Question:

Thanks to all who replied to my question about Advair. We were very careful to keep the Flovent the same level (she used the Flovent inhaler in addition to the Advair to keep it equal) and she switched from a Serevent diskus, so all things should have been the same. However, I left the choice to her, and she decided to go back to the Serevent diskus and Flovent MDI. She hasn’t been having any problem since. I guess it’s a case of "different strokes for different folks." sue — Susan Hartman/Dirty Linen The Magazine of Folk and World Music http://www.dirtylinen.com

Response:

Does Advair have the same compounds as Pulmicort. Check with your doctor. Lane – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello. I’ve read lots of posts about Advair and seen that most people like it. But I’m still slightly concerned. My 13-y.o. daughter has severe asthma and takes Accolate, Serevent, Flovent, and Zyrtec. She’s been well controlled over the summer. In the past she has tried Pulmicort Turbohaler and had disastrous results. She couldn’t sleep at night, couldn’t wake in the morning, and had awful nightmares and almost "psychotic" dreams/nighttime episodes. This occured between 1-3 weeks after starting Pulmicort, and when we made the connection we put her back on Flovent and she was fine. (And this has happened twice, at 18-mo intervals). Well, she just started Advair about a week and a half ago and is starting to have trouble sleeping and waking. This morning she mentioned that she thinks it might be similar to the Pulmicort experience. But since it’s just the first couple of weeks of school, it’s hard to say whether it’s Advair-related or normal teen adjustment to a daytime schedule! Though she did also just yesterday have her first asthma flare in a long while – several weeks at least (used the neb for the first time since the beginning of summer). So my question is, has anyone had similar problems with Pulmicort Turbohaler, and what is the experience of those "sensitive" people to Advair? Is there something related to the delivery method? Or was the Pulmicort/Flovent difference related to the drug involved? I should also mention that’s she’s one of those unfortunate people who responds "over the top" to prednisone…every bad side effect known to woman! Munchies, water retention, screaming meanies, etc. Thanks for any light you can shed. Sue — Susan Hartman/Dirty Linen The Magazine of Folk and World Music http://www.dirtylinen.com

Response:

Her reaction to Advair shouldn’t be any different than her reaction to Flovent and Serevent since Advair is the combination of the 2 drugs in a more convenient form. What dose is she on? And did she increase her dose? For example if she was on Flovent 220 is her Advair 250/50? Or higher?

Response:

Well, she just started Advair about a week and a half ago and is starting to have trouble sleeping and waking. This morning she mentioned that she thinks it might be similar to the Pulmicort experience.

It may be an issue of dose. It is possible that her technique with the MDI is not optimal so what the doctor thinks is an equivalent dose of the dry powder inhalers is actually an increase. Advair comes in three different strengths so it may be possible to reduce her dose safely. — CBI, MD

Response:

I took Advair for about six weeks and finally decided to take a break inasmuch as my nasal passges have been very sore deuring that time.  I don’t know if there’s a connection, thus the break to see what happens.  If it clears up then reappears when I resume the Advair, then I’ve resolved the problem.  I did find that the NIH resume was most helpful … I don’t have it in front of me, but loss of sleep might’ve been one of the side effects. Hope this helps … Al Fisher

Response:

Hello. I’ve read lots of posts about Advair and seen that most people like it. But I’m still slightly concerned.

I loved Advair.  I was down to one puff a day, and was off my ventolin inhalers completely.  <I am one ofthose people who has cats, sleeps with them – and is allergic However, I also had a concern – I began having heart palpitaitons.  I checked the web for side effects, asked the doctor – and my concerns were dismissed.  I ended up in the hospital with Ventricular Tachycardia (VT). Normally a very healthy (other than the asthma) adult who hikes, bikes and climbs stairs, my energy level was dropping off the bottom. I have since read that the Advair guys had done some tests on VT and Advair, but I don’t know what the results were.  Why would they do the tests if there was no concern?  If you do develop VT from using Advair – does it disappear after you stop using it? Does anyone have any anecdotal evidence on this? Connie

Response:

I found on a switch from Aerobid to Flovent, that the switch itself caused me to be extremely sensitive for about 3 weeks. It wasn’t that the new drug didn’t work, I think it was that the old one quit before the new one built up. Time may help? LA – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello. I’ve read lots of posts about Advair and seen that most people like it. But I’m still slightly concerned. My 13-y.o. daughter has severe asthma and takes Accolate, Serevent, Flovent, and Zyrtec. She’s been well controlled over the summer. In the past she has tried Pulmicort Turbohaler and had disastrous results. She couldn’t sleep at night, couldn’t wake in the morning, and had awful nightmares and almost "psychotic" dreams/nighttime episodes. This occured between 1-3 weeks after starting Pulmicort, and when we made the connection we put her back on Flovent and she was fine. (And this has happened twice, at 18-mo intervals). Well, she just started Advair about a week and a half ago and is starting to have trouble sleeping and waking. This morning she mentioned that she thinks it might be similar to the Pulmicort experience. But since it’s just the first couple of weeks of school, it’s hard to say whether it’s Advair-related or normal teen adjustment to a daytime schedule! Though she did also just yesterday have her first asthma flare in a long while – several weeks at least (used the neb for the first time since the beginning of summer). So my question is, has anyone had similar problems with Pulmicort Turbohaler, and what is the experience of those "sensitive" people to Advair? Is there something related to the delivery method? Or was the Pulmicort/Flovent difference related to the drug involved? I should also mention that’s she’s one of those unfortunate people who responds "over the top" to prednisone…every bad side effect known to woman! Munchies, water retention, screaming meanies, etc. Thanks for any light you can shed. Sue — Susan Hartman/Dirty Linen The Magazine of Folk and World Music http://www.dirtylinen.com

Response:

Hello. I’ve read lots of posts about Advair and seen that most people like it. But I’m still slightly concerned. My 13-y.o. daughter has severe asthma and takes Accolate, Serevent, Flovent, and Zyrtec. She’s been well controlled over the summer. In the past she has tried Pulmicort Turbohaler and had disastrous results. She couldn’t sleep at night, couldn’t wake in the morning, and had awful nightmares and almost "psychotic" dreams/nighttime episodes. This occured between 1-3 weeks after starting Pulmicort, and when we made the connection we put her back on Flovent and she was fine. (And this has happened twice, at 18-mo intervals). Well, she just started Advair about a week and a half ago and is starting to have trouble sleeping and waking. This morning she mentioned that she thinks it might be similar to the Pulmicort experience. But since it’s just the first couple of weeks of school, it’s hard to say whether it’s Advair-related or normal teen adjustment to a daytime schedule! Though she did also just yesterday have her first asthma flare in a long while – several weeks at least (used the neb for the first time since the beginning of summer). So my question is, has anyone had similar problems with Pulmicort Turbohaler, and what is the experience of those "sensitive" people to Advair? Is there something related to the delivery method? Or was the Pulmicort/Flovent difference related to the drug involved? I should also mention that’s she’s one of those unfortunate people who responds "over the top" to prednisone…every bad side effect known to woman! Munchies, water retention, screaming meanies, etc. Thanks for any light you can shed. Sue — Susan Hartman/Dirty Linen The Magazine of Folk and World Music http://www.dirtylinen.com

Response:

Question:

I have been on Singulair since Feb 98.  I also have noticed fatigue and depression.  I was going to stop once, but, since this is the only drug that has seemed to help I tell myself that I can handle it.  Since nothing else has changed in my life since I started taking Singulair, I really feel that this is a problem due to the drug  

Response:

I’ve noticed a tendency for Singulair to cause fatigue. I think the fatigue reduces with time, but still exists. [I'm in the 50% who experience significant improvement with Singulair, 25% get dramatic improvement, 25% no improvement] I still take Pulmicort, Serevent, and low dose TheoDur. My peak flows are running around 100%, but I have gained weight and have exercise induced asthma. I’ve been experimenting dropping the Singulair; or taking a reduced dose by using every other day (or splitting tablet). I am 60; children take a half dose; maybe certain others should be on a half dose? Singulair PI at www.singulair.com Fatigue is shown as 1.8% versus 1.2% for placebo. Also see: http://www.rxlist.com/scripts/patient/piumore.pl?mononum=806&order=0&… Patient Monograph – montelukast Excerpt: "What should my health care professional know before I use  montelukast? They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

Question:

: You could be having an allergic reaction to the medication.  This is : something you should report to both your doctor and pharmacist (IMO a : pharmacist tends to do a better job of keeping track of the : medications you shouldn’t take than a doctor does). : There should be no direct problem from abruptly stopping Accolate, : however Rule #2 for asthmatics is: Never stop taking a medication : without checking with a doctor (unless this is covered by an ‘Asthma : Action Plan’). Except in this case, there is the potential for not stopping to be life-threatening.  I believe that the rule is if you get an allergic reaction to some medication, especially things like antibiotics, that you stop the medication first and find a doctor next, the speed depending on how serious the reaction is. : You should try to find a walk-in clinic in your area and consult with : a doctor. I agree entirely, except that I think that it would be a good idea to stop taking the medication if you suspect that it is causing an allergic reaction, and then get your hands on a doctor ASAP. Cheers, Kin Hoong

Response:

