does zoloft woork

[robbie178]

I have been on zoloft for almost two weeks. I thought it started to kick in a few days ago. My energy level was better and my concentration was clearer. I did not sleep well last night and I feel like I got hit by a truck today. I feel like I cannot function again. Is there anyone out there who is on or who has been on Zoloft and how do you know its working.

[ParamedFlorena]

As with all other AD's it will take a few weeks for it to work! Hang in there, you'll notice the difference!

Florena

[kcdem]

It is true that it will take time to kick in fully. In my experience that time frame was less than the Dr said. I have just STOPPED taking ZOLOFT as of a few days ago. WHY? Insomnia, stiff kneck, itchy eyes, numb noodle, agitation I could go on. I had only been on 1 other med, Prozac and for some reason changed. I had only taken Prozac for about 3 or 4 months and it worked GREAT. I had some trauma in my life, went into a 3 week panic attack and stopped the Prozac for some reason.

I was ALWAYS told by Dr's that if an SSRI is right for you, you will feel NOTHING in the first few weeks, then gradually feel better. It did not take that long on the Prozac but that is spot on what happened. I had tried Paxil about ten years ago, felt nervous jittery, anxious, doc said not right for you stop. I never went back and or started another med until about 5 yr's ago tried Wellbutrin, felt nervous, jittery, speedy, no appetite, doc said quit. I said screw these things they make me feel worse.

I finally tried the PROZAC and it worked just as I was told it would.I felt nothing for a couple weeks then it was great for me...it was fairly profound. about 3 weeks in, I did have the numb noodle but it passed after a couple days. On the Zoloft that noodle effect started after day 4 and NEVER went away.

After the traumatic events; for some reason I thought the Prozac had turned on me or something, and allowed a Psychiatrist to talk me into what he deemed "the gold standard" of SSRI's ZOLOFT.

ZOLOFT for me sucked arse. I had TERRIBLE insomnia, immediate sexual side effects (wifey hates when that happens) and general agitation and angst. I had none of that with Prozac and I am now as of a few days back on that.

For the life of me I cant figure out why Dr's and people make excuses and are so protective of Zoloft. If this is your first anti depressant (or 2nd or 3rd) I would get off NOW with Dr. supervision of course. The longer you are on it the more 5ht-2 stimulation you will have. That part of the brain being stimulated is associated with all the undesired side effects that have already been described.

The longer you take Zoloft the harder it will be to switch and not have continued 5ht-2 (I think I have that right) stimulation. Call the doc if you dont feel better soon or call tomorrow and tell them you want off of it.

I was prescribed 50 mgs of Zoloft. After feeling like I was speedy, and not sleeping for several days doc said go down to 25mgs in the morning, and that should take care of it. Almost a month later no sleep (get second wind about midnight) still agitated, still overly verbal and so on. I really think Zoloft is cra*. This is just my opinion I am far from a Dr. I am not depressed and have great energy, but all the other stuff along with it.I know many people that agree with me, and feel Zoloft is just too much.

Again if an SSRI is right for you you will feel NOTHING (like a placebo) then feel better, why do they keep making excuses for Zoloft,,,I dont know, I just hope I got off of it in time so that the Prozac will still have the same effect. Of course my therapy, not drinking or smoking weed are a must as well, I quit those months ago. Good nutrition also a must with exercise.

I am not rying to be an alarmist I just think Zoloft is dirty and messy and not for me.


Good luck to you, call your Dr, and tell them the effect and stand your ground, that is my humble advice.

kcdem

[robbie178]

The last two nights I have slept really bad. I have a med to make me fall asleep but I awake in the morning and it takes me along time to get back to sleep. This is happening more so when I started the Zoloft. Feel fatigued and agitated also have the sexual side effects. I have that with every ssri I have taken. However I have never taken Prozac but I am willing to try. I heard that Prozac is similar to Zoloft. Is that true? Gathering from what you have stated that doesn't seem to be so. Also, you did not have any sexual side effects with Prozac? I was given Zoloft to treat anxiety and depression. My energy level is so bad that I am having trouble getting out of my apartment. Will the prozac boost my energy level? Looking forward to your reply.
Robbie

[kcdem]

You may be feeling less energy because of the sleep med. I had to take klonopin (keep on hand for SITUATIONAL anxiety) to sleep once starting Zoloft. i never ever had insomnia or problems going back to sleep before the Zolfoft. The sexual side effects were much harsher with zoloft, agitation, you name it.

The zoloft is probably working against the sleep aid and you are caught in the middle. Prozac is in the same family as zoloft but they were light years apart for me. i hate zoloft, it is messy non suttle and just to much for my delicate nature, but I could drink 15 martinis and have never felt delicate but zoloft was just too much. i felt the effects right away.

I did not want to get addicted to having to have a sleep aid to sleep, that is a road i have no interest in. Prozac was not an energy booster for me, i think energy comes from nutrition, and exercise and getting off my arse. i would take natural tiredness over insomnia and having to take a sleep aid any day.

look up the history of Zoloft on whikopedia, notice that it was banned in europe until magically in 1991 it was approved. you can read the %'s from the double blind studies right there. then resarch prozac. I have heard that lexipro and prozac are the best but opted for prozac because of generic option.

The sexual side efects on prozac only lasted about a week, and then it was smooth sailing, if not BETTER sex like viagra or something. i have used viagra once got it from a buddy, dont advocate that just keepin it real.

Prozac does not boost my energy level, but i dont want that, for me that leads to no or hard fought sleep, or needing a sleep aid. That combo i think is what would make one tired the next day.

Zolft did lift my depression and anxiety, but all the other cra* far outweighed any benefit.


kcdem