girl3900
04-28-2004, 12:50 AM
It's ironic how I started the thread asking how antidepressants could cause more depresssion...
So many things have happened to me since I started Zoloft. I was first prescribed 50mg from my family doctor and got really bad side effects from that so I quit. Then I went to a psychologist and she put me on 25mg...all the while, I kept having very bad thoughts. They all started when I first took the Zoloft. They were very gruesome and disturbing and it's a good thing I didn't want to act on them or I probobly wouldn't be here right now. I repeatedly asked my psychologist if these drugs could cause me to become more depressed/have bad thoughts and she told me it was impossible. I figured it was just me so i continued to take them and she bumped my dosage up to 50mg again. That was a huge mistake. The thoughts and the depression were getting so bad to the point where I couldn't leave the house. I was crying all day and was ready to give up. I ended up going to the emergency room. The doctors there told me I was on too high of a dose and that I should definetly get off it. They told me it was the drugs that were doing it. I don't know who to believe....I asked my psychiatrist so many times the side effects of these and she said it wasn't from the pills. I've been off them for 3 days now and I feel like myself again. No more crying and no more bad thoughts. She called me tonight and I told her what had happened and she still told me to not go by the warning labels because they "weren't true". She wanted to put me on something else and I told her I didn't want to be on anything else. Is it possible she just wants my money? I don't know if I got a very bad doctor or if my mind is just playing tricks on me. I'm so confused. All I know is that I feel a lot better being off the medicine. I wish I could find someone else that has gone through the same thing...I feel like no one believes me when I tell them it was the drugs.
So many things have happened to me since I started Zoloft. I was first prescribed 50mg from my family doctor and got really bad side effects from that so I quit. Then I went to a psychologist and she put me on 25mg...all the while, I kept having very bad thoughts. They all started when I first took the Zoloft. They were very gruesome and disturbing and it's a good thing I didn't want to act on them or I probobly wouldn't be here right now. I repeatedly asked my psychologist if these drugs could cause me to become more depressed/have bad thoughts and she told me it was impossible. I figured it was just me so i continued to take them and she bumped my dosage up to 50mg again. That was a huge mistake. The thoughts and the depression were getting so bad to the point where I couldn't leave the house. I was crying all day and was ready to give up. I ended up going to the emergency room. The doctors there told me I was on too high of a dose and that I should definetly get off it. They told me it was the drugs that were doing it. I don't know who to believe....I asked my psychiatrist so many times the side effects of these and she said it wasn't from the pills. I've been off them for 3 days now and I feel like myself again. No more crying and no more bad thoughts. She called me tonight and I told her what had happened and she still told me to not go by the warning labels because they "weren't true". She wanted to put me on something else and I told her I didn't want to be on anything else. Is it possible she just wants my money? I don't know if I got a very bad doctor or if my mind is just playing tricks on me. I'm so confused. All I know is that I feel a lot better being off the medicine. I wish I could find someone else that has gone through the same thing...I feel like no one believes me when I tell them it was the drugs.
Sponsor
Swalk
04-28-2004, 12:54 AM
Im sorry that this happened. I would get another opinion. Medications work differently on people, I hope you find the right one for you.
girl3900
04-28-2004, 12:56 AM
I've gotten 4 different opinions on what could be wrong and they're all different. I don't know what the problem is. I've always been very sensitive to medicine so maybe i'm part of the small percentage that can't handle these very well. I'm steering clear of all antidepressants from now on.
lori j
04-28-2004, 05:01 AM
Did you post this on the depression board? You will get many more answers there about it, but from my experience & others I've read & talked to, YES if the med isn't right for you, it can actually cause depression, stress/anxiety & even panic attacks. My doc tried me on Lexapro, I had every side effect from it & also I had never had panic attacks til I tried to get off of it in Sept. last year & now I have panic attacks all the time. It can take many tries to find the right med, I've been trying since last Oct. & so far, no luck. I've had bad reactions to many anti-d's and it is very frustrating. Each med reacts differently on each person, even my pdoc said it's hit & miss at best. Not very encouraging, I know!!!
girl3900
04-28-2004, 04:37 PM
Thanks. I think I'll ask them on that board. I wish I could talk to someone else that's gone through this.
lostbecause
04-29-2004, 12:38 AM
Hi,
Let's talk. I understand.
JB
Let's talk. I understand.
