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Any OTers Have Experience With Zoloft?

Posted on 4/25/14 at 5:56 pm
Posted by CocoLoco
Member since Jan 2012
29108 posts
Posted on 4/25/14 at 5:56 pm
I've had bad anxiety and depression as of late. I've dealt with some terrible things as an early teen, but I've managed to cope well for the most part, especially with what I had to deal with. I do know that life has its ups and downs. Recently I've become so down on myself with school, and life in general, and just being really unhappy. I'd never think about suicide or anything like that because I've witnessed first hand what it does to a family and loved ones. It's just a huge funk I'm desperately trying to get out of that has snowballed on me.

I've been able to cope with going through slumps, etc. But lately I've been so down on myself, and just completely out of it. I'm basically just miserable to be around lately, and completely negative. That's not really me. It has affected my school work this semester. It has affected my confidence. I've possibly ruined a relationship with a great girl because of it, with constant fighting and me probably being unbearable. I'm seeking help (will start seeing a therapist next week) for this for me most importantly, and also for those that have to be around me. My doctor prescribed me to a lower dosage of Zoloft (it's the generic version if that matters) today to start off with, just 25mg for now.

I've researched it a bit and read that it works on most, but can give me side effects such as lack of sex drive (which would be awful and cause problems). I'd absolutely like to work on this on my own without medication and possibly just seeing a therapist, but if this is a safe alternate for now, and not too harmful, I am fine taking it. If this will destroy my sex drive and possibly have other terrible side effects then I'd like to stay away.




Anyone on here have any experience with using Zoloft?

Advice or any other remedies would be greatly appreciated as well.



TLDR version:
Taking zoloft, will it help with anxiety and depression? Experiences using it, or someone you know using it? Will I have bad side effects like loss of sex drive?
Posted by sbr2
Member since Apr 2011
15016 posts
Posted on 4/25/14 at 5:59 pm to
Zoloft didn't help me at all but it did cause the sexual side effect so I know it was working. Be sure to be in contact with your prescribing physician to manage dosage because a seemingly minute difference can make you feel totally different.
Posted by lsu480
Downtown Scottsdale
Member since Oct 2007
92876 posts
Posted on 4/25/14 at 6:01 pm to
I've never taken any anti-depressants but I have seen Zoloft work wonders with some of my loved ones.
Posted by Winkface
Member since Jul 2010
34377 posts
Posted on 4/25/14 at 6:02 pm to
You've done all the right things so far. Going to a therapist will help tons. Depression meds are trial and error for the most part. You just have to start taking it and report back to your doctor any negative side effects or if you don't think it's working at all. That's when you'll try out the next one.
Posted by CT
Kate Upton's back
Member since Sep 2004
21054 posts
Posted on 4/25/14 at 6:03 pm to
Dude. Go to a Doctor. Don't ask these clowns.
Posted by IonaTiger
The Commonwealth Of Virginia
Member since Mar 2006
33053 posts
Posted on 4/25/14 at 6:19 pm to
Zoloft helped my quite a bit. There are sexual side effects.

ETA: Haven't had to take it in many years. I hope you get some relief.
This post was edited on 4/25/14 at 6:20 pm
Posted by wal marks
bee arrah
Member since Mar 2013
1121 posts
Posted on 4/25/14 at 6:33 pm to
Made me yawn constantly.
Posted by shutterspeed
MS Gulf Coast
Member since May 2007
63517 posts
Posted on 4/25/14 at 6:46 pm to
The sexual side effects don't seem nearly as major as the untreated depression issue.

I wouldn't worry about some temporary, minor sexual side effects. Worry about getting yourself back to a healthy place for now.
Posted by Spankum
Miss-sippi
Member since Jan 2007
56103 posts
Posted on 4/25/14 at 6:53 pm to
I haven't taken zoloft, but I do know that it has made a world of difference in a couple of folks that I know...

fwiw, I don't see how you could have side effects that are worse than what you are experiencing right now from being depressed...take that shite and don't look back...
Posted by SuperSaint
Sorting Out OT BS Since '2007'
Member since Sep 2007
140462 posts
Posted on 4/25/14 at 8:16 pm to
quote:

I've possibly ruined a relationship with a great girl because of it
have pics been posted yet?





And CocoLoco, real talk, you seem like a good dude and genuine. I have battled depression for over a decade now. I will tell you that every drug seems to do different things for different people. No ones chemistry is the same as others. It's almost like you have to do trial and error. The bad thing is sometimes it takes several weeks for something to start working properly so you just have to bare with it and the people that are around you unfortunately end up having to deal with it as well. I'm sorry you are battling with this. You aren't alone. I've fricked up some things and and relationships while trying to deal with my depression.... Good luck with it all my man... work through this shite


eta: oh and I took Sertraline which i think is a generic zoloft and it helped. I had to quit taking it when I lost my insurance. good luck
This post was edited on 4/25/14 at 8:17 pm
Posted by MottLaneKid
Gonzales
Member since Apr 2012
4543 posts
Posted on 4/25/14 at 8:21 pm to
1. Realizing you need help is awesome.

2. SSRI's like paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft can take up to 4 weeks before you see improvement.

