Talk to me about Zoloft

Noisemaker

I just came from my 6 wk post partum appt, where I asked my doc about my continued moodiness, short fuse and weepiness.  DD2 has a few health problems, and it's been a complicated 6 weeks, so I was asking her if what I'm feeling sounded normal, or like I might need some help.  After we talked for a while, she suggested a low dose of Zoloft might be a good idea.  I've never been on meds before and am hesitant.  She reassured me it can be short term, is safe for me while EBF, etc., but told me to give it another 2 weeks of trying exercise, more time out of the house, etc., and then come back and see her. 

So, as I consider this option, I'm wondering what your experience has been with Zoloft--what were your symptoms before going on it?  Did it help?  How long before you saw any change?  Have you ever weaned off it, and if so tell me about that... Basically anything and everything you can tell me about it would be appreciated! 

Thanks ladies.  

jaime5121

I am currently weaning off of my Zoloft now.  It can be done!  I'm taking it very slowly, because your body does get very used to it.  I have been on 50 mg (very low dose) for 5 months.

My symptoms before starting Zoloft - much as you described.  I was very weepy (especially when I was away from DS), a very short fuse with DH, and very very moody.  I felt like my life was spiraling out of control and all I could do was hang on for dear life.  I stopped calling friends, and was removing myself from things that I had liked to do.  I needed help!  Luckily, I felt better on my Zoloft very quickly - not the 4 weeks most people need. 

Weaning has been a little difficult.  I have had a little difficulty sleeping, but am dealing with that.  I have gone through periods of feeling a little bit more weepy than usual, but I have noticed that it usually occurs when I am lowering my dose.  It lasts for 2 days or so, then I regulate again.  So far, I think I'm doing amazingly well.  In about another 5 weeks or so, I will be totally off the Zoloft.  I have been in the process of weaning for 2 weeks so far. 

Please, don't hesitate to take meds if you need them.  You wouldn't avoid antibiotics for strep-throat.  This is no different.  This can be with exercise and talk therapy sometimes, but there is no shame in taking medicine when you need it.  I had never thought I would need medicine in my life.  It made me so much happier - it made me ME again.  A happy mommy = a happy baby. 

Good luck!  If you have any more questions or would like any more information, feel free to PM me!!

desi_r

i take zoloft for anxiety and panic attacks. i started taking 50mg way before i got pregnant. i noticed that it did work for me and i went almost 2 years without having a panic attack.

when i found out i was pregnant, i got off the pill. i got back on the pill when i was 5 months pregnant because i ended up having a really bad panic attack. i was upset that i had to go back on the pill but this time 100mg and not 50mg.

once i got on it, the panic was slowly going away and also the depression and anxiety.

my daughter is now 3 months and i'm still taking zoloft due to ppa and ppd and i'm also breastfeeding. to be honest, zoloft is really good and i think you should try it. it takes about a month for it to really start kicking in. it took me about 2 weeks.

you should also think about councling. both will help you get through whatever you are feeling.

best of luck my dear and stay strong! i promise you will get through this!

jenny1980

I worked up from 25mg to 100mg over 8-ish weeks. It took about that long to really feel substantially better (I was also in weekly CBT at the time). I was diagnosed with OCD, which is an anxiety disorder, so your treatment options may look different.

Pros: I genuinely am enjoying motherhood. I am happy. I'm not anxious.

Cons: I did not how I felt starting the meds and anytime I increased. It took a good week or so each time before I felt "normal" and not loopy/tired/zoned out. I've also gained weight, but that could certainly be because I am eating too much and not exercising.

Generally, I am really happy with it. I was in bad place, though. I was to the point where I wasn't eating or sleeping much and every day was spent just trying to get through. If I was in a better place, I would have been more inclined to try therapy and exercise first.

I'd like to start the weaning-off process by the end of the year if I'm still feeling good.

 

 

BenandSuzy

I am taking 75 mg of zoloft now, and may still increase it. I am not sure yet.  I started very low, at 12.5mg, because I was terrified of it and fought using it for 4 months.  But I was not in a good place either, and I had no choice.  At 75mg, I still get a nervous feeling sometimes, especially in the mornings which have always been my worst times.  I too want off of this asap, but I also want to feel good and "normal" which I don't even feel yet.  However, I have hope this will help.  I am in counseling too.  I can't really say I have many side effects; maybe tiredness or maybe I am simply tired, and maybe I feel muted emotionally, but it isn't all the time.  So it is hard to say whether it is the meds or just the anxiety and stress of it all.  

 Hope this helps and you start feeling better soon! 

LSUBride3

I've been on 25 mg for several months now.  I have a really short fuse and dealing with the new baby and DD#1 just wasn't working.  I was pretty bad to my 1 year old when she really didn't understand what she was doing wrong. I think it helped almost immediately.  I've tried to self wean but every time i am noticeably more irritated(to put it lightly) and angry

No side effects that i can see.

StarryNight39

Ugh, I hate even typing this, but I am on 200mg. I, like Jenny also have OCD and PPA so things are a little different. I have weekly therapy and CBT as well.

I'm still struggling to see if Zoloft is right for me - I'm at the highest dose right now and I am having more good days than not, but still having panic attacks, etc. I was just given Ativan for those this past week.

Zoloft is a really good drug to start with. A lot of people do really well with a low dose. I was told it works well in a low dose to help with the PPD - but when you're trying to medicate for the anxiety a higher dose usually is what works best.

Good Luck

JenLynn11

jenny1980:

I worked up from 25mg to 100mg over 8-ish weeks. It took about that long to really feel substantially better (I was also in weekly CBT at the time). I was diagnosed with OCD, which is an anxiety disorder, so your treatment options may look different.

Pros: I genuinely am enjoying motherhood. I am happy. I'm not anxious.

Cons: I did not how I felt starting the meds and anytime I increased. It took a good week or so each time before I felt "normal" and not loopy/tired/zoned out. I've also gained weight, but that could certainly be because I am eating too much and not exercising.

Generally, I am really happy with it. I was in bad place, though. I was to the point where I wasn't eating or sleeping much and every day was spent just trying to get through. If I was in a better place, I would have been more inclined to try therapy and exercise first.

I'd like to start the weaning-off process by the end of the year if I'm still feeling good.

 

 

 Im on zoloft for OCD too, Ive been kind of bad at taking it because I have to take it in the AM to be able to sleep, or it keeps me awake, mornings are crazy so I forget a lot, but just curious, does it truly help with your complusions?  Ive been trying to deal with OCD on meds alone but Ive always been a bad med taker LOL....lots of side effects I dont like!