Trip to the GP .. anyone on Zoloft?

[Parvathi 2]

So, as suggested by many on you guys and gals, as well as by my psychologist, I went off to see my GP today, to see if perhaps my hormones were out of whack, due to weight loss.

I sat in the waiting room going over in my head what I was going to say to her, so I didn't trip over my words when I got in there. Walked in, she said I was looking fantastic, she was so proud, etc. Then she asked if I was feeling okay. Told her, physically I feel great. Then I said, "I've recently become a raving lunatic though... " and that was all I could get out before I burst into tears. LOL .. that is SO unlike me. So I sobbed and told her how moody and irritable I've been, how extremely jealous I've been, about the panic attacks, etc. And asked her if it could be my hormone levels.

Now first let me say,that my doctor has never been pill happy. When I asked for diet pills, she said no, not until I saw a counselor (after which, I didn't want them anymore). When I want to quit smoking, she recommends hypnotherapy or something before medicine. If there's another way to fix issues without a pill, she's all for it.

But this time she looked me straight in the eye and said, this isn't hormones. This is anxiety ... its a chemical imbalance, due to low seratonin (sp?). She said that from what I'd described the past few weeks to be like, it sounded like I was started into a vicious cycle and that if I didn't nip it in the bud, it'd turn into depression on top of anxiety, so she wants me on medication straight away.

She's prescribed Zoloft and said it should have me feeling like myself again in around 2 weeks. She knows that there's a history in my family of depression and anxiety, so said it could possibly genetic. But also said that she would try to ween me off of the Zoloft in 6 months time and see how we go.

I'm not too keen on medication, but at this point, if it makes me get through the day without the nauseous feeling, bursting into tears periodically throughout the day and having my mind go off on tangents of their own, I'm willing to try it.

Is anyone else here on Zoloft and if so, has it helped for you? Also, if this isn't too personal, has it effected your libido in any way?

[RayLandry 18]

Good luck Jess! I once had anxiety attacks and it was worst feeling in the world! Luckily, it took care of itself with time! I wish you peace!

[3loves 0]

Hi Jess,

Kudos to you for seeking help. :clap2: You should respond well to Zoloft and you will probably feel so much better. Everyone's body is different, but I think it's worth trying b/c you don't have to live in that world of anxiety.

I was on Zoloft 6 mos after the birth of my second son. I had some of the same symptoms you have described. I was diagnosed with postpartum depression. My kids were only 16 mos apart and I nursed one until I got pregnant and then nursed my second after he was born. I'm sure my hormones had something to do with this b/c my body didn't have a chance to get balanced.

I was on Zoloft (per OBGYN) for 3 mos and didn't have ANY side effects except for the improvement of my moods & such. I went off of it without any problems however, within 6 mos I was having the same symptoms and started on Effexor XR (per GP) and have been on it ever since. I guess my GP preffered Effexor over Zoloft.....not sure why, but it works for me.

I can definitley say the Effexor XR has an impact on libido :xena_banana: , but I can't remember that far back regarding the Zoloft since it was 3 yrs ago. I have heard that most antidepressants have that side effect. Luckily, I'm married to the BEST man in the world and we deal with that issue. I assure him when I get the band, things will improve.

It's my understanding that serotonin is the chemical that carries signals to receptors in your head....kind of like telephone wires and the poles....without the serotonin your body needs, the signals don't make it to the receptors. This is how I understood it when they explained Zoloft to me. In my mind, it was a sort of chemical imbalance at least for the serotonin.

Keep your chin up and I hope you can see the light at the end of the tunnel b/c your days will get brighter and you are doing a good thing for yourself!! :clap2:

[Parvathi 2]

Thanks Ray - I'm sure I'll get there eventually

3loves, thanks heaps! Just knowing it has helped one other person gives me hope. I asked the doctor about the libido thing and she said that with some people, it makes them have trouble having an orgasm. I thought .. Oh, just what I need lol. I'm sure I'll find a way though *g* She also said that for the first 7 days, I may be irritable, but heck, I'm already irritable so that's no biggie.

[fee 0]

Jess i hope these tablets help you:)

goodluck with them

give me a call im sure u have my number now if u need to talk

[Parvathi 2]

Thanks fee! I've got it in my phone, so you may be getting a call if all goes to shit LOL. Was great meeting you today

[bandayed 0]

I'm not on Zoloft, but i have been on Effexor and I currently take Celexa. They help me alot just to not freak day to day. Functioning under stress is easier (especially with my kids). I think of it as something that just improves the quality of my life, and when I dont need it, I will stop taking it. Simple as that. Hope it helps! There's a thread in the main board about antidepressants -- you'd be surprised how many of us there are

[FunnyDuddies 6]

My mom took Zoloft after her divorce. It really helped her to have a calm head while sorting out all the feelings. as for the libido, I doubt that was something she even thought about. LOL But it made her such an easier person to be around during that time. And she is off of it, she just needed it for a couple of months, then went off it just as easily.

HTH

Amy

[paula 4]

Jess,

Sometimes it takes "trying" several different brands before finding the right medication.

For your sake, I hope and pray that this is the right one! Good luck!

[Jill_S 1]

Several years ago, i was on Zoloft, and yes, it was a HUGE help for depression.

For anxiety, though (I've had a couple panics attacks - 3 in ten years now), I have an emergency bottle of Xanax. I get ten pills a year (at my own request. If I had more...ugh.) and last year, I only took 2.

I've also been on Paxil, which was *awesome* for PMS. I'm seriously considering going back on it, because my mood swings lately have been horrible.

[migbt 0]

I don't know about zoloft, but when I went on Effexor it saved my life and the lives of my husband and children!

Sex was very "trying" for a couple of weeks, but with a patient husband it worked it self out.....

[mini_me 3]

Zoloft is a permanent part of my routine. Before the tubaligation, if i forgot my birthcontrol pills, i remembered my Zoloft!!

The sex drive trade off is balanced by the level of sanity that the little pill establishes.

i SWEAR by this medication, and for me, there are no ill side effects. i never had much of a sex drive anyway.

So I say, pop that Zoloft daily!!

[Parvathi 2]

Thanks everyone!!

Day 3 on Zoloft and the only side effects I've noticed so far are a fuzzy head at times (usually when I'm sitting quietly) and a bit of trouble slowing down my mind to fall asleep (reading a book helps). Here's hoping that it won't affect my libido, as since the hubby's been out of the country over a month, I'd really like to jump him when I pick him up from the airport on Monday LOL.

My doctor said that most of the side effects will go away after a week or so...

[Anndallei 0]

I've been taking 100 mg of Zoloft for about eight years. My symptoms were exactly the same as yours. Anxiety and depression run in my family. My doc said I may well be on it for the rest of my life. It has made one heck of a difference! My anxiety attacks were way worse then my depression but I have not had one anxiety attack since I started taking the Zoloft. As for my sex drive....still great as ever...no adverse impact at all! ! Guess it's not the norm, but what the heck, I've never been "normal" anyway!!!! Also, after the first day of taking the Zoloft, I could definitely tell I was feeling a whole lot better...it made a difference right away for me. Just luck I guess.

[casinocat74 0]

I have tried almost every med in the book for anxiety and depression. The only one that has actually done good for me without side effects is Lexapro. It honestly saved my life. I hope this helps!