Zoloft Experiences Good or Bad

I have taken 100 mg of Zoloft for about 8 years. I take mine for mild depression and headaches. I started at 25 mg and had to work up to 100 mg before my headaches stopped. I have had some weight gain but mostly my own fault. I am 53 and eat too much and don't exercise. If you are only on 25 mg and feeling better I think you are doing great.

S.,

I've been on Zoloft for over 7 years now. I take 50 mg a day. Zoloft is the only depression medication that is safe to use with breast-feeding. I didn't gain any weight from Zoloft (unlike Depo where I gained 60 lbs in 6 months!)

I have to warn you that you must be religous about taking your medication EVERY day and you plan to get off it, consult your physician as it is HIGHLY NOT RECOMMENED to just quit taking it cold turkey. I remember a time was I forgot to take the medication a couple days in the role, and I was a wreck! I don't know if your doctor told you, but follow this info from http://www.drugs.com/zoloft.html:

"Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose."

I take Zoloft for PMS issues. I would be slightly psycho RIGHT before I started my period. I would pretty much do death threats to my husband and later that night or the next day I would start my period! Then I would have to apologize to my husband. Believe or not, Zoloft totally took away that crazy person that came out right before I got on my period.

As for side effects, nothing comes right out except for the fact that Zoloft does make you very mellow. On Zoloft I would not be as on top of things as I usually am. Say for instance, I have NEVER missed a credit card payment. But a few months on Zoloft and I actually missed my first payment! ARG! So now I have reminders on my computer for important appointments and credit card due dates.

I read a list of effects, and I do have a decreased sex drive, but I nothing else that stands out.

25 mgs is a VERY low dosage. Typical dosage is 50 mg.

Good luck on Zoloft. I think it's a great drug. It saved my marriage and definitely helps me be a better mother!

Don't know if this will help you or not, S.. I am a number of years older than you & have been taking Zoloft for approximately 15 years. I found that my job was causing a lot of stress & I was developing symptoms of depression, which runs in my family. I have felt much better since taking Zoloft. I have experienced some weight gain during the time I have been taking Zoloft. I don't know if the Zoloft is to blame or my lack of willpower. I retired from my job almost 2 months ago. I was taking 100 mg.& have lowered the dosage to to 50 mg. daily. I did this without medical advice. I feel okay & hope to eventually get off Zoloft. Good luck with your health problems & enjoy those kids ! They grown up so fast.

I would agree with the person who suggested to make sure to see a psychiatrist while taking Zoloft. Being a pshych major and having depression issues of my own, I think medication on it's own does not help as much as talking to someone and pairing it with the medication. You can usually get off medication sooner or decrease the amount needed.
I took Zoloft for a short while, but it made me so very sleepy, I felt I wasn't being a very good mom. However, I was able to be kinder to my children, so I suppose it did help.
My last suggestion would be to write in a journal. My psychiatrist suggested I write my feelings consistently...the most helpful things she asked me in one of my sessions was "What kind of person are you?" "What kind of person do other people see you as?" and "What kind of person do you want to be?" Then I was to go home, ponder on the questions, try to answer them and then talk to her about it later. It just really put things into perspective for me. I had constantly been comparing myself to what other people must think of me not having the energy or the desire to fix my daughters' hair or put their shoes on to play outside (it was warm) or so many other things that I thought I should be doing, but couldn't due to the depression.
I am off the Zoloft now and would say, hang in there. Three children is a handful, a wonderful handful, but I know it is a lot of work. Give yourself some slack and know that you are not alone in the post-partum depression. I'll be praying for you.

I know what you are going through sweetheart. it is not fun and you feel like you going crazy. I am so sorry you are having this. I also had it and have been on meds since before my oldest was born. I tryed Zoloft and it didn't help at all. my youngest took it for a while and it didn't seem to help her she said. But I do hear it is bad for weight gain. she has gained alot since she started. they just put her on prozac. who do you see??? If you live in the area and want anyone to talk to let me know I would be more then happy. Please do take care of yourself. you have to feel good to be able to deal with the kids. your health is VERY IMPORTANT. My sister has a 2 girls and boy too. she just had the one girl the 19th. If you notice you are gaining don't just stop it yourself. talk to the doctor.

Hang in there! this shall pass.
A.

My 79 year old mother takes Zoloft and thinks it's a wonder drug. After years of taking care of a sick friend and taking Zoloft to help her deal with the situation, she thought after her friend died that she could get off of it. Her depression returned very slowly, though, so she went back on it and is happy and functional. She will be on it for the rest of her life. (I think she takes 50 or 100mgs/day.) I'm sure it's never caused her to gain weight or she would be complaining a lot. She's very weight-conscious.

Hi S.,

I am also a mom of 3 and have had Postpartum Depression all 3 times. That is why a friend of mine and I started a support group on the MO side. There are several support groups in Kansas. I have trained to become a facilitator and have run 2 groups so far. I have been on all different kinds of medication and I haven't had any side effects. Are you seeing a psychiatrist to administer the meds? That is the best person to see if you need a med change or an increase in meds. 25mg of Zoloft is a very low dose, but I am glad it is making you feel better. Please e-mail me back if you have any questions and if you would like to know more about a support group.

M. Thomas

I have a friend who is on cymbalta - it has worked wonders for her. I don't know about weight gain from it because she gained a lot of weight with this pregnancy - she, at a year, is beginning to exercise some of it off.

well when I was younger I tried zoloft but it made me sluggish during the day and I still couldn't sleep well at night. I also know certain birth controls enhance the effects of post-partum.