If you break out in an itchy blotchy rash after each dose then you should clearly stop the drug. There is no danger inherent to stopping Accolate abruptly other than worsening asthma. If you don’t feel that you were responding tot he Accolate than this should not be a problem. Keep taking the Zyrtec, it may be the only thing stopping a more severe reaction. If your asthma worsens contact your doctor immediately. — Good Luck, CBI, M.D. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Folks, I need some information.  Both my pharmacist and physician are unavailable for another two weeks [the health center is closed for the XMas holidays]. I have been taking Accolate for just over 2 weeks now; to be honest, I haven’t noticed a significant change in my asthma that can definitely be attributed to the Accolate as opposed to just getting over the stupid virus that I have had; though being sick means judging how well the underlying asthma *itself* is doing has been a challenge [respiratory infections are an almost guaranteed flare-er of my asthma]. HOWEVER, that is not what concerns me.  Last night for the third time or so that I have taken my dose I have broken out in a blotch rash/hives and been *severely* itchy, especiall on my legs.  Last night I finally clued into the fact that I think the Accolate is what is causing it — it started within a half hour of taking it, and the only thing I had was it and some water; nothing else that I can think of could possible have triggered the reaction.  I could have handled the headache that many people get; this kind of itchiness is intolerable. So, I haven’t taken my dose this morning [I am pretending I forgot ], and I want to stop taking it.  But I need to know if it is safe to stop taking it abruptly or not.  So: IS IT SAFE??  I’ve been on 20mg twice a day since the 11th of December, and have rarely forgotten to take it. FWIW, I am also on Zyrtec [aka Reactine in Canada; and have been for about 5 years] 10mg/d, Pulmicort Turbuhaler 1600mcg/d [haven't come off the increased dose from being sick yet; have been on this dose basically since the week before the US Thanksgiving], and Bricanyl as required [in the last few days, not needed at all].  I have been on deltasone 3X in the last month and a half, most recently a 40mg/d X3d, 20mg/d X3d, 10mg/d X3 days taper regimine [finished under week ago]; I have a burst dose Rx for deltasone [40mg/d X 3 d] if I need to use it, which I am allowed to use. So, folks, is it safe to come off of the Accolate abruptly, and if so/not, what should I look for if anything if I do?  I am assuming my asthma may worsen some, but I think I can manage that ok [I am allowed to flex my medications to a certain degree]. Thanks for your help!! SW.

Response:

HOWEVER, that is not what concerns me.  Last night for the third time or so that I have taken my dose I have broken out in a blotch rash/hives and been *severely* itchy, especiall on my legs.  Last night I finally clued into the fact that I think the Accolate is what is causing it — it started within a half hour of taking it, and the only thing I had was it and some water; nothing else that I can think of could possible have triggered the reaction.  I could have handled the headache that many people get; this kind of itchiness is intolerable.

You could be having an allergic reaction to the medication.  This is something you should report to both your doctor and pharmacist (IMO a pharmacist tends to do a better job of keeping track of the medications you shouldn’t take than a doctor does). There should be no direct problem from abruptly stopping Accolate, however Rule #2 for asthmatics is: Never stop taking a medication without checking with a doctor (unless this is covered by an ‘Asthma Action Plan’). You should try to find a walk-in clinic in your area and consult with a doctor.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Folks, I need some information.  Both my pharmacist and physician are unavailable for another two weeks [the health center is closed for the XMas holidays]. I have been taking Accolate for just over 2 weeks now; to be honest, I haven’t noticed a significant change in my asthma that can definitely be attributed to the Accolate as opposed to just getting over the stupid virus that I have had; though being sick means judging how well the underlying asthma *itself* is doing has been a challenge [respiratory infections are an almost guaranteed flare-er of my asthma]. HOWEVER, that is not what concerns me.  Last night for the third time or so that I have taken my dose I have broken out in a blotch rash/hives and been *severely* itchy, especiall on my legs.  Last night I finally clued into the fact that I think the Accolate is what is causing it — it started within a half hour of taking it, and the only thing I had was it and some water; nothing else that I can think of could possible have triggered the reaction.  I could have handled the headache that many people get; this kind of itchiness is intolerable. So, I haven’t taken my dose this morning [I am pretending I forgot ], and I want to stop taking it.  But I need to know if it is safe to stop taking it abruptly or not.  So: IS IT SAFE??  I’ve been on 20mg twice a day since the 11th of December, and have rarely forgotten to take it. FWIW, I am also on Zyrtec [aka Reactine in Canada; and have been for about 5 years] 10mg/d, Pulmicort Turbuhaler 1600mcg/d [haven't come off the increased dose from being sick yet; have been on this dose basically since the week before the US Thanksgiving], and Bricanyl as required [in the last few days, not needed at all].  I have been on deltasone 3X in the last month and a half, most recently a 40mg/d X3d, 20mg/d X3d, 10mg/d X3 days taper regimine [finished under week ago]; I have a burst dose Rx for deltasone [40mg/d X 3 d] if I need to use it, which I am allowed to use. So, folks, is it safe to come off of the Accolate abruptly, and if so/not, what should I look for if anything if I do?  I am assuming my asthma may worsen some, but I think I can manage that ok [I am allowed to flex my medications to a certain degree]. SW.

First, I’m not a doctor, but a well informed asthmatic taking Singulair (sometimes), inhaled steroids (just switching from Vanceril DS to Pulmicort; etc. Antileukotrienes like Accolate and Singulair don’t help all asthmatics, maybe half or 2/3. Your main preventor drug is your inhaled steroids, Pulmicort; and 1600ug is a very High Dose. My advice would be to try stopping Accolate for a while; any drug that can cause an allergic reaction like you described could be dangerous; and if it doesn’t help why take it.[The nice thing about asthma drugs is you can tell whether or not they are working] You may want to try Accolate again after your exacerbation is under control; or try the better drug Singulair. Here’s the Prescribing Info on Accolate: http://www.accolateinfo.com/ http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/zafirlukast.htm zafirlukast Excerpt: "Contraindications: Zafirlukast is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive  to zafirlukast or any of its inactive ingredients." My personal experience with a similar drug Singulair is initially it increased my personal best peak flow by 10%. Later I noticed I seemed to have signs of fatigue, and it doesn’t seem to help at all during exacerbations. So now I take it about every other day. It seems to work best when my asthma is relatively well controlled. I have recently had to switch to a higher strength steroid inhaler (Pulmicort) I had hoped the antileukotriene would be a steroid sparing drug, but it doesn’t seem to be the case; tho I think it still helps. Ellis

Response:

Folks, I need some information.  Both my pharmacist and physician are unavailable for another two weeks [the health center is closed for the XMas holidays]. I have been taking Accolate for just over 2 weeks now; to be honest, I haven’t noticed a significant change in my asthma that can definitely be attributed to the Accolate as opposed to just getting over the stupid virus that I have had; though being sick means judging how well the underlying asthma *itself* is doing has been a challenge [respiratory infections are an almost guaranteed flare-er of my asthma]. HOWEVER, that is not what concerns me.  Last night for the third time or so that I have taken my dose I have broken out in a blotch rash/hives and been *severely* itchy, especiall on my legs.  Last night I finally clued into the fact that I think the Accolate is what is causing it — it started within a half hour of taking it, and the only thing I had was it and some water; nothing else that I can think of could possible have triggered the reaction.  I could have handled the headache that many people get; this kind of itchiness is intolerable. So, I haven’t taken my dose this morning [I am pretending I forgot ], and I want to stop taking it.  But I need to know if it is safe to stop taking it abruptly or not.  So: IS IT SAFE??  I’ve been on 20mg twice a day since the 11th of December, and have rarely forgotten to take it. FWIW, I am also on Zyrtec [aka Reactine in Canada; and have been for about 5 years] 10mg/d, Pulmicort Turbuhaler 1600mcg/d [haven't come off the increased dose from being sick yet; have been on this dose basically since the week before the US Thanksgiving], and Bricanyl as required [in the last few days, not needed at all].  I have been on deltasone 3X in the last month and a half, most recently a 40mg/d X3d, 20mg/d X3d, 10mg/d X3 days taper regimine [finished under week ago]; I have a burst dose Rx for deltasone [40mg/d X 3 d] if I need to use it, which I am allowed to use. So, folks, is it safe to come off of the Accolate abruptly, and if so/not, what should I look for if anything if I do?  I am assuming my asthma may worsen some, but I think I can manage that ok [I am allowed to flex my medications to a certain degree]. Thanks for your help!! SW.

Response:

Question:

I remember day 5 thru 10 to be the worst. day 15 (sweating profusely, brain shocks,couldn’t eat, or drink coffee, drank huge amounts of water) , it was had  already tapered down. Day 30 I had brain shocks maybe once every 2-3 days, but other than that I was pretty normal Week 8 I was completely back to normal. BTW, if you sample a fair amount of posts, you’ll find that they are all in their first 2 weeks of withdrawal. After that not many people post anymore. That is an encouraging sign.

Response:

Uther, I hate to be harsh, but ultimately, it just doesn’t matter.

amen.  sux, tha truth. Take your new medicine and continue the taper.  It will end when it ends.  Sorry, but that’s it.

i hate bottom lines !  and unfortunately , Gary’s right.. you can’t rush a detox from that crap.

