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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Joy on January 4, 2001, at 9:06:49
I have tried Zoloft now for over six weeks. It did not help me, but the last week I feel a little better, but I had increased my dose to 125 mg and I seemed to get a lot of headaches on the higher doses. I am down now to about 35 mg. I am seeing my doc today, and am thinking of asking to try Prozac. I am afraid of weight gain on the Zoloft and it doesn't work that well anyway. My doc wanted me to try Prozac originally but I declined and went with Paxil [which worked] but I got off it too soon. I know I will have to stay on an antidepresant probably the rest of my life [depression/irritability, etc]. I have to look for a job which I dread now and need some help and the Zoloft is not doing it. I can't see a psych for a few weeks [insurance]. Should I go with the Prozac while I'm weaning off the Zoloft, or take 25 mg Zoloft while trying the Prozac? Anybody have any opinions? Thanks.
Joy
Posted by ZippityDoDah on January 4, 2001, at 22:35:59
In reply to Antidepressant Dilemma. Please Respond., posted by Joy on January 4, 2001, at 9:06:49
Do whatever your Dr. says . Withdrawal from zoloft can be strange. You may experience a sort of funny bone zap in your head. it is weird but to date no one has died from it
Posted by JohnL on January 5, 2001, at 3:54:36
In reply to Antidepressant Dilemma. Please Respond., posted by Joy on January 4, 2001, at 9:06:49
> I have tried Zoloft now for over six weeks. It did not help me, but the last week I feel a little better, but I had increased my dose to 125 mg and I seemed to get a lot of headaches on the higher doses. I am down now to about 35 mg. I am seeing my doc today, and am thinking of asking to try Prozac. I am afraid of weight gain on the Zoloft and it doesn't work that well anyway. My doc wanted me to try Prozac originally but I declined and went with Paxil [which worked] but I got off it too soon. I know I will have to stay on an antidepresant probably the rest of my life [depression/irritability, etc]. I have to look for a job which I dread now and need some help and the Zoloft is not doing it. I can't see a psych for a few weeks [insurance]. Should I go with the Prozac while I'm weaning off the Zoloft, or take 25 mg Zoloft while trying the Prozac? Anybody have any opinions? Thanks.
> Joy
Joy,
You could start Prozac any time you want. No need for a washout. The transition will be smoother that way, though you can always expect a few bumps and a little 'weirdness' when switching meds, any meds. Prozac could be a good choice, because it stands apart from other SSRIs in being distinctly unique in several ways. Even after all these years of new drug inventions, my family doctor still has more success prescribing Prozac than all other meds combined.A possible side effect of Prozac however is irritibility. This can mostly be avoided by starting with low doses and increasing as tolerated. Too much too fast will be more likely to cause irritibility. For example, if your doctor tells you to start with 10mg, dump the contents of the capsule into juice, stir it well, and drink half of it (5mg), or even 1/4 of it to start with. Save the rest in the fridge. The next day, stir it well and drink another small dose. It won't dissolve, so you have to stir it well each time. Work up to 10mg over several days. If he starts you at 20mg, do the same thing. Stir it well in juice and drink a custom sized minidose. This is a great way to get started on Prozac, a trick I learned from Dr Bob's Tips and from my favorite psychiatrist.
I wonder though, if Paxil was working, why stop? In addition to considering Prozac, you might want to rethink Paxil as well.
John
Posted by Joy on January 5, 2001, at 4:58:04
In reply to Re: Antidepressant Dilemma. Please Respond., posted by JohnL on January 5, 2001, at 3:54:36
John,
Thank you for your tip on Prozac. My doc has me starting at 20 mg and I will start lower the way you suggested. I am not going back on Paxil because I tried it a 2nd time when my symptoms returned, and it did not work as well for me. Also, so many people gain weight on Paxil, I was afraid to stay on too long [I was on almost 4 months first time, shorter 2nd time]. My understanding is that Prozac is more 'weight neutral'[for most people. A friend of mine is on Prozac over 10 years and she is very slim. Her metabolism has not slowed. I have seen these boards show people who have gained 20 or 30 pounds on Paxil in six months, and the weaning off is difficult too. I just hope Prozac is the right med for me. Thank you for your advice.
Joy
> > I have tried Zoloft now for over six weeks. It did not help me, but the last week I feel a little better, but I had increased my dose to 125 mg and I seemed to get a lot of headaches on the higher doses. I am down now to about 35 mg. I am seeing my doc today, and am thinking of asking to try Prozac. I am afraid of weight gain on the Zoloft and it doesn't work that well anyway. My doc wanted me to try Prozac originally but I declined and went with Paxil [which worked] but I got off it too soon. I know I will have to stay on an antidepresant probably the rest of my life [depression/irritability, etc]. I have to look for a job which I dread now and need some help and the Zoloft is not doing it. I can't see a psych for a few weeks [insurance]. Should I go with the Prozac while I'm weaning off the Zoloft, or take 25 mg Zoloft while trying the Prozac? Anybody have any opinions? Thanks.
> > Joy
>
>
> Joy,
> You could start Prozac any time you want. No need for a washout. The transition will be smoother that way, though you can always expect a few bumps and a little 'weirdness' when switching meds, any meds. Prozac could be a good choice, because it stands apart from other SSRIs in being distinctly unique in several ways. Even after all these years of new drug inventions, my family doctor still has more success prescribing Prozac than all other meds combined.
>
> A possible side effect of Prozac however is irritibility. This can mostly be avoided by starting with low doses and increasing as tolerated. Too much too fast will be more likely to cause irritibility. For example, if your doctor tells you to start with 10mg, dump the contents of the capsule into juice, stir it well, and drink half of it (5mg), or even 1/4 of it to start with. Save the rest in the fridge. The next day, stir it well and drink another small dose. It won't dissolve, so you have to stir it well each time. Work up to 10mg over several days. If he starts you at 20mg, do the same thing. Stir it well in juice and drink a custom sized minidose. This is a great way to get started on Prozac, a trick I learned from Dr Bob's Tips and from my favorite psychiatrist.
>
> I wonder though, if Paxil was working, why stop? In addition to considering Prozac, you might want to rethink Paxil as well.
> John
This is the end of the thread.
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