My husband just started Zoloft? Anyone else taken it?

Question

My husband was just put on Zoloft for anxiety/depression. He has been sleeping way more than usual and seems pretty out of it. It has been a little over a month, has anyone else had these effects and did they go away?

Answer 1

When my grandson died of SIDS in 1995 the doctor put me on it. I was on it for about a year and a half. I did sleep alot.
I went through the days doing what was expected of me. I was in management so my days were structured and when I look back now I just didn't worry about anything. Things didn't bother me. It was like a "oh well" attitude. Weight gain with it. Didn't care about sex.
It help me survive when all I wanted to do was stick my head in a hole.
I knew what was going on but nothing bothers you.
Hope this helps you.

Answer 2

Yes, it can make people sleepy, which is why so many people take it at night instead of in the morning. By the time they get up, those side effects have passed.
You didn't say if he felt like it was helpful. Normally it takes 2 to 3 weeks before it builds up to a therapeutic level.
If he's taking the Zoloft at night, and still having the problem with lethargy, I would suggest that he go back to his doctor and discuss what he's feeling. There are SO many antidepressants out there, there has to be one that will help him without the side effects.
Another thing, sometimes after being on an antidepressant for a while (I'm talking like years) they can cease to be effective and a change in medication is indicated. I've been on antidepressants for several years and have changed them three times.
I wish your husband the best. Support him, and reassure him there are so many others who need to take antidepressants, it's just for the most part, they don't talk about it.

Answer 3

I was prescribed Zoloft and suffored from similiar effects. Under normal circumstances I sleep on average of 6-8 hours a night, but when taking this prescription I slept on an average of 18-22hours a day. I also had similar side effects from prozak, though to no where near the same extent. From the rightup that I was given when I recieved my medication, excess droziness and groginess where some of the normal symptoms. These symptoms where not very convienient with my job at the time, so I had to change medications and was not able to wait it out.

Answer 4

Different medications react differently in different people. It usually takes 30 days for the full effect of a drug like Zoloft to take effect. If he is sleeping more than normal and having lethargic problems, I would take him back to the doctor. If you can't get him in then at least call the doctor or the pharmacist and ask if this is normal and how long it will last.

I have a daughter who is mentally disabled and when they tried her on Zoloft, she ended up sitting on the couch with her mouth open and her tongue hanging out. I took her back and they changed her meds to something that worked better and didn't have the side effects.

Answer 5

What dosage is your husband on. It will make his sleepy until his system adjusts to the medication, Setraline (Zoloft brand name) is really good anti depressant drug and there are very few side effects. However, you may find that your Husband puts on weight, so he needs to be aware of what he is eating and control the amount he eats.

I imagine that he under doctors supervision and that his usage will be monitored. He will feel heaps better quiet soon and this is where the danger lies as he may feel that he can come off of them. However, he should be advised by his doctor and he will in all probablity have to stay on them for at least 18 months.

I have been on them for 2 years now but was first given venlofaxine after I suffured Post traumatic stress syndrome after a back operation that went wrong and it left me with deep depression. But venlofaxine is a monstorous drug and the withdrawal symptoms are horrendous, and it is to too avoided at all cost.So I would tell your Husband to perserve with this drug in case he prescibed venlofaxine instead.

I am sure he will soon be feeling much better, but it does take time.

I hope to be weaned off of my setraline very soon.

I wish you and your husband all the very best. You need support as well and I hope you are getting it. The effects of depression does not only effect one person it can also effect the nearest and dearest. So rest when you can.

Best wishes Annette

PS I forgot to mention that extreme tiredness is a symptom of depression and until his brain receives the correct amount of serotonin he will feel tired. I felt very tired for the first 3 months or so after being prescribed Setraline (Zoloft)

Answer 6

I've taken many antidepressants. They've all worked differently for me. Zoloft actually kept me awake.
On the ones I took that made me groggy and out of it my doctor said it was just my brain chemicals balancing out - just side effects. They went away eventually.
Though sometimes it had to do with the dosage. Perhaps your husband needs his dosage changed. It may be too high, or in some cases a higher dose will help. With anti's it's mostly about finding what's right for him. It may take some time to get things to even out :o)

Answer 7

I took it.It affects every1 differently i wasnt tired actually zoloft out of all that class of antideppressants has an ingredient that usually doesnt cause sleepiness. Usually these symptoms go away.If they persist he can try a different one. I know effexor did that to me by three in the afternoon i was zonked. There are always side effects with those pills weight gain was mine im off them now but i tell ya they helped to get me out of a big deppression good luck

Answer 8

I was put on Zoloft about a year ago when my mom past away. But now I hardly ever sleep, and when I do its only for a couple of hours. Maybe they put him on a dose that is too high for him. I take 200 mg in the morning.

Answer 9

I took Zoloft for many years, and it NEVER made me sleepy. I slept when a med I was taking did not work for me. Constant lethargy and sleep are symptoms of untreated depression. I strongly urge your husband to go back to the prescribing doctor and get something else.

Answer 10

It's been a little over a month?
with no return visit to the Psychiatrist/Psychologist?
these are the expected side effects of Zoloft use
SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects of sertraline are sleepiness, nervousness, insomnia, dizziness, nausea, tremor, skin rash, upset stomach, loss of appetite, headache, diarrhea, abnormal ejaculation, dry mouth and weight loss. Important side effects are irregular heartbeats, allergic reactions and activation of mania in patients with bipolar disorder.

He needs to get a appt as soon as you can
sounds like he is still depressed and needs his med dose changed