Zoloft vs Effexor ??

[ADKmtnMan]

Good Morning Everyone

Week 6 of 48 here and surviving -- SX have grown more bearable, except that I find myself using more ativan for anxiety attacks.

In that respect, my Hep Doctor is recommending that I switch from zoloft which I have been taking for a couple years to Effexor XR.  He thinks that would work better.  My Psychiatrist on the other hand prefers the Zoloft as it has fewer side effects when being weaned off it.  

Has anyone else dealt with this as an issue? Thanks in advance for your help / input!

Have a great weekend everyone!

[NYgirl]

I started taking Paxill (20mg) a month before treatment so it could be up and running when I started.  It's been an absolute life saver for me.  If you need an AD...take one. Anything that helps us deal with tx is a good and needed thing.

[mntlady]

my dr put me on effexor three months before I started tx and i had have no problems at all...i really like it...as nyg said anything to make the trip better for you ...take care

[Loopy Wafflehead]

Well I have ben through them both and to be wuite frank neither worked for me . I too suffer from anxiety attacks but have thnakfully after many years no longer need nerve tranquilzers such aas ativan to help me anymore.  Effexor I found to give me alot of side effects and mostly none good. Zoloft was nice but after a period of 8 months the effectiveness was no very good. I would say that you are the patient and have the right to choose which you feel is best the only way to really know how you will react to theses meds is trial and error. I have been throught many different meds before the doctotrs and I found one that helped and  luckily through perserverance one was found. Yay. ive been on it for a little over a year now and I am quite pleased that I kept on keeping on . I wish you luck on this journey and hope all goes well for you.

[Loopy Wafflehead]

Soory for all the typos there . Just to let you know I do not have HEP but can sympathise as I have struggled with Major Depression for many many years and I know how badly it can sap you of everything good. Just keep as postive outlook as you can and take any and all meds you have to until you feel better , mentally speaking as this depression can alos cause some physical symptoms as well. I could Id hug ya and tell ya you have made a good choice to not let Depression win you over.

[ADKmtnMan]

Thanks everyone for the responses!

I am of the opinion that if it ain't broke don't fix it -- so I will stick with the zoloft for now.  Of course that also translates into no libido either!!  then again, as I understand things, Effexor carries that same side effect too! No alchohol, no sex , no .... hell why wouldn't one get depressed on these meds!!!

[settecasi1]

It was explained to me by a doctor "Effexor" is a heavy duty AD drug.

[Toby G]

I went on effexor on week 5, started 37,5 mg ( lightest dose) for 7 days seemed to be enough for me so didnt go to higher dosage s, ( he left that up to me) some people go to  75 mg. and 150mg, but lower does seems to work for me!, was having trouble breathing , getting emotional over nothing, and had a spell of rage, not to mention couldnt think right a few times. but all that gone now! Oh ya, had been having lower back pain, think muscles just never relaxed , and that gone too! Doc did say though he sometimes had to trydifferent meds 3 or 4 times till found one that was right for pacient, but this was first choice
In week 8 now

[petespin]

I concur, if it aint broke, don't fix it.  For me, the magic drug was lexapro, and paxil gave me tremors.  If it keeps you out of depression, and keeps the anxiety at bay, go with it.  

From what I understand, the only drug that is good on the libido is welbutrin.  However, being depressed isn't good on the libido either...

[Russian]

Wellbutrin works best for me.