forgot about this section, and since it had nothing to do with HIV I went straight to off topic. Thanks for the move Jeff. Also, not to worried about robbing the neighbors they seem worse off then me. Lol.

I've read stories about the withdrawal from benzos and that concerns me.
Mecch, I didn't say instant side effects, however last time I started on an anti depressant for anxiety it caused major headaches dizziness etc, that was Lexapro. I did wake up with a really bad migraine today, but I'm going to lie to myself and say it was the glass of wine last night, yes just one!

[Miss Philicia]

I've been on benzos (klonopin) for over a decade. It's not the end of the world as long as you don't keep increasing your dose. Is my body technically dependent on it? Yes. Is my body technically dependent on HIV medication? Yes. I don't see any difference frankly.

If it was necessary because of some drug interaction and I needed to taper slowly off of klonopin I'm quite sure I could do it over a period of a couple of months, just like I've done with other medications.

As for your original question -- Zoloft, yes I was on that years ago. I recall not liking it but I don't remember why. But that should have no bearing on your trying it out.

[absopozilutely]

I've been on benzos (klonopin) for over a decade. It's not the end of the world as long as you don't keep increasing your dose. Is my body technically dependent on it? Yes. Is my body technically dependent on HIV medication? Yes. I don't see any difference frankly.

If it was necessary because of some drug interaction and I needed to taper slowly off of klonopin I'm quite sure I could do it over a period of a couple of months, just like I've done with other medications.

As for your original question -- Zoloft, yes I was on that years ago. I recall not liking it but I don't remember why. But that should have no bearing on your trying it out.

My doctor has it prescribed for 3 per day of Klonopin and I only take one, if anything the doctors have increased the dosage but I haven't. lol I just don't want to be to dependent on it.

[Miss Philicia]

I just don't want to be to dependent on it.

Why do you keep repeating this?

If this is the case why did you start taking it in the first place, and why do you continue to take it daily? Either you have general anxiety disorder or you don't.

[absopozilutely]

Why do you keep repeating this?

If this is the case why did you start taking it in the first place, and why do you continue to take it daily? Either you have general anxiety disorder or you don't.

I started taking it because I was an uneducated kid who just wanted help with the anxiety. I continue to take it because I'm trying out meds that are much better then a benzo. I'm sorry if you don't like that I repeated, twice, but it is my post, and it is how I feel, I'm 25 for fucks sake, I don't want to be on benzos if I can help it as I've seen where those have led people. I'm not a newbie anymore MissP, so please don't treat me like one in the Am I forum. I'm simply looking for people in similar situations.

[mecch]

May I ask who is treating your Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Panic attacks. Doctor is your GP? Psychiatrist?

[absopozilutely]

May I ask who is treating your Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Panic attacks. Doctor is your GP? Psychiatrist?

Psychiatrist.

[buginme2]

A hundred years ago when I was in college I went on Zoloft briefly for about a month.  Hated it and would never go back on it.

1.  Felt like I was on speed.  Had a perma grin and walked around smiling all the time made me look....simple.  Also started to make my jaw ache.

2.  Turned my willy into rubber.  Thats totally unacceptable and once that happened i threw the bottle away. 

Briefly switched to......god I dont remember but it was another ssri. Rubber willy.  Threw that bottle away and never again will I take a ssri

Id take a benzo over an ssri any day of the week. 

[absopozilutely]

A hundred years ago when I was in college I went on Zoloft briefly for about a month.  Hated it and would never go back on it.

1.  Felt like I was on speed.  Had a perma grin and walked around smiling all the time made me look....simple.  Also started to make my jaw ache.

2.  Turned my willy into rubber.  Thats totally unacceptable and once that happened i threw the bottle away. 

Briefly switched to......god I dont remember but it was another ssri. Rubber willy.  Threw that bottle away and never again will I take a ssri

Id take a benzo over an ssri any day of the week.

Lol Day 2 and I can't say my libido is having any problems, anxiety is a bit dulled down today.

[buginme2]

Libido wasnt a problem.  Was still horny.  Just felt like my dick was made of rubber. 

[absopozilutely]

Libido wasnt a problem.  Was still horny.  Just felt like my dick was made of rubber.

If that happens to me I'm naming my dick gumby. Lol

[buginme2]

Gumby, that's funny.  What a horrible side effect, there are just some lines you don't cross.

[mecch]

SSRIs and ED are a hit and miss crapshoot.  Also, remember that anxiety and depression are boner killers...  No drugs required...

Zoloft didn't hurt my wood, but I could take an hour to come.

I think this topic in this thread could be destructive.

Buginme you are entitled to your actions/decisions based on how your body reacted to SSRI's.  I want to point out that a 1 month disastrous experience of SSRI, aborted, does not take away from the millions of people who have found IMPORTANT benefits and relief with SSRIs. 

For many people, the drugs take a few months to help the person start turning things around.   I am in favour of psychiatric treatment and better living through pharmacology and talk therapy. 

Abso, if you trust your shrink, give pharmacology a good college try - it might change your life.

[buginme2]

Zoloft didn't hurt my wood, but I could take an hour to come.

Is that a good or bad thing?

Buginme you are entitled to your actions/decisions based on how your body reacted to SSRI's.  I want to point out that a 1 month disastrous experience of SSRI, aborted, does not take away from the millions of people who have found IMPORTANT benefits and relief with SSRIs. 

I agree with that

[absopozilutely]

It's day 2 not sure what the odds are but I'm actually feeling a little better anxiety seems to be dulled down just s hair on this super low dose, I feel excited to bump up to next dosage to see if it works.

[Joe K]

As someone who has been taking psych meds for a very long time, the worst thing to do is not to follow the dosage instructions to the letter.  There is a reason they have you ramp up dosage and if you take it upon yourself, to undercut your own doctor, by refusing to take the prescribed dose, then why even bother.

Most psych drugs take from 4-6 weeks to become fully effective, so you need to stick with one, for that period, before deciding that it failed.  You also need to take the drug properly, otherwise all bets are off.

Personally, I think you are far too paranoid about becoming addicted.  What other people do on drugs, has no bearing on you, because they are not you.  You are not taking the drugs as prescribed and I hope you are honest about this, the next time you see your psychiatrist.

Joe