3. See if you can't get your vitamin D levels checked. Low vitamin D levels can cause low mood.

4. Try an exercise program fit to your level of fitness such as walking.

5. Depression can run in families and is NOT your fault.

6. Get plenty of sunshine each day. Don't coup yourself up in your home and become a hermit.

7. Get plenty of sleep and keep a sleep routine each night if possible.

8. Limit caffeine intake. cut sugar intake down as well.

9. Be thankful for you have been blessed with.

10. Prayer is a good thing to engage in if you believe in a higher creator.

11. Relaxing tapes. Dr. Martin L. Rossman can be beneficial to listen to.

12. Testosterone gel may partially offset the effect of SSRI's on sexual hiccupps.

13. Cognitive therapy is effective in combo with meds.
Posted by TheWalrus
Member since Dec 2012
40723 posts
Posted on 4/25/14 at 8:25 pm to
Pristiq has been the best for me.
Posted by EyeOfTheTiger311
Lafayette, LA
Member since Aug 2005
4351 posts
Posted on 4/25/14 at 9:04 pm to
I've been on Paxil daily since I was about 12 or 13... I'm 28 now. I can tell you that it definitely is a great drug and worked for me. The thing that it makes it most effective for me personally is that it keeps me near the middle of the spectrum mood wise... I never really get too mad, excited, sad, etc... It keeps me even keel.

However, I will probably never be able to get off of it. I've been taking it daily for 15 years now and if I miss one or two doses in a row, I experience withdrawals.

I have had issues with the sexual side in the past, but like another poster said, it just makes it harder to ejaculate and also on a few occasions has made it difficult to maintain erection. However, it in no way diminishes sex drive. I still want to hump everything that moves
Posted by The Cow Goes Moo Moo
Bucktown
Member since Nov 2012
3508 posts
Posted on 4/25/14 at 9:09 pm to
I take Paxel every day for my anxiety and it works great. No side affects as I take it. I didn't take it for two days once and was fricking miserable that second day. I'd suggest looking into it. Makes me feel normal with no anxiety at all
Posted by LSU Coyote
Member since Sep 2007
53390 posts
Posted on 4/25/14 at 10:05 pm to
20mg Fluoxitine (Prozac) changed my life.

Zoloft, from what I hear is a "rough". Does more to alter your mood than suppress serotonin receptors. A low dosage of Prozac 4yrs ago was the perfect SSRI to lower my anxiety.
Posted by quail man
New York, NY
Member since May 2010
40930 posts
Posted on 4/25/14 at 10:25 pm to
meds work differently for everyone. a lot of it is placebo effect.

seeing a therapist is the most important thing. studies find that meds alone are not as useful as combination meds/therapy. i'd start seeing the psychologist for a bit first before going on the meds and then make a joint decision with him/her
Posted by fishfighter
RIP
Member since Apr 2008
40026 posts
Posted on 4/26/14 at 6:40 am to
quote:

Taking zoloft, will it help with anxiety and depression?


Yes

quote:

Experiences using it,


Me, 50mg's a day.

quote:

Will I have bad side effects like loss of sex drive?


I'm 56 and still getting me some.

I still stay a little depress, but try dealing with needing a new heart. There is not a second when I'm awake that that is eating at me. It helps take the edge off some days.

My daughter had to get of them for a short time in her last year in school with the work load she was under. Once she finished school, she was able to get off them and now everything is great for. her
Posted by tigah0001
Member since Oct 2009
111 posts
Posted on 4/26/14 at 6:58 am to
I was on Zoloft for a few months. It did cause the sexual side effects you fear and also came with insomnia. Yay! But as my DR said anti-depressants are a grab bag drug. You just have to find what works for you. I'm on Celexa now, and it works much better for me.

Also 25 mg seems super low, my psychiatrist told me 50 mg was the norm to start people at.

Just my personal learned the hard way lesson...take the medicine as prescribed. DO NOT stop taking them if the side effects bother you. You have to ween off. Suicidal thoughts are a side effect if you stop taking them. You may end up in the psych ward for 9 days....just sayin.
Posted by AUCE05
Member since Dec 2009
42574 posts
Posted on 4/26/14 at 8:55 am to
Yes. It's an amazing treatment for prople with OCD/anxiety/depression, etc. My wife has a severe case of OCD, and emotional swings. She's on 150 mg of Zoloft, and it knock it out. She's completely normal while on her meds. The only side effects were headache and being tired, which passed after 2 weeks. It saved my marriage.
Posted by damnedoldtigah
Middle of Louisiana
Member since Jan 2014
4275 posts
Posted on 4/26/14 at 12:40 pm to
The best approach is a combination of medication and therapy. Yes, antidepressants have their side effects, but you are not taking them forever. However, if you need to get a handle on things, make the short-term sacrifice for about a year and then wean off of them. I am not a particularly big fan of Zoloft. I normally recommend Pristiq. Start out at 50 mg and if needed eventually work up to 100 mg daily. It will take two or three weeks for the effects of the med to be appreciated, but the stuff does work. If it messes with sexual functioning, go to Welbutrin.
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