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Mental Health  (Expert Forum)
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Another Zoloft side effect question
Answered by
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

Another Zoloft side effect question

by Iworryalot, Mar 20, 2004 12:00AM
I started taking Zoloft (the basic starter kit) yesterday for depression and anxiety.  It says it should take around 2 weeks (or more) to start seeing anything, but today I was in an unexpectedly good mood, and tonight I had a lot of diarrhea.  I know it's one of the side effects, but was wondering if everything should be coming on so strong so fast, and if the side effects will eventually subside.



These (the side effects) are going to pose a problem because the anxiety I get is so bad that whenever I get the slightest symptom of being sick, I automatically think I AM sick (I am seeing a psychologist for this).  I'm just worried that these will keep going on, and if they do, I'm not going to be able to keep up the Zoloft.



Anyway, have you heard of the effects coming on so fast, or being severe for a long period of time, or will they eventually stop?



-One more quick question-



Most of my anxiety comes from the fear (maybe a phobia) of throwing up.  I don't know why it's so bad, but that's what brings on all the worries.  Have you heard of any ways to get over the fear? I know this is silly, but perhaps hypnotherapy? I'm willing to try anything and everything at this point.



Thanks so much for anything you can help me with.
Doctor's Answer

by Roger Gould, M.D., Mar 22, 2004 12:00AM
The medication should not react that quickly, either the positive mood or the diarrhea.  Keep talking to your psychologist about your phobias, that is where you will get the most help.
Member Comments (11)

by sgt207, Mar 20, 2004 12:00AM
My side effects basically slowed down and became ok after a few weeks.  I was really tired for about 8 weeks but then it cleared.

by carolina12, Mar 20, 2004 12:00AM
To: iworryalot
Dear iworryalot....please don't worry anymore :)  I take Zoloft

too...I have been taking it for about a year now and it has

made me feel great!! Stay with it...and know that all those

awful symptoms you get WILL NOT HURT YOU!!!  The most important

thing is to get plenty of sleep...I start feeling yucky again

if I get behind on my rest.

by Iworryalot, Mar 20, 2004 12:00AM
Thanks for the comments.  I was really worried last night because I guess one of the side effects not listed is a warming flushed feeling that comes and goes.  I contacted the doc this morning about it and she said it was just a side effect and not to worry.  I know eventually things will get better, but right now it just feels like things are going to stay this way forever.

by britt's mom, Mar 20, 2004 12:00AM
To: worryalot and caroline
My daughter was put on Zoloft because she too had a fear of throwing up; though we still don't know the source of that fear, it is common; so don't worry a lot.  I want you girls to really check out the side effects of Zoloft because the doctors told us everything would be fine....today my daughter, 21, has horrible effects caused by Zoloft such as an uncrontrollable urge to drink massive amounts of alcohol and cutting herself and aggression...it landed her in jail this week.  I initially just thought she had a drinking problem but after researching these side effects, her behavior is due to the Zoloft; so please research thouroughly and ask your family to watch for anything unusual in your behavior because you won't really understand it yourself..my daughter is a funny sweet girl under normal circumstances; now she has been in two mental wards and two rehabs and finally in jail, and it took all of that for me to realize it was the zoloft not just the alcohol.  check the webistes under zoloft side effects and zoloft and alcohol.  I wish you both luck.  My mother takes zoloft and is just fine, but my daughter was affected adversely; so be aware and informed.  Dear worry a lot lots of young people develop odd fears while growing up..don't worry one day they will go away.  My brittany is tortured by the fear of throwing up.  I know how scarey it is for you, but you will most likely not throw up and if for some reason you did...you will see that all that worrying was for nothing because you will survive.  Take care and research zoloft completely, please

by icandoit, Mar 23, 2004 12:00AM
To: iworryalot
Hello.  Your positive mood after one day of taking zoloft is premature, but, The diarrhea, as well as stomach upset can start the next day and can last for a couple of weeks.  This will subside and go away.  This is what happened to me with Paxil..Best to you.  You will do just fine.

by deb723, Mar 24, 2004 12:00AM
I am currently doing research for an upcoming book which deals with the side effects and withdrawals people have experienced from Effexor XR and other (like) anti-depressants. I am interested in receiving any information current or former users would like to share concerning their experiences with these drugs. Please email me @:

beach-***@****

and thanks!

deb

by SJRogers, May 19, 2004 12:00AM
I went to the doctor about depression and was put on zoloft.... i was on it for 4 weeks.. 1st week 25mg, 2 week 50 mg, other weeks 75 mg, 3 weeks later i stopped taking it and i over dosed, trying to die... it felt like i was outside my body... weird feelings... other side effects i have heard of are violet behavior, weight gain, or lose, losing hair, pulling hair out, suicide thoughts, sweating, not being able to sleep, waking up in the night, tingling hands/feet, and many other things.... the doctors are gonna up my dose to 100mg..... i am on 50mg right now.... i am scared

by sewellmk, May 24, 2004 12:00AM
I was diagnosed with clinical depression by my family MD about a year ago. I was more than willing to be put on some sort of anti-depressant to help me feel better. Anything but Paxil.(I was on it for 2 months and I was miserable.)Zoloft helped me in the beginning to deal with my problems with a clear mind and not get stressed out so easily. It also helped stabilize my TSH for the first time (I'm also hypothyroid). But, I have gained 40 lbs. since starting Zoloft. I often experience abdominal pains, excessive thirst(fasting test for diabetes = normal), lack of appetite, and irritability. Most of all, I'm  extremely fatigued! For a long time, I assumed it was just my high TSH level, but it's right in range. My advice to anyone taking Zoloft: quite effective for a few months, but only in severe cases would I suggest continue depending on it. Good Luck!

by sad mum, Jun 15, 2004 12:00AM
hi all

i've just found out my mum has been taking zoloft, has developed a very bad drinking problem, and taking sleeping pills for 3 or 4 years. nasty shock. I was just wondering what kind of effects this will have on her health and how i can try and deal with it. thanks.

by elchrisanderson, Oct 02, 2007 02:38PM
To: Chris
Ive been taking zoloft for anxiaty and panic atacks  for 2 weeks now 25mg dose an night...Im 23 and Im a heavy drinker on the weekends, is this a problem? I noticed that the day after I drink im not hungover and Im completly out of energy  and dont want to get our of the bed or go out all day long. I know have to cut down the drinking ive only drank once since I starded with the treatment. any opinions on this?
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