JB
glamdais
05-03-2004, 04:58 PM
I understand as well. I had a horrible reaction to one dose of Effexor over 3 months ago and I'm still trying to get myself put back right. Don't ever let anyone tell you these reactions can't happen. I never had the anxiety, agitation, bad thoughts and nightmares I've had since I took that one pill.
lori j
05-05-2004, 03:53 AM
I understand as well. I had a horrible reaction to one dose of Effexor over 3 months ago and I'm still trying to get myself put back right. Don't ever let anyone tell you these reactions can't happen. I never had the anxiety, agitation, bad thoughts and nightmares I've had since I took that one pill.
I took effexor twice & had horrible reactions too. I quit it after only 2 doses. I also had horrible reactions to Lexapro. I don't seem to tolerate the ssri's at all. I just started trazadone & it seems OK. Keep fingers crossed for me, it's been a long road since last OCT!!!! I also developed panic attacks from Lexapro.
I took effexor twice & had horrible reactions too. I quit it after only 2 doses. I also had horrible reactions to Lexapro. I don't seem to tolerate the ssri's at all. I just started trazadone & it seems OK. Keep fingers crossed for me, it's been a long road since last OCT!!!! I also developed panic attacks from Lexapro.
hairdur
05-16-2004, 07:53 PM
My husband was on zoloft. He seemed to be feeling worse and worse! So the upped his medication! He ended up taking an overdose, trying to commit suicide.
As you seen on the news some medications can have this effect on people. He went on to try paxil cr and it has worked wonders! I urge you to please try something different! You are not imagining ANYTHING! This medicine is just NOT the one for you!
As you seen on the news some medications can have this effect on people. He went on to try paxil cr and it has worked wonders! I urge you to please try something different! You are not imagining ANYTHING! This medicine is just NOT the one for you!
lostbecause
05-16-2004, 09:15 PM
Hi Hairdur,
How does your husband feel on the Paxil? Is he motivated and wanting to accomplish things? Zoloft has made me not really care what happens in my life, which is no good. I think I am probably having the same reaction to Zoloft that he did. I have never felt suicidal before, and since the Zoloft took over, it has actually entered my mind. That is crazy.
How does your husband feel on the Paxil? Is he motivated and wanting to accomplish things? Zoloft has made me not really care what happens in my life, which is no good. I think I am probably having the same reaction to Zoloft that he did. I have never felt suicidal before, and since the Zoloft took over, it has actually entered my mind. That is crazy.
girl3900
06-03-2004, 02:03 PM
Does anyone else want to share their experiences? I've been struggling lately and feel very alone...
carrielynn
06-03-2004, 03:59 PM
It's hard when "professionals" are telling you one thing and you are feeling something different.
I went through an incredibly bad time last year (started in Jan 2003) and the anxiety and fear was so bad that I rapidly became non-functional... couldn't leave the house, couldn't eat, etc. I saw a psychiatrist who told me I would be on medication the rest of my life, given how bad off I was and given my history (a couple of other short-lived anxiety and panic episodes). I remember arguing with him and asking if there was any chance I wouldn't have to take medication and he said, "Well, it's a 95% probability that you will."
He put me on Zoloft, but had me start at 12.5 mg (I was splitting pills). The first night I was on that I had the worst nightmares and disturbing thoughts. It was so awful that I was terrified about going to sleep the next night. Every time I increased the dosage, my body would react and I would be out of it for a day or two -- would just lie in bed moaning. I went up to 50 mg and it was like I was on speed. I was shaking constantly. The psych had me go back down to 25mg which was much better and I stayed there for a couple of months before deciding to get off the Zoloft.
I had been doing CBT-like therapy for many years, but I discovered another type of therapy that has been a life-saver for me -- biofeedback and neurofeedback. I've been seeing the neurofeedback therapist once a week for a year now, I've been off the Zoloft for 8 months and I'm feeling and sleeping better than I have in years and years, perhaps most of my life. It's not an overnight miracle cure... I don't believe in those. It can take weeks before you start seeing benefits (same with medication). I learned about this technology in a book called "A Symphony in the Brain." It's amazing to me that people don't know about this therapy, but I guess the drug companies stand to lose major amounts of money if the word gets out so they are always claiming it's "experimental." The ironic thing is, we don't know how anti-depressants work either, so those could be considered "experimental" too. But I digress... easy to start ranting about this stuff.
Good luck.
--CarrieLynn
I went through an incredibly bad time last year (started in Jan 2003) and the anxiety and fear was so bad that I rapidly became non-functional... couldn't leave the house, couldn't eat, etc. I saw a psychiatrist who told me I would be on medication the rest of my life, given how bad off I was and given my history (a couple of other short-lived anxiety and panic episodes). I remember arguing with him and asking if there was any chance I wouldn't have to take medication and he said, "Well, it's a 95% probability that you will."
