Gave Up Fighting It - Started Zoloft Today

[ptsdkate]

I've dealt with PTSD for many years, since a sexual assault at the age of 8, followed by another at age 19, which retriggered it. I had managed to get a handle on things and move on with my life, when an attempt by a pedophile to lure my 6-year-old last year retriggered my PTSD again.

It' been a little over a year since the luring incident, and I've been seeing a therapist for several months. I've resisted taking meds, as I'd always managed without them before. But despite all of the work I've put in with my therapist, I just can't shake the hypervigilance, anxiety and flashbacks this round. So I finally succumbed to the suggestion of SSRIs today, and started Zoloft. My therapist thinks I'm suffering from something she called "tired brain syndrome", and that I need to "reset" my brain chemistry.

2 questions:
1) Has anyone else here heard of "tired brain syndrome"? Is my therapist making this up?
2) Will the Zoloft make me a zombie, or will it just smooth things out a bit?

 

[anni]

I've personally never heard of tired brain synrome but it sounds like something which should be one, if it's not. :)

Meds are an awfully personal choice, but they do really have their uses, as a tool. The horror stories are out there since yes, the things tend to be both over-prescribed and then OVER prescribed dosage wise. Everyone's chemisty is different, too, so something which works well for one person might not work for another, or not as well, or with more annoying side effects. The thing is, is that an SSRI sort of tricks your brain into producing the correct amount of seratonin, which has been knocked out of whack by the stress chemicals from one's traumas. It's not the same as something which flattens one's aspect, it's intent is to correct things. When your brain chemistry isn't functioning correctly, neither are your reactions, if you see the connection.

In the correct dosage, Zoloft will absolutely not turn you into a zombie. They tend to 'ramp you up' to your full dose, but if you feel at some point you're somewhere comfortable with a lower dose, do have the confidence to say so, and stay there, because you're the only one who knows, really, what's workable and effective. It's a good idea to be aware of the possible side effects, and also make sure you have access to your T or doctor while you're adjusting to the meds, so anything you feel at the time you'll want to make sure is 'ok'. I did, anyway- was entirely freaked out at the thought of anything possibly artificially influencing my actual brain function! It's been very helpful for me, and helps even things, step back and process things properly again. My dose is ridiculously low, but I don't much care who tells me it shouldn't work. It does, and that is all that matters- what you know for yourself in the end.

I'm sorry you're so frazzled at the thought of being on Zoloft. The choice is entirely yours, of course, not anyone else's, but wished to at least offer a perspective from someone who has been on and off of it for years. That's another point, actually, It's always, always my choice when I do this, and when I decide I can perhaps navigate the world without it. Having control over this part of your healing is just something comforting in a process where we need all we can get.

Take care,

Anni

 

[Iam]

HI ptsdkate. I totally understand your not wanting to take meds. At the suggestion of my T I actually weaned of celexa early this year. Now with starting EMDR I found that I am way to easily triggered so 2 weeks ago I went back on. This time I am trying wellbutrin. Anni is right about ramping up the dosage. Start low and if it helps you don't need to increase it. Your meds shouldn't make you a zombie or numb, they should only even out your moods, anxiety etc.

Good luck with all of it. I hope you find it helps you ;)

 

[anthony]

Its not an official anything, its more a saying used to express that the brain is simply strained. Some physicians use it in conjunction with alzheimer's, ie. tired brain syndrome where the brain has just had enough and needs help.

SSRI's don't reset your brain chemistry though either, and that is a fallacy. In simplistic terms, an image is worth a thousand words:

Link Removed

As you can see, what an SSRI does is make normal the pre-synaptic nerve ending again... well... attempts too. You may have to go through them all before you find the right one for you.

Don't feel bad for using meds... because you are only new to PTSD and working on your trauma, you should be on meds. Trauma therapy is the time you want meds... so you can go hard at your trauma with some chemical support helping your body, though if your on the wrong med/s, then they can work against you more so.

Don't think of it like a bad thing, think of it like a relief system so you can work hard on your trauma. Once you have finished your trauma therapy, stabilise a little then enter withdrawals from meds, which will take a good six months to stabilise... and I'm not kidding. It will take that long at a minimum for the body to correct itself and get used to not having the meds... then you will have to take care of yourself, ie. exercise or such, to get your body building natural chemicals that aid in keeping depression, anxiety, etc at bay.

