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Mental Health  (Expert Forum)
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Zoloft, side effects... my story ( need help!)
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Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
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MedHelp Member's Question

Zoloft, side effects... my story ( need help!)

by Nandaska, Dec 09, 2001 12:00AM
I am a 29yr old female...I never had panic attacks or any kind of anxiety issues before but recently things hit me pretty hard ( I had wisdom tooth surgery on Oct 26th and the extraction damaged a nerve causing my lip and chin to be numb - I couldnt take it and fell into a depression, then had what I now know as panic attacks) - Althought I resisted because I dont take any drugs & cant even tolorate alchol, my family doctor told me to take .25mg of xanax 3 times a day and 25mg of Zoloft per day, after 2 days on 25mg he told me to increase to 50mg, was on that for only 1 week and he had me move up to 100mg... I cannot express the hell I have been living, tingling in my hand legs, feet and head, heart palpitations, preasure in my head, strange eye movements - vision problems)weird vivid dreams and intense crying spells. I started to see a therapist because I thought I was crazy... I have been to so many doctors and nobody could tell me what was wrong ( even though I told them about the Zoloft) I have been to 2 Neorologists ( had an MRI and EEG and a visually evoked test)because I thought I was having seizures or possibly could have MS... I have been to my eye doctor 2 times to check my vision and my Gynocologist - to make things worse my gyno had found a lump in my breast and now I have surgery scheduled for this tuesday to remove it ( they dont think its cancerous but god only knows)



Can I be put under anethesia while on Zoloft?  I told all the doctors & they dont seem concerned ( but I AM!!) what do I do???

My doctor now tells me to drop down to 75mg per day..
Doctor's Answer

by Roger Gould, M.D., Dec 10, 2001 12:00AM
You should be sure to tell the anethesiologist directly about the zoloft, but in general, it should not be a problem. Have a consultation with him before your surgery if you have any doubts about this.  Your anxiety reaction is extremely uncomfortable and somatic, so it is hard to tell which are anxiety symptoms and what might be side effects. Most of what you described sounds like primary anxiety symptoms, and zoloft and or xanax should take care of them with the right dose..along with therapy, which is an essential ingredient.
Member Comments (17)

by Pen, Dec 10, 2001 12:00AM
Please let me know if this helps because I had trouble with anti depressants in the past. Only have the tablets on a FULL STOMACH. So take them after you biggest meal, probably dinner at night. If I don't I wake up in the middle of the night with the shakes, hot and cold flushes, tingling in arms and legs, and vomiting. Hope this helps.

by Nandaska, Dec 10, 2001 12:00AM
Thanks for the post,  I will definatly try that ( maybe thats why people say they gain weight on antidepressants!) why doesnt the doctors or pharmacist know????

by ziros, Dec 10, 2001 12:00AM
To: nadaska
I to have had the same symptoms that your describe almost all of them except the eye movement. But everything else very similar I refused to take anti-depressants and took buspar and xanax for a while. But currently stopped allmeds because I dont wanna lose focus on my "struggle" I am a 25year old male and prior to the onset of my systems was very ok with my life. Now, however it seems that it's been a struggle to regain My Health, I To have gone to a therapist , who stated that I was clear and focused, a slew of doctors, many, many test Including an Open MRi with contract cervical MRI, and EEg , EMG, spinal Tap (That was horrible) several Labs, I am waiting for sonogram of throat and several vitamin labs to see my specialist, also My tap results will be ready in a few. I would like to say that I personnaly know that this is hard, Believe me just when My life seemed to begin, everything now has crumbled, What I have leared is that so Far nobody can tell me what s going on, whatever I Have It's eluding modern medicine. I Cant wait to feel better and get my life back on track. All I Can say is just hang in there, my therapist once told me that we will know one way or another (he is kinda a hardliner) whats going on, we will either get better or worse. Hang In there sweetie, And believe me you're not alone.

Have you had your MRI done with contrast. That is the preffered method of operations with the diagnosis of certain diseases.

Take care and God bLess.

by Nandaska, Dec 10, 2001 12:00AM
Thanks all,

Its extremely difficult when one day you know your body and feeling and then the next everything you know to be true changes..  I find myself questioning everything now,  I really feel that i need to get off the zoloft and try the natural route.   With therapy of course..

Its nice to know I am not alone,  that many others are undergoing a battery of tests to uncover the "mystery".  



