I just got a prescription for Zoloft and am trying to decide whether or not to fill it. I’ve been getting counseling for mild depression/dysthymia/whatever for about a year, and I’m not sure it’s helping me that much. I’ve been going through a particularly stressful time the past couple of months, though, and I’m debating whether I should just wait out the couple of things that are causing my stress (both should be resolved soonish), or take the medication so I can not be miserable every day between now and then.
My wife is on Zoloft, and it has been a lifesaver for her. She had fairly severe depression, and the Zoloft is like a miracle for her. It does really lower her libido, though. She tried to wean off it once, and hoo boy did the libido come back! It was like living in a porn movie! With someone who cried all the time. So she’s back on it now.
I take Zoloft for anxiety disorder. I started with Zoloft, clonopin, and Xanax if I had an attack. I’m now down to just taking Zoloft. (although I keep a stash of Xanax just in case).
I don’t find that I have any side effects. I could not do my job without it. Period. (Trial Attorney).
I didn’t have a problem with SSRIs because I was able to easily titrate down, then off. If I was too uncomfortable, I could titrate up a tiny bit if needed.
Now, coming off Effexor was hell on earth, in part because when I first dropped to a lower dose, the manufacturer was not admitting there was a problem with reducing the dose. Satan’s tic-tacs, those. The second time I went off them was better because my doc used Prozac and Ativan to help my symptoms. I easily stopped the Prozac and Ativan after.
I could have written this post nearly word for word, except I never did Celexa.
Also, if you are depressed and have suicidal thoughts, PLEASE do not experiment with powerful hallucinogens, especially without someone to keep an eye on you.
Ah, yes, Effexor withdrawal. Errr, “discontinuation syndrome.”:smack: I had my first, and thankfully only, psychotic episode compliments of that nightmare in a capsule.
So, I ended up starting it this week. The past couple weeks things got worse for me, I had real trouble controlling my anger with my kids, and I just felt like crying every day. The stresses in my life are still there and in some ways got markedly worse recently. For various reasons, my life has turned into just one goddamn thing after another, and I don’t foresee that changing any time soon. It’s clear I’m not handling it well and the counseling, while helpful, isn’t enough. So, I started the Zoloft on Monday.
I gather it can take a week or two to notice any effect. I do seem to be calmer yesterday and today, though. Last week I felt like a big raw nerve. Every little thing made me furious. Right now, I don’t feel so touchy. I feel sort of dull, slightly apathetic. Sort of emotionally tired and a little hazy. This is better than screaming for no good reason, but hopefully this is not going to be my permanent state. Maybe this is just a placebo effect, and the real effect of the drug will kick in later this week. I guess I’ll see.
