Does anyone take ZOLOFT? Sensible answers please!?
607754
I've been taking Zoloft for about five years. I have had great results with it. It has caused me a little bit of weight gain but the benefits for me are much higher than the weight. I did have a drop in libido but after taking it for a few months, it came back. Also, my dosage had to be adjusted times. Sometimes it was too much and others it wasn't enough but I can tell when I need to take more or less by how I'm doing with my anxiety and depression. Do not try to change your dosage without talking with your doctor first. I talked with my doctor and my therapist frequently about how I was feeling and am happy to say that I am so close to chucking all the bad stuff behind me. I wish you all the best dear.
702401
Yes I tried them and I can't see any change, honestly.  For deficiencies vitamins are fine--I take them myself.  But they don't do much of anything to such complex issues like OCD/mood/depression.  Try Lyrica.  It is great for all the above.  I swear by it.  Talk to your doctor.
1070246
I tried Zoloft and it gave me a lot of anxiety and agitation. Paxil helped alot tho.
756841
Zoloff is a longer term mood stabilizer. My spouse takes it and it has done her VERY well to improve quality of life and reduce her blood pressure. \n\nXanax is available to her for panic attacks and anxiety. She used to take it when she had such sumpoms and it did stabilize her. She eventually went to 1/2 pill and then as needed, which she generally does not now. She did take 1/2 to get on a jet, which she hates doing. \n\nTake the doctors advice and start your therapy. The worst side effects is initial fatigue, but you will feel better in the long run.  Don;t drive while taking it initially until you get adjusted.\n\nIF you do have a panic disorder, consider phychotherapy. It does have a better resolution rate.\n\nnterestingly, she was very concerned about dependency on medicine and such and resisted the pills. She would have lost her husband and family and perhaps freedom without it, but now that she takes it, life is good. Analyze your situation of why you are taking it...certainly the doc didn;t offer it for HIS/HER health
1002202
Princess - when you post these kinds of questions, unfortunately you will get inane and irrelevant answers from religious fanatics who do not believe human problems have organic origins.  I am just surprised that this time it was a Muslim instead of someone in one of the many "Christian" sects that also denigrate psychology and psychiatry.  Oh, well, religious fanatics are essentially the same, no matter which "holy book" they read.\n\nNow to the meat of your query.\n\nYou got many sound replies above.  Anti-depressants have variable results according to the individual.  They also have variable results according to the dosage - for example, a big dose of Zoloft can produce different consequences than a lesser dose.\n\nI am surprised that you apparently have not been under a regimen of monitoring by the doctor(s) who diagnosed you.  It is typical when a patient begins this treatment to be checked frequently to monitor the effectiveness of the medications, and if they do not work right, to be changed.\n\nAs a side statement, be aware that you can't really drink if you have depression, and especially when on medications.  Alcohol IS a depressant.\n\nAlso, anyone diagnosed with acute depression (as I presume is what they said of you) should be placed under the direct care of a psychiatrist.  Psychiatrists are medical doctors who are trained in these matters and the use of medications as an element of treatment.  They do not always require a patient to undergo intensive analysis and theray.  Today's psychiatrists are inheritors of Freud's work, but they are much, much different from the old-fashioned concept of egg-head analysts.  \n\nAny mental health problem produces behavioral consequences, however,  And these can persist beyond the effect of chemical sources of the problem.  Depression is not entirely a chemistry problem, usually, and to think that medications alone will resolve depression is to miss an opportunity to go after the things that cause or contribute to the problem.\n\nWe are ALL mixed-up folk.  There's nothing whatsoever wrong with getting un-mixed-up if we get the chance.  Go back to your doctor, milady, and get a referral to a psychiatrist you can trust and work with, and keep your appointments.  By the way, my experience suggests that a psychiatrist who embraces "gestalt therapy" methods is the most effective.
970585
St. Johns is not a good idea to take.. It's been a long time but I used to take that and had bad side effects. (dizzy, sick, headaches)  I've been on Prozac and gain weight with that... I've also been on Effexor XR.  If the DR ever prescribes you Effexor XR do not take it! It was the worst feeling I have ever had when trying to get off of it!!!  I have been on others and after the Effexor incident I will not take prescriptions anymore... I did a lot of research on what would be safe and I found a herbal pill called 5-HTP, it works I've noticed I've been calmer, happier, I can sleep at night, and I don't have panic attacks anymore.  You can find it online... I buy it from an online company Swanson... I've been using them for years for vitamins and such. They are trustworthy.  I've also seen it in CVS.
451742
i took it for like one or two days & had horrible side effects.  i got confused & forgot what i was doing in the middle of cooking dinner.  i also had horrible anxiety & restlessness.  i haven't heard any good feedback about it. i wouldn't recommend it.  however, everyone reacts differently to different meds.
946442
I only take Zoloft and Niravam, but my cousin was recently put on Cymbalta...she has had severe debilitating headaches and cannot go to work...She also says she has the desire to mutilate and kill herself and others.