Response:

I’ll keep telling my brain shocks they don’t matter and maybe they’ll get bored and go bother someone else

thanks a HEAP !  i gottem now.. oh holy.. i just read the rest of yer post, Uther.. i don’t think there’s any addictive pharmacological properties in Effexor, unless it’s that red dye. probly more mental. want some REAL withdrawals?  eat xanax for a few and cold turkey THAT… you will commune with your life, as flashed before your eyes…. 24/7, i promise you.   ~tanya

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ll keep telling my brain shocks they don’t matter and maybe they’ll get bored and go bother someone else thanks a HEAP !  i gottem now.. oh holy.. i just read the rest of yer post, Uther.. i don’t think there’s any addictive pharmacological properties in Effexor, unless it’s that red dye. probly more mental. want some REAL withdrawals?  eat xanax for a few and cold turkey THAT… you will commune with your life, as flashed before your eyes…. 24/7, i promise you.   ~tanya

Unfortunately Effexor is associated with withdrawal problems that can be just as bad as Xanax withdrawal. A way to get around it is switch to Prozac and then taper off of Prozac which is much easier to stop. Philip

Response:

The worst withdrawal I ever had was from quitting good old fashioned coffee cold turkey. I was in my 20’s and lived in a very rural area, was doing a pot of coffee a day. Big snowstorm showed up, out of coffee, no way to get to town to get my fix. Horrible headaches for 3 days, stomach cramps etc. I gave up coffee for awhile after that, went back to it, later decided to cut down, tapered slowly, no withdrawal. Now I do 1 mug of black coffee each morning, forgot it one morning and didn’t notice. I tapered xanax last summer, cut down by .25 mg every 3 days, no withdrawal, stopped it for nearly a month, then some serious shit happened in my life, a family member phoned screaming at me at 2 am  and I ran for the xanax bottle. Xanax not only keeps me sane, it keeps some people who have to be around me sane too. I don’t recommend quitting cold turkey for any substance. Withdrawals are hell. —-’Course – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – want some REAL withdrawals? eat xanax for a few and cold turkey THAT… you will commune with your life, as flashed before your eyes…. 24/7, i promise you. ~tanya —

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ll keep telling my brain shocks they don’t matter and maybe they’ll get bored and go bother someone else thanks a HEAP !  i gottem now.. oh holy.. i just read the rest of yer post, Uther.. i don’t think there’s any addictive pharmacological properties in Effexor, unless it’s that red dye. probly more mental. want some REAL withdrawals?  eat xanax for a few and cold turkey THAT… you will commune with your life, as flashed before your eyes…. 24/7, i promise you.   ~tanya Unfortunately Effexor is associated with withdrawal problems that can be just as bad as Xanax withdrawal. A way to get around it is switch to Prozac and then taper off of Prozac which is much easier to stop. Philip

I found withdrawing from Effexor extraordinarily difficult but necessary. Fortunately I had Xanax to help and the knowledge that I was starting a new AD. Despite the problems withdrawing, Effexor worked well for me for 5 years. Meryl

Response:

I found withdrawing from Effexor extraordinarily difficult but necessary. Fortunately I had Xanax to help and the knowledge that I was starting a new AD. Despite the problems withdrawing, Effexor worked well for me for 5 years. Meryl

Hi Meryl, how come you had to quit after 5 years?  I found it tough enough after 4 weeks Uthur

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I found withdrawing from Effexor extraordinarily difficult but necessary. Fortunately I had Xanax to help and the knowledge that I was starting a new AD. Despite the problems withdrawing, Effexor worked well for me for 5 years. Meryl Hi Meryl, how come you had to quit after 5 years?  I found it tough enough after 4 weeks Uthur

I developed adverse side effects. The worrying one was high blood pressure so I had to switch ADs. It was also pooping out as an antidepressant. I had climbed to 300 mg over the years but my depression was not controlled by the end. Meryl

Response:

Uther, I hate to be harsh, but ultimately, it just doesn’t matter.  Take your new medicine and continue the taper.  It will end when it ends.  Sorry, but that’s it. Gary

Thanks Gary, your philosophical approach is refreshing.  I’ll keep telling my brain shocks they don’t matter and maybe they’ll get bored and go bother someone else Uthur – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Howdy friends, I’m currently going through the less than enjoyable process of coming off this strange old drug.  Here’s my situation: I was on 75mg Effexor XL a day for 4 weeks in total. I went from that to 37.5mg for 14 days. Then I went to 37.5mg every second day for about 10 days. 3 days ago I took my last dose. I felt pretty bad last night and again today.  My questions are these – when do you think the withdrawal will peak, and how long before it is completely gone?  I came off Celexa a year ago a bit too abruptly and had withdrawal for 10 weeks – I hope I won’t go through that again! All opinions are welcome.  Thanks. Uthur

Response:

Uther, I hate to be harsh, but ultimately, it just doesn’t matter.  Take your new medicine and continue the taper.  It will end when it ends.  Sorry, but that’s it. Gary

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Howdy friends, I’m currently going through the less than enjoyable process of coming off this strange old drug.  Here’s my situation: I was on 75mg Effexor XL a day for 4 weeks in total. I went from that to 37.5mg for 14 days. Then I went to 37.5mg every second day for about 10 days. 3 days ago I took my last dose. I felt pretty bad last night and again today.  My questions are these – when do you think the withdrawal will peak, and how long before it is completely gone?  I came off Celexa a year ago a bit too abruptly and had withdrawal for 10 weeks – I hope I won’t go through that again! All opinions are welcome.  Thanks. Uthur

Response:

Howdy friends, I’m currently going through the less than enjoyable process of coming off this strange old drug.  Here’s my situation: I was on 75mg Effexor XL a day for 4 weeks in total. I went from that to 37.5mg for 14 days. Then I went to 37.5mg every second day for about 10 days. 3 days ago I took my last dose. I felt pretty bad last night and again today.  My questions are these – when do you think the withdrawal will peak, and how long before it is completely gone?  I came off Celexa a year ago a bit too abruptly and had withdrawal for 10 weeks – I hope I won’t go through that again! All opinions are welcome.  Thanks. Uthur

Response:

Question:

That Celexa would be prescribed more for anxiety than say Zoloft for anxiety.

no-at this point the fda encourages docs to find off label uses for all meds-so they actually encourage experimentation-it has pros and cons obviously all ssri’s are used for the whole plethora of psychiatric conditions-some having a specific signature or profile makes them better or worse for a given situation, person or condition. Celexa and zoloft are both equivocal as antidepressants or panic blocking drugs. For some zoloft is more easily tolerated and works better and others the celexa is the king. On average the celexa has just a tad bit less side effects-but again that’s on average. What I see of the lexapro–it’s like being able to increase the dose of celexa with a little less typical side effects but it’s not a real big deal-so it has some value but not a home run — docs like using paxil for anxiety because it is sedating-for me that just means you have a sedated anxious person so I base a meds worth on its overall ability and the de facto observations of it in a person. All the ssri’s have value but none of them are the magic secret bullet we hoped for. Zoloft would typically energize a procrastinating, non motivated somewhat less active person better and with a bit more gusto then celexa-but celexa may do a more complete or less obtrusive and more subtle job-so it depends on the take of the doc, his experience with them and the clients presenting symptoms and personality, biology and history LM

Response:

:Jackie—What’s the "P" mean. ( I haven’t a clue unless–Peace–a 60’s :slogin that i well remember) It means I am sticking my tongue at you in a playful way Jackie ~*~All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another~*~         ~Anatole France~

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That Celexa would be prescribed more for anxiety than say Zoloft for anxiety. no-at this point the fda encourages docs to find off label uses for all meds-so they actually encourage experimentation-it has pros and cons obviously all ssri’s are used for the whole plethora of psychiatric conditions-some having a specific signature or profile makes them better or worse for a given situation, person or condition. Celexa and zoloft are both equivocal as antidepressants or panic blocking drugs. For some zoloft is more easily tolerated and works better and others the celexa is the king. On average the celexa has just a tad bit less side effects-but again that’s on average. What I see of the lexapro–it’s like being able to increase the dose of celexa with a little less typical side effects but it’s not a real big deal-so it has some value but not a home run — docs like using paxil for anxiety because it is sedating-for me that just means you have a sedated anxious person so I base a meds worth on its overall ability and the de facto observations of it in a person. All the ssri’s have value but none of them are the magic secret bullet we hoped for. Zoloft would typically energize a procrastinating, non motivated somewhat less active person better and with a bit more gusto then celexa-but celexa may do a more complete or less obtrusive and more subtle job-so it depends on the take of the doc, his experience with them and the clients presenting symptoms and personality, biology and history LM

Thanks Much. I know that zoloft was NOT for me. The jury is still out on celexa. But I kinda get the picture from all that has been stated. (Just a side note–I’ve Never heard anyone say anything good about prozac–but–my sample would be way too small.) Happy Holidays From your Neighboor Detective. Jackie—What’s the "P" mean. ( I haven’t a clue unless–Peace–a 60’s slogin that i well remember)

Response:

Jackie—What’s the "P" mean. ( I haven’t a clue unless–Peace–a 60’s slogin that i well remember)

Well if your serious, is a face expression as if someone is sticking their tongue out. Like a smile : ) Unless your jokes are very subtle ; ) BTW I’m not Jackie, but I’m bored today LOL Later Dan, KF…

Response:

That Celexa would be prescribed more for anxiety than say Zoloft for anxiety. In my case–They seem to be totally different! Or is this another one of those famous YMMV type things?

Response:

That Celexa would be prescribed more for anxiety than say Zoloft for anxiety.