I just want to feel like myself again!



good luck to all...

by ziros, Dec 10, 2001 12:00AM
Its makes it more challenging of the meds, but it keeps you focused and lets you know that once I felt "good". I want that feeling again so You fight, and nomatter what people around you say, you and you alone are the only one who knows what is going on. Listen to yourself, Take constructive advice, and focus on what you need to do, Is my theory. I've almost lost (and still Balancing) My job with all this doctors visit, and a lot of my friends I have Not been able to hang out, and girlfriends I havent dated nearly as much, all Because of my struggle to find out. Sure I can Live Like this and just take it, Curl up in a corner and Live life feeling bad, But i Wont, I'll try untill all my resources are exhausted, Nomatter who or what people say. In the end I'll Be a better person , when I Know that I fought hard for myself, No body else Will , and I'm not looking for that anyways, but it just shows you that we have to take initiative and continue, Its So Hard for me (Now-a-days) to get up and pay a stinking Bill, or go to my job, Because I know that something is wrong, and still dont have an answer. Yes its hard at the beginning, but after a while you toughen up a bit and get focused on the goal, That is where i am now. I hope to get over soom I Can only go foreward and Pray. Sorry for rambling. Thanks and let me know if you wanna chat sooner or later, I'll Give you a e-mail. Feel better, And I Hope that everything works out.

Take care to all.

Peace.

by Nandaska, Dec 10, 2001 12:00AM
To: zeros
Sounds like we are on the same page ( pretty scary huh?)  I am beginning to realize that I am the only one who knows my body and I will do whatever it takes to feel like myself again. ( & if that means tons of test then so be it)  I am (or was) the type of person that was outgoing, independant, loving, tons of friends and a social life... I want that back!!  



I cant write much now.. preparing for surgery tomorrow ( oh god!!)

e-mail me if you like sounds like we have alot in common

***@****

by dgull, Dec 10, 2001 12:00AM
ssri's can be brutal and create the impression that you are insane now and forever. It is the drug and you can quit but with zoloft you must taper off to not get worse from withdrawal. Use meditation not medication. I cannot use drugs either. read my post if you want a taste of full psychotic reaction to prozac.

by ziros, Dec 11, 2001 12:00AM
To: nadaska
First I wanna wish you a speedy recovery. And Indeed it does sound like we are almost in the same boat. I Know that anxiety is called the great imposter, But I also Know of an organic situation that can bring on anxiety, So Its sounds like you and I are in that Tough Position of finding out in which order we fall in. Well good luck with all and I Hope it all turn good.

take Care. I'll try to write to you, soon. here is my e-mail:

***@****

Take care to all.

by Nandaska, Dec 12, 2001 12:00AM
Hey guys,  had the surgery yesterday and everything went great!  I havent gotten the biapsy(?) back yet but the doctor said hes positive it wasnt malignant...yea!



I didnt take the zoloft yesterday and went under anethesia with no problems & actually felt good all day.. like myself again... I definatly think its the meds,  I tapered down to 50mg this morning and took it with a big breakfast ( a change from someone who generally had only coffee in the am) Im feeling pretty good ( much better then when I was on 100mg) however my plan is to get off the stuff.. Im more scared of the pills then the panic...





thanks for all the posts,& good luck to all...

by bcrfowler, Dec 12, 2001 12:00AM
My husband took Zoloft for 3-4 days, and his symptoms were as you descriped, and got worse.  The doctor put him on Zoloft after me saying he didn't take stress very well.  "Oh, I can give you something for that".  I asked if would be okay with his heart meds he was taking at the time.  "no problem".  After one day he started feeling awlful.  I called in the nurse said no problem, by day 4 he was sweating profusely.  On the internet I read he shouldn't take with current meds, and I was in a forum that loads of people had the same problem.  He stopped taking the meds and improved within a week.  If your doctor doesn't recognize there is a problem.  Find a different doctor.  There has to be a med that doesn't cause the side effects, because obviously Zoloft caused you to have to see another doctor.

by Nandaska, Dec 12, 2001 12:00AM
Isnt it scary that Dr's are handing out anti-depressants like anitbiotics?? These are not magic pills for everyone with slight anxiety or sadness,  Im sure they work for some people but I believe most are given the med to quickly and then confuse the side effects with true anxiety or medical problems. This then starts the spiral.. I am changing doctors and therapists...



I didnt even have the opportunity to battle the orginal problem without meds.. Im a tough girl and would have gotten through quicker without being altered. Now Im almost 2 months in and my original issue doesnt even bother me,  the damn tingling, dizziness, sweating caused more harm then good..



I'll keep posting my progress..



50mg today ( a little out of it but better then before)





by Dara, Jan 04, 2002 12:00AM
hello everyone! I;ve certainly been informed and encouraged by reading all of your comments.  I am an anxiety sufferer.  I've been on Zoloft for the past 6 months, after having an unfavorable experience with Paxil.  After 6 months i still am having anxiety attacks , crying spells and moments of pure terror.  i thought by this time I should be feeling like myself.  I went to my internist today and explained my situation with the Zoloft, and his response was to up the dosage of Xanax.(i had already tried the increase from 50mg to 100mg) i couldn't handle the 100mg so I'm back down to 50mg.  I feel as though I'm paddling backwards.  I'm so discouraged to have followed all Dr. 's orders and I'm still not myself.  Can anyone give some reassurance or advice for perhaps my next move.  I would be grateful for your help.

by amk627, Jan 08, 2002 12:00AM
Hi, I just felt like contributing to your lists of posts.

I have been a ocd sufferer for a long time. I have had increased anxiety over trying to stop the