Fng Update And Zoloft Question...

[CAFTT0607]

Hey, it’s the FNG again…..So I’ve been spending the last week or so digging through the site and especially the forum posts. Most of what I’ve read I can completely relate to and that in itself is a good thing. I guess you all speak my language J
As for the Zoloft, the first three days I felt like a stoned zombie and it was really cool. I think my brain has been starving for serotonin for a long time and even the small dosage of Zoloft really made a difference. However, it’s been about a week now and the effects have diminished, which I guess is normal. With that change, I can definitely feel the Beast prowling about. Yesterday was not such a good day. The doc said that the dosage will likely have to go up in a few weeks and I can see why. Oh, and the sweating some of you mentioned…already experienced that.
Ok, so one of the weird things that has happened since being on Zoloft is that on the third day of taking it, I was sleeping and in the middle of the night I woke up to a whole rash of memories flashing through my brain from Iraq…not good ones. Things I hadn't recalled in years. They were exceptionally clear. It was like channel flipping really fast, one memory after another.
It totally sucked! Brought on a panic attack, couldn’t sleep for over an hour…and even then, not well. Since then, more and more things have come back. They are vivid …so while the Zoloft has decreased anxiety to a point, it also seems to unlocked parts of the Beast that I had completely suppressed. I know without the Zoloft I would probably be in a world of hurt. It is keeping this manageable for now. Has this ever happened to any of you on this med? Where bad memories have become so clear?

 

[Sludge]

Zoloft is easy stuff.

First thing to know is the initial "good" feeling is actually a side effect. It takes a while to build up in your system for it to really do its job. The other things you described are typical reactions to a new brain chemistry modifier. What you are experiencing is all side effects. It takes weeks for Zoloft to "work" as intended.

Next, An initial dose is rarely enough. Keep in touch with your doc as more likely than not he will need to adjust your dosage in the future. This is important. Really important. Once you get used to the side effects, you will not even realize it is working or not.

Finally, don't drink while on it it. You hear this all the time, but do not drink on it. Zoloft is the penicillin of psychopharmocology. It really ain't toxic so they hand it out by the boat load in massive doses. Folks do not realize how potent this stuff is. There is a reason in comes in puny 5, 10 and 15 mg pills and so on... However, mix it with ethanol and a bit of internal liver chemistry, and you end up with bad ju-ju.

Most importantly, keep a log of everything you told us to share with your doctor. Like any other magic pill, this one may not be right for you.

Damn. I sound like the fine print in a commercial.

 

[CAFTT0607]

Hey Sludge

Thanks for the info. It is appreciated. New to this actual treatment stuff, so info like yours is really helpful.

 

[Jimmy1]

Serotonin overdose is not nice. Zoloft is a good first medication in my opinion, but you have to chop and change until you find the comfortable dose for you. Like Sludge says, it takes a few weeks, they actually say six weeks.
A word of caution...Don't stop taking it as it takes at least six weeks to wean yourself off it as well. If you do stop taking it, you should see what effects happen then.

Sludge, are you becoming a Pharmacist.

 

[CAFTT0607]

Thanks Jimmy. If these first weeks are any indication, it isn't too bad. The stoned zombie feeling is much more agreeable then the anxiety, angry, depressed, hypervigilent feelings. I am sure it will take adjustment and maybe even more meds or different ones. Time will tell. I am waiting for the referral to go through to start therapy. That should be loads of fun...but I gotta go through with it this time. I am determined.

As for Sludge, he does seem to know the chemicals! :)

 

[Jimmy1]

The biggest thing which I tell everyone is that with medication you always have to test and adjust every six months or so as our bodies can become tolerant of medication. Some people are lucky and can be on the same medication all their lives where as people like me constantly change. I hope it is good for you.

 

[Zipperhead]

Zoloft is normally prescribed to people who use alcohol here in Canada. Side effects to combining the two are minimal and not permanent. Most importantly the effectiveness of the Zoloft is not hindered by the alcohol. Having said that, excessive alcohol use has it's own consequences. Best to leave the drink to social occasions.

 

[Tim Cake]

Zoloft is normally prescribed to people who use alcohol here in Canada. Side effects to combining the two are minimal and not permanent. Most importantly the effectiveness of the Zoloft is not hindered by the alcohol. Having said that, excessive alcohol use has it's own consequences. Best to leave the drink to social occasions.

Wise words!

 

[Sludge]

Hell, they adjusted my dosage from a measly 15 mg to 75mg over an eight month period. I sure as hell do not miss that first week or so of the Zombie Shuffle.

As for the bad ju-ju from alcohol, I should clarify a bit: the presence of alcohol puts your liver in overdrive, so it processes out the Zoloft faster. Less a contraindiction (as opposed to a contradiction...hate science words sometimes, me....) issue and more a keeping your levels up issue.

 

[CAFTT0607]

Yeah, the Zombie Shuffle is really nice. I wish I could stay here for a very long time. It is much better than the torment. I think dosing strategies must have changed because my doc started me at 50 mg a day. Either that, or she knows I am really f'ed up! She said I would like need 100 mg a day to really get it together, so to speak.

Hey, thanks everyone for the info.

 

[Jimmy1]

Damn, I must have been pretty bad. I started on 100 mg a day and a week later they had me on 200 mg a day.
I changed my dosage up and down over six years and suffered shakes, sweats, you name it.
About nine months ago my psych changed me from 200 mg of Zoloft to 200 mg of Pristiq which is an SNRI. I don't understand the scientific stuff about SSRI and SNRI and all the rest of them, but Pristiq has made me more stable with no shakes, and no sweating. Actually, minimal sweating, I sweat like a bitch once physical activity happens.

 

[CAFTT0607]

SNRIs are serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. They not only up the serotonin in your brain but also the norepinephrine, which is another mood balancing chemical/neurotransmitter. They are mostly used to fight depression.