I would think so because Celexa is less stimulating than Zoloft. Although I am on Zoloft and perceive no stimulation. But that may be because I am also on Klonopin. Chip

Response:

:That Celexa would be prescribed more for anxiety than say Zoloft for :anxiety. I don`t know what one is prescribed most…….certain things come into play when prescribing meds, anything from have a lot of samples on hand to doctors personal preference. My psychologist favored Prozac for anxiety and panic. :In my case–They seem to be totally different! Or is this another one f those famous YMMV type things? That`s whats great about the SSRI`s, they are all different. If one doesn`t work, you can always try another one. The more med choices that are available, the better chance one has of finding an effective med. Take care Columbo Jackie ~*~All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another~*~         ~Anatole France~

Response:

Question:

Hey everyone. i was wondering if anyone had any side effects from zoloft?  I’ve been on zoloft for 6 weeks now and after 4 weeks I got terrible diareah and nausea and the wieredest thing is i missed my period.  Any other women have that sort of thing happen to them?  The only reason I’m asking is I’m trying to figure out if i might possibly be pregnant.  So let me know. Joanne

Response:

I take 150 mgs of zoloft daily and had/have absolutely no symptoms at all. It never affected my periods either.  Maybe you’d better get one of those little test kits? td "Joanne Johnson" <za…@worldnet.att.net

wrote in message

news:7K1F7.155058$3d2.5648274@bgtnsc06-news.ops.worldnet.att.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Hey everyone. i was wondering if anyone had any side effects from zoloft?  I’ve been on zoloft for 6 weeks now and after 4 weeks I got terrible diareah and nausea and the wieredest thing is i missed my period.  Any other women have that sort of thing happen to them?  The only reason I’m asking is I’m trying to figure out if i might possibly be pregnant.  So let me know. Joanne

Response:

Joanne, Common adverse effects of Zoloft are as follows: Nausea Somnolence Diarrhea Insomnia Constipation Ejaculatory Dysfunction Dyspepsia Agitation Anorexia Impotence Weight gain Your missed period could be a coincidence. The other two symptoms are common side effects of Zoloft. Talk to your doctor if the symptoms are more than a minor inconvenience. Risa Whenever I wake up on top of the mattress, I know I’m getting up on the right side of the bed.

Response:

Sure.  Look at the   Fruits and  Nuts  in  here. KCOM missed his  period  too. Joanne Johnson <za…@worldnet.att.net

wrote in message

news:7K1F7.155058$3d2.5648274@bgtnsc06-news.ops.worldnet.att.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Hey everyone. i was wondering if anyone had any side effects from zoloft?  I’ve been on zoloft for 6 weeks now and after 4 weeks I got terrible diareah and nausea and the wieredest thing is i missed my period.  Any other women have that sort of thing happen to them?  The only reason I’m asking is I’m trying to figure out if i might possibly be pregnant.  So let me know. Joanne

Response:

wired me like a coke freak or something. I couldn’t handle the extra anxiety that it gave me. harumph

Response:

I’ve never missed a period while being on it.  But at first, it made me really hyper.  After about 8-9 weeks, that stopped.  I didn’t have any other side effects from it, luckily. kat "Joanne Johnson" <za…@worldnet.att.net

wrote in message

news:7K1F7.155058$3d2.5648274@bgtnsc06-news.ops.worldnet.att.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Hey everyone. i was wondering if anyone had any side effects from zoloft?  I’ve been on zoloft for 6 weeks now and after 4 weeks I got terrible diareah and nausea and the wieredest thing is i missed my period.  Any other women have that sort of thing happen to them?  The only reason I’m asking is I’m trying to figure out if i might possibly be pregnant.  So let me know. Joanne

Response:

Had a close friend who experienced hypomania and increased aggressionand "magical speaking dreams" from it .She was unaware of it for some time. She wreaked havoc amongst her work colleagues and pals.She changed meds after the shrink realised (months later) what was up. Helski

Response:

I talk to my Dr and they say that its not from the zoloft.  I’m still testing negative on the home pregnancy tests.  I’ve got to go in and have blood work done to find out for sure.  I’ll let ya all know one way or the other what happens. Joanne

Response:

Hi Joanne, Taking Zoloft (Lustral over here in the UK) was an awful mistake for me. Within hours, I was experiencing a really clamping jaw tension – which my daft doctor stupidly claimed I had always had even though I had never had it before. My eyes went odd and starey, and felt pressured – this settled down after a few days but they were never right while I was on it. I had the awful nausea you mentioned, plus the upset stomach, headaches, and all sorts of other goodies. The nausea stayed after taking it, so did the bad stomach. Oh and I had tremors as well. Boy that stuff loved me. NOT. I suggest you keep an eye on it as it may be that it doesn’t agree with you. I wish I had come off sooner. Maybe have a chat about alternatives if it continues to be a problem. I found these side effects with all SSRI’s I tried (= Prozac and Seroxat). If you get muscle tension that you haven’t had before, like I did in my jaw, then I think that may be a real indication it is wrong for you. That said, you may decide that even this ‘wrong’ is more right for you than being without the benefits of the drug. Everyone is unique, chemically. BFN, Cary Charles ;O) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

"Joanne Johnson" <za…@worldnet.att.net wrote in message news:7K1F7.155058$3d2.5648274@bgtnsc06-news.ops.worldnet.att.net… Hey everyone. i was wondering if anyone had any side effects from zoloft?  I’ve been

on

zoloft for 6 weeks now and after 4 weeks I got terrible diareah and

nausea

and the wieredest thing is i missed my period.  Any other women have

that

sort of thing happen to them?  The only reason I’m asking is I’m trying

to

figure out if i might possibly be pregnant.  So let me know. Joanne

Response:

Cary wrote:

Taking Zoloft (Lustral over here in the UK) was an awful mistake for me. Within hours, I was experiencing a really clamping jaw tension … My eyes went odd and starey, and felt pressured…

I’m surprised by your doctor’s attitude about what were obviously some bad side effects. I was inpatient when the treating psychiatrist ordered clonazepam (Klonopin in the U.S.) to slow me down a little bit. I had that same clamping jaw tension and weirdness in my vision. It was diagnosed as a mild allergic reaction. I was immediately given diphenhydramine (Benadryl) by injection. A couple of hours of sleep and I was good to go. No more of that med for me. I now use a program for my Palm pilot called Epocrates. It’s like a portable PDR (Physician’s Desk Reference), which is the 4" thick, 6-8 lb. (3.63 kg) tome that doctor’s in the U.S. use as a medication reference. I can look up any medication in seconds. I KNOW what to expect before I take the med, and I can search through classes of meds for something with less annoying or fewer side effects. That way, I’m as well informed as my doctor. E-mail me if you have more questions. Risa War doesn’t decide who’s right, only who’s left.

Response:

Unless you wish to be pregnant, I’ll pray that you aren’t I guess the diarehia is from the zoloft then… good to know… I wish everything goes well with you and zoloft… i think i’m going to have my pdoc take me off of it… i’ll try it out till the 11th and see… love ya’s! Tia

Response:

"RisaCaitlin" <risacait…@aol.competition

wrote in message

news:20011128071357.04371.00003384@mb-fc.aol.com…

I’m surprised by your doctor’s attitude about what were obviously some bad

side

effects.

So was I and my whole family, but at that time I had only had PTSD for about 18 years and they hadn’t diagnosed it – I ended up researching the problem on the internet and finding out that I had PTSD, then having to convince them, then having an assessment which ended with the guy telling me he had been told to disprove that I had PTSD, but instead was appalled at how I had been treated and that, yes, I definitely had PTSD! How is that for an easy ride? NOT!

I was inpatient when the treating psychiatrist ordered clonazepam

(Klonopin in

the U.S.) to slow me down a little bit. I had that same clamping jaw

tension

and weirdness in my vision. It was diagnosed as a mild allergic reaction. I was immediately given diphenhydramine (Benadryl) by injection. A couple of hours of sleep and I

was

good to go. No more of that med for me.

Well in hindsight I think I may have experienced something similar. I also wonder if it did long-term damage as my digestive system has never been the same since and I still have the awful clamping jaw that I never had before I took the stuff. I wonder if it altered something for the worse. Anyway, Kava Kava helps relax it if it is too bad. I did hear from an accident and emergency nurse though, and she said that she had encountered this muscular tension with SSRI usage, and that it was a sign that it really wasn’t agreeing with a person. Instead of keeping on taking it, they should come off it. Wish I had known that back then, or better still, that my doctor had! Never mind.

I now use a program for my Palm pilot called Epocrates. It’s like a

portable

PDR (Physician’s Desk Reference), which is the 4" thick, 6-8 lb. (3.63 kg)

tome

that doctor’s in the U.S. use as a medication reference. I can look up any medication in seconds. I KNOW what to expect before I take the med, and I

can

search through classes of meds for something with less annoying or fewer

side

effects. That way, I’m as well informed as my doctor.

I think that is a really sensible and responsible approach. I do loads of research before I take anything significant. I have learned the hard way, but it pays to be in the know.

E-mail me if you have more questions.