He put me on Zoloft, but had me start at 12.5 mg (I was splitting pills). The first night I was on that I had the worst nightmares and disturbing thoughts. It was so awful that I was terrified about going to sleep the next night. Every time I increased the dosage, my body would react and I would be out of it for a day or two -- would just lie in bed moaning. I went up to 50 mg and it was like I was on speed. I was shaking constantly. The psych had me go back down to 25mg which was much better and I stayed there for a couple of months before deciding to get off the Zoloft.
I had been doing CBT-like therapy for many years, but I discovered another type of therapy that has been a life-saver for me -- biofeedback and neurofeedback. I've been seeing the neurofeedback therapist once a week for a year now, I've been off the Zoloft for 8 months and I'm feeling and sleeping better than I have in years and years, perhaps most of my life. It's not an overnight miracle cure... I don't believe in those. It can take weeks before you start seeing benefits (same with medication). I learned about this technology in a book called "A Symphony in the Brain." It's amazing to me that people don't know about this therapy, but I guess the drug companies stand to lose major amounts of money if the word gets out so they are always claiming it's "experimental." The ironic thing is, we don't know how anti-depressants work either, so those could be considered "experimental" too. But I digress... easy to start ranting about this stuff.
Good luck.
--CarrieLynn
girl3900
06-03-2004, 04:16 PM
Imagine being started on 50mg's right off the bat, heh. That's what my idiotic doctor did.
I know what you mean about being scared to go to sleep. My nightmares and thoughts got so bad I had to have someone constantly watch over me if I was going to attempt to sleep. I think I went 3 days without eating or sleeping...I was consumed with fear. It's so hard for me to find a therapist that knows how to deal with my problem. I mainly want someone to talk to about the disturbing thoughts I got while I was on Zoloft. They never want to address it for some reason. If anyone would like to share, how did you find the right doctor?
I know what you mean about being scared to go to sleep. My nightmares and thoughts got so bad I had to have someone constantly watch over me if I was going to attempt to sleep. I think I went 3 days without eating or sleeping...I was consumed with fear. It's so hard for me to find a therapist that knows how to deal with my problem. I mainly want someone to talk to about the disturbing thoughts I got while I was on Zoloft. They never want to address it for some reason. If anyone would like to share, how did you find the right doctor?
carrielynn
06-03-2004, 11:51 PM
If you're very sensitive to this medication, as I was (and apparently you are also), then I can definitely see how it could shock you in the way that it did. I could barely tolerate titrating up in 12.5 mg increments. And I will never, ever forget that first night and those nightmares -- the most bizarre, random, frightening things I've ever dreamed. It scares me to death that they give this stuff to kids... I can see how people could have violent reactions if they are sensitive like we are.
I was lucky in that the psychiatrist I saw was sensitive to my situation and started me off slow. I was referred to him through my psychologist. She said he was very knowledgeable about medications.
As for finding someone to talk to about your disturbing thoughts, I don't know what to tell you except to ask trusted friends and family for good psychologist referrals. Psychologists don't prescribe medication, they are trained in talk therapy.
--CarrieLynn
I was lucky in that the psychiatrist I saw was sensitive to my situation and started me off slow. I was referred to him through my psychologist. She said he was very knowledgeable about medications.
As for finding someone to talk to about your disturbing thoughts, I don't know what to tell you except to ask trusted friends and family for good psychologist referrals. Psychologists don't prescribe medication, they are trained in talk therapy.
--CarrieLynn
lori j
06-04-2004, 01:40 AM
Girl3900, I did go thru it, I am very sensitive to most meds, it's like I need a childs dose of most meds. I started last Oct. to find a new anti-d. It took me 8 months and many bad reactions to many meds til just a month ago to find one that worked that didnt' cause me side effects. You do feel alone & you feel like giving up, I know, most of us have been there.
Also, I was doing it thru my family doctor too, he got lucky 7 years ago, the first one he prescribed me worked great for all those years but when it quit, he just kept giving me samples & I would get sick from all of them.
Finally I wised up & went to a pdoc who is more familiar with this type of med. He finally got me straightened around. Maybe try a specialist in this field who is willing to work with you til you find the right med.
Also, I was doing it thru my family doctor too, he got lucky 7 years ago, the first one he prescribed me worked great for all those years but when it quit, he just kept giving me samples & I would get sick from all of them.
Finally I wised up & went to a pdoc who is more familiar with this type of med. He finally got me straightened around. Maybe try a specialist in this field who is willing to work with you til you find the right med.