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Experience with Zoloft and other SSRI's

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Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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  • #63716
    Little Coconut
    Participant

    I live in LA and I’m 23. My doctor recently prescribed me Zoloft to help treat my anxiety. I was on it for one week, and noticed improv in my happiness levels, but not really in my anxiety. I also was completely unable to reach orgasm. After researching that side-effect, I stumbled upon numerous other ones, including the painful withdrawal of eventually coming off of the Zoloft.

    I stopped taking it after one week (25mg a day) and I feel a little down. I’ve decided to try to cut caffeine to help anxiety, but I’m wondering if I did a dumb thing by doing off the Zoloft. I’m trying herbal remedies as well, but they take a while to kick in.

    Has anyone had any experience with Zoloft, or other anti-depressants? What was your experience?

    Thank you.

    #63724
    Mike
    Participant

    I’ve taken zoloft as well as other ssri’s and an snri which I am on now (Effexor.) You have to decide whether or not the relief you gain is worth the side effects, they say that many of the side effects subside. Zoloft worked for me, it was the side effects I didn’t like Effexor has less side effects, but is supposedly more difficult to get off of. You only took zoloft for a week and then stopped so I am not sure you went through the full range of withdrawal symptoms, I would say the worst is what people call brain zaps. They feel just like that a zap and then seem to travel through the nerves of the body, it is difficult to describe though. They seem to coincide with quick eye movements. Research has shown that exercising can help relieve anxiety and depression. Meditation is also a good tool. Taking a medication is a pretty big decision, I think, because once you have been on it for a little while you can’t or shouldn’t just quit, and the withdrawal symptoms along with the brain zaps aren’t fun; Irritability, mood swings, fatigue, headaches, change in appetites, nausea, and I’m sure a lot more depending on the person.

    #63728
    Mike
    Participant

    Oops double post, I will touch on some other things here as well. Medication only fixes the symptoms, but once it is gone the symptoms will return that is why it is important to work on yourself while taking medication. Medication can improve quality of life, but no one wants to be on it for their whole life and who knows what the effects of that would be. I think it is important to have a healthy life style getting plenty of omega fatty acids and foods that agree with your chemistry, meaning if grains don’t agree with you or milk stay away from it. Exercise is really important, they still don’t know all the different chemicals and neurotransmitters that are released, but they know exercise improves mood. Have a support group, if you are an introvert get a therapist or life coach.

    • This reply was modified 9 years, 7 months ago by Mike.
    #63764
    Meagan
    Participant

    Antidepressants should be used as a last resort once you have made positive life improvements.
    Here are some that worked for me and surely work for others:

    -cut down on or cut out completely unhealthy habits or behaviours
    -take care of your body; enough sleep, proper eating habits, exercise!!!
    -take up a healthy hobby whatever that may be
    -take a new course; painting, yoga, meditation, spinning!, learn how to garden..join a community garden, get chickens! lol (if money is an issue you can usually find subsidized or free classes if you reach out)
    -connect with friends and family
    -keep a journal
    -get out of your head and into the moment!
    -and again EXERCISE! is your best friend! Run even if you hated it before or never tried it. I used to hate it and now I love it, its the most amazing outlet..not to mention your body feelings naturally high afterwards.

    If anxiety is your issue instead of turning to medications that will only band-aid the situation, look at your life and really assess what is and is not working for you and what of those things you have the power to change…even little by little.

    A little bit of back-up on my opinions…..I was on zoloft for almost 2 years from the age of 16 after being deeply depressed since 14…family issues, death, unhealthy lifestyle, inability to deal were all contributing to my depression.

    While the zoloft did help me come out of a dark period I can now see that with a more holistic approach and more guidance I could have improved my life without it. I was put on 75 mgs after ending up in the hospital and shortly there after I remember always feeling elated and not caring about consequences of my actions which led to careless behaviour…my dosage was most likely too high.

    A year and a half later when I decided I shouldn’t be taking the medication any longer I did go through a period of feeling odd physically during the initial weening but it was a necessary step and it didn’t last long.

    I’ve now been steadily content and alright with a bit of the regular ups and downs that every person experiences…like I said it takes self awareness and living a happy and healthy life isn’t always easy but it is ALWAYS worth it~!

    Hope this helped.

    #63831
    purplesocialist
    Participant

    Hi, LittleCoconut,

    I was prescribed Zoloft around December or so. I was in a really bad relationship and instead of ending the relationship I blamed myself and thought it was I who needed fixing. I will say Zoloft was helpful in stabilizing my moods-I didn’t have as much anger as I do now. I also couldn’t get really happy or really sad. It would have been nice to just stop the sadness but not the happiness too.

    I went to a psychiatrist and she prescribed 75MG. I was told to take 25 the firs week, 50 the 2nd, and 75 the 3rd. I only made it to 50 and that was kind of rocky. The first two days I took 50MG I felt nauseous and numb. I could barely eat but I was weak because my body needed food. I went down to 25 for a few days and then went up to 50mg, taking 25 in the day and 25 after I got home from work.

    A few weeks ago I stopped Zoloft cold turkey. I had read all the horror stories but decided to do it anyway. I knew if I went to my (now former) psychiatrist she’d probably try to talk me out of it and all that jazz. The first week I had twitching legs at night, so bad I couldn’t even sleep and NOTHING helped. It was awful. I also notice since being on it I can go from happy to really angry really quickly. I’m working on this by trying to engage in mindfulness and trying to let things roll off of me.

    Zoloft and other SSRIs can be great for some people. I don’t regret taking them but I also know a lot of my circumstances during the time I started them lead me to seek it out.

    I live in a city where the winters are brutal and I’m already trying to formulate my self-care plan: massage, aromatherapy, reiki, meditation, yoga, etc. I am not saying these things will help everyone but I do think massage, acupuncture, reiki, etc. can be helpful additions to SSRIs or a great way to decrease the dosage. Of course I’m not a doctor and this isn’t medical advice. I’m only speaking about things that have worked FOR ME.

    Best of luck, LittleCoconut. I love your name by the way. =)

    #63840
    Little Coconut
    Participant

    Thank you all for being brave and sharing your stories. It’s been so helpful to hear about this journeys!

    I’m staying off of it for now…I may see how I feel in a few weeks.

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