Posted by Sean on April 12, 2000, at 11:26:34
In reply to Help-Not Good in 6th wk of Zoloft, posted by Jim on April 11, 2000, at 20:15:10
Jim -
sounds like you've got a tough situation going there. I can
relate to the apathy aspect of Zoloft, but I'm not
sure if it is worth risking depression. I found
that Neurontin allows me to tolerate more Zoloft
without side fx. I also seem to respond well to Zoloft
within 2-weeks. I get some hypomania, but this usually
releases after about a month.Do you exercise? I think this really helps with
everything. I'm also experimenting with acetyl-L-
carnitine and EPA supplements. I too would love to
never take another antidepressant again. In reality
the risk of suicide is very significant for me and
depression is so insidious in its varied manifestations
that it creeps into your thought processes in
unfamiliar ways.I think 6-weeks is a good try on any drug, so if
you aren't feeling better, I would consider trying
some other meds.> Hi I'm in 6th week of Zoloft, been @ 150mg for a
> week. I felt pretty good for 3-4 days in week 4
> @100mg. Now I have jaw tightness, spells of uncontrollable yawning and am still quite depressed
> at times,more bad days than good ones. Last year, this time, I was on Celexa and didn't like it much either, but I don't think I was as uncomfortable as I am now, my main complaint was apathy, which I also
> have now.
>
> I have a fairly high stress level, being the breadwinner for a family of 4, incl. an 11-yr old
> son with Down Syndrome. I need to stop being "impaired" by either depression or drug side-effects so I can function properly and effectively.
>
> I just spoke to my doc, who wants me to start Neurontin, in addition to the Zoloft. I'm ready
> to go back to SAMe. I was taking 800mg (4 pills).
>
> At my first mtg w/ the doc, she said I could double
> the SAMe. I said I can't afford that, so she gave me
> Zoloft samples. I saw her again after 1 wk and 3 wks,
> at which time she gave me a years supply of samples,
> told me to keep taking the medicine (forever) and to
> "have a great life."
>
> I'd appreciate input from knowledgeable people here:
>
> Do you think 6 weeks is just not long enough to be stabilized? And that I should just be patient.
>
> Do my side effects indicate that Zoloft is not for me?
> or that 150 might be too much? or not enough?
>
> What about the addition of Neurontin? I don't think
> that I have hypomania. But doc felt that I needed it
> @ our 1st mtg. Then at the 3rd and last, she decided
> that I didn't need the Neurontin, to just stay on the Zoloft. But when I called her this evening, she 1st
> said why don't you take 200mg Zoloft, then said stay
> at 150, add 300mg Neurontin at nite, after 1 wk, add
> one in the am.
>
> Also I don't sleep well, hardly ever, but worse on SSRI's. Last year, when I took Celexa, I was also
> given trazadone to help sleep, which helped somewhat.
>
> I am a person who doesn't like to take ANY meds.
> Partly this is idealogical, as I am a holistic
> healthcare provider.
> I have been depressed, in varying degrees, alot of the time, since early childhood, lots of bereavement around when I was a baby and toddler -2younger siblings died.
>
> BTW -I'm 52 today and managed w/o meds until last
> winter. But, now I see in retrospect, how much depression has cost me over my lifetime in both missed enjoyment and missed earning power.
>
> I realize that I've asked many questions.
>
> Thanks in advance for your responses.
>
poster:Sean
thread:29666
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000411/msgs/29727.html