Posted by nomadjones on July 22, 2008, at 10:37:03
Hi All:
Im considering going back on Zoloft for anxiety (GAD [esp. catastrophizing] and social anxiety) and depression. For anxiety and depression, should I go back to the Zoloft or try something else? Any recommendations based on the below?
I used Zoloft (Vitamin Z) during two periods in my life (late 20s to early 30s, mid 30s to 40s). I start at 50mg, but ramp up eventually to 150mg. Im 42 now (male) and have been again struggling with anxiety and depression and have been irritable.
Every time I go on Zoloft, the ramp up and dosage increases have had significant akathisia (anxiety, restlessness) plus insomnia. I didnt know it was akathisia until long after when I started reading this board (I would now use sleeping pills and benzos to get through the akathisia). Zoloft seemed to do some good (esp. at first), but it wasnt a magic bullet and led to augmentation (buspar and wellbutrin). While on Zoloft, I had insomnia (treated with sleeping pills) and some sexual dysfunction (treated occasionally with viagra, etc.) and snoring (issue for my wife maybe if I lose some pounds it will be ok).
Ive tried the following at various points in my life: prozac (just had diarrhea), paxil (no effect), effexor (no help, destroyed my sex life), buspar (maybe helped a little in conjunction with Zoloft), wellbutrin (in conjunction with Zoloft, dont know that it did anything except give my hives at 300mg).
Im currently taking supplements (esp. 5HTP [200mg time release in morning] and St. Johns Wort [300mg once or twice daily]), but they dont seem to be doing enough. I also currently take 4 x 0.5mg clonazepam and 1 x 0.5mg xanax to manage the anxiety.
I also have early awakening insomnia, despite taking Lunesta (Ambien & Ambien CR no longer help) and time release melatonin. Generally I wake up with lots of anxiety, so Ive surmised that cortisol may be involved and Ive been supplementing with anticortisols (phosphatidyl serine, baby aspirin, time release vitamin C) some moderate help from these, but still see the clock at 430am 5am and generally pop my xanax then.
Id like to be less anxious and more happy (wouldnt all of us here?). The benzos help, but arent constant and may be interfering with my memory/cognition. Im going through a very stressful period in my life (hellish job, money issues, marriage issues, parent of a toddler, and upcoming foreign adoption).
SO, BACK TO MY MAIN QUESTION: For anxiety and depression, should I go back to the Zoloft or try something else? Any recommendations? I think Id jump on Tianeptine (Stablon), but Im in the US and it would be a hassle/expensive to get it here.
Ill post separately about drug screening and washout of zoloft and the benzos.
Many thanks in advance for any help!
-Nomad
poster:nomadjones
thread:841407
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080718/msgs/841407.html