426569
There is some data that it can be as effective as zoloft in treating moderate depression.  It can have many drug interactions (such as birth control) or many other drugs.
371771
Zoloft definitely can have a sedating effect, especially as dosing increases.\n\nThree other anti-depressant medications tend to have more of an energizing effect and I might suggest them as alternatives:  \n\n1.  Effexor activates two receptors both the Norepenephrine and Serotonin (Cymbalta does as well but is a newer medication.  I have been burned with prescribing new medications only to have them pulled off the market six months later.  Let others work out the kinks).  Start at 75mg and consider moving up to 150mg.  To get optimal effects you need to take 75mg or more, so don't reduce the dose if you are having side effects, increase it before you decide to stop it. \n\n2.  Lexepro acts singly on serotonin but they have refined it to delete the "left-handed" version which was responsible for some of the undesirable side effects.  I have found people will report more energy after taking this for two weeks.  It would be my close second choice.\n\n3.  Wellbutrin.  It is a Dopamine agonist.  I have had the least success with this medication but some people get along with it very well.  Avoid it if you have ever had any sort of seizure.  It too is known to improve energy levels.  This actually might not be a bad adjunct to what you are already taking...reduce the dose of the Zoloft to 25mg and start the Wellbutrin at 75mg or 150mg daily. If you wouldn't mind taking two medications.  The combination is a very good one.\n\nI would avoid, repeat avoid the Xanax or anything like it.  It is an anti-anxiety medication and will make you very tired and sleepy.\n\nEvery person is very different and therefore every person will have slightly different responses.  There is no single formula that will work, so if others tell you about something that they had luck with, take it with a grain of salt.  Have faith and keep working toward improvement.  It is an extremely rare patient that can not be helped with medications available today.\n\nIf you can get your symptoms optimally controlled for six months or more, then you can consider ramping down on the medication or stopping it completely - these medications certainly can be curative.  Caution: it will take a month after stopping to know...so don't think everything is great only to look back two months later and realize you are horribly depressed again.\n\nI hope this was helpful.
956341
I started 10mg of Lexapro about 4 weeks ago, the drowsiness for me went away about into the 3rd week.  Sometimes after a long day, I just lay down and take a nap.  It does help, the benefits though of Lexapro outweigh the side effects.  There are side effects with ALL medications.  The good news is with antidepressants they eventually evaporate, or should anyway, if after a month it gets worse, or no better talk to your doc, he/she may have to change either the dosage or the med, or the time you are taking it.  They will help you, BUT you have to be patient and give it some time to do the job.  I know, I was inpatient too.  He first put me on zoloft and I turned into a zombie for 3 weeks, he took me off and put me on Lexapro.  I definitly had less side effects.  Hang in there, it could be worse, trust me.\nGood luck
64635
I took zoloft and experienced no weight gain from it. Maybe you are gaining weight for a different reason. Talk to your doctor though either way.
726637
Try Wellbutrin XL, got of the other Zoloft b/c of the same thing, and the new med works good. Just keep an eye on it and switch slowly, reducing one while adding the other.
401329
is not a psychotropic drug, and while it is not addictive, there are ill effects that will  take place if you stop taking it suddenly, I know this from personal experience, it is a very unpleasant thing.  Go here- http://depression.about.com/cs/sertraline/f/zoloftaddictive.htm
956670
I have heard of it being done.  My doctor prescribed Zoloft to me for PMDD, so I only had to take it two weeks a month.  It's a slightly different thing, but it didn't cause any health problems.  You should probably have your doctor check with someone who's used to working with Zoloft more often- perhaps a psychiatrist.
958211
Hi there,\nI am yet to be officially diagnosed with PMDD, but I believe i have this condition. This is something i have been suffering with from the age of 13, I am now 28 unmarried with no children.\nI possess all of the symptoms pertaining to PMDD all but the Suicidal thoughts. It has been basically ruling and ruining my life for far too long. I have been to  so many Doctors, Psychologists, Healers and more recently a Naturopath, to try and help me alleviate some of these symptoms. I exercise, eat healthy, and have a loving family and beautiful supportive boyfriend, however still have these awful awful symptoms. I myself am going to the Doctor again tomorrow to ask for 50mg of Zoloft daily, I have done a lot of research in to this, and believe this is a start. I can't continue feeling the way i do, my behaviour is starting to take it's toll on my relationship and with work etc, I can't deal with it anymore and don't think i should have to... So fingers crossed the Zoloft will help. I sympathise, your certainly  not alone... Go and see your doctor... \nGood luck xx
752356
I love Prozac!  I can not live without out. I was told to stay on Prozac for nine months as well. This drug works good, well before the ninth month, with me anyway. I guess that is when you will get the complete effect of it.  The only thing I did not and do not like (the one that sticks out in my mind the most that is) is the lack of sex drive.  That is a bummer.  I have been on it now for 15yrs.  I tried to ween myself off a couple of times with my Doctors awareness but I would start to go down hill after a month or so. So back on it and feeling good again. Guess the other side effects were not worth remembering or just were not that bad to be burnt in my mind. Good luck.