PLEASE help with zoloft!?

Question

I was depressed for years before finally getting the courage to tell my doctor, and even then it was only because my mother made me since my crying spells became daily.

I've been on 100 mg 7 months and the only difference I have noticed is that my crying spells have stopped. I still sometimes feel that life is pointless and even though I don't think about committing suicide, I sometimes feel I wouldn't care if I died.

Also, I'm experiencing occasional nausea, tremors, and insomnia.

What do I do? Does the medication need more time? Sorry to sound whiney but I still feel depressed.

Answer 1

as far as i know, zoloft doesn't have the best reputation among anti-depressants. i know that when i took it, it did little to nothing for me. my sister had the same kind of experience. it usually does take some time for your body to adjust to medication, but after seven months i don't think you'd need any more time. i think what you should do is talk to your doctor about getting a new prescription. do some research on anti-depressants on webmd.com, then talk to your doctor about which new medicine you might want to try to find out which will work best for you. it is very common to go through a trial and error period to find the right meds for you. also, maybe most importantly, know that no pill you choose to take will make you feel like you're walking on cloud-nine at all times. think of the pills more as a springboard, and know that you can help yourself the most by changing your attitude and the ways you think of yourself and others. it might sound like i'm being preachy or whatever, but really, that is surprisingly important.

Answer 2

You do not sound "whiney" so don't worry. :-)

I am no doctor nor an expert, but here's what I observe in your questions. I was put on Zoloft briefly many years ago before the doctor figured out I really had bipolar disorder.

First, if the crying spells stopped, that sounds like an improvement. But it sounds like you are still depressed in other areas in addition to side effects. You need to return to your doctor. He can adjust the dose, change medications or add a second medication. Adjustment of doses in many psychiatric drugs is expected because of the nature of the problem. Your doctor can also tell you how long you should give the medicatoin to start working, although seven months seems long.

When I started taking Zoloft the summer between 9th and 10th grade, I didn't think much of it. But I found that my motivation was going down because I wasn't all that concerned with anything. But I was also bipolar, which undoubtably affected things. In fact, I wasn't suipposed to be on Zoloft to begin with.

If your doctor is unable to get you to a reasonable level, seek to see a psychiatrist. If you are already seeing a psychiatrist and the job is not being done, ask if you could get an opinion from another doctor in the practice or just find another doctor. But remember they cannot get things perfect, so don't aim for perfection, just something reasonable.

Answer 3

It should have helped by now if it was going to. Those symptoms you mentioned could be unwanted side effects of Zoloft. Tell your doctor about this and that you want to try a different one, there are many. If you're depressed b/c of some kind of chemical imbalance you just have to try different drugs to find out which one works best for you. Sometimes it takes a combination. If you're depressed b/c of some personal problems I don't think drugs can really help. In that case, try to find someone to talk to like a good friend, pastor etc...Hope you feel better soon.

Answer 4

The nausea and tremors are common side effects of the drug. By 7 months you should have had some kind of difference other than your crying stopping. You may need to see if you are tolerent to the dose or you need to try something else. Depression is no fun and you have my sympathy.
Go ask your doctor if you maybe need a higher dose or something else if Zoloft is not working properly for you.
Good luck

Answer 5

there are countless antidepressants out there. most recommend a three month period, coupled with counseling. most antidepressant require only 2 weeks to build a therapeutic level in your system.I have taken antidepressants off and on for about 20 years,I find that they may help you not want to die, but you need to find what is triggering the depression. counselors are allot like antidepressants...you may need to try several before you find one you "click" with. when you do find the right one, you will know it.
you may always have times when you are down, a good counselor is someone you can say almost anything to, explain how you are feeling and offer ways to combat the "lows". good luck to you.never give up!!

Answer 6

It sounds like you need to go and see your doctor again. Zoloft is a very strong antidepresant, and it doesn't sound as if it is working as it should for you. I also suggest seeing a Psyoc. and not just your family doc for this. As that is not there area most family docs are best trained in.

Answer 7

my daughter who is now 19 was in your same shoes tell your doctor what you are experiencing and seek a psychiatric help teenage years are the hardest don't give up life is just beginning and you are not alone remember that

Answer 8

you definitely need to go to the doctor and describe these symptoms to him they may be side effects. maybe he could help you by changing your medication because i dont think the medication needs anymore time you need to see a doctor right away honey.

Answer 9

i would see about changing meds i was on zoloft and i was dizzy all the time and sick to my stomach i actually had to sit anywhere didnt matter other wise i woulda fainted