Thanks for that, and for your reply! BFN, Cary )

Response:

Finaly got into see my ob/gyn and i’m not pregnant but they think my hormones are messed up.  The side effects from the zoloft have gone away. Now I’ll have to have some blood work done to find out which hormores are messed up.  Maybe i will finally get some good help. Joanne UTend2KillMe <queenweasel…@aol.com

wrote in message

news:ef3a60d2.0111281922.502b9234@posting.google.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Unless you wish to be pregnant, I’ll pray that you aren’t I guess the diarehia is from the zoloft then… good to know… I wish everything goes well with you and zoloft… i think i’m going to have my pdoc take me off of it… i’ll try it out till the 11th and see… love ya’s! Tia

Response:

"RisaCaitlin" <risacait…@aol.competition

wrote in message

news:20011128071357.04371.00003384@mb-fc.aol.com…

I was inpatient when the treating psychiatrist ordered clonazepam

(Klonopin in

the U.S.) to slow me down a little bit. I had that same clamping jaw

tension

and weirdness in my vision. <snip

Risa, I am supposed to be taking Klonopin for Restless Leg Syndrome, and it helped a lot for that.  I am having problems with my legs now I’m off of it. I find the muscle problems with Zoloft interesting in that I have fibromyalgia (and I believe Chronic Myofasial Pain Disorder).  Add to that the osteoarthritis (was on Celebrex) and I have muscles and joints hurting literally everywhere.  I am also supposed to be on neurontin.  I’m to the point where I just want my anti-depressant, estrogen, klonopin, celebrex and the ambien.  I am ready to ditch the other four meds I was on, but I think I ended up with them to counteract the side effects of the original meds (swelling in the feet and hands and high blood pressure).  I can never tell which ailment is causing which "feeling!"  No wonder the doctors just throw up their hands.  :-/ *HUGS* Jacque ~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~ Jacque Keller www.tjkeller.net/jkeller/Jacque/ (personal) www.bramblerose.net (business)

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ugh I had a rotten night yesterday. It started out alright – I decided to drop my Serzone and see if maybe that was making me feel so icky lately.  So I never took my morning dose.  Things went fine for most of the day. I had some things to get ready – it was our 3rd year anniversary today and I was waiting for my partner to get home from work. After supper things really went downhill – I started to feel really nauseated and bloated (it wasn’t my less than wonderful cooking either – Mel my partner was fine).  And from there is just lead to just horrible anxiety – by late in the evening I was just pacing back and forth – wondering if I should head to the emergency or not.  I decided to start the Serzone again and took my evening dose and it seemed to settle things down after about an hour or so.  Serzone does help some of the way for me – but I still don’t feel 100% or even 75% well on it – but it does take me to at least a somewhat toerable level of anxiety. I am making an appointment with the pdoc and see what can be done.  I had horrible luck on  a few of the SSRI’s but I have some good things about Celexa (yes I know it is an SSRI too) so maybe I will suggest that and see what the pdoc thinks.  Oh yes I do have Xanax around but for some reason I never take it – I don’t know why – I just cannot seem to make the decision to take it when I really need it.  If under docs orders of course, I started to take Xanax regularly – would it clear up these anxiety symptoms fast – would I notice a marked improvement almost right away ? – or would it take several weeks of usage to make me feel good again ?

Hi, Patrick….. I have been taking the same dose of Xanax for about 15 years now…… 0.5mg three times a day.  If I have a really bad pa, or if I’m facing something very challenging for me, I have my pdoc’s permission to take an extra tablet or two…… What it seems to do *for me* is to keep the panic and anxiety more *at bay*…… I rarely have a full-blown pa anymore…… maybe once a year.  As I remember, the Xanax was rather quick…….I didn’t have to wait weeks for it to help…. While you may likely become *dependent* on it after a long time (meaning you would have to wean off of it very slowly), it is not addictive…… I have never had the urge to take more and more….. as I said, I’m still at the same dosage I began with 15 years ago. I hope this helps a bit…… and I hope you get to feeling better soon, guy! I know it must suck to be feeling puny all the time….. Take care….. MikeH

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ugh I had a rotten night yesterday. It started out alright – I decided to drop my Serzone and see if maybe that was making me feel so icky lately.  So I never took my morning dose.  Things went fine for most of the day. I had some things to get ready – it was our 3rd year anniversary today and I was waiting for my partner to get home from work. After supper things really went downhill – I started to feel really nauseated and bloated (it wasn’t my less than wonderful cooking either – Mel my partner was fine).  And from there is just lead to just horrible anxiety – by late in the evening I was just pacing back and forth – wondering if I should head to the emergency or not.  I decided to start the Serzone again and took my evening dose and it seemed to settle things down after about an hour or so.  Serzone does help some of the way for me – but I still don’t feel 100% or even 75% well on it – but it does take me to at least a somewhat toerable level of anxiety.

Serzone is not a first choice med for PAD although it works for some people. But stopping it suddenly will cause a reaction like yours. All AD’s should be weaned off. I am making an appointment with the pdoc and see what can be done.  I had horrible luck on  a few of the SSRI’s but I have some good things about Celexa (yes I know it is an SSRI too) so maybe I will suggest that and see what the pdoc thinks.  Oh yes I do have Xanax around but for some reason I never take it – I don’t know why – I just cannot seem to make the decision to take it when I really need it.  If under docs orders of course, I started to take Xanax regularly – would it clear up these anxiety symptoms fast – would I notice a marked improvement almost right away ? – or would it take several weeks of usage to make me feel good again ?

Xanax works *immediately*, after 10-40 minutes, that is. It is IMO the best anti-anxiety med around (as a rule). You will get dependent on it which means you will have to stop it by way of a slow taper (like the AD’s) which is easy for some and very difficult for others. Some doctors don’t prescribe benzodiazepines (*benzos*) like Xanax because they confuse *dependence* with *addiction*. This means they haven’t done their homework. Hopefully your doc is not a so-called *benzophobe*. Of the SSRI’s Celexa seems to be the one with the lowest side effect profile. Still, if you had bad experiences with two or three other SSRI’s (after having given them enough time for a fair trial – 6-8 weeks) you might want to ask your doc about a TCA. Don’t mix Serzone and Xanax. It’s a bad combo as Serzone more than doubles the effect of Xanax and generally the two don’t interact well. I am feeling really achy today – and my stomach is still bothering me. Could be a stomach flu I suppose – but I tend to feel achy a lot these days so who can say for sure (I had all the tests done for achy muscles – there is no physical problem there).  I feel like my body was just beaten up.  I am so tired of feeling sick all the time.

Yeah…tell me about it…. this may well be Serzone withdrawal. Philip

Response:

I am feeling really achy today – and my stomach is still bothering me. Could be a stomach flu I suppose – but I tend to feel achy a lot these days so who can say for sure (I had all the tests done for achy muscles – there is no physical problem there).  I feel like my body was just beaten up.  I am so tired of feeling sick all the time. Yeah…tell me about it…. this may well be Serzone withdrawal. Philip

I found Serzone to be the most potent meds I was ever on. I just found that I was taking 300mgs a day and after a couple of months stopped it cold turkey. Bad mistake…don’t stop it without your Drs help. I became very sick and depressed for a couple of weeks. Lorri http://hometown.aol.com/lorr1/myhomepage5indexhtlm.html http://hometown.aol.com/lorr1/myhomepage4index.html

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ugh I had a rotten night yesterday. It started out alright – I decided to drop my Serzone and see if maybe that was making me feel so icky lately.  So I never took my morning dose.  Things went fine for most of the day. I had some things to get ready – it was our 3rd year anniversary today and I was waiting for my partner to get home from work.   After supper things really went downhill – I started to feel really nauseated and bloated (it wasn’t my less than wonderful cooking either – Mel my partner was fine).  And from there is just lead to just horrible anxiety – by late in the evening I was just pacing back and forth – wondering if I should head to the emergency or not.  I decided to start the Serzone again and took my evening dose and it seemed to settle things down after about an hour or so.  Serzone does help some of the way for me – but I still don’t feel 100% or even 75% well on it – but it does take me to at least a somewhat toerable level of anxiety. I am making an appointment with the pdoc and see what can be done.  I had horrible luck on  a few of the SSRI’s but I have some good things about Celexa (yes I know it is an SSRI too) so maybe I will suggest that and see what the pdoc thinks.  Oh yes I do have Xanax around but for some reason I never take it – I don’t know why – I just cannot seem to make the decision to take it when I really need it.  If under docs orders of course, I started to take Xanax regularly – would it clear up these anxiety symptoms fast – would I notice a marked improvement almost right away ? – or would it take several weeks of usage to make me feel good again ? I am feeling really achy today – and my stomach is still bothering me. Could be a stomach flu I suppose – but I tend to feel achy a lot these days so who can say for sure (I had all the tests done for achy muscles – there is no physical problem there).  I feel like my body was just beaten up.  I am so tired of feeling sick all the time.

Hi Patrick! I’m hoping you feel better today! Hugs, Di

Response:

Ugh I had a rotten night yesterday. It started out alright – I decided to drop my Serzone and see if maybe that was making me feel so icky lately.  So I never took my morning dose.  Things went fine for most of the day. I had some things to get ready – it was our 3rd year anniversary today and I was waiting for my partner to get home from work.   After supper things really went downhill – I started to feel really nauseated and bloated (it wasn’t my less than wonderful cooking either – Mel my partner was fine).  And from there is just lead to just horrible anxiety – by late in the evening I was just pacing back and forth – wondering if I should head to the emergency or not.  I decided to start the Serzone again and took my evening dose and it seemed to settle things down after about an hour or so.  Serzone does help some of the way for me – but I still don’t feel 100% or even 75% well on it – but it does take me to at least a somewhat toerable level of anxiety. I am making an appointment with the pdoc and see what can be done.  I had horrible luck on  a few of the SSRI’s but I have some good things about Celexa (yes I know it is an SSRI too) so maybe I will suggest that and see what the pdoc thinks.  Oh yes I do have Xanax around but for some reason I never take it – I don’t know why – I just cannot seem to make the decision to take it when I really need it.  If under docs orders of course, I started to take Xanax regularly – would it clear up these anxiety symptoms fast – would I notice a marked improvement almost right away ? – or would it take several weeks of usage to make me feel good again ? I am feeling really achy today – and my stomach is still bothering me. Could be a stomach flu I suppose – but I tend to feel achy a lot these days so who can say for sure (I had all the tests done for achy muscles – there is no physical problem there).  I feel like my body was just beaten up.  I am so tired of feeling sick all the time.

