Afraid of ZOLOFT

[janey]

I mainly have anxiety with bouts of depression, mood swings, and chronic obsessive thinking (possibly OCD). I have not been diagnosed by a mental health professional and can't really afford to. My GP basically said I have all of that, but I'm not sure I can trust her since she's not properly trained in mental health. She seems knowledgeable enough and says everything I read about when I try to diagnose myself through that awful Google. She wants me to get mental help because she thinks I've been through some events that put me in dire need of therapy, but she said that Zoloft should help for now.
My GP prescribed me Zoloft and Ativan (I've already had this script for 6 months and I trade with my mom for Xanax since she barely uses them).
I've been reading reviews about Zoloft and it's scaring me. While some people said it does them well, others have said it caused their condition to be worse overall.
I cannot take that. I also cannot handle suicidal thoughts, so if this medication makes me even more suicidal I might be done for...I don't know.

I'm also scared it will make me an emotionless zombie or do something to my brain that cannot be reversed.
I'm also scared that I will be fake if I take it...like it will make me feel false things or I will react/interact with others in a fake manner?

I'd basically do anything to help with my anxiety/depression/obsessions...but those things are sure kicking in now after reading those reviews.

I'd like to think that it will help me, but I haven't taken it yet. It's just sitting there. Should I start it?
I know certain SSRIs treat each individual differently. I also know the first 1-2 weeks will be rough before it kicks in.
If it helps me, that would be amazing. Should I chance it?

Thanks.

[weary]

Janey what dose did they give you? I talked Zoloft and like you can't afford mental health care so my gp and I talked actually I broke down and he talked. I started at a very low dose 25 mg in May 2012 just a few weeks ago I had a very bad deal with my boss that sent me over the edge ... I called my dr and he wanted me to see me so I went in and we decided to up me to 50 mg. I was terrified to start the meds in may but I did not read the side effects I had my husband andif I started feeling things I talked to him about it and he would let me know if I should worry or if it would go way.
Everyone reacts different to meds and sometimes it takes a lot if meds have to be changed but I have to say in May when I started this medication I could not even leave my house and today I can leave e house drive if I choose and even went back to work.

I bope you will at least give it a try just remember it takes a while to get into you system and start working

[janey]

Hi weary. It's 25mg.
Ah, but it's too late for me. I already read all the potential bad side effects. Hopefully I don't psyche myself out.
I will try it and ask that someone keeps an eye on me, right? Did it make you feel suicidal at times?

Thanks again, you reply a lot and I appreciate it.

[weary]

I have had no suicidal thoughts I had some fatigue the first couple of weeks and dry mouth but that was really it,plus you have to remember they have to list any and all side effects even if it was just 1 person. Make sure you have someone read the side effects and talk to them about what you are feeling.
Don't think about the worse things think wow this could help me that is how I had to look at it was all meds can hurt u but some actually work for you so it's a 50/50 shot ya know

Keep me posted on your progress

[Nicolette]

mostly anti-depressants only make you suicidal if you actually want to kill yourself, they initially give you a boost, and people use that boost to put together a plan to do it. People who suffer anxiety only usually get a small increase in anxiety, and perhaps a bit nauseas. Hopefully you get lucky and zoloft will work for you without you having to chop and change.

Zoloft has been good to me

[janey]

Thanks you two. :) I already have fatigue and dry mouth, so I guess that wouldn't be so bad.
I feel like I actually could kill myself if I felt overwhelmed enough, but it'd take a lot...it would have to be something like I'm already in an anxious episode about something else and then my mom dies or something.
But I will stay positive and hope it helps me because that's what I really need.

I'm glad it helps you both. :) Makes me feel better about it. I'm taking the first dose tomorrow.

[weary]

Janey you can do this you may also want to look into yoga or meditation. I do my mediation every night before I go to bed it helps shut my mind down so I can rest peacefully. I also just started learning belly breathing which helps me because I can't do it when standing up lol so during an attack it gets my mind off of it :) if you need anything you can private message me or I am on kik instant message my log on is weary75 and it comes right to my phone. Know that someone else is there too.
Today was a good day for me but I return to work tomorrow and I am already panicking about going in because I have to be there early and will be alone which sets me off but I do my breathing and it helps.

