Zoloft not wokring anymore...suggestions

[eddiekingol]

I am a 31y/o male.  I have been taking Zoloft/100mg and Zyrtec 10mg daily for almost 10 years.  It has kept my allergies and anxiety to a manageable level.  Recently I have been having some health issues. I’ve been more tired than normal, getting headaches, unbalance feelings (vertigo), cloudy feeling, and feelings that my heart is racing too fast when I do anything more than walk.  My doctors seem to think it could be one of the meds so we are trying to switch.  I don’t want anything that will knock me out but can live with some fatigue as a side affect.  I did gain some weight when I originally when on both meds, but have stayed level since, but I do not want to gain anymore.  I have high cholesterol but good blood pressure.  So I may be going on a statin sooner than later.

If I try to come off either med I get withdrawal effects, so I don’t want to switch until I’ve weighed all my options.  

Thoughts on what I should switch to for anxiety and/or allergies?  I have taken paxil unsuccessful, and prozac successful many years ago.  As for allergies, allegra didn't work for me, and Clariton made me drowsy. I highly recommend Zyrtec but I think my body may not like it anymore.  

Thanks!

[eddiekingol]

Thanks for the comments. I will look into a couple of those options.

[hava]

You will be able to manage the anxiety better with this pranayam. Do it twice a day. The extra oxygen going into the brain, will rearrange your thoughts, so they do not go round and round,as the brain gets more energy to deal with them. You will notice the benefit in weeks. Your feedback at some point will help others.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Anulom Vilom pranayam –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 15 to 30  minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

[BeeFree]

I have had plenty of experience with benzos and SSRIs and antidepressants and I cannot stress enough how useless they are at fixing the issue. Sure, they may fog your worrysome mind and dampen your nervousness, but the countless side effects that go along with it? They're their own issues in and of themselves! The weight gain, fatigue, lightheadedness, feelings of detachment, not to mention the changes in your biochemistry and body composition. Some say they would rather have that than the anxiety, but what if you didn't have to make that choice? I am walking proof that anxiety is manageable and CURABLE through alternative means, if you would just give them a chance. I'm talking herbal supplements, hypnotherapy (very common one), dietary science and really getting to know yourself. Where does this anxiety stem from? What is it really that you fear? When you discover what the real issue is, the worst is over. All you have to do then is figure out how to dissolve that fear. I did, and I no longer have to take any supplements whatsoever and am truly free from the fears that paralyzed me for so long.

If you need anymore info, don't hesitate to send me a message. I'd be happy to offer suggestions.
All the best!  

Brittany

[weezer555]

Antidepressants often stop working and another is needed to control symptoms. You said you take it for anxiety, have you ever tried a benzodiazepine for your anxiety? I cant recommend any specific medications because I dont have your complete history nor am I a doctor. I would assume they discontinue one med at a time to rule out adverse reaction to a particular medication..I just read that adverse reactions with SSRIs usually present within the first twio weeks of treatment. (often dose related) There are OTC allergy meds sold behind the counter with pseudoephedrine that prevent drowsiness. Im surprised meds taken for 10 yrs would cause these symptoms, I hope you persue other reasons/causes.