Response:

I know it is hard to up the xanax, but .25 is an extremly low dose. A few years ago , I  started getting panic attacks, and the doc prescibed .25/3X per day. It did abosolutely nothing, but I was too scared to take more. So after 2 weeks of constant attacks and horrible anxiety, I finally told myself "if I take 2 of these, what do I have to lose, I am going to die anyway and I took a .5 dose and another .5 dose 4 hrs later and boom..it was gone..I felt normal again. The point is  a .25 dose is not a dose for us panic sufferers. Dr’s give a dose like that to a patient who does not have PA or GAD , but just "going thru a roughtime". Talk to your Doc and bump the dose up to .5 3x a day. Believe me , it will help. Then when the zoloft kicks in (and it will) start lowering the xanax and soon you will be xanax free. When I was on zoloft, it hit me hard as well for the 1st 2 months, I was up to 4-5 mgs of xanax a day. But by the 5th month, the zoloft was working great and I was completely off the xanax. Hope this helps – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I had a pretty rotten night these last two.  The night before last I hardly slept at all but I managed to get to work and get through the day – barely.  Then last night after work I was doing some work on the computer and I felt strange – I started to perspire profusely, got all shaky, hot flushes up and down my body and felt short of breath  - basically it started to get out of hand – I paced the hallway in our apt here for a bit tried to calm myself but I just felt like I was gonna die.  I took a .25 mg Xanax – still phobic about taking anymore for some reason and it help a small bit but not enough.  I couldn’t do it this morning – I took the day off sick and made an appt to see the pdoc again (see him this Tuesday). I am on Zoloft – first 10 days at 25 mg and today would be my fifth day at 50 mg.  I don’t understand why the drug is hitting me so hard this time since when I was on it before for anxiety problems I seemed to handle it better.  Zoloft worked so well for me the last time I took it – I hope it starts to work soon for me here – it seems that it started to work faster for me the first time I took it – the thing that does concern me is that I am not seeing any positive effects after 15 days – I know 4-6 weeks for effect but shouldn’t I be seeing some improvement by now?

Response:

If you had a positive response to Zoloft before, you will most likely have a positive response again. The first few days of any increase in Zoloft dose often results in increased anxiety as a side effect. Xanax 0.25 mg is a very small dose (at least for me). I used to take 10.0 mg/day. I would suggest you increase your dose of Xanax (i.e. take 0.50 or 0.75 mg as needed) until you stop having PAs and this side effect of the Zoloft dissipates. Good luck, Chip last night   I had a pretty rotten night these last two. The night before last I hardly slept at all but I managed to get to work and get through the day – barely. Then last night after work I was doing some work on the computer and I felt strange – I started to perspire profusely, got all shaky, hot flushes up and down my body and felt short of breath – basically it started to get out of hand – I paced the hallway in our apt here for a bit tried to calm myself but I just felt like I was gonna die. I took a .25 mg Xanax – still phobic about taking anymore for some reason and it help a small bit but not enough. I couldn’t do it this morning – I took the day off sick and made an appt to see the pdoc again (see him this Tuesday). I am on Zoloft – first 10 days at 25 mg and today would be my fifth day at 50 mg. I don’t understand why the drug is hitting me so hard this time since when I was on it before for anxiety problems I seemed to handle it better. Zoloft worked so well for me the last time I took it – I hope it starts to work soon for me here – it seems that it started to work faster for me the first time I took it – the thing that does concern me is that I am not seeing any positive effects after 15 days – I know 4-6 weeks for effect but shouldn’t I be seeing some improvement by now?

Response:

Question:

In article <376E48A7.D623C…@primetimevisions.com

, "Nicholas S.-Roy"

<n….@primetimevisions.com

writes: I went to a cottage this weekend, and only knew 2 people on almost 10. Anyways it was great, and I’ve never been this social in my life. The Paxil seems to be doing more everyday. I talked to everyone, wasn’t shy, helped around, etc… It just felt really great not to be the outsider looking at the other people having fun.

Hi Nick, I had a pretty social weekend too. (for me)  What a world of difference it makes when you’re on the right meds : ) Each day, I feel a little better. Pam

Response:

What pink pills? Where can I get some? Nicholas S.-Roy <n….@primetimevisions.com

wrote in message

news:376EBB14.77C7EA34@primetimevisions.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

thanks. although it’s only thanks to the little pink pills. sCOOTer wrote: In article <376E48A7.D623C…@primetimevisions.com, "Nicholas S.-Roy" <n….@primetimevisions.com wrote: I went to a cottage this weekend, and only knew 2 people on almost 10. Anyways it was great, and I’ve never been this social in my life. The Paxil seems to be doing more everyday. I talked to everyone, wasn’t shy, helped around, etc… It just felt really great not to be the outsider looking at the other people having fun. Nicholas: I hope we can say about you, as an SPic, "another one bites the dust." Pete

Response:

Paxil – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -JimiJames wrote:

What pink pills? Where can I get some? Nicholas S.-Roy <n….@primetimevisions.com wrote in message news:376EBB14.77C7EA34@primetimevisions.com… thanks. although it’s only thanks to the little pink pills. sCOOTer wrote: In article <376E48A7.D623C…@primetimevisions.com, "Nicholas S.-Roy" <n….@primetimevisions.com wrote: I went to a cottage this weekend, and only knew 2 people on almost 10. Anyways it was great, and I’ve never been this social in my life. The Paxil seems to be doing more everyday. I talked to everyone, wasn’t shy, helped around, etc… It just felt really great not to be the outsider looking at the other people having fun. Nicholas: I hope we can say about you, as an SPic, "another one bites the dust." Pete

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

  The physicians have given me zoloft + xanax then prozac.  Xanax was horrible…I don’t know how it helps anyone.  The zoloft and prozac were similar in effect…made me feel more content and made me much easier to get along with.  I didn’t want to be content or congenial, though.  I am panting to be more comfortable in college…that’s all.  The only relationships that I want are ones in which I am idolized as the enigma that I will always be, whether real or imagined.  Doesn’t it make any of you feel empty to act like everyone else?  I believe that if I weren’t shy, then I would be suicidal.  The biggest obstacle is the feeling that society is attempting to change me, and this becomes especially evident in college.  Their attempts wouldn’t be distressing if I wasn’t so sensitive to disapprobation…I want to be liked…not actually liked, too spiritless, but adored, envied, venerated, aggrandized…I don’t want to change.  The kind of counseling that I am getting isn’t helping, because I struggle with imagining that anyone really understands me…not because I’m too exceptional to be understood…because I have a distorted way of expressing myself.  No offense, but it seems to me that even doctors of the mind are easily misled…One must diffuse what I am saying to get to what is genuinely there.  I suppose I am expecting them to read my mind…after all the path from there to here is devious, and I’m not figuring it out.  I am mentioning all of this, because most of you talk about a manner of progress that is completely dissimilar to what I imagine for myself.  Anyway, we’re all just people experiencing the same symptoms, spawned from varying origins, induced by whatever, with different motivations, resulting in this…however you want to think of it.  Also, I felt like being opinionated and declaring that I hate mind playing drugs….the right ones, the wrong ones, the ones that work, the ones that don’t…any of them.  The ones that play in the pain region of your brain (no one expects me to know the names of all of these chemicals, regions, nerve transmitters, right? is it with the prostaglandins…I don’t know.) and other similar places don’t offend me that much….it’s just those ones that play in your  serotonin governors, emotional signals, GABAs, monoamine oxidase, whatever.  I’m not denying these drugs’ rights to excitement…They’re just uninvited right now.  Gotta be elaborate about it, y’know.

Leiliane

Response:

That good hey.. — ========= Russ. "Is this heaven?" ========= Nicholas S.-Roy <n….@primetimevisions.com

wrote in message

news:376F8854.8275E8F8@primetimevisions.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Paxil > JimiJames wrote: > > What pink pills? Where can I get some? > > Nicholas S.-Roy <n….@primetimevisions.com

wrote in message

> > news:376EBB14.77C7EA34@primetimevisions.com… > > > thanks. > > > although it’s only thanks to the little pink pills. > > > sCOOTer wrote: > > > > In article <376E48A7.D623C…@primetimevisions.com>, "Nicholas S.-Roy"

<n….@primetimevisions.com wrote: I went to a cottage this weekend, and only knew 2 people on almost

10.

Anyways it was great, and I’ve never been this social in my life.

The

Paxil seems to be doing more everyday. I talked to everyone, wasn’t shy, helped around, etc… It just felt really great not to be the outsider looking at the

other

people having fun. Nicholas: I hope we can say about you, as an SPic, "another one bites the

dust."

