Posted by hildi on July 7, 2002, at 17:49:25
In reply to Re: Typing correction-and had to add about Zoloft, posted by Fuscia on July 6, 2002, at 13:41:06
> (Paradoxically, you are not tkaing [should read, "now taking"] much smaller doses than when you first started
> taking Prozac, but your blood level is far higher.)
>
> I read an earlier post of yours concerning Zoloft at 50mg. I had to share my experience with Zoloft. About 2 years ago I went to my gynecologist with complaints of premenstrual syndrome. I was terrible just before my period, but deep down I also knew I had other emotional problems that occurred at any time of the month, and had bothered me since late childhood. But, I had never been to a psychiatrist and I was afraid to go, besides afraid of the cost. Anyway, I complained to my gyn of PMS. She put me on Zoloft, to take 50 to 100 mg daily. I was given some free samples by my doctor. These were samples for Panic Disorder. I started taking this before I got my prescription filled. I followed the instructions and started out on 25mg a day for one week. It worked so great that I stayed on 25mg for over a year. I eventually went up to 50 mg and began having problems with my temper outbursts. I lost my temper big time with a young dog we had and I went into a deep depression afterward and had insomnia. My doctor suggested increasing Zoloft to 75mg and he also prescribed 50 mg trazadone (Desryl) antidepressant (it's actions are more like a tricyclic) for the insomnia, as trazadone has sedative qualities. So, I increased to 75mg and started the trazadone. Boy, the 50 mg of trazadone made my nose so stuffy for the first hour after taking it that I couldn't sleep, but after that wore off, I was in deep sleep, all night long. After a few days of trazodone nose stuffiness, I decided to divide the dose in half to 25mg. It worked great for insomnia, but I still experienced the stuff nose effect, though less severe. Eventually I reduced it to 12.5 mg and this was perfect. I took this dose off and on for insomnia, but I haven't needed it in quite some months now. It seems that I sleep very well on Prozac twice weekly. I slept good on daily Prozac as well. Anyway, I wanted to mention that when the dose of Zoloft was upped to 75 mg. my hands began to shake and I felt anxious all the time. I didn't like that feeling, so my doc switched me to Wellbutrin SR 150 mg. which made me relaxed but irritable, and I could only take this irritability for one month, so then was switched to 20mg of Celexa. I was on the for about 4 months, but I felt depressed too often, not to mention lethargic during the day. So, I switched to Prozac. I just wanted to mention about the Zoloft experience for I read your post about how when your dose was increased to 50 mg it was too much. This can be very true if you suffer from Panic Disorder, as individuals with this are very sensitive to medicines. It only takes a little bit to do the trick. But, most doctors will urge their patient to stick it out, to weather the storm after increasing the dosage, for they know that usually the side effects will subside as the body adjusts to the medicine. I just couldn't handle the hand shakiness and anxiousness and didn't want to see if sticking through would eventually see these side effects subside, and an increase in benefits from the drug. I would rather take a lower dose or switch to another drug.
>
> Well, that's about it. Take care Hildi. Fuscia
Hi Fuscia. Good to hear from you again. After I read your previous post I went out and bought the book "Feeling Good" and read through parts of it yesterday. I took 20mg of prozac yesterday AM in the belief that maybe I'll try that route again. Years ago I had been on prozac, actually got too euphoric (but loved it and dr. wasn't concerned) and I stayed on the prozac until it pooped out about a year later. At that point I went on the zoloft because the good feelings had given way to anxiety. It really makes sense now- I was on too much prozac, way too much. I think your right, too, about the possible additional benefits of not taking the meds every day- not only will it not build up in our system, maybe our bodies won't get used to the med and stop working.
I have always been on 50mg zoloft- at least as far as I can remember. Throughout the years I have had trouble at certain times with this drug, and whenever I would ask the dr. he would always say I should up the dose- typical response!
When I tapered off the drug, rather recently, (in the belief I was going to go off prescription A/D's) and I was at 25mg I remember thinking I felt pretty good. What you said about your experience with zoloft, in addition to how I felt at the low dose, makes me think that maybe my emotional outbursts (I can be very hot tempered), my anxiety, and my lethargy and apathy MIGHT have to do with me needed a smaller dose.
When I recently tried to start zoloft again, I felt nausea and 'stoned' after taking a very small dose-only 25. So I tried again at half that and I STILL felt bad from the zoloft. I am afraid to try it again! It could be my body just responding to all the changes/meds I've put it throught lately, or maybe I've developed an intolerance or allergy to it. It is worth a try again, though. As far as the celexa goes, I'm with you on the depression-I have added depression and added anxiety- just don't feel that it would be worth it to try this med any further. It was only 3-4 weeks on it, but still!
Thanks for bring this up to me Fuscia. This might be the case.
One last thing- Whith the zoloft, I noticed it was working differently around my period. I could feel wierd feelings in my head, sensations in my brain, and my emotions started getting out of wack around my period-worse than usual. Could be hormones? Made me think the zoloft wasn't strong enough for me. Could too high of a dose have affected this ,too you think?
Hmmm. So many questions.
Hildi
poster:hildi
thread:111095
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020628/msgs/111695.html