Zoloft and suicidal thoughts

[hopefulmommy2007]

Has anyone ever had suicidal thoughts following starting Zoloft? It seems to be a very mild drug, but I have still noticed some weird thoughts coming on for the past week or so. I know this can be a side effect of antidepressants, but Zoloft is supposed to be an anti anxiety drug or is that the same thing? I dont know. Either way, I am not going to do anything, but dont like thinking that way either. I have two little girls and a baby on the way. Ugh!! This is just not like me.

[nursegirl6572]

It COULD be a side effect of the Zoloft.  How long have you been taking it? SSRI's tend to have some unpleasant side effects for a lot of people initially...increased nervousness, feeling jittery...and even some depressive thoughts.  It also may be garden variety intrusive thoughts (thoughts that seem to pop in your head that are DEFINITELY unwelcome, if not scary) that are common with anxiety disorders.  I have been down that road before, and it scared the heck out of me until I understood that it was part of the package.

Zoloft is an SSRI antidepressant...and while it doesn't have any SPECIFIC anti-anxiety properties (like a benzo...Ativan, Xanax, etc)...it works to basically increase the amount of serotonin in the brain....leading to an overall improved state of mind, which in turns decreases anxiety.

If the side effects continue for much longer, or become worse, please call your doc, even if it's over the weekend, okay?  I know you said you wouldn't "do anything"....which I'm sure is true...especially if it is an intrusive thought...they are bothersome...but they aren't acted on....but if at ALL you feel unsure...or seriously feel the thoughts may be more than that...and you may be in danger...don't mess around with it...seek help immediately, okay?

Hang in there...keep posting here...let us know how you're feeling!  We're here for you..

[spade22]

YES!  I did during the first week after taking it (I was NOT depressed when I took it, I took it for anxiety) and a very close friend of mine also experienced suicidal thoughts for about 3 days after taking it.

[hopefulmommy2007]

I was fine for the first week or so, but now this stuff has come on with about 3 weeks time, so I think I may stop taking it. If this is a side effect its definitely not a good one. Thanks for your support. Now I just get to figure out if my fiance and i are going to split up or not. Wish me luck. I can barely see through my tears right now.

[lonewolf07]

Hi

Is it safe to take anti-depressants when you are having another baby?  This isn't a judgement, just a question.

I took Zoloft for awhile and it made me sick so I stopped taking it.  I have suicidal tendencies anyway and if Zoloft adds to them not taking them was a good thing, for me at least.

You mentioned you and your fiance might break up.  That might make you depressed, particularly now when you have two children and another one coming.  Supposedly, our hormones change and we get more emotional at that time but I only "suffered" from cravings.

I really hope everything works out for you and your children.  I had quite a few offspring too and one thing I've learned is we never stop being mothers or parents.

lonewolf

[hopefulmommy2007]

Yes. My doctor prescribed it because it is so mild. I have no physical side effects. I was tired the first three days, but otherwise I have felt great with it. I called her after the first few days and asked if I could stop taking it and they STRONGLY recommended I continue it, as my anxiety was really getting me down.
We arent breaking up, he told me Friday he wanted to take a break from living together. So...he stayed with a friend over the weekend, then came home last night. We start counseling on Wednesday, and I think it will help a great deal. We both have lots to work on. Thank you for your support.

[nursegirl6572]

So...are you still on it?  Is it any better for you?

I wish you the best with everything...you have a LOT of stress and changes in your life.  That's always rough.

We're always here if you need to vent.

Good luck

[hopefulmommy2007]

Yes, I am still on it and everything is better. No more crazy thoughts or anything, and on top of that my honey and I are doing better so far. We also start counseling on Wednesday, so hopefully that will help as well.

[nursegirl6572]

YAY!!!!!


That's great news.

I love a happy ending.  

[cj29]

I agree with nursegirl...her advice is usually much better than mine:)  Having taken Zoloft in the past and which I am currently on, it can really tend to cause more anxiety especially in the beginning.  In my experience, I was much more on edge whenever I started or adjusted the dose, but sometimes I did not know if this was from my existing depression and anxiety or from the medication.  There is a black box warning on all SSRIs for the risk of suicidal thinking in young persons (I believe 24 and younger).  With age comes wisdom, and an ability to cope I guess.

I believe that each of us our different, but if you are having these thoughts, please ensure you talk through it with a therapist; and as nursegirl has said; many doctors will prescribe a benzo especially during the start of an SSRI.  I am not a doctor, and this is only my opinion, but as long you keep an open discussion with your doctors and therapist then you should be fine.  Having said that, if you feel suicidal, do not hesitate to call 911...it is a medical emergency!  I am so glad that you are feeling better; remember there are ups and downs in life and it sounds like you are taking those downs and turning them into something positive...good for you!

[nursegirl6572]

Bump.

dr_logan is making a real mess of this place.  NICE.