Pete

Response:

yup, I’ve met 3 girls since I’m on it, hehe – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -JimiJames wrote:

That good hey.. — ========= Russ. "Is this heaven?" ========= Nicholas S.-Roy <n….@primetimevisions.com wrote in message news:376F8854.8275E8F8@primetimevisions.com… Paxil JimiJames wrote: What pink pills? Where can I get some? Nicholas S.-Roy <n….@primetimevisions.com wrote in message news:376EBB14.77C7EA34@primetimevisions.com… thanks. although it’s only thanks to the little pink pills. sCOOTer wrote: In article <376E48A7.D623C…@primetimevisions.com, "Nicholas S.-Roy" <n….@primetimevisions.com wrote: I went to a cottage this weekend, and only knew 2 people on almost 10. Anyways it was great, and I’ve never been this social in my life. The Paxil seems to be doing more everyday. I talked to everyone, wasn’t shy, helped around, etc… It just felt really great not to be the outsider looking at the other people having fun. Nicholas: I hope we can say about you, as an SPic, "another one bites the dust." Pete

Response:

OK, I’ve heard enough I’m getting some of that stuff — ========= Russ. "Is this heaven?" ========= Nicholas S.-Roy <n….@primetimevisions.com

wrote in message

news:3770E63E.D81E16DE@primetimevisions.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> yup, I’ve met 3 girls since I’m on it, hehe > JimiJames wrote: > > That good hey.. > > — > > ========= > > Russ. > > "Is this heaven?" > > ========= > > Nicholas S.-Roy <n….@primetimevisions.com

wrote in message

> > news:376F8854.8275E8F8@primetimevisions.com… > > > Paxil > > > JimiJames wrote: > > > > What pink pills? Where can I get some? > > > > Nicholas S.-Roy <n….@primetimevisions.com

wrote in message

> > > > news:376EBB14.77C7EA34@primetimevisions.com… > > > > > thanks. > > > > > although it’s only thanks to the little pink pills. > > > > > sCOOTer wrote: > > > > > > In article <376E48A7.D623C…@primetimevisions.com>, "Nicholas > > S.-Roy" > > > > > > <n….@primetimevisions.com> wrote: > > > > > > > I went to a cottage this weekend, and only knew 2 people on almost

10. Anyways it was great, and I’ve never been this social in my

life.

The Paxil seems to be doing more everyday. I talked to everyone, wasn’t shy, helped around, etc… It just felt really great not to be the outsider looking at

the

other people having fun. Nicholas: I hope we can say about you, as an SPic, "another one bites the dust." Pete

Response:

I went to a cottage this weekend, and only knew 2 people on almost 10. Anyways it was great, and I’ve never been this social in my life. The Paxil seems to be doing more everyday. I talked to everyone, wasn’t shy, helped around, etc… It just felt really great not to be the outsider looking at the other people having fun.

Response:

I went to a cottage this weekend, and only knew 2 people on almost 10. Anyways it was great, and I’ve never been this social in my life. The Paxil seems to be doing more everyday. I talked to everyone, wasn’t shy, helped around, etc… It just felt really great not to be the outsider looking at the other people having fun.

That’s tight.  I’m happy for you.  Hope it lasts. ~ "No culture has a monopoly on beauty or value… Just as no religion has a monopoly on truth."  -Voltaire

Response:

In article <376E48A7.D623C…@primetimevisions.com

, "Nicholas S.-Roy"

<n….@primetimevisions.com

wrote: I went to a cottage this weekend, and only knew 2 people on almost 10. Anyways it was great, and I’ve never been this social in my life. The Paxil seems to be doing more everyday. I talked to everyone, wasn’t shy, helped around, etc… It just felt really great not to be the outsider looking at the other people having fun.

Nicholas: I hope we can say about you, as an SPic, "another one bites the dust." Pete

Response:

thanks. although it’s only thanks to the little pink pills. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -sCOOTer wrote:

In article <376E48A7.D623C…@primetimevisions.com, "Nicholas S.-Roy" <n….@primetimevisions.com wrote: I went to a cottage this weekend, and only knew 2 people on almost 10. Anyways it was great, and I’ve never been this social in my life. The Paxil seems to be doing more everyday. I talked to everyone, wasn’t shy, helped around, etc… It just felt really great not to be the outsider looking at the other people having fun. Nicholas: I hope we can say about you, as an SPic, "another one bites the dust." Pete

Response:

Nicholas S.-Roy <n….@primetimevisions.com

wrote in message

news:376EBB14.77C7EA34@primetimevisions.com…

thanks. although it’s only thanks to the little pink pills.

That’s good enough.

Response:

true – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hunter wrote:

Nicholas S.-Roy <n….@primetimevisions.com wrote in message news:376EBB14.77C7EA34@primetimevisions.com… thanks. although it’s only thanks to the little pink pills. That’s good enough.

Response:

Great! I’m so happy for you. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -MzPami wrote:

In article <376E48A7.D623C…@primetimevisions.com, "Nicholas S.-Roy" <n….@primetimevisions.com writes: I went to a cottage this weekend, and only knew 2 people on almost 10. Anyways it was great, and I’ve never been this social in my life. The Paxil seems to be doing more everyday. I talked to everyone, wasn’t shy, helped around, etc… It just felt really great not to be the outsider looking at the other people having fun. Hi Nick, I had a pretty social weekend too. (for me)  What a world of difference it makes when you’re on the right meds : ) Each day, I feel a little better. Pam

Response:

Question:

I told my doctor today that the zoloft was not doing anything for me after the initial dosage of 25mg. (I did feel a little better) and after a month he uped the dosage to 50mg– which I felt no different and if anything more anxious. (Xanax aslo perscribed) After taking the 50 mg for a month –I asked him today should I switch to Paxil? He told me don’t believe all the advertizing you read, paxil won’t work any better than zoloft. Just thought you might like mto hear this from what I consider a good  P doctor.

Response:

I told my doctor today that the zoloft was not doing anything for me after the initial dosage of 25mg. (I did feel a little better) and after a month he uped the dosage to 50mg– which I felt no different and if anything more anxious. (Xanax aslo perscribed) After taking the 50 mg for a month –I asked him today should I switch to Paxil? He told me don’t believe all the advertizing you read, paxil won’t work any better than zoloft. Just thought you might like mto hear this from what I consider a good  P doctor.

  I think that your doctor just means that Paxil and Zoloft are just as effective percentage wise in treating PA…However, this does not mean that you don’t fit into the 30% that don’t find help with Zoloft…Nor does it mean that you won’t be sucessful with Paxil because you weren’t with Zoloft…All the SSRI’s may have different effects on you…All that being said I agree with what’s been said here…I felt a little better with 50 mg…A lot better at 100 mg…You have a long way to go before giving up on Zoloft…And some improvement at 25 mg likely means a lot more later…Therefore switching to Paxil may just cost you time (since it’ll take just as long to be effective most likely)… — Charles Phipps

Response:

Philip,     I just wanted to chime in an opinion.  I’ve been on both paxil and zoloft. Zoloft made me like a zombie.  Paxil did wonders in preventing attacks.  I’m on Effexor XR 75 mg right now and it has actually let me make some improvements in my life.  Plus it doesn’t make me feel drowsy like most of the others do. Craig Mangrum – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I told my doctor today that the zoloft was not doing anything for me after the initial dosage of 25mg. (I did feel a little better) and after a month he uped the dosage to 50mg– which I felt no different and if anything more anxious. (Xanax aslo perscribed) After taking the 50 mg for a month –I asked him today should I switch to Paxil? He told me don’t believe all the advertizing you read, paxil won’t work any better than zoloft. Just thought you might like mto hear this from what I consider a good  P doctor. The truth is, though, that our reactions to different SSRI’s are very personal and that some may do well on Zoloft and worse on Paxil or vice versa etc. If all SSRI’s had the same results with everybody there wouldn’t have to be more than one. Regarding the Zoloft I believe that you haven’t given it a fair trial yet. Philip

Response:

I told my doctor today that the zoloft was not doing anything for me after the initial dosage of 25mg. (I did feel a little better) and after a month he uped the dosage to 50mg– which I felt no different and if anything more anxious. (Xanax aslo perscribed) After taking the 50 mg for a month –I asked him today should I switch to Paxil? He told me don’t believe all the advertizing you read, paxil won’t work any better than zoloft. Just thought you might like mto hear this from what I consider a good  P doctor.

The truth is, though, that our reactions to different SSRI’s are very personal and that some may do well on Zoloft and worse on Paxil or vice versa etc. If all SSRI’s had the same results with everybody there wouldn’t have to be more than one. Regarding the Zoloft I believe that you haven’t given it a fair trial yet. Philip

Response:

I told my doctor today that the zoloft was not doing anything for me after the initial dosage of 25mg. (I did feel a little better) and after a month he uped the dosage to 50mg– which I felt no different and if anything more anxious. (Xanax aslo perscribed) After taking the 50 mg for a month –I asked him today should I switch to Paxil? He told me don’t believe all the advertizing you read, paxil won’t work any better than zoloft. Just thought you might like mto hear this from what I consider a good  P doctor.

Hi Dan, Get a new doctor, or educate him His statement is false. We have many people here that did awful on Zoloft but did well on Paxil and vice  versa. Even though the two are SSRI anti-depressants, they are still quite different. All the meds in the SSRI family are different from each other. Some are more sedating than others, and some are more stimulating. If you feel that strongly about trying a new med, demand it or find a new doctor. You might want to think of upping the Zoloft dose, your dose might be a bit low, and that is why you are still experiencing anxiety. 50mgs of Zoloft is a low therapeutic dose. Use your Xanax to help you deal with the anxiety.  Take care!! Jackie ~~On earth, an angel’s wings are inside~~

Response:

I agree to educate this MD or get a new one.  Very poor answer.  I have been on paxil about 5 years and it has been a life saver, Zoloft did nothing for me.

Response:

(Dan Littleton) writes: I told my doctor today that the zoloft was not doing anything for me after the initial dosage of 25mg. (I did feel a little better) and after a month he uped the dosage to 50mg– which I felt no different and if anything more anxious.

