Feedback on Zoloft Side Effects and Usage, page 8
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. You can use the form below to add your comments, feedback or Zoloft review.
Subj: Concerned about side effects
Date: 6/15/2006
I have been on 50 mg. Zolfot for 1 month for depression and for the last week have upped it to 100 mg.. I am now noticing that I am tired and want to nap and I have less drive to do things. I am now concerned about withdraw (something my doc never warned me of)and want to get off it. One other complex issue is I have type 1 diabetes 33 years that is in excellent control but my moods do fluctuate due to the sugar swings that do occur. Any suggestions? Thanks for your website I just discovered it!
Paul
AskDocWeb: You might want to talk with your doctor about Lexapro. It’s fast acting and doesn’t cause the sleepiness that Zoloft does. And you shouldn’t see mood swings with Lexapro.
Subj: Zoloft story
Date: 6/17/2006
I have been taking zoloft for four months now – started at about 12 mgs as I’m small and now up to 100 mgs. I’m not a person who likes to take any medication, particularly not something like Zoloft. However, having sunk into the depths of depression, something I had never done, I realized I needed help very badly and talk therapy wasn’t doing it. I was in an emotional melt down because of some terrible issues in my life and could not get out of the spiraling down. Anyway, long story short, zoloft apparently pulled me out of a terrible cycle of depression/anxiety feeding on each other. My life issues haven’t changed – my reaction to it all has and I feel LIKE ME again – up beat, positive, looking to the future and enjoying the present. I don’t think it was all the medication but the medication allowed my mind to rest, to get realistic, to get out of a bad, bad cycle. I’ve not had nightmares or the weight gain – quite the opposite at this point – I’ve lost weight – libido – well, it’s slowed down but not totally gone – however in my case, losing it isn’t too bad considering part of my issues deal with needing to get out of a destructive marriage with an excessive impulsive who acts it out sexually.
Anyway, again, the meds got me back to loving life, restoring relationships, moving on from the past, loving myself. I’m glad it was there when I needed it and I’m glad that I finally found a therapist who recognized that just “talking” wasn’t enough and that I was in trouble. Hope this helps others. (one question – and this will sound weird – I make figure eights with my tongue all of the time/also with my feet when I’m resting – this is definitely a zoloft issue as I didn’t ever do this before – my doctor said it is a side effect – but I don’t recall what she specifically called it – anyone else have something like that? it’s kind of funny – and I just realized I’m doing it! Fortunately no one can see it so it’s my little secret but again, weird…) -excuse the disconnected writing – this little box is small to write in or edit and it’s 4:57 in the morning…I’m going back to bed.
Jamie
Subj: Uncontrollable body movements
Date: 6/21/2006
This is my second time on Zoloft. I’m up to 200mg. I experience night sweats, hand tremors, feet shaking, and now, most disturbing, left shoulder jerking and uncontrollable full body shuddering. My doctor told me to cut my dosage in half for 2 months then check back. Less than one week later, the body jolts have become more frequent. 40 year old taking it for depression and social anxiety, getting a bit concerned with these new side effects.
Blee
AskDocWeb: Sounds like you need a consultation with a neurologist. These symptoms could be caused by something unrelated to the Zoloft, although you could ask your doctor about using Lexapro instead.
Subj: Weight gain with Zoloft
Date: 6/21/2006
I have been taking Zoloft for 3 months. I have gained almost 15lbs and my appetite is huge. I also started losing my hair in large amounts. I have just gone off it cold turkey last week. I am experiencing dizziness, headaches and fatigue. I would never recommend this drug to anyone.
Cheryl
Subj: Risks of consuming alcohol/smoking marijuana with Zoloft
Date: 6/23/2006
Just a couple quick questions on zoloft. I just started taking it. What specific sexual side affects are there? How bad are the risks with consuming alcohol or smoking marijuana?
Clay
AskDocWeb: It depends of your current medical condition which could be anything up to and including death. All the literature says that you are not to drink alcohol or smoke marijuana while on an anti-depressant.
Subj: Dizziness, lethargic and flutter in chest
Date: 6/30/2006
I recently stopped Zoloft, but I did taper the dosage from 100mg to 25mg over a 4 week period. I’ve been off for approximately 3 weeks and now I’m starting to feel some side effects, i.e., dizziness, lethargic, disorientation, and the occasional flutter in my chest. Also, for some reason my blood pressure is lower than usual. My blood pressure has always been 120s / 80+-. Now that I’m off Zoloft my BP is low 100s / 50s. I really feel like crap. Can Zoloft cause radical changes to a person’s BP?
Chris
AskDocWeb: Since you have been off Zoloft for 3 weeks your body should have been back to normal and you are not. The dizziness, lethargic feeling and flutter in your chest are signs that you should be examined by your doctor.
