Zoloft?? What do you think??

[torque]

I have been contemplating trying an anti-anxiety/depression medication. I am anxious from time to time and just feel blah. I think it is related to my hormones. I was on bcp for 12 yrs. I went off of them about 4 months ago. I thought it was the pill, but now that I am not feeling any better, and my hormones are all over the place it seems to be getting worse. I have an appt with my doc on thursday, and was wondering about different pills. Does anyone have any luck with any brand? I have heard Zoloft was ok. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

[Soonerdean]

Do a search for "anxiety meds" and find out what ALL the possbile side effects and withdrawal symptoms are.  If you have anxiety and your doc tries to treat you for depression it will make your anxiety worse....I know from recent experience.  I recently quit taking Cymbalta and it was HORRIBLE!  What really made me mad is my doc NEVER informed me as to what would/could happen when that time came.  Once you start an ssri or ssnri med they are extremely difficult to quit.  Some people have acutally gone back on their meds because the withdrawals were too bad.  I was lucky...I was able to stick it out and stay off of Cymbalta.  PLEASE research this stuff.  I would recommend asking a pharmacist their opinion....I think they will give you a straight forward answer as some docs wont....I know mine did not.  I dont have lots of faith in doctors right now.

I'm not saying don't take anything...I'm saying be informed as to what you are taking.

[magen7984]

personally i did not like zoloft. I like xanax or xanax xr i like meds that i can take when needed not everyday

[396SS]

I was a fan of Zoloft.  Everyone is different.  It helped me - and my husband like it too.  We are both off of it now, but it was good to us:)  Remember, Zoloft is an antidepressant and Xanax is a benzodiazapine - two diff. things.  Xanax can be addictive - Zoloft  is cannot.  You get withdrawal symptoms if you quit Zoloft cold turkey - but that is just a physical side effect - not addiction.  Just some thoughts:)

[torque]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I am so afraid to start taking something. I know I need to change though- I need to do something. I am going to go through all of the possibilities with my doc- including the anti-depressant, anti-anxiety meds, maybe through birth control pill, and/or complete diet changes. I hope she can help me. I want to get out of this funk. I am glad to hear that some of the medications they have are somewhat easy to come off of. That makes me feel a bit better. Anyway, wish me luck for thursday!!

[hatgal]

Hi - I am a HUGE fan of zoloft.  I believe alot of my anxiety is hormonal as well and the zoloft balances those hormones for me.  But as another post said, everyone is different and you are very lucky if you can find the correct med for yourself from the start.  Zoloft was great for me for 9 years, expect the sexual side effects.  But, went on Effexor for 2 months and nearly went insane and I am totally serious.  I am now back on my wonderful zoloft and will learn to deal wi the sexual side effects in other ways.

Best to you.....

[tanns]

Welcome back!  I don't mean to get on this thread and interrupt, I just saw your post and thought I'd check in and see how the flight went?

[torque]

Thanks for the encouragement. I went off of the birth control because of no sex drive. I guess my husband could deal with that a bit longer. The more and more I think about it, I dont want meds. I really want to do this maybe through diet and exercise. I will have the doc decide what she thinks is best for me. She tries to do things more naturaly, so we shall see. Just thinking about this appt is making me anxious!! UGH!!! Will it ever end???

[hatgal]

It would be wonderful if you could control th is through diet and exercise; I am a big fan of relieving anxiety through walking and lifting small weights - it realy does help. However, I use that method in conjunction with the zoloft b/c what if I stray from my diet, can't workout, etc. for any length of time? I couldn't rely only on that to get me through.

The sexual side effects really drive me nuts (not to mention my husband) b/c I was always the instigator (sp?). I just love sex and being with my husband, but I need to begin a search to help me get the desire back b/c it is really gone.  I think about it alot; just no physical desire.  Sorry for TMI, just relating my experience with the zoloft.

But, definitely, to each her/his own.  Here's to the best mental/physical health!