Feedback on Zoloft Side Effects and Usage, page 31
About Zoloft
If you use Zoloft, please help others by sharing your experience with side effects. 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.
Vomiting
Date: 6/14/2011
I just started taking Zoloft and I am waking up around 3am every morning vomiting. I was just wondering if this is normal and is there anything I can do to help stop this vomiting?
Krysal
AskDocWeb: Vomiting is listed as one of the possible side effects of Zoloft that should be reported to your doctor.
Zoloft
Date: 6/29/2011
Zoloft and frequent urge to urinate and irritation in urethra
Cade
AskDocWeb: Are you making a statement or asking a question?
Positive urine tests for thc
Date: 7/2/2011
I have been taking zoloft 175 mgs. I have smoked pot five times in my life, the last time in March 2010. I keep getting positive urine tests for thc. Can zoloft do this?
Mary
AskDocWeb: Zoloft may show up on a urine test but not as THC.
Living life again
Date: 7/10/2011
I have been taking zoloft for about 4 months and I have lost 30 lbs. I am happier and have more energy, I feel the best I’ve felt in years. I sleep good and have some dreams but forget them in the morning. I’m 42 and I’m doing things again instead of living in the house. My sex drive was pretty intense so it has helped me slow down and really cum, awesome orgasm. I’m on 100mg and holding, not everyone does bad on this.
Living life again
AskDocWeb: Thanks for sharing that. It is good to hear success stories from first hand experience.
Hair loss
Date: 7/14/2011
This is on the official Zoloft website. Not sure why everyone keeps saying hair loss is not listed as a side effect, alopecia=hair loss. Disorders of Skin and Appendages-Infrequent: pruritus, acne, urticaria, alopecia, dry skin, erythematous rash, photosensitivity reaction, maculopapular rash; Rare: follicular rash, eczema, dermatitis, contact dermatitis, bullous eruption, hypertrichosis, skin discoloration, pustular rash.
Tiffany
AskDocWeb: Thanks Tiffany. We have added the infrequent and rare side effects to the report. About one percent of those taking Zoloft reported that it caused hair loss.
Constant irritation in urethra and frequent urination
Date: 7/16/2011
Ever since I started weaning myself off of zoloft (been taking 50 mg) I have had this constant irritation in my urethra sometimes accompanied with frequent urination. I have been to two urologists and both times my urine came out negative for any infection. Also, I had a cystoscopy, which also came back negative for any obstruction or inflammation. I don’t feel I have an overactive bladder because it’s mainly the irritation in my urethra that is the main problem. Could this irritation be from tapering off the zoloft? Last night was the last time I’ll be taking zoloft.
Cade
AskDocWeb: Frequent urination is one of the rare side effects of Zoloft. Of course urethral irritation may make you constantly aware of your bladder. However, there are no reports of this being caused by tapering off Zoloft.
Agitated and verbally abusive
Date: 7/20/2011
My husband was so loving and sweet. He started taking zoloft and became agitated and verbally abusive. I am heartbroken. There’s no talking to him, we are getting divorced. A few months ago he loved me with all his heart. He never ever said one bad word to me before taking zoloft.
Heartbroken
Nightmares, itching and nausea
Date: 9/11/2011
Have taken Xanax, Wellbutrin and Zoloft together for panic disorder. The Xanax for years, wellbutrin for 4 years and Zoloft for a couple of years. I have been gradually cutting back on all of them. I have been completely off the Xanax for several months. I did not have side affects from quitting. I am now taking just 100 mg. Of Wellbutrin. I was down to 50mg. A day of Zoloft and quit it completely about a week ago.
Nightmares started about 4 nights ago. I am not sure if they are caused by quitting the Zoloft or cutting back on the wellbutrin. I also have itching at night and some nausea. My Libido has shown improvement. I have never had any problems stopping medications befoe so, I am checking with my doctor tomorrow to see what to do. I hate taking mess but, if it is needed, it is so much better then panic attacks. If they come back, I will go back on medication.
Donna
Can’t sleep, no energy and feel light headed
Date: 9/23/2011
I’ve been on 50mg Zoloft for about 3 months and my doctor upped it to 100mg. I’ve always taken it before going to bed, and now I stay up for hours–I can’t fall asleep. Plus, I have no energy and feel light headed in the afternoon. (frowning)
Virginia
AskDocWeb: Feeling light headed may be a sign of low blood pressure. That and the insomnia are listed as possible side effects that should be reported to your doctor.
Suicide side effects
Date: 9/29/2011
I was taking it for a while, at approx. age 46 now 52, with bad suicide side effects.
