Update on Zoloft - Depression Message Board

WaterPolo · 08-11-2003, 03:33 AM

Hi!

Some of you might remember a few of my posts about a couple months ago. I was in a desperate state... very suicidal and dealing with a terrible severe depression. In fact, I had just been diagnosed with depression after suffering from it in various degrees for over 20 years.

I just wanted to give you an update on Zoloft...

I began taking Zoloft about two months ago and had a few side effects such as being VERY tired all the time and loss ls libido. I still have a weaker libido, but that's fine with me. All other side effects seem to have dissipated.

The Zoloft did not seem to have much good effect at 50mg, so my doc told me two weeks ago to ramp up to 100mg. I do notice some good effects at 100mg.

I don't feel as suicidal and feel a bit less over emotional about other people's actions and words. So, I'm going to continue at 100mg and see how it goes. So far, so good though.

I look forward to hearing from anyone else who has had experiences with Zoloft....

Take care,
Water Polo Guy

j1m9 · 08-11-2003, 04:03 PM

I'm in the same boat.

In Feb. I was prescribed 50mg Zoloft. About 6 weeks later I went to 75, then to 100. At 100 I was doing better, but 150 did the trick for me - just got that about 5 weeks ago. This is the first time I've felt like my old self in a long time.
I'm also taking 1/2 of a 15mg Remeron at night to help sleep (and reading before bed)

Good Luck!
Hope you have a speedy recovery!

WaterPolo · 08-11-2003, 10:19 PM

Hi j1m9-

Thank you for your reply... did your side effects increase as you went up? Are they worse at 150?

I've never liked the idea of taking pills for anything and Zoloft is the only pill I take. I did not even want to take 50mg... and going to 100mg was just a test of faith <G>. 150mg sounds like a lot... what is the max dose?

Equis · 08-12-2003, 06:12 PM

SSRI side effects don't increase with the doss. Any side effects you're going to have, you'll have at the starting doss. Wait a while to see which go away after your body gets use to the drug, then whatever you're left with is what you get, regardless of doss. (I was worried about the same thing and asked my doc)

I was on Zoloft for about 2 months and it made me really sick, so I stopped. Congrats for you though!

j1m9 · 08-12-2003, 10:38 PM

When the doctor told me to take Zoloft, and I would be on it for several months, I immediately said, I don't want to take it any longer than I have to (that seemed like a long time for medication.) They started me on 1/2 tabs of 50mg to get used to it. After the 1st week I said that I didn't think I needed anymore

I was wrong. The more I read, the more I understood that you need the right med at the right dosage.

150 mg has been fine for me. I never did get much dry mouth or sexual side effects. (But I drink water like a fish!)

I didn't notice any change in side effects & the 150mg just made me feel better (it did take a few weeks though).

I also got my workload reduced at work - that helped a lot!

I'm not sure what the max dosage is. Someone told me that a "standard" dosage is 300mg twice a day. (Now that's a lot!)