Hi moms, my ob/gyn put me on Zoloft today. She prescribed it for severe pms. Over the course of the last year I have developed severe pms that is really affecting my life so she recommended going on a low dose antidepressant. She prescribed 50mg of Zoloft once a day. I took the first pill this afternoon. I know its only the first day, but it made me SO tired. So tired I almost could not function. I understand that there are side effects with any medication, but I am thinking that if this pill makes me this tired I can not take it. I plan on calling my doctor to talk about it, but in the meantime I thought I would ask you mamas. Anyone out there take Zoloft? Are the side effects temporary? Am I giving up too quickly? Maybe I should only take half a pill a day? I know only my doctor can give me medical advice, just looking for some guidance and advice. Thanks in advance.
I took Zoloft a long time ago for depression, but I don't remember how much I took... I don't remember the drowsiness, though.
What about taking it before bedtime? Maybe the drowsiness would wear off by the time you get up?
I take the same amount for the same reason! The side effects should wear off in a couple of weeks. It really helped to even out my PMS. The side effect I disliked the most was the jaw clenching.
My son takes 50mg of Zoloft daily. I usually give it to him at night because his Dr warned me that it may make him tired. I think it did at first - but now he can take it in the morning and have no side effects from it.
Don't mess with the dosage without talking to your doctor. It does take a few weeks to kick in, and once started you cannot stop it cold turkey - you do need to wean off it - like most antidepressants.
Try adjusting your schedule to take it at bedtime. That should help.
It works very well for my son.
try taking it at night instead.
Do a quick Google search to find out exactly what Zoloft does (it is a SSRI; a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor meaning that it enables serotonin - a sort of "feel good"/"mood" neurotransmitter chemical remain active in the synapse of a neuron for longer periods of time, thus alleviating your mood symptoms of pms). The presence of the chemical neurotransmitter serotonin helps send messages within the brain that should normally or naturally be occurring. Keep in mind this is a VERY oversimplified explanation.
With any drug, you are changing the chemistry within your body. Zoloft is no exception and can often take a little bit of time to work (SSRIs can take up to 6 weeks). Do NOT change the dosage of your drug without first consulting your physician. You've only taken it ONE day, give it some time to work and start regulating things in your brain.
If you experienced exhaustion, take it about 30 minutes before you go to bed. By the time you get a good night sleep, most of the unwanted side effects will have worn off.
Also, don't just stop taking the drugs without the guidance of your physician. Everyone reacts differently to various psychiatric meds. The withdrawal for some can be no big deal while for others, they experience really bad headaches, depression, anxiety, feelings of "brain zaps", etc. Typically if someone has been on an antidepressant, they are gradually weaned from the drug to avoid potential withdrawal symptoms.
If you find that you're really struggling with the drug, after giving it a fair shot (I'd say 2-4 weeks after switching it to a nighttime administration) then consult with your physician, indicating your side effects. There are several options other than Zoloft/Sertraline.
Best wishes to you!
I took zoloft for a very short time before I had to switch to another medication. It didn't make me tired, it actually made me get panic attacks (more than I usually do). I guess it just affects different people in different ways. If it's not working for you, definitely try something else.
my dr started me at a much lower dose and raised gradually to avoid this side effect (1/2 a 25mg) and I now take 100 w/o any side effects. it takes a while to adjust too. start slower, take at night or try another if symptoms continue. ask your Dr
My OB/GYN prescribed me zoloft for the exact same reason. I HATED it. It made my pupils dilate so much I looked extra-terrestrial. And it made me have weird thoughts and yes, I felt lethargic. Every anti-depressant will work differently for everyone, but I personally hated that one and stopped taking it after a couple of weeks.
Try another one until you find one that works. Good luck! I also get severe PMS so I know how terrible it can be. There's help out there, though.
Try taking it at bedtime, and if that doesn't help speak to your doctor about dosing adjustments or alternatives!! Don't given up too easily though, our bodies do take time to adjust to new and unsual things!! Good luck!
I took it years ago and it caused insomnia and hallucinations! I remember I was sure someone was coming through my window I sat on my couch with a knife! I almost stabbed my brother when he came out of his room. I'm sure I had a pretty unusual reaction to it.
I am on Celexa and Wellbutrin for severe anxiety disorder. It takes several weeks to get the full effect of the meds. The initial side effects - especially being tired - were temporary for me. Give it a couple of weeks. Good luck!!
I have been on zoloft several times over the years and never had any trouble with it, but the various doctors always started me out at 25 mg. for the first couple of weeks and worked the dosage up gradually. I never had any of the side effects you are describing and I take mine in the morning, but everyone's body is different. Definitely call the doctor's office ASAP and tell them what the problem is. Hopefully a nurse will call you back and tell you what you should do. The only thing I ever took to help with PMS was being on a low dose birth control pill. Not an option for everyone. Good luck and I hope you get some relief soon!
I took Zoloft when I was pregnant - 25mg daily. (I couldn't take my normal anti-anxiety prescription) and I took/take all meds at night. I never noticed being overly tired, but then again, I was already asleep within an hour after taking it.