Gene
AskDocWeb: “Suicide ideation” or thoughts of suicide is listed as a rare side effect of Zoloft that should be reported to the prescribing doctor.
Birth defects
Date: 10/21/2011
Have you heard that the risk of having a child with birth defects is increased if the mother took antidepressants during pregnancy? According to a recent study in the publication New England Journal of Medicine, children whose mothers took antidepressants, such as ZOLOFT, PAXIL, PROZAC, LEXAPRO, CELEXA AND WELBUTRIN, during pregnancy have a significant increase of being born with birth defects, such as congenital heart defects, lung defects, spinal defects, abdominal defects, skull defects, genital deformation, cleft lip, cleft palate and club foot. The Archives of General Psychiatry also reported that children whose mothers took antidepressants during pregnancy “are twice as likely as other children to have a diagnosis of autism or a related disorder.” (Link to lawyer looking for clients was removed by the editor)
Penelope
Flu shot anxiety
Date: 10/22/2011
I am extremely scared. I had shortness of breath after i got the flu shot. It has been slowly going away. I was increased to 25mg of zoloft because of my anxiety to this and now am waking up because of my shaking legs and hands. Please help. I just recently started going up on meds and am now feeling even more anxious then usual because i am scared something is severely wrong with me. I am a 16 year old female and my doctor said i was as healthy as a horse. I am not hungry anymore and my hands feel hot.
Tina
AskDocWeb: When your doctor tells you that you are as healthy as a horse, that is a professional medical opinion. If you have any reason to doubt your doctor then it would be in your best interest to discuss it with him or her.
What is the best time to take sertraline?
Date: 10/26/2011
My doctor prescribed me sertraline 25mg for two weeks then 50 mg after for my severe anxiety and ocd thoughts. I’m so scared to take these meds. When is the best time to take it morning or night?
Jennifer
AskDocWeb: Some people have difficulty with insomnia when taking Zoloft at night. Others have just the opposite reaction and feel tired if they take it in the morning. You will have to decide what works best for you because everyone reacts differently. It is likely to take a few weeks for your body to adjust to the medication. Some people have reported that their best time to take it reversed (AM to PM or vice versa) once their body adjusted to the med.
I’m getting dizzy
Date: 11/4/2011
I have been on for 3 months. It really helped me get rid of depression but I’m getting dizzy throughout the day. I’ve tried a couple other SNRI/SSRI’s but this seems to work best. Also, had seen neurologist and no brain problems. Is this going to go away because it freaks ms out? Started shaking today and anxiety clicked in from feeling dizzy. Just worried this isn’t going to stop and afraid in loosing it?
Eric
AskDocWeb: The dizziness may or may not go way. However, it is one of the side effects that should be reported to the prescribing doctor. The most commonly used strategies for coping with dizziness are:
- Avoiding driving or operating machinery
- Avoiding the use of caffeine, tobacco and alcohol
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Rise slowly from sitting positions
- Taking the antidepressant at bedtime
- Using handrails, canes or other sturdy items for support
Scary side effects
Date: 11/14/2011
Please, send Answers! I was on Zoloft 50 mgs for 3 weeks. I took Zanex .05 mgs about 6 times as needed in that time. I read a bunch of scary side effects on line and I was having a hard time climaxing so I stooped cold turkey, about 40 days ago. I feel bad, I have muscil pain, muscail twiching, hot flashes and numb/tingley feelings in my body. HOW LONG WILL THIS GO ON FOR and CAN I DO ANYTHING TO MAKE THIS BETTER? DO THESE THINGS GO AWAY??? Pleae, write me back! Also, email me at (email is private here).
Matt
AskDocWeb: Side effects vary with the individual and may or may not go away with continued use. However, going of Zoloft cold turkey is a bad idea. A lot of problems can be avoided if you talk to your doctor first. Remember that any side effect that becomes a concern should be discussed with your doctor. He or she will be able to tell you if a particular side effect is likely to go away or not.
Viibryd made depression worse
Date: 12/15/2011
I’ve been taking Viibryd and it has done nothing for my depression except make it worse. I took Zoloft 14 years and it worked immediately and I never had depression aqain until someone told me it has quit working and then was put on Viibryd. I have to stop this medication and am going back on Zoloft. My doctor is one of those in hurry and never listens to what I am telling him.
Helen
AskDocWeb: Sorry to hear that your doctor doesn’t listen to you. For some patients that is reason enough to change doctors. Viibryd (vilazodone hydrochloride) is one of the new drugs, approved January 21, 2011. So far it is getting mixed reviews. Zoloft Report – 29 – 30 – Page 31 – 32 – 33 – Last Page 36
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