Subj: Zoloft side effects
Date: 7/4/2006
I tried Zoloft @ 25 mgs for 2 weeks & upped it to 50 mgs for 2 days than decided to stop due to insomnia, headaches, light sensitivity, irritability and agitation. I’ve tried other SSRI’S w/ the same results after giving them the fair trial period of 8 weeks. This was my rational for stopping prematurely. I suffer from intense anxiety and obsessive thoughts. I take about an average of 1.5 mgs of Klonopin daily which seems to be the only medication to give me some relief. I took valium for years & ironically it seemed to actually increase the anxiety. I would really like to find a medication that can help me with my mental / biological issues. I recently moved so I am in the midst of finding a new psych. Any comments or feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks,
Marty
AskDocWeb: Finding a new professional to help you with this is probably your best choice.
Subj: Weaning off Zoloft
Date: 7/4/2006
I’ve used Zoloft for about 18 months (50mg per day) and am weaning off of it. At my doctor’s advice I’m doing 25mg per day for two weeks and then every other day for two weeks and then I should be able to stop. I haven’t noticed any strange side effects of quitting other than no appetite but am hoping to start loosing some more weight and hopefully getting a normal sex life back.
Connie
Subj: Zoloft weight gain
Date: 7/5/2006
Despite what the FDA tells you, Zoloft will make you gain weight. I have been on and off Zoloft for a number of years and every single time I take it, I gain about 20-30 lbs. What is worse is that I got off of the Zoloft and for six straight months did not lose the weight it caused me to gain. I had to cut back on what I eat, which is something I never had to do before. I eventually lost the weight after about four or five months. Now, that I am back down skinny again, I have had to begin taking Zoloft because my depression and OCD symptoms have returned with the weight drop.
It’s only a matter of time before I am overweight again, but I have no insurance to go to the doctor and get a different medication. I’ve been taking what I had left over of the Zoloft from the time I got off of it before. It does cause night sweats. It does cause agitation. It does cause bad withdrawal symptoms. I did experience the weird sensation behind my eyes when quitting, along with dizziness headaches, and nausea. When first taking it, I got chills. I don’t have a choice right now, since my OCD has returned and I need medication, but as soon as I find an alternative, I’m kissing Zoloft goodbye for good!
Julie
Subj: Tinnitis
Date: 7/15/2006
I was weened off of Zoloft about 9 days ago, and I have progressively developed an extreme aggravation of tinnitis – I get like “zapping” in my head, which I not only hear, I also feel. It almost throws me off balance. It is extremely debilitating. I also have no energy and just want to lie around and do nothing. I followed my doc’s orders to a tee as far as tapering, but I feel like CRAP! I told him that I just want to get off the pills and live normally without having to take prescriptions. I see a post from Colleen dated 3/29/05 describing the same zapping/tinnitis. Is there any natural remedy for the effects of withdrawal, short of going back on Zoloft?
Shelley
AskDocWeb: You just have to be patient and wait for the Zoloft to get out of your system completely, the ringing should go away by itself.
Subj: Zoloft digest
Date: 7/30/2006
How long does it take the pill to digest in the stomach?
Alex
AskDocWeb: That varies with the length of time since the last meal, how much water is taken with the pill, your age, the quality of your stomach acid etc. In general digestion begins within the hour and may take 4 to 5 hours to complete.
Subj: Quit Cold turkey
Date: 8/6/2006
I just quit cold turkey after consulting my doctor (he recommended cutting back slowly) so I’ll be visiting my psychiatrist more often just to make sure I’m ok. The only side effect I seem to have is a feeling of dizziness/light-headedness.
Steve
Subj: Good results with Zoloft
Date: 8/14/2006
I have used Zoloft for 3 years now with no problems. I started @100 mg and have reduced it to 50mg. I sleep very well, no nightmares or night sweats. I have no loss of sex drive and I haven’t gained a lot of weight. It works for me.
Bradlee
Subj: Zoloft feedback
Date: 8/31/2006
I’ve been on “Z” for almost 2 months now (50mg). The first couple of weeks I started, I got major dizzy spells and felt tired all the time, so I took my pills at night. Then I decided to try taking them in the morning as my doctor suggested, and now I have a burst of energy each day. I do also take vitamins and drink half a cup of coffee each morning, so I’m not sure if the combination is what gives me energy? I am really fidgety all day long, and am wide awake even when I’m exhausted. I find that I wake up at least once in the middle of the night, so I always feel tired the next day. I do have strange, vivid dreams, but I’ve also noticed that when I was previously on Wellbutrin and Paxil. My libido hasn’t decreased, but I find it a little harder to “climax”, as if stimulation has dulled my senses a little. I have been hungrier, but I’m not sure if that is the Zoloft or not. I will wait a few more months and see what happens.
P.S. I forgot to mention that I noticed hair loss since I’ve started taking Zoloft! This is embarrassing because I am constantly shedding all day long. I shed a lot in the shower, when I comb my hair, or even when I play with my hair – there are strands of hair everywhere! My hair is thin to begin with, so this scares me. I certainly hope it’s not permanent loss. I have been taking Biotin supplements (1,000mg) to rectify the problem, but so far that hasn’t seemed to be working.
Chyna
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