My Zoloft side effects experience, good and bad.

[sammons]

I just wanted to let everyone know that I started on 25 mg Zoloft about eight weeks ago.  For a while I couldn't remember things well, I felt dizzy, nervous, had tremors, lightheadedness and mad diarrhea for several weeks, but I did feel better depression-wise.  So I stayed on it.  I knew that these meds can take quite some time to take effect, and I wanted to give it a fair chance.  

This posting is to let everyone know that these side effects went away for me.  It has been about ten weeks or so now, and I am back to a normal memory level and all of the above listed side effects have dissipated.  I believe that all of these things are indicative of my body being acclimated to the drug.  Oh, and by the way, I have not experienced ANY decrease in sex drive, nor have I experienced ANY weight gain.  I know that these two things are among the main concerns of people considering antidepressant therapy.

I am just writing this to encourage people who think they should start any AD drug and are scared to.  I know I was scared, especially with all of the things I would read negatively about it on the internet.  Again, the people who are writing these things are taking the time to write them because they are mad that it effects them negatively.  Also, keep in mind that these people fail to mention whether or not they drink, smoke marijuana, do cocaine etc., or any number of other things that should not be happening while dealing with a depressive episode (or at all, for that matter).  

I also would like to say that for me, AD therapy is just one piece of the puzzle.  It is a nice intervention so that I can more effectively work on my cognitive/behavioral therapies.  Exercise is also extremely important.  In fact, once the meds started working, I started slacking on my meditative therapies, exercise and CBT.  The depression started to come back.  It is important to attack this issue from all points.  There is no such thing as a "miracle cure" for depression.

Anyway, I searched the internet for months on end before actually taking my perscription and what I found was approximately 98% negative and 2% positive.  I want to add to the positive comments because I think that if the meds are working for people, they are out living their lives normally and not angrily writing things about it on the internet. I think that different things work differently for different people, but if you've been prescribed an AD med and you want to take it, but are scared of it, don't be.  Be cautious, write about what you feel daily, and be open to the idea of being happier than you were previously.  It sounds like a contraindication, but most people who have depression and anxiety are somehow comfortable in their state of mind because it is familiar.  Feeling happy again is anxiety-producing at the beginning, but gets better and better!

Just some thoughts for my fellow depressive/anxious friends out there...

Keep smiling.  It's all about attitude!  ;o)

[sammons]

Yes, prior to Zoloft I also had a loaded gun under my bed.  Never pointed it at myself, but I sure was obsessing about it several times before taking it over to my parents' house for safe-keeping.  I've never been suicidal; I was more scared of becoming so than actually killing myself.  I don't pretend to have ever been that down that I actually want to go through with killing myself, but I have been to the place in my mind when I am most definitely thinking "what is the point of this?  Why should I even try?"  

Zoloft has helped with these thoughts and feelings, but again, it is only one piece of the puzzle for me.  If I don't exercise, the next day I feel like I'm going nuts again!

Everybody keep up the positive battle.  We have to stay positive and reframe negative thoughts, feelings and situations in our own minds so that we are not brewing up our own poisons.  

One other thing that worked extraordinarily well for me is to carry around a very small steno pad and write down all my negative thoughts throughout the day and replace them with a more realistic and comforting thougt.  For example, "I can't go to work today.  What if I have a panic attack at work and that makes my depression worse, and then I'll end up homeless because I can't pay rent and my jeep payment?  God, this is terrible. I am a victim and it's not fair" can be replaced with "I am going to make it a good day no matter what happens.  If I am panicky, I will be able to deal with it appropriately and it is nothing I can't handle.  I won't die, pass out, or make a fool of myself.  Of course I won't be homeless someday.  I am capable of making it successfully through my day and I am a courageous human being."  

[Hensley258]

Great to hear. Zoloft was my first AD medication back in 93 and it saved my life.

People can scoff all they want, but prior to Zoloft I had a loaded gun to my head everyday.

[Liz50]

I had to smile a little...I've been on Zoloft for 12 years, unbelievable, I thought when I went on it it would be a short term thing...and yes, I remember the incredibly negative things I read about it and I was terrified to try anything, but my depression/anxiety was so crushing it was try something or be hospitalized...long story short, I've been on as high a dose as the max of 200 mgs and as low as a maintenance dose of 50 mgs a day. I did experience a 40 lb weight gain (can't lose it for anything!) and I still have a lot of anxiety, but I am functional, can work, deal with life.
2-1/2 years ago my hubby was dxed with liver cancer, has had a liver transplant, and now is on a brutal chemo-lilke TX for the HepC which gave him cancer in the first place. Hasn't been a good time for us...so altho my Zoloft dose had been tapered way down, I am now back to the max dose and needing daily anti-anxiety meds and I am now going back to my therapist. I guess there's no moral to my tale, and I sure don't want sympathy, it is what it is....I am just glad the Zoloft keeps on working. There is still a lot of prejudce against mental illness of any kind in this world and I keep my woes to myself...wishing you the best. Get all the help you can, as Florena says, it takes courage.
Liz

[ParamedFlorena]

Thank you so much for this contribution! Since we are all so individual, the antidepressivas will of course have different effect, but never fail to try the "solid advice":

- Exercise (self-care)
- Counseling (motivation) and
- Trust/Courage

Trusting myself to get off my Remeron was the puzzle that worked for me, of course when life was a little less challenging and with something positive to look forward to. It's still a season left to try, but as for now - TRUST, MOTIVATION, COURAGE and CARE for oneself counts as part of the personalized plan to achieve balance again.

Florena

[ames67]

Thank you for your post. It is nice to read success stories and I wish there were more out there like you who would write. I totally agree that many of the posts come from people who are having difficulty and far less from those who are managing their illness. Keep up the good work!!