Hi, I know most of us here on this board have to depend on one type of anti-anxiety/depression meds at one time or another and wondered if any here have tried this one. The SSRI's are supposed to be easier to adjust to and to go off of if and when you decide to. I'm beginning week 3 as of yesterday and honestly the depression (early morning) has eased alot, but the anxiety feeling is more so (and so I do take 1/2 a Xanax) usually twice a day--low dose) I checked and these are 'ok' to take together--and it helps to adjust to a new med too. Then I plan to wean off the xanax (and since it's a very low dose--hope to do that without too much trouble. My hearing has gotten poorer of late--the bilateral hearing aids are necessary for sure--but still deal with distortion and actually some 'hyperacusis'--super sensitivity to noisy areas, etc. Musical tinnitus can really be 'annoying' as it plays any tune I've 'just heard' over and over--usually a one line of the tune. And I have trained my tinnitus to change tunes---ok to laugh here--but it's true. If one is just 'driving me crazy' I start one of a different tune. Just the music--no words. Strange stuff with this 'tinnitus thing' for sure. Also deal with loud ringing at times and a sound like a 'furnace' running loudly is something going on in my ears 'alot'. No vertigo for 6 years now, since the shunt surgery--but do have the ongoing head pressure/some minor balance issues--so that's caused anxiety and some depression--thus the Zoloft prescription. Just sharing and would appreciate anyone's contribution to anything I've mentioned. Thanks.
Zoloft can help depression. It helped me (not for MM, but for depression), but unfortunately for me, it's been almost impossible to get off of it. Once I'm done detoxing from all the other things that caused my MM, I hope my holistic doc can help me get off the damned zoloft. I never had a panic attack in my life, until I tried to go off zoloft, and I've had problems with it every time I've tried. Fortunately, zoloft cheap, I tolerate it well, and doctors love to prescribe it, so I'll have a lifetime supply if needs be, but I'd rather be off it.
I've been on Zoloft for 22 years and absolutely can't get off of it. I went on for depression in my 20's and when I wanted to get off after about 8 years, I went to a Psychiatrist (a therapist put me on). We tried weaning off of it for a solid year. I first switched to Prozac and then weaned down to a single pill every three weeks. Once that last pill was out of my system, all hell broke loose. The Dr. told me I was only the 2nd person he had ever encountered who couldn't get off of it and that I'm a lifer! As Pupper said, it's cheap and well tolerated so I think I'm on it for the long haul. It definitely helps my moods and anxiety, but hasn't done anything for any other of my MM symptoms!
I took it for a couple years when I was still a teenager. So glad to be off of it. I’ll try at all costs to avoid ever going on it again. Now my vice is Valium. It will take an act of Congress to get off of that stuff.
I was "diagnosed" with dysthymia which is why I started taking Zoloft. But subsequent events during my battle with MM have shown me that my dysthymia was really caused by my systemic yeast infection as I've seen it come and go depending on my level of inflammation. If I had been given nystatin instead of Zoloft, I wouldn't have needed the Zoloft. Fortunately there are psychiatrists now who treat without anti-depressants.
Interesting to read all your comments. I appreciate each of them. I'm reading a lot about it being 'easier to go off the SSRI's' than the SNRI's. Doesn't sound like it from most comments I'm reading! I have tried several over the years and only made it to 8 mos. on Cymbalta. Was doing so well, decided to wean off of it--thought I'd be fine and that was a horrible drug to go off of! A few years later tried it again--and made it a week--and said, 'no more'!! Then I tried a 'few' others and only made it maybe 10 days or so--and decided 'no more for me'! I am just one who doesn't do anti-depressants well. Xanax over the years off and on has helped with anxiety due to MM symptoms--no vertigo anymore. Valium I tried and it's not as effective for me as the Xanax. And I take 1/2 tablet of it (lowest dosage too). I once weaned off of it for quite awhile, but my internist said, why are you worried about it? He said if taking it helps you--and you rarely need more than 2 and can have 4 if needed===just do what helps you. Well, I liked that advise but still rarely take more than 2 a day and try to keep it at 1 to 1 1/2 along with this new one for me--the Zoloft. And it's the lowest dosage--25 mg. once a day. The only side effect with Xanax is feeling really tired and 'brain fog' alot--more so these 16 days on the Zoloft. So, did any of you start with 25 mg. of Zoloft and then 'go up in strength' and if so, how soon? And how long were you on it and then tried weaning off and had such problems? Everyone is different, I know that . So, I'm giving this a better chance that I have some others but boy==the feeling 'shaky' and 'revved up' is something I'm noticing after 16 days. Hoping this eases--and that's when I add the 1/2 tablet of Xanax and it does help. I have to say my morning depression has eased 'alot'!
I started at 50mg and was at 25mg for years. Last year, when I had a few really bad MM months, my doctor bumped me up to 75mg, but I'm back at 50. If the good days continue, I'll probably go back to 25. I had been on it for over 8-10 years when I tried to get off of it, so that may have been why I had such a hard time. The psychiatrist told me I'm a person who just doesn't process serotonin correctly. Not sure if that is true, but I've accepted it's something I'll always take. Good luck!
So, TLB, sounds like you are saying--you have been helped but had tried to 'do it on our own'. Do I understand that correctly? In trying to go off of it you had problems and couldn't? So--you decided to stay with it. All in all do you think it's helped you 'alot'--very little--or just that you are 'hooked' and it doesn't help much? I'm on day 17--and do feel my 'mood is improving' but am having some real 'dizzy episodes' where my head suddenly feels soooo heavy and I feel like I have to 'sit back'. Also brings nausea then too and some 'tremors' at times. From research this is common--the nausea and tremors and even dizziness--but wondered if those had been your symptoms? Hope it's really helping you and will help me too. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I was put on for depression well before I had any MM issues. When I tried to go off of it, it was under the direction of a psychiatrist. He weaned me down to almost nothing over the course of a year but when I actually quit, I kept getting dizzy, felt like my vision was 3 seconds behind what I turned to lookg at (hard to explain), and literally could not stop crying. Within a few hours of taking a dose, I was fine. He concluded I just can get off of it. If I am having a particularly bad MM period, my primary care dr. told me to up the dose to 75mg for a couple weeks to help combat the anxiety, but then I go back to 50. I was at 25mg for so long so I’m sure I can get back there, but I’ll never be off fully. I never had nausea, tremors or dizziness while ON Zoloft, only when I tried to get off of it. It definitely helped my depression! Does that all make sense?
I was on Zoloft for a total of a 18 months for periods of depression unrelated to MM. It did help. I got to the point I looked forward to that little blue pill and I could actually detect it kicking in. Getting off of Zoloft was an exercise in personal control as my body screamed to be fed. I would do it again if the depression sets in. For me, I knew it was time when I started planning my demise. MM can and does induce depression as any serious illness can. Don't fool yourself into assuming you can control it. You can't. Watch for the warning signs of withdrawal, excessive sleep and consideration of ending it all. Talk to your Dr. and be honest.
Thanks--will do. Today is my 3rd week on the 25 mg. I can tell it's helping the depression--mornings were bad. And I have more energy, etc. But, off and on during the day I get to the point I need to 'move' or sit down--one or the other--but can't really relax--feel like my insides are crawling and a bit of nausea going on. Shaky too. Then it will pass. Often I have to take 1/2 Xanax to help--but try not to more than 2 times a day. There is no contraindication on taking it with the Zoloft--generic brand is what I take. I plan to let my doctor know these symptoms tomorrow to see if this is to be expected with me and if he wants me to continue or up the dose or ??? I hate to go to a higher dose--but also want these very difficult side effects to 'go away'.