Feedback on Zoloft Side Effects and Usage, page 10
About Zoloft
If you use Zoloft, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.
Subj: I became suicidal
Date: 11/18/2006
I had used Zoloft for awhile after I was literally on the trigger of suicide. After a two week inpatient time I went back to normal life. I was on 150 mg and was doing just fine. I was also tired of feeling dependant on a pill to feel normal so I quit taking them completely. That was a HUGE mistake. I became suicidal once again and was saved by the chance call of my mother. I went back inpatient for a week and on a lower dose of Zoloft. Since then I have lowered dosage and am fully drug free. My advice is listen to your doctor! Just because you are feeling better than you have in 3 years doesn’t mean to halt all your medications cold turkey. I was both stupid and blessed.
Rhyne
Subj: Hoping to get relief
Date: 11/22/2006
I have been taking Zoloft on and off for a few years. At first, I thought it was great. It definitely made me feel better and even curbed my appetite. However, since my dosage was increased to 200mg, I have noticed some side effects. One of those being weight gain, and most recently, hair loss. I had no idea that either of these were known side effects until I researched this online. I also do not sleep well. I wake up several times a night, thus I feel tired much of the time. I have decided to slowly wean myself off of it and go to a more holistic remedy. I am hoping I will get relief soon and get this dang weight off and get my hair back. 🙂
Lalania
Subj: Zoloft saved me
Date: 12/5/2006
ZOLOFT, just 37mg has changed my whole life. Years ago I was on 200 mg-and eventually went off of it. Years later went back on because horribly depressed, horribly. Started with 25mg. and then to 37 (I have a bad liver so half life is longer in me) and my whole life got brighter. It was everything I had wished for this time. I did not know I could go that far down with depression. Zoloft saved me.
Karin
Subj: Decided to stop cold turkey
Date: 12/10/2006
I had very bad panic attacks at work while in small rooms and could not even ride in the back seat of a car. I was VERY scared to ride in a plane. I was on Zoloft from Dec. 05 to Dec 06. I have not had any problems since I had been on the Zoloft. I decided to stop cold turkey, I have been off for 7 days, but I feel like I have a cold coming on, and very tired. I feel like there is ringing in my head and I feel dizzy. How long until this stops?
Eric
AskDocWeb: About another week should do it.
Subj: Took one pill
Date: 12/11/2006
I took 1 pill, thought I was going to climb the walls, no appetite, jolts trough my body, couldn’t sleep, took 2 days to wear off, never again.
Frank
Subj: Want to try Lexapro
Date: 12/15/2006
I have taken Zoloft for 2 years now (50 mg) and I have loved how much better I feel! I’m not super quick to anger anymore and I don’t get my feelings hurt so easily. What I don’t like is the weight gain (20 pounds while eating LESS) and the slight “buzzing” in my head. I haven’t experienced the nightmares that others have. I would like to try Lexapro, though, because I also have NO SEX DRIVE! I know everyone is different, but generally does Lexapro cause patients to gain weight? How does it affect your sex drive? Thanks,
Justmom
AskDocWeb: The “buzzing” in your head may be an unrelated problem. Those who start taking Lexapro have been known to lose weight, but then after about a year, there is a weight gain.
The affects of Lexapro on sex drive are difficult to quantify because of the reluctance of both patients and physicians to discuss them. What data we have suggests that 3% of females (6% of males) experience decreased libido.
Subj: Zoloft mightmares
Date: 12/15/2006
I began taking Zoloft a week ago for postpartum anxiety but I feel like I am on speed! I am having trouble falling asleep and I am having nightmares. I feel like I drank 100 cups of coffee. I am only taking 25mg. What should I do?
Arlene
AskDocWeb: It sounds like you need to consult with your physician about an alternative.
Subj: 12 year old son
Date: 12/20/2006
My 12 year old son has been on 50 mg. of Zoloft for about 7 months, with the past 3 being the generic equivalent. Since then, he has gone from an honor student to maintaining only C’s (and currently failing 2 classes) and my husband and I having to have many conferences with his teachers and do other interventions to try to get him back on track. I want to get him off this med, but his dr. wants to up his dosage (which I didn’t do) plus “experiment” with putting him on an ADHD med for the inattentive type ADHD. My son isn’t able to focus in class, has become very social – therefore not getting work done, and just forgets to turn in his work. He then gets way behind and has nothing but homework. It is heartbreaking to see him spiral down this path. I am currently seeking help from a nutritionist to try to alter his diet and modify his behavior through diet first. I just don’t want him on all these meds at this tender age, when a lot of this could just be hormones (or side effects from the zoloft). I know I should discuss this with his dr., but I’ve mentioned his recommendations and to switch Drs. I could have a 6 month wait (that is what it was when I first checked into this)…I’m thinking of weaning him off the 50mg. to 25mg. or stopping altogether over the Christmas break, so as not to disrupt his schooling.