Hi Dan. I think you might want to give the Z more of a chance. 25mg *really* isn’t much and if it was helping a little bit, that’s a good sign. Some people need 200mg or even more, but your doctor is right to increase it gradually. The increased anxiety as you raise the dose is a common side effect – if you’re able to tolerate it for a little while, the extra anxiety will go away as your body gets used to the drug. I don’t remember if you are taking other meds as well, but if not, you might ask for a benzo such as Klonopin, Xanax, or Ativan, to smooth things out while you’re increasing the dose of Zoloft. Paxil doesn’t work better than Zoloft in general (statistically), but it does work better for some people. For others, Zoloft works better – it averages out the same. You have no way of knowing which will be better for you unless you try them both – which is a pain in the a**, admittedly! If I were in your place, though, I’d stay with the Zoloft, since you’ve already put so much time into it and had a bit of an improvement even at a very low dose. I hope things continue to get better! -elizabeth

Response:

Question:

WebfootVA schreef: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – BTW, though you said you take it at night.  Do you eat dinner late or do you take it with a snack?  If I started to eat my dinner at 9pm I would not only have bad indigestion, I’d probably weigh about 10 pounds more than I do now! Hi Iris, I do both.  I used to eat late dinners when I worked until 9pm so I could eat with my husband in the past.  For me, this was never a big deal.  I either eat a very light dinner at 5pm with my kids and a big snack later on, or I just have a late dinner, but I always eat before the meds. I also work out 5-6 times a week in the mornings at the gym as I’ve tended to gain weight with any of the meds in the past and I didn’t want to go that route again.  It also helps a lot with the everyday stress and gives me exposure to the rapid heart rate….rapid breathing symptoms, which I’m hoping will eventually help me prevent relapse once this goes into remission again. take care, Lene Well, I’ll probably have to take it in the morning then, or at least with my dinner around 7pm.  If I eat much later, I feel queasy when I go to bed. I need to start working out again.  I don’t have a weight problem but I am noticing a growing flab problem!  Exercise was my salvation when I had PA’s 10 years ago, but now I’ve developed a bit of a phobia–also, I suspect tied to the rapid heart rate, sweating, etc. BTW, the doc wants me to start out on 25 mg for a week then increase to 50mg where I’ll stay if the drug is successful.  Is 25 mg a low enough dose to start? Should I ask him for a lower dose?  I only weigh about 112, although I have a friend who doesn’t even tip the scales at 100 lbs and she started at 50 mg with no problem. Ever more questions. Iris —

  Iris, I feel your doctor knows about your fear of meds (which I recognize completely) and therefore starts your medication on a very low dose indeed. You should have no problems taking this at any time of the day. And: the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Try it and do it asap because you’ve been torturing yourself for too long now. Just do it! You’ll survive. Just as I did, so many times now (and still fraking out over every new med but having learnt to take it. If I can do it, you certainly can! I wish you knew me better to discover how true this is… Philip Peters

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – WebfootVA schreef: BTW, though you said you take it at night.  Do you eat dinner late or do you take it with a snack?  If I started to eat my dinner at 9pm I would not only have bad indigestion, I’d probably weigh about 10 pounds more than I do now! Hi Iris, I do both.  I used to eat late dinners when I worked until 9pm so I could eat with my husband in the past.  For me, this was never a big deal.  I either eat a very light dinner at 5pm with my kids and a big snack later on, or I just have a late dinner, but I always eat before the meds. I also work out 5-6 times a week in the mornings at the gym as I’ve tended to gain weight with any of the meds in the past and I didn’t want to go that route again.  It also helps a lot with the everyday stress and gives me exposure to the rapid heart rate….rapid breathing symptoms, which I’m hoping will eventually help me prevent relapse once this goes into remission again. take care, Lene Well, I’ll probably have to take it in the morning then, or at least with my dinner around 7pm.  If I eat much later, I feel queasy when I go to bed. I need to start working out again.  I don’t have a weight problem but I am noticing a growing flab problem!  Exercise was my salvation when I had PA’s 10 years ago, but now I’ve developed a bit of a phobia–also, I suspect tied to the rapid heart rate, sweating, etc. BTW, the doc wants me to start out on 25 mg for a week then increase to 50mg where I’ll stay if the drug is successful.  Is 25 mg a low enough dose to start? Should I ask him for a lower dose?  I only weigh about 112, although I have a friend who doesn’t even tip the scales at 100 lbs and she started at 50 mg with no problem. Ever more questions. Iris —   Iris, I feel your doctor knows about your fear of meds (which I recognize completely) and therefore starts your medication on a very low dose indeed. You should have no problems taking this at any time of the day. And: the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Try it and do it asap because you’ve been torturing yourself for too long now. Just do it! You’ll survive. Just as I did, so many times now (and still fraking out over every new med but having learnt to take it. If I can do it, you certainly can! I wish you knew me better to discover how true this is… Philip Peters

Philip: What a nice reply!  I’m going to print it out and tape it to the mirror, ’cause I’ve decided I’m going to start tonight! Iris (hoping to be successful…) —

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – BTW, though you said you take it at night.  Do you eat dinner late or do you take it with a snack?  If I started to eat my dinner at 9pm I would not only have bad indigestion, I’d probably weigh about 10 pounds more than I do now! Hi Iris, I do both.  I used to eat late dinners when I worked until 9pm so I could eat with my husband in the past.  For me, this was never a big deal.  I either eat a very light dinner at 5pm with my kids and a big snack later on, or I just have a late dinner, but I always eat before the meds. I also work out 5-6 times a week in the mornings at the gym as I’ve tended to gain weight with any of the meds in the past and I didn’t want to go that route again.  It also helps a lot with the everyday stress and gives me exposure to the rapid heart rate….rapid breathing symptoms, which I’m hoping will eventually help me prevent relapse once this goes into remission again. take care, Lene

Well, I’ll probably have to take it in the morning then, or at least with my dinner around 7pm.  If I eat much later, I feel queasy when I go to bed. I need to start working out again.  I don’t have a weight problem but I am noticing a growing flab problem!  Exercise was my salvation when I had PA’s 10 years ago, but now I’ve developed a bit of a phobia–also, I suspect tied to the rapid heart rate, sweating, etc. BTW, the doc wants me to start out on 25 mg for a week then increase to 50mg where I’ll stay if the drug is successful.  Is 25 mg a low enough dose to start? Should I ask him for a lower dose?  I only weigh about 112, although I have a friend who doesn’t even tip the scales at 100 lbs and she started at 50 mg with no problem. Ever more questions. Iris —

Response:

BTW, though you said you take it at night.  Do you eat dinner late or do you take it with a snack?  If I started to eat my dinner at 9pm I would not only have bad indigestion, I’d probably weigh about 10 pounds more than I do now! Hi Iris,

I do both.  I used to eat late dinners when I worked until 9pm so I could eat with my husband in the past.  For me, this was never a big deal.  I either eat a very light dinner at 5pm with my kids and a big snack later on, or I just have a late dinner, but I always eat before the meds. I also work out 5-6 times a week in the mornings at the gym as I’ve tended to gain weight with any of the meds in the past and I didn’t want to go that route again.  It also helps a lot with the everyday stress and gives me exposure to the rapid heart rate….rapid breathing symptoms, which I’m hoping will eventually help me prevent relapse once this goes into remission again. take care, Lene – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Okay, after taking Zoloft for the first time last night, I felt so wired up today. How long are the side effects going to take? Why do some people have more side effects at first than others? PS make sure you eat with it.  I noticed a BIG difference in severity of side effects depending on whether I had a full stomache or not.

Good advice Lene.  I’m still working on starting my Zoloft (sigh…) and the reason I was leaning toward taking it at breakfast was to lessen the side effect possibility.  I’ve had this reaction with several other drugs. If I take them with food (if it’s an option), I always tolerate them better.  I’m not a scientist, but I think food slows the absorbtion rate, so your body can better adjust. BTW, though you said you take it at night.  Do you eat dinner late or do you take it with a snack?  If I started to eat my dinner at 9pm I would not only have bad indigestion, I’d probably weigh about 10 pounds more than I do now! Iris —

Response:

Okay, after taking Zoloft for the first time last night, I felt so wired up today. How long are the side effects going to take?

<snipped for space I’m not a doctor but I do believe that, while there is a possibility that you are experiencing a reaction to Zoloft, it’s an infinitessimal one. Most likely you have hyped yourself up over it with anticipation. ISTM a little too early for any reaction at all, good or bad… Sad to say, we anxiety types do this all too easily — Gary Cooper

Response:

Okay, after taking Zoloft for the first time last night, I felt so wired up today. How long are the side effects going to take? Why do some people have more side effects at first than others?

Side effects with zoloft at first are extremely common.  I’ve been on it for 10 weeks, My side effects lasted about four weeks.  However, my husband who is also on zoloft for chronic pain management had few side effects and none of the ones that I did.    I found that I had to work a bit with the time I took it, to manage the side effects better at first. Some people are just more sensitive to meds.  Myself included.  I usually have side effects to everything.  Try and keep in mind that that the side effects are a temporary situation and well worth getting through in order to give it a chance and see if this is the answer for you. PS make sure you eat with it.  I noticed a BIG difference in severity of side effects depending on whether I had a full stomache or not. take care Lene – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Okay, after taking Zoloft for the first time last night, I felt so wired up today. How long are the side effects going to take? Why do some people have more side effects at first than others? Is it kind of a Riddlin effect.  Kids who take it and don’t need it tend to react to it differently and get hyped up.  and whereas kids who need the medication the most feel the effect immediately.    mmm.  in that case  is it true that if you’re feeling overanxious when initially using Zoloft   that you’re closer to healthy than you are sick?    just a hopeful thought

Response: