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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Chris O on June 30, 2008, at 13:23:19
I have a bad anxiety disorder. It's a lifelong condition. I started on Zoloft 50mg a day one week ago. It doesn't seem to be having much of an effect on me so far. Plus, I can tell physically it has a quick half life. So, my question is: Does this stuff "build up" over several weeks similar to Prozac and other long-half life SSRIs? Or, is this kind of weak feeling I'm experiencing after seven days all I'm going to get from Zoloft? I don't know if I should switch back to Prozac or Celexa, which helped me in the past (10 years ago), but gave me some unwanted weight gain too.
Chris
Posted by dbc on June 30, 2008, at 14:59:09
In reply to How long should it take Zoloft to really 'work?', posted by Chris O on June 30, 2008, at 13:23:19
Month to a month and a half. Same song and dance as all the other SSRIs. Theres never really any way to tell when any of these reuptake type drugs will decide to kick in. I once read the theory to the reason behind this but its probably meaningless to you because its just technical nerdery.
Posted by Chris O on June 30, 2008, at 15:40:43
In reply to Re: How long should it take Zoloft to really 'work, posted by dbc on June 30, 2008, at 14:59:09
Thanks, dbc!
So, in your understanding, despite the short twenty-four hour half life, Zoloft still has some type of "build up" effect?
Posted by dbc on June 30, 2008, at 15:51:53
In reply to Re: How long should it take Zoloft to really 'work » dbc, posted by Chris O on June 30, 2008, at 15:40:43
Its not the build up of the drug i dont think its that theres some neurochemical reaction that tells receptor sites to stop well uh recepeting the 5ht transporter cells. Which causes serotonin to build up in the neuronal cleft blahblah the drugs do their magic.
That was the most silly ham fisted way i've explained something in a long time.
Posted by coral on June 30, 2008, at 18:12:01
In reply to How long should it take Zoloft to really 'work?', posted by Chris O on June 30, 2008, at 13:23:19
When I went through a severe clinical depression, it took six months at 200 mg to achieve breakthrough. However, tricyclics were a disaster for me, and the six months were worth it to get the relief.
Posted by Maxime on June 30, 2008, at 19:46:36
In reply to How long should it take Zoloft to really 'work?', posted by Chris O on June 30, 2008, at 13:23:19
About 4-6 weeks or so. You are also on a low dose. I hope you find some relief soon.
Maxime
Posted by Chris O on June 30, 2008, at 20:07:16
In reply to Re: How long should it take Zoloft to really 'work, posted by dbc on June 30, 2008, at 15:51:53
dbc:
Hey, don't knock the "blah-blah" phrase. It can go a long way! Your explanation was as good as ten million word hand-out they give in the sample drug packs. And much more understandable.
Thanks,
Chris
Posted by Chris O on June 30, 2008, at 20:11:17
In reply to Re: How long should it take Zoloft to really 'work?', posted by coral on June 30, 2008, at 18:12:01
Well, I've got a lifetime anxiety disorder, so I only hope it doesn't take a lifetime for me to get relief! I just go on and off meds, though I have been more off than on.
Six months at 200mg, huh? God, it must have been torture waiting for it to work. I hope I don't to wait that long. I've never tried TCAs, though imipramine was once suggested to me for my GAD, panic, and other assorted anxieties. Sounds like the side effects were not worth it for you.
Thanks for the feedback and hope you are doing better.
Chris
Posted by Chris O on June 30, 2008, at 20:19:47
In reply to Re: How long should it take Zoloft to really 'work?' » Chris O, posted by Maxime on June 30, 2008, at 19:46:36
I just started last week. I guess I'll just wait it out and see. I took Lexapro for a year in 2004 and it did nothing. I had success with Prozac and Celexa in 1999. Most of the time I just suffer with my GAD. However, it is getting worse as I get older. I only sleep for 1-2 hours at a time at night. I'm exhausted all the time. There is a physical tension/anxiety in my body that never goes away, and gets very bad at night. If I didn't have my tele-commute agoraphobia-supporting job, I'd probably be in a far worse place. I'll probably up the dose next week when I go back to see the psychiatrist.
Thanks for the feedback!
Chris
Posted by coral on June 30, 2008, at 21:03:51
In reply to Re: How long should it take Zoloft to really 'work » coral, posted by Chris O on June 30, 2008, at 20:11:17
Chris - my diagnosis was severe clinical depression, coupled with anxiety. The anxiety was relieved much earlier than the depression after starting zoloft. It was roughly 2 months and I was anxiety-free. I should've clarified that earlier.
The Tri's were horrible; inducing rage, nasty hormonal imbalances, threw me into very early menopause, blah blah..,bad stuff for me.
Best of luck to you!
Posted by Phillipa on July 1, 2008, at 1:00:52
In reply to Re: How long should it take Zoloft to really 'work, posted by coral on June 30, 2008, at 21:03:51
I only know that I've been on 50mg of zoloft and felt nothing. Neice takes 75mg and says it really helps her anxiety, sister takes it too with xanax. My Son took it at 200mg for a short time for PTSD from Desert Storm with ativan. Now he just uses the ativan. He was on 200mg. I probably should try it too since it works for so many family members. Good Luck Phillipa
Posted by Justherself54 on July 1, 2008, at 7:55:53
In reply to Re: How long should it take Zoloft to really 'work, posted by Chris O on June 30, 2008, at 20:19:47
Zoloft started working for me in the second week at 75...pooped out at 200 mg...but they all do on me...It was my favourite...but you are sleep deprived...that is going to add to your GAD...perhaps your pdoc has some suggestions to help you get some proper sleep...hope you are feeling well soon.
Posted by Chris O on July 1, 2008, at 19:52:46
In reply to Re: How long should it take Zoloft to really 'work, posted by Justherself54 on July 1, 2008, at 7:55:53
Thanks for the feedback. Feeling very anxious. Don't know if the Zoloft is contributing to that, or if my anxiety is just stuck in a very noticeable place. Not certain if I can stick with the Zoloft if I can't sleep and remain this anxious. Thanks again.
Posted by Phillipa on July 2, 2008, at 19:18:20
In reply to Re: How long should it take Zoloft to really 'work » Justherself54, posted by Chris O on July 1, 2008, at 19:52:46
Chris can you take a benzo til you're used to the med? Love Phillipa
Posted by Chris O on July 5, 2008, at 0:30:31
In reply to Re: How long should it take Zoloft to really 'work » Chris O, posted by Phillipa on July 2, 2008, at 19:18:20
Phillipa:
I probably could take a benzo, but I don't know if Zoloft is the right SSRI for me anyway. It seems too activating + dampening. I had success with Prozac and Celexa several years ago. I don't remember them having an activating or dampening effect. They were more calming and opening. It's frustrating though, because it seems that many people with anxiety disorder-oriented stuff get success from Zoloft. You said your son was taking it successfully for PTSD, right? Actually, I took the Zoloft for eight days, then stopped a few days ago. I feel better off it than on it. I'll probably try something else. I was on this board four years ago when I too Lexapro for a year, but that did little for me, even at a higher dose (40mg). The psychiatrist I saw for the first time was also suggesting Neurontin or low dose Abilify. Not a big fan of the anti-psychotic drugs for anxiety. I guess I'll just have to experiment again, like everyone else. What a drug these disorders are.
Posted by Phillipa on July 5, 2008, at 0:38:23
In reply to Re: How long should it take Zoloft to really 'work » Phillipa, posted by Chris O on July 5, 2008, at 0:30:31
I hear your frustration as the same thing happens to me what works for one doesn't always work for another. As they say mileage varies. But that doesn't help when you feel miserable. So sorry. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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