Discussions that mention zoloft

Quote from SaintAngerBH:

My work relationships have gone down the tube because of this.>>

You've told people you work with?

I recently tried an experiment of going off Zoloft (learned my lesson, going back on again), and I've made up more stories to my boss. My kids are sick, I have a bad toothache, something I ate, because I couldn't say I was too depressed to go to work. I can't trust that people will understand, and I don't want anyone to think I'm crazy.

I've been on Zoloft for almost nine years. God, writing that is bitter. I don't want to need Zoloft for coping with everyday stuff. But it's worked. Then I guess I got arrogant, figured I'd lived enough life in those nine years that I've learned to cope on my own. Figured it didn't seem to matter that I was skipping doses, taking it really erratically. I consciously decided to stop taking it altogether.

First my sex drive came back, and that made me happy, reinforced my decision. Then I started waking earlier and not being able to go back to sleep. "No problem," I said, "I'll use that time to do some reading, get some housework done. I'm going to COPE." Then I had little thoughts about death, and finally, I couldn't face going to work without breaking down.

So I'm back on the big Z. I hate it and I need it. And no one around me understands that.

Quote from ricechickie:

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Quote from SaintAngerBH:

My work relationships have gone down the tube because of this.>>

You've told people you work with?

I recently tried an experiment of going off Zoloft (learned my lesson, going back on again), and I've made up more stories to my boss. My kids are sick, I have a bad toothache, something I ate, because I couldn't say I was too depressed to go to work. I can't trust that people will understand, and I don't want anyone to think I'm crazy.

I've been on Zoloft for almost nine years. God, writing that is bitter. I don't want to need Zoloft for coping with everyday stuff. But it's worked. Then I guess I got arrogant, figured I'd lived enough life in those nine years that I've learned to cope on my own. Figured it didn't seem to matter that I was skipping doses, taking it really erratically. I consciously decided to stop taking it altogether.

First my sex drive came back, and that made me happy, reinforced my decision. Then I started waking earlier and not being able to go back to sleep. "No problem," I said, "I'll use that time to do some reading, get some housework done. I'm going to COPE." Then I had little thoughts about death, and finally, I couldn't face going to work without breaking down.

So I'm back on the big Z. I hate it and I need it. And no one around me understands that.

Zoloft is an SSRI - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (for those of you who don't take them). In short, that means you don't have enough of the neurotransmitter serotonin in your body to function properly. It affects not just mood, but alertness, energy levels, clear thinking and numerous important body functions. So taking an SSRI is NOT A WEAKNESS; it's quite necessary. It's just a smart, practical thing to do so you can function normally. I wish people would see it that way.
There are other ways to boost serotonin - I've heard that magnesium supplements are helpful. I tried them and they seemed to help. I really need to see a nutritionist who knows something about mood disorders. There is such a person in my town.
Anyway - if it's broke - fix it!! That's my philosophy. No, I don't like taking Paxil every day, but I don't like a lot of things. I just have to do the best I can.

Quote from ricechickie:

You've told people you work with?

I recently tried an experiment of going off Zoloft (learned my lesson, going back on again), and I've made up more stories to my boss. My kids are sick, I have a bad toothache, something I ate, because I couldn't say I was too depressed to go to work. I can't trust that people will understand, and I don't want anyone to think I'm crazy.