Clinical Depression/Can you recover

[narla]

I'm just looking for some input about zoloft.I've been on zoloft for 15yrs started 25mg a day which did nothing my doctor monitored everything my panic attacks were horrendous where I couldn't get of my bed for 2 weeks I didn't leave the house, slowing increasing the zoloft I could eventually function.I've been on 200mg a day for about 14 1/2 yrs we have tried decreasing the amount on numerous occasions with no success,the depression,panic attacks and anxiety come back as severe as ever,I even have some of the symptoms while taking the zoloft.I have been told I'll need to take anti-depressants the rest of my life as it's a chemical imbalance in th brain.Does anyone have information about recovering from clinical depression.

[whodunnit]

Hi Narla,

A lot in your post to think about.

First thing I should say to you is that the term "clinical depression" simply means a case of depression being treated by a clinician, a doctor. OK. So it's depression, nothing different about it except you are seeing a doc whereas many do not and thuis the term clinical does not apply to them. You follow?

The biggest thing that jumps out is nearly 15 years on meds and 14.5 on one med, Zoloft. By your own account it is not working as you should never experience suicidal thoughts and deteriorate on a med that is working.

So my comment is that Zoloft has long since ceased to have any real medicinal value to you and that shows in the fact you have bad times etc, on the med. Most meds wear out for most people and it is necessary ti change.

The number of new meds since you started Zoloft is incredible and it really is time to switch.

You say you deteriorate when you try to wean off. I'd suggest that is mainly the non placebo effect if you like as you already experience the things you say happen when trying to wean off. Right?

There are too many meds you can start while still on another and it sounds like that is the way for you. The only problem with this is the mix and not knowing what med is doing what until you are off Zoloft. But if it stops you deteriorating badly then it's the way to go.

There are many illnesses and diseases for which people need meds for life. Why would you view depression as being different if you need them? It's the same, an illness requiring treatment. That's all. Your choice is meds or no meds and I choose meds. Not because I like or want them but because I cannot survive yet without them. I never assume it's forever but it looks that way. C'est la vie.

[narla]

We have tried other meds Prothiaden was the first but when it wasn't working properly she put me on Zoloft.I don't have much in the way of side effects it's just that i'm sick of taking tablets-I'm now Codeine free and I was hoping one day to be totally drug free,I am now alcohol free too first time in 33 years.My doctor said while I still have suicidal thoughts and don't like myself she won't even try to wean me off.  

[narla]

Thank you for your reply to my post,My doctor pretty much agrees with what you've said,I asked her yesterday and as she explained I still have a lot of work to do on other issues.ie:childhood sexual abuse, I'm in therapy now working on liking myself.

Denise

[narla]

I find even on the Zoloft when things get bad I still have suicidal thoughts,I figure sometimes it would be easier than trying to cope with all the negativity.

[NorcoQueenoftheUniverse]

Hay sweetie.. You might ask your doctor to try something else for the depression.. there are so many new drugs out there that you may benefit from BETTER...

Just a thought.. but worth asking for..

You DESERVE to FEEL BETTER...

15 YEARS is TOO long to not feel good!

[ZJILLIAN]

I have been on 250mg of Zoloft for 15 years and 300mg of Wellbutrin. Zoloft saved my life! My pain was intolerable and we slowly increased the Zoloft until it stopped. I know I will need something all of my life. Sometimes I try to cut down because this really is a large dose but I always go back up to 250mgs. I am just glad that I live in a time that has these drugs. My father suffered from chronic depression all his life and that was just how it was. I even wanted to write a thank you card to the team that developed it!

[troubleinohio]

unfortunately many of us who suffer from this do indeed need to be on antidepressants forever. Im one of them. with that said, Ive been off my prozac for....a year or so now...something like that. I had been on it for about the same amt of time as you have been on yours, however i started developing bad side effects from it which were intolerable. I keep telling myself everyday that i will try to start the prozac up again but i get too scared of the side effects returning and chicken out everytime. So ive been in a state of depression for quite some time now however it has seemed to level off. I thought i would keep spiraling downward until i was suicidal but i havent. and im just trying to cope with life without the antiDs but i am acutely aware that i SHOULD be on them and wish that i could be.  I wish you luck. If you are having no ill effects from your zoloft, i would suggest you continue on it.