Sertraline/zoloft Round One Of Meds...

[JarHed]

The truly scary thing is that most of the drugs in use today have an unknown quality about them. No knows what the long term affects may be. It's simply because they haven't been around that long. Some will be safer to use than others. As Jimmy has mentioned, you should know what you're taking and what effects and side effects it may have. Or if there are interactions between meds you're taking. It's one of the bests parts of the web, access to a ton of info.

 

[CAFTT0607]

For me personally, Zoloft is awesome. That is all. Carry on.

 

[Chin Strapped]

Not sure if I genuinely feel more chilled out or is that the placebo effect? I'm almost certain I've mellowed, but it's day three?

Ass is a bit of a stinker :ROFLMAO:

 

[Jimmy1]

Mate, Zoloft is a wonderful drug, don't get me wrong, it even has a weight loss effect on some. Your body will just take a couple of months to stabilise with it. There are some instant reactions with it. You may be feeling them.

My Psych says 50 mg is a baby dosage for people with PTSD. You will probably find you will stabilise on 100 or 150 mg. Everyone is different though.

 

[Chin Strapped]

Whatever it is it feels quite nice, not felt this chilled since I last smoked MJ. Well... No where near as chilled as that, but an improvement.

Now for a 9 hour uninterrupted sleep, followed by endless happiness, fulfilment and content.

No doubt I'll put this stuff to test when I have to go around crowds soon.

 

[Sludge]

Zoloft is pretty OK stuff. The first two weeks the side-effects will make you a bit woozy, but in a good way. It takes about 21-45 days for the desired effects to kick in. This depends on metabolism, body weight, etc. As others have said, it will eventually be useless after prolonged use. As Jimmy(?) said, once you get up around the 200mg dose range, your Doc should think about moving you to something else.

Learn from my experience with it-

DO NOT drink on this stuff for the first few weeks. Trust me on this one. You really shouldn't drink on it at all because it amplifies alcohols depressant and inhibition effects. However, some folks cheat. I did, but I am far removed from anything like heavy drinking now a days.

Stay in touch with your Doc. They always start you out on small doses. They will have to increase it over time. This stuff is so mild and so rarely toxic that the usual high dose issues do not apply. For example: a higher than average dose is 25mg three times daily.

While often prescribed as an antidepressant, in reality it is a stabilizer. It does frak around with your neurotransmitters, but in a good way. It has been shown to be extremely effective in combat PTSD cases. In my case it worked so well I was only on it for about nine months.

Enjoy sleeping while you get used to the side effects. You will know when you have gotten used to it because your sleep patterns will return to what is normal for you.

Drugs.com will give you the general down-low better than I can.

Zoloft/sertraline is one of the few pills I actually support in our treatment regimens. I have yet to meet any vet in person that has not had at the least a small measure of success with it. It won't fix you, but it will smooth you out enough to allow you to get your bearings and focus on your treatment.

Oh, by the way, take this one with food or milk. They are uncoated tablets and you can get some nasty burns in your esophagus if you do not. I learned this the hard way. Picture the worst heartburn ever, except it is caused by rabid wombats humping in your sternum and last for days.

 

[Chin Strapped]

Just a bit respite is great, now I can pay attention in therapy and get some work done.

 

[Chin Strapped]

How long before this stuff stops making my ass stink?

The Mrs was wondering ;)

 

[bemental]

About to take the plunge. I've been putting off any CNS/mood stabilizers for about eight months now, my psych provider is starting to get pissed.

Pick up the scripts tomorrow. Kind of upset about having to take these.

Guess I'll treat it as an experiment.

 

[Jimmy1]

Hey buddy, I still hate taking medication. I even went off all of my meds and self medicated, it wasn't the answer, especially when you have kids.

One day I hope to be off them.

As a word of advice, meds are a bandaid fix to help your mind calm down enough so the therapist can get in there and help organise things. It will also help your mind calm enough to sleep.

 

[bemental]

I sure as hell hope so Jimmy.

Thanks for the support.

 

[Sarg]

Hey, I'd crawl through a canyon of flaming gasoline to get to my meds. I'm in the sunset of my existence. Quality of life is everything now. The meds allow me to settle down and concentrate on improving my life.

Sarg