Side effects of Zoloft

[meldrake]

Hi Doctor,

    I was suffering some post partum depression after my twin daughters were born. My doctor put me on Zoloft. Within two months I was very manic, suffering extreme weight loss, delusions, suicidal thoughts, I was acting irrational...etc My husband said I started acting very bizzare. I went back to the doctor, she said I may be bi-polar, and prescribed valuim, and Ambien. I year later, and two DUI,s, and a uicide attemt, my docotr finally sent me to a pychiatrist in which she gave me a form to basically tell him to wean me off the Zoloft, and try something else. He upped my Zoloft, and then added Lamictal, Klonopin, along with the valuim and Ambien. To make a long story short, I eneded up with another suicide attempt and landed in a mental hospital. I was there for ten days while my husband and I begged the doctor there to take me oof all these drugs, the doctor finally complied and then I spend 21 days in day or partial hospital. It has been three years, I still see a therapist because of trauma suffered by these meds. I don't display any symptoms of mental illness of this medication, and I go to school full time, where I carry a 3.85 GPA, and I'm doing very well. My doctor has put in the section of (allergies in th computer) as me being allergic to zoloft.
My big question to you, why was I not taken off the zoloft right away? why did the pyschiatrist up the dose after I displayed about 15 of 20 side effects? Why was I diagnosed Bi-polar on these meds when I had lived my life and held the same job all my life, and was normal? Was the doctor incompetant? If a person sufferes side effects, shouldn't they be taken off the medication, why was mine upped? I am still angry, I lost 4 years of my life, for what I believe to be incompatantcy....What would cause me to have side effects like that? Thank you for your time.

[Jaquta]

Trust is important in any relationship.

I think it would be best if you made a time and went prepared with a list of questions.  

Nobody likes to be hurt or to see the same inept professionals hurt others -especially when it can be avoided.

I have decided to and are in the process of making a formal complaint against my local hospital.
Where ever the problem lies, whether it is with me or the hospital, I believe there needs to be better communication and intervention.

I can empathize with your situation where incompetent or unskilled staff put your life at unnecessary risk.  I personally believe it is unacceptable and traumatizing for the patient.

I personally have never been asked whether a psychiatrist has helped me.  Most likely people don't ask because the answer is self-evident.
The few people who I know who have said they have benefited from psychiatric care are now mental health advocates for the hospital or other organizations.  Surprisingly, all these individuals have received ect.  

Anyway.  In my experience the anger doesn't start to dissipate for quite some time.  For me it took about six years (and I still have some way to go).  I think what made the difference for me was to have a therapist, who was new to the service, validate my feelings and experiences.  Being told that it wasn't my fault and was the fault of the system made a huge difference to both me and my recovery.
I perceive I was extremely lucky to have had this opportunity though.  I also believe it happened more by chance than good planning or management.

I'm glad you and your family are doing well.  I expect you're right in saying that your change in lifestyle contributed to your depression.

Good luck with everything and take care.

[meldrake]

     I appreciate your responses, My family and I are doing very well. I am still agry of course, however I have or will not let that rob be of more time I have lost. I would just hate to see this happen to someone else, it horrifies me. I'm surprised my husband and I made it throught this ordeal....I'm not sure about post partum pychosis, althought it has been a thought.


     I quite my job after my girls were born, I am used to working and being structured that way, so my depression I felt came from a huge life change...two new babies, a four year old son, and no working, staying home....the doctor's didn't see it that way....I am baffled....

     My husband feel I should at least file a complaint, and I probably will, he also thinks we should walk in there and try to find out answers....although I feel it may be a waste of time...I jut don't want an incompitant doctor messing up someone elses life....and to answer one of the qesutions, I no longer have anything to do with that doctor, I would not trust a word he ever said....
    

[Paxiled]

Just to add, antidepressants have one common side effect being increased anxiety because they can be overstimulating for some.  So yes, you had a completely incompetent physician, but there's probably not much you can do about it so move on.  You could have sued, but the statute of limitations has passed, and if you file a complaint, it might help protect others from this person but more likely the docs will just cover for one another.  Remember, the body you complain to is part of the AMA, which is a lobbying organization or physicians.  They're not known for being exactly hard on their members.  Still, it might make you feel like you at least did something about it and help you move on.  I have the same problem, an incompetent psychiatrist ruined my life and I haven't gotten better, but psychiatry is completely without any consistent professional standards.  Let me put it this way -- anybody here ever been asked by anyone if your psychiatrist helped you?  Of course not.

[Jaquta]

I don't see confronting the doctor concerned being a productive use of your time.  
Most doctors who land their patients in that sort of mess either don't care or are so incompetent they have no appreciation of their own limitations.

Most doctors like to fix things.  Many overlook that we are people with thoughts and feelings and have the capacity to be hurt.  Some don't understand how their actions will affect us either directly or indirectly.  Some health professionals treat us like toys to be played with or experimented with.

There are always many unanswered questions when stuff like this happens.
  
I think your doctor may have over-extended herself.  I believe she should have referred you to a psychiatrist much sooner.

I think some stressful events can cause us to become more vulnerable.  Being vulnerable may mean that we display more symptoms (that we may not otherwise have presented with).

Is it possible that you had postpartum psychosis?  ??  It's just a thought.

I'm very sorry for your losses (lost years, etc).  I think it could be a big mistake looking to these people to validate your losses though.

You could try having conversations with your doctors and if they don't go well, move on.  If you choose to remain with these doctors the relationships may need repairing.

Besides from the anger and hurt I hope you and your family are currently well.

The doctor often speaks about keeping things in perspective.  Don't let these negative feelings rob you of more quality time for yourself and your family.

If you need to make a formal complaint about the care you received to get closure then that could also be an option.  Do what you feel you need to do to move on.  Don't forget the bigger picture though.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I appreciate your anger at the lost time, but I can't answer for this doctor..maybe you should confront him and ask him these same questions. maybe he has an explanation.