crazy worries but i can't help it

[u2crew]

I have two questions. I take Zoloft for OCD and I have extreme ejaculatory delay. In order to have an orgasm I need to clench muscles in the back of my neck and head. I am always worried that I am giving myself a stroke because sometimes I have headaches after. My doctor has said that I haven't had a stroke because I haven't had any other major symptoms but I nevertheless worry about it because of the pressure. My doctor said it isn't any different than what weightlifters do ie. they squeeze their muscles when lifting and he said not to worry about it. What do you think? because once I thought I had a blurry vision problem from this in addition to a headache but then I am overly paranoid. I have never exhibited the classic hemmoraghic stroke symptoms like weakness in one side of the body, difficulty with speech, loss of control and other such things.
The second question is my incessant worry about the drinking of alcohol I have done in the past and it's potential interaction with Zoloft. I always worry that I have permanent brain damage or encephalopathy from this even though doctors tell me left,right and centre that it doesn't do anymore damage than alcohol alone. Doctors tell me that alcohol and zoloft together is not a good idea but that it doesn't cause more brain damage than just alcohol alone to someone who is not taking an SSRI. They all say that alcohol alone is the cause of brain damage in people and that SSRI's are well tolerated so not to worry.
I guess what i'm saying is what can I do to believe this? Is it true in your opinion? I feel I have become less intelligent over the past year from either the possible stroke or the alcohol and zoloft from the past (as I mentioned I do not drink anymore and have not for quite some time...I was never a huge drinker but was an average university kid who occasionaly got drunk and had a few drinks on the weekends or every second weekend type thing...nothing hardcore).
I'm wondering if I had any cognitive damage from the alcohol and zoloft would I not have additional syptoms (symptoms) other than just cognitive damage because of the fact that alcohol goes all throughout your brain and so does zoloft. Because of this if I had cognitive damage wouldn't I have other problems such as motor skills etc.? Can you say beyond a reasonable doubt that i'm ok?
This is really ruining my life and my doctor will not refer me for an MRI to see if it is true because he says it is not warranted.
I am spending a lot of money asking many doctor consultation sites on the net for advice and their opinion and I feel like I can't rest until I ask all doctors that I can find.

Anyways I thank you for your time

Sincerely, Derek

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Derek, the answer, plain and simple is that everything your doctors have been telling you is the truth.There is not even a blurred edge...just simply truth.

But that is not your problem.  Your somatic anxiety covers up another fear that you are not expressing. Instead of collecting opinions, go see a therapist who can get to the source of this with you and help you put your mind to rest.  You will never be satisfied with the doctors answers, because you are asking the wrong question, and they are not answering your real question.

[sdc1213]

Well I'm currently on zoloft and mirtazapine (anxiety medicine) from what I know zoloft doesn't cause damage when drinking except it doesn't work to its best ability as it would when you're sober. As for the things you added at the top of your comment I'd say anxiety... worrying about your problem could cause you to have dizzy spells and blurred vision because I have bad anxiety and whenever I start worrying it feels like someones hitting me upside my head and I get really dizzy and blurred eyesight. Also I don't feel all there, but from the things you've pointed out I wouldn't describe anymore then anxiety.

[britt's mom]

I want everyone who is on Zoloft to research the side effects, especially where alcohol is concerned, and really be aware and ask family and friends to take immediate action should they notice: massive consumption of alcohol, cutting one's body, aggressive behavior.  My daughter had none of this until Zoloft was in her system.  My mother takes Zoloft and is not affected adversely; so it is an individual thing who will suffer which side effects.  I just want anyone on this medication to know these side effects do exist and we are never informed of them.  Most likely you will have a good reaction helping your depression or anxiety, but should any of these side effects creep into your life...get help to be weaned off this medication.  I mistakenly thought my daughter simply had a drinking problem...turns out it's a catch 22..Zoloft is making her crave more and more alcohol and then the effects of drinking so much at one time are causing her violent behavior and black-outs which have landed her in mental wards and rehabs and finally jail.  I don't want anyone else to suffer these effects and not have a clue why it's happening; so enlist the help of family and friends to watch out for anything other than good changes in your behavior while taking Zoloft.  Good luck to all of you.  As I said, my mother takes Zoloft and is fine and happier...for whatever reason, it has adversely affected my 21-year-old, and no other drugs have ever been discovered in her system, just alcohol and zoloft.