 

[LSNP]

Anthony,

Thanks for this response to the post. I, too, am once again on psych meds because I have found that I simply cannot do it this time around on my own. I have been on and off anti-depressents for awhile now and have usually successfully weaned and been well for long periods of time. However, this time is different, both in terms of my ability to cope and my own instinct that seriously taking on what you call trauma therapy is not the time to go off a drug that may well help me make it through it.

I am currently taking Celexa and will begin Wellbutrin with it on Saturday (non-work day). I found, in the past, these two drugs in combination have helped the most. Your image illustrates serotonin. Do you know much about dopamine? I've researched both but sometimes, as you say, an image is worth a thousand words.

PTSDKATE,

Give the Zoloft a little while to work. I hated hearing this from others and, frankly, don't much like taking any antidepressent drug, but sometimes I think we need to accept that we need help and while we may reject the ADs because of the whole "mental illness stigma" associated with them, we wouldn't hesitate to bandage a cut or take an aspirin for a headache. I try to think of it that way, though I don't widely publicize I feel like a walking pharmaceutical! ;-)

 

[anthony]

Yep...

That is more older, which is what SSRI's replaced. MAOI's are an absolute last resort nowadays due to the interactions they have with foods and other drugs, causing lethal side effects.

 

[Nicolette]

Hi PTSDKate. I actually have to take medication and had a very difficult time taking any of the common ones and have catered my dose to much less than medically recommended. I had to work out what level best suited me as I still have to work. You have to listen to the experts, try and then listen to your own body...you will be able to work it out.

I should be able to slowly ease off the medication as it was only a recent event in Orange where a medical practitioner mistreated me and it was the straw which broke the camel's back. For a time however I couldn't even get out of bed and face going to work without the medication (otherwise I was dry retching and couldn't function work wise). I don't like taking medication but I have to earn an income so sometimes you have to do what you have to do. :rolleyes:

 

[anni]

'Make normal the pre-synaptic nerve ending again'. I don't understand the rest but since it contains the words 'make normal again' it sounds hopeful, doesn't it ptsdkate? I like it much. much. better than what I heard, since it sort of is less vague across the board- seems also more factual and less like someone was putting something into words for a kindergarten child.

And now to go Google 'pre-synaptic nerve endings'. Facts are just helpful and grounding as heck, I think.

 

[ptsdkate]

Thanks to all who replied, especially Anthony, with your cool diagram. It helps t know there are so many others out there dealing with the same issues. I feel a lot less alone.

I've only been on the Zoloft 24 hours, but I'm feeling a bit different already. I feel...more calm, less antsy. Something happened this morning that would normally trigger a panic attack, and I wasn't freaking out. I kept waiting for the adrenaline to kick in, and it just didn't. It almost feels wrong - I've been on a hair-trigger for so long now that the absence of that sense of panic in the pit of my stomach feels WEIRD.

I had a moment where I actually thought, "I can't take this stuff anymore. I don't feel enough when I'm on it." I have to remind myself that this is why I'm taking it in the first place - to get back in touch with what normal should feel like.

 

[Unhinged]

Great posts and info from everyone. I just wanted to throw somthing out there to all us "walking pharmacuticals" ;)
Please read/learn as much as you can about your medications and the side effects. My doc says I most likely will never be given another SSRI due to past suicidal incidents. It started with the Zoloft and that put me in the ER, then it was the Lexapro that almost got me stuck in hospital (thanks to my mom for keeping me out). I didn't realize it was the medications making me more suicidal, I thought since I was medicated I should be fine, guess I figured that everything really was my fault.

So... yeah.... All I'm saying is please pay attention to yourself, if you notice something isn't right, call the doctor or your therapist. It can take awhile to find the right balance. (but that doesn't mean you have to stay with a bad med for too long)

Hope you are still feeling better ptsdkate.

 

[LSNP]

I'm a couple of weeks into Celexa and am in the "honeymoon" period where everything is starting to feel better. Trouble is, it doesn't seem to last as long as I'd like. I'll take it, though. I've laughed for the first time in ages, it seems. As much as I hate being on these drugs, I'm beginning to think I may well have to be a lifer. As Wordsworth wrote, "Surprised by Joy." That's how I have been feeling, lately. ;-)

 

[Maryann]

I too am a couple of weeks into Celexa and I feel so much better. I fought taking it because of the stigma and my past drug abuse. But after researching anti-depressants, I decided to try them. I am so glad I did! I feel normal again mood wise. I yawn a lot though throughout the day, but it's not that bothersome. I like feeling of walking around without a bolder on my shoulders or a dark cloud over me :)