[hopefulmommy2007]

Thank you! Yes, there are definitely ups and downs. I am doing my best to cope with them. I went to my OB yesterday and she upped my dose from 25 to 50 mg, but when I looked at the old bottle this morning, I found that I have been on 50 mg the whole time. So when my docs office opens in half an hour I will call to see if I should go up to 75mg instead. The dose I am on helps, but not quite enough with all that is going on. I have never been such an emotional wreck in my life.
My fiance' told me again last night that I keep being rude, but the thing is...I have no clue that I am doing it. I am having a really hard time with some things and I am really hoping that our counseling starts tomorrow like its supposed to. I am so scared that I am going to lose him at this point its making me sick to my stomach. He has distanced himself quite a bit the past few days, and I feel like hes falling away from me. I am stuck and really hoping that he comes around and I can feel like he wants to be there with me again. :-( Wish me luck ladies. Thanks!

[JSGeare]

Maybe its just me, but I've got a bag of fresh and hot Krispee Kreme donuts here that sez the problems with the fiance and your anxiety and medication issues ain't no stinkin' coincidence.

Maybe its just a fig newton of my imagination, but if I had a fiance who was acting like a courtesy cop, I'd be wondering what YEARS of living with that might be like.

Now, Mom, if you really are (and I know you are) having some troubling thoughts with the Z in your system, you need to have a chat with your doctor or a shrink about that. But you should not be ignoring the lack of support or the gratuitous criticisms of your intended, either. Maybe YOU need to do a little distancing, too. Having him wanting you and beijgn with you and supporting you is godd. But MOST important is that YOU are taking care of you, first and foremost. If he has a problem with that -then, "Houston, we've got problems."  It is good that you are getting the counseling -just make sure that your are direct and honest in those sessions. And please, please, keep all of US in the loop, as well.

[nursegirl6572]

I think calling the doc about the dose adjustment is a good idea.  Most likely, since you're tolerating it better....they'll want you to go up to 75 mg.  

LOL at cj....my advice is no better than anyone else's....silly!  I get a LOT out of your posts...and can relate to so much that you have to say...so THERE!  (sticking my tongue out at you...lol)

While all SSRI's have the tendency to make the anxiety a bit worse initially...Zoloft is definitely more commonly one of the bigger culprits....due to it's chemical make-up and how it affects us.  But, that being said...again...everyone is so different.  I had a harder time with Lexapro than I did with Zoloft.  The beauty of it all is it really DOES improve quite a bit for a lot of people.  The temporary benzo use (or temp increase) is always helpful, in my opinion.  Usually, about a week or two is all that it takes.

I'm sorry to hear that you have so much going on, hopeful.  But, you're keeping on top of it which is so important.  I'm also glad that you and your fiance are going to try couple therapy...you both may gain a lot of insight into each other and your relationship that way.  I know you're frightened of losing him...but don't let that affect your honesty in the therapy session.  Don't sugar coat your feelings....you may be tempted to do that, as naturally, you are concerned about the relationship.

Maybe have part of the focus on the fact that he feels you're being "rude", when in reality, you're really having a tough time of things...of COURSE that affects our moods.  "Forever" unions require work on the good AND bad...and while we may not always "like" our partner...we always love them, and need to support them.  Our anxiety affects our loved ones just as much as it affects us...often times....they don't know what the heck to do with us...one minute we're crying and hanging on their leg as they're leaving for work...and the next minute we're telling them not to hurry home, because they are an a-hole.  ;0)  It's like an emotional tug of war, and I'm sure it is hard for them.  A few times, my hubby looked at me as though I had horns growing out of my head (and I just MAY have, as a matter of fact...lol).  One thing I love about him...is he always managed to get me to laugh at ME, HIM, US.  I'd be in the middle of a breakdown...and end up laughing hysterically, because he would do something like pat me on the head (in the midst of me examining life, existence, VERY philosophical junk) and say..."Awwww, my sweet widdle nut-case of a wife".  That may offend some...but it always got me laughing my butt off.

But, my point of this major ramble is I think the therapist needs to work a bit with your hubby, making him try to understand that you are not going to be perfect right now....not only are you dealing with anxiety and depression...but also some raging hormones which ALWAYS make things worse...you are very emotionally labile right now.  I have honestly never met a SANE pregnant woman.  :0)  He needs to learn, and be counseled not to take things personally...and to realize that it is okay if he gets mad at you sometimes..but to keep the dialogue going, and to not bring extra drama into things (which goes for both of you.)  I think it would truly benefit the both of you if he gained a little understanding into what you're going through.

And what I mean by the no-drama thing is...not to over-react at every little tiff.  Like if you burn the meatloaf...he tells you he's packing up and leaving.  Or if you stub your toe...you tell him to get the heck out, because surely it was HIS fault that that imaginary obstacle was there.  Ya know?  

Maybe make a little list before you go to the therapist of some things in the relationship you want to work on...including both things you want HIM to know...things that he does that hurt you...as well as owning some of YOUR participation in the discord.

I wish you both the best of luck...keep posting....it's such a rough time for you.  We're all here for you.

[hopefulmommy2007]

I am really hoping it brings some insight for both of us as well. It makes it really hard too because he is bipolar on top of everything, so one minute he is supportive and understanding and the littlest thing can set him off to a tangent of making me feel like I cant do anything right. He doesnt mean to, but thats what it does to me. Thank you so much for all your support. I will keep you posted on how things are going.