Cassie
Subj: Sex drive going down
Date: 12/21/2006
I’ve currently been on zoloft for 5 days and have had a downward slope in my sex drive. It’s almost like I can’t feel anything (down there). Has anyone else had this, and does it cease after your body adjusts to the zoloft?
Mik
AskDocWeb: Depending on the dosage, from 7% to 11% of Zoloft users report a decrease in libido. It may change after your body becomes accustomed to the Zoloft, but it may not. You will have to wait and see. If it doesn’t improve, you may want to ask your doctor about changing to another drug, maybe Lexapro.
Subj: Hair coloring chemicals
Date: 1/4/2007
have been on zoloft for 6 months, 100 mg a day. I had my hair colored yesterday, and even though the same product was used, my hair turned a totally different color than it should. My stylist asked me if I was on any meds. Does zoloft affect hair coloring chemicals?
Elaine
AskDocWeb: I’ve never heard of this one before, but it’s possible. It’s also possible that the stylist made a mistake.
Subj: Quitting Zoloft
Date: 1/13/2007
I took zoloft for 2 months and quit by taking half for a few weeks then half of a half…for the first two days my joints and bones ached and I felt like I rolled down a hill but now on the third and fourth day I feel tired, moody, very dizzy and nauseated. My heart seems to beat very hard too…I hate this. I would never do this to myself again.
Crystalyn
Subj: Zoloft panic attack
Date: 1/15/2007
This is the worst thing I ever put into my body. I was supposed to take it for panic attacks. It GAVE me the worst panic attack of my life, I was stuck for a few minutes. I couldn’t breathe. I felt so nervous and paranoid I couldn’t even function. I kept picturing myself stabbing myself in the heart or jumping in front of a car. I am NOT suicidal by all means, this is the first time I ever felt that way. I know I almost killed myself. It was so scary. I wanted to cry but could only laugh. I had no control of my body or mind. I almost called 911 because I honestly thought I was going to die. I hope NO ONE ever takes this medicine again!
Jennifer
Subj: Sexual side effects are difficult
Date: 1/16/2007
I have been on zoloft on and off for 12 years. I have recently started taking it again in combination with Wellbutrin. Yes, the sexual side effects are difficult to deal with but my opinion is my mental health is so much better for everyone involved so I can deal with the side effects. The best thing for me and my husband is that we have both done the necessary research and are both aware of all of the side effects so we aren’t caught off guard.
Kat
Subj: Hot flashes are gone
Date: 2/7/2007
Was taking Zoloft for about 3 months. At the same time I have been going through my change of life at 50 years, and was having horrible hot flashes 24/7. I accidentally forgot to take the Zoloft for 2 days and realized that my hot flashes were gone. I haven’t taken it since, nor have had one hot flash. I was pretty angry because I suffered so much during that time from taking it. Thank you,
Carol
Subj: Zoloft withdrawal is unbelievably awful
Date: 2/7/2007
If you’re considering taking zoloft, DON”T!!! I’ve been taking 100 mg/day for over 10 years, tried to wean myself off it 3 or 4 times for several reasons including it makes me lazy, ruined my sex drive which cost me my marriage, when I drink while on zoloft I completely lose control, it’s expensive, I’m tired of my friends and family thinking I’m a mental case, among other things. The withdrawal is so fricking unbelievably awful. Imagine the sickest you’ve ever been in your life, then take that times ten. Even this last time, as determined as I was, I couldn’t deal with the withdrawal. As I write this I just took the first 100 mg pill after gradually weaning myself and then going 8 days with no zoloft. I’ve missed alot of work trying to quit, staying home with massive headaches and my nervous system shorting out from head to toe. Real fun, NOT. I’m stuck with this crap for life. I effing hate it. No matter what your reason is for thinking you need a SSRI, make sure you exhaust all non-chemical avenues first. I wish I had.
Harry
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