Trip to the GP .. anyone on Zoloft?

Feel2Young2B40 · March 7, 2006

Hi! I've been on Zoloft for about 12 years now. I take 200mg a day and when things aren't real rough at work I lower it to 150mg. Chemical imbalance as well as depression runs in the family. I can definitely feel the difference if I miss a couple of days. Easily angered, fidgety, anxiety - the whole works. I went through a period of time all I did was cry (post partum after my youngest), couldn't write a check, couldn't decide what to wear to work and changed clothes 3 or 4 times each morning. Couldn't make EASY decisions that were basic to running a household with 2 little ones. SuperMom syndrome also as well as guilt that I worked and wanted a career.

In a positive, people are always amazed if I tell them I'm on Zoloft and I'm clinically depressed. For me, it keeps me on an even keel and allows me to think calmly and rationally. I don't have the "lows" I used to have and there isn't a feeling of a "high". Just stability. The only two side effects that have happened to me are the low sex drive (can still have the BIG O though!!) and my general practitioner told me anything over 100mg can cause weight gain. With that in mind, I much rather be on my Zoloft and work with the band than to decrease my dosage below 100mg. I was on Prozac (made me EAT constantly because it made my stomach upset), Wellbutrin (made me NUTS - I constantly shook like I was going through some sort of withdrawl) and Paxil. The Paxil was ok and I can't remember why the doctor changed it.

So Zoloft is my magic pill and I couldn't live without it. I did at first become angry and felt like a "mental case" and a "pill popper" to be able to get through the day. Angry that I had to rely on medicine but as my doctor said "Would a diabetic not take insulin if they needed it?". He reminded me I have a chemical imbalance and I will more than likely take it the rest of my life. It did take initially several months to get the right dosage and feel the full effects. I also went through counseling for 18 months to work out some of my guilt and anxiety issues as well as trying to overcome the "SuperMom" syndrome. Like my counselor said "Will your kids remember their socks were folded and the house was clean or will they remember Mom was there when they needed her for support or play?" Really hit home and I've tried to keep that in mind anytime I feel pulled in all directions. I unfortunately also have a very demanding, stressful job and it helps me deal with that also.

Good luck and PM me if you need any other info. I swear by the stuff! Take care!

Thinjen · March 7, 2006

I'm on zoloft 100 mg/day. It literally, saved my life. From the looks of this post...we should be investing our money in zoloft.

Constance · March 7, 2006

Jess, good for you for getting help! There is no need to suffer. Being on an anti-depressant can literally change your life.

One piece of advice...give yourself a month or two and just observe how you feel physically and mentally. Don't make yourself crazy or worry with side effects. You can really start GIVING yourself side effects if you obsess over every little thing (dry mouth, dizzy, the sex, etc.). Statistically, you have a 90% chance of experiencing nothing but the good stuff.

Sometimes your dosage may need some tweaking or you may even try a different drug. That is perfectly normal in treatment of depression/anxiety. Don't be afraid to up your dosage to the 50mg, that is the lowest effective dose for many people.