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Working Moms
silvie25mar
member
Update & Cyclical Zoloft
silvie25mar
member
in Working Moms
So the update is:
Cuba was fantastic. It was needed more than I realized I think, and especially by myself. I’ve never done an all inclusive alone before but considering the circumstances it was very freeing and liberating to be quite honest. I came back with a clearer head and more mellowed out. When I got back, it was in the middle of the night, so I assumed DH would be on the couch until the morning. He was in bed so I didn’t say anything just got in and tried to go to sleep and the next thing I know he grabs me and we are spooning. So I’m like WTF? How does one go from being so cold (as a protective layer I guess) to this, maybe he realized what he had done? I don’t know. But going away I thought for sure I’d have to come back and face the music as potentially a single person.
We had a very long 3-4 hour talk the night evening and communicated better than probably ever, layed out everything on the table. No crying, no yelling, just talking. We decided together we would give it another try see what happens but I made it quite clear that I’m not “backed into a corner” about it and that I don’t want to be with somebody who doesn’t want to be with me. Clearly he does, otherwise he wouldn’t have stayed. He is back home now and we will see where it goes from here.
Second- I talked to my Dr, after visiting my psychologist etc, I should be on some sort of meds . Zoloft was recommended daily about 18 months ago and I never took it. My family Dr was hesitant in giving me meds as she doesn’t really know my mental history but she did give in and gave me Zoloft and Prozac as options but I chose Zoloft as that was what was originally prescribed while I was still BF. She said I would only have to take 1-2 of the 25mg pill daily the WEEK BEFORE MY PERIOD only. As this will help with the Premenstrual Mood Disorder that I’ve been combatting. Is this normal? And has any of you done Cyclic Dosing of a anti depressant? What should I expect.
Cuba was fantastic. It was needed more than I realized I think, and especially by myself. I’ve never done an all inclusive alone before but considering the circumstances it was very freeing and liberating to be quite honest. I came back with a clearer head and more mellowed out. When I got back, it was in the middle of the night, so I assumed DH would be on the couch until the morning. He was in bed so I didn’t say anything just got in and tried to go to sleep and the next thing I know he grabs me and we are spooning. So I’m like WTF? How does one go from being so cold (as a protective layer I guess) to this, maybe he realized what he had done? I don’t know. But going away I thought for sure I’d have to come back and face the music as potentially a single person.
We had a very long 3-4 hour talk the night evening and communicated better than probably ever, layed out everything on the table. No crying, no yelling, just talking. We decided together we would give it another try see what happens but I made it quite clear that I’m not “backed into a corner” about it and that I don’t want to be with somebody who doesn’t want to be with me. Clearly he does, otherwise he wouldn’t have stayed. He is back home now and we will see where it goes from here.
Second- I talked to my Dr, after visiting my psychologist etc, I should be on some sort of meds . Zoloft was recommended daily about 18 months ago and I never took it. My family Dr was hesitant in giving me meds as she doesn’t really know my mental history but she did give in and gave me Zoloft and Prozac as options but I chose Zoloft as that was what was originally prescribed while I was still BF. She said I would only have to take 1-2 of the 25mg pill daily the WEEK BEFORE MY PERIOD only. As this will help with the Premenstrual Mood Disorder that I’ve been combatting. Is this normal? And has any of you done Cyclic Dosing of a anti depressant? What should I expect.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Update & Cyclical Zoloft
Hi, pharmacist here.
Any antidepressant medication (such as Zoloft) causes initial symptoms as well as withdrawal symptoms, both of which can be VERY unpleasant. When you are taking it regularly, your body gets used to it after about a week and it's NBD. My concern with taking an antidepressant cyclically is that you're always going through the initial/withdrawal side-effects, some of which in my personal and professional experience include mental destabilization (mood swings, anxiety) and sleeplessness. Also - antidepressants can take a while to "kick-in" (up to 6 weeks) and generally people need more than a week to get any benefit from them.
I've never seen cyclical Zoloft (not to say it is never done). I work in a long-term mental-health facility. Not sure what the exact indication for the medication is in your case (are you treating depression? Anxiety?), and I admit that I'm NOT familiar with PMD, so my experience is not totally applicable to your situation.
My advice would be to seek a second opinion from a psychiatrist who specializes in women's health.
@MarlaSinger&
I did just quickly do a wiki search and yes it seems it is used cyclically for PDM, and studies show this works just as well as taking it daily.
My concern would be withdrawal symptoms of using antidepressants cyclically...the same wiki article discusses them if you want to read more. Sorry I'm using wiki as my source, I would look up an actually article if I had the time, although wiki does a good job of referencing their facts.
I have used antidepressants myself and withdrawal symptoms are no fun for anyone...I would rather take antidepressants daily than cyclically for that reason alone.
Edit to clarify paragraph above and to add: Again - I don't have experience in women's health pharmacology, so this is probably something that is done I just haven't seen it. I have been practicing pharmacy for four years.
I guess deep down I feel like I should go with the original psychiatrist dose, since she gave it to me in the height of my post partum depression. I still have the prescription but since it was 18 months ago I guess I will have to call her to have her send another one to a pharmacy. Is it wise to just ignore the family doctors advise? I do feel like I was pushing her to give me the meds on behalf of what my psychologist and the original psychiatrist said.
Secondly, if it does help and I do plan to take them on an ongoing basis then taking them on a cyclical basis now will just prevent the inevitable if I get pregnant again, I don't want to go trough another bout of PPD and is rather be prepared now with meds then panic having to take or start them while pregnant. Does that make sense?
You're absolutely right. I guess I was just looking for a little more insight into the whole thing as I am still a little nervous about it all. I would in no way take direction for meds from a message board and will likely go with the Docs opinion whether that be the psychiatrist or family doctor.
Could you give me a little bit of insight into your experience with taking your meds for PMDD? how it helped change you etc. I would appreciate it.
I've taken meds for depression, so not quite the same condition, although my depression is definitely hormonal in nature...bur my antidepressants have made me not be a raging b!tch all the time, and I'm generally in a better mood and less anxious, and I don't get upset/mad as easily (I'm less sensitive).
Downsides, when I was one one type (Effexor) the side effects at first were really unpleasant. Now I'm on Cipralex, and the side effects are way better but for a while I couldn't orgasm, and I attribute it to that med because I've since decreased the dose and I can orgasm again.
Hope that helps.
?? Do you mean orgasms on my own? lol... Because...no. Even on my own with the help of my "tools" it didn't happen. It really sucked and was hard for both DH and I...
YES very tense!! That certainly does NOT help with mood at all. SO GLAD IT'S BACK.
Sorry I hijacked your post to talk about my lack of orgasm... :P