I hope you can find comfort and peace knowing we are here for you. We will help keep you on the right track with positive reinforcement and well we will do what we can we are each others support system

[Lin]

You sound amazing support for others - I am so consumed with depression I find it hard to think of others. Saying goodbye to my son is the one thing which has stopped me taking pills and using knives. Had to have an operation recently and refused to wake up - showed my husband how much I wanted out and made me realise I really did want out - operation meant saying goodbye to no-one. Gone back to work because don't want to give in but if honest it is too much for me and does not help but too determined to lose job i have worked hard to get just because of this stupid head. Taking tablets, taking hormones, doing everything anyone suggests eg meditation, NHS courses, etc etc but this is lasting longer than in past with post natal depression because menopause this time, and i don't know how much longer can carry on.

[weary]

Lin- you have t believe in yourself I know it is not easy at times and having to say good bye to a child is never an easy thing to handle or get through you need to find a brevmeant group they are amazing I lost my best friend 10 yrs ago and saw what it did to his mom and dad she found sn amazing group and has been able to move forward and help others in our community, I am sure the last thing your son would want is for you to be feeling this way. He loved you and will always be you that is the one thing you have to remember even though he can't answer you you can still talk to him tell him how much you love him and miss him and how you wish things could have been different.
I am not a fan of pills and medication but I finally could not take it anymore that I was afraid to leave my house and could not do anything fun with my daughter. I fear everyday she will develop my anxiety and panic because I can't always be in control of it but know this forum is amazing and we are all here to support others. And he,p them get through the bad days and commend them on the hurtles they have crossed and accomplishments they have made. I am always around either on the forum or on kik messinging my sign is weary75 look me up or send me a private message on the forum I have them both on the computer and my phone so it is always with me.

Stay strong Lin and tell yourself this is not going to beat me. I have to much to live for. And know there are people who are going through the same things and will be the to help and support you.

[alankay]

I'd consider a 25 mg dose like already suggested for a few weeks and go from there.
Also give your GP some credit as all the training they get during clinical rotations in med school and later in residency are given to them by veteran psychiatrists and psychologists(lectures and clinical work) and they must show they've learned it all and can apply it. Some are much better then others but your sounds darn good. :)
Also don't buy into the negative hype on ssri's. They are generally well tolerated and help many... but not all of course. The choice is yours. Alankay.

[Nicolette]

I agree alan. i think often we get so worked up, it's the extra anxiety making us feel worse, and not the drug. i think if somebody slipped it into our drink, and we took it without noticing then we'd only suffer about 1/4 of the negative effects of them.

[Robert Fahey]

Janey, I just joined this forum to try to help others. Did you stick with the Zoloft? How did it turn out?

[Robert Fahey]

I'm with you Nicolette. Used it for about seven months last year to fight an acute depression. I was afraid of it, but untreated depression is worse than any drug side effect for sure. The only side effect was drowsiness, so I took it at bedtime. Lights out.

Funny thing is, Zoloft and Celexa -- which I used years ago for about a year -- both mellowed out my taste in music. I listened to a lot of Enya when I was on those meds. Now I'm back to the Meteors. Oh well.

[em1]

Please don't fear going on this med,I was the same as you and have had anxiety for years,I've been on Zoloft for nearly four weeks and I'm so happy I did,I like you read to much about it but thought sod it I'm going to try it for myself and I'm very happy I did :)

[mid]

I'm on zoloft and gaining "me" back again slowly as well. I do have to remember to keep hydrated, and to wind down before sleep.

Hope it's helping you.

[Judie]

I'm with you Nicolette. Used it for about seven months last year to fight an acute depression. I was afraid of it, but untreated depression is worse than any drug side effect for sure. The only side effect was drowsiness, so I took it at bedtime. Lights out.

Funny thing is, Zoloft and Celexa -- which I used years ago for about a year -- both mellowed out my taste in music. I listened to a lot of Enya when I was on those meds. Now I'm back to the Meteors. Oh well.

Lol, Enya is a mainstay for Anxiety, I listened to her through a brain MRI ! Funny how music is a barometer for how bad your anxiety is at at any given point.