Question about Zoloft and Levoxyl

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-03-2004
Question about Zoloft and Levoxyl
7
Thu, 07-15-2004 - 11:56pm
Hi. I went to see a therapist yesterday and she said that I don't look like someone who is even on any medication because the tears came all too easily and I seemed to be way to depressed for someone on 100mg of Zoloft. She wants me to see a psychiatrist for medication management to see what else to try. She also mentioned that getting in to see a psychiatrist is a very difficult thing in our area and to get several names and just call down the list of dr's until I found one accepting new patients for meds only.

I decided to get my PCP's opinion before going through all the hoops with a new dr. She wants to add 75mcg of Levoxyl to the 100mg of Zoloft. She said that this is a Thyroid medication but that it can help with depression as well.

Has anyone had any experience with this drug combination?

My mother-in-law has had horrible experience with literally over a dozen psychiatrists in the area and even though her case is much more complex than mine, it leaves me feeling quite apprehensive about visiting one.

Should I try this combo first or should I wait and see a psychiatrist?

Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

Rebecca

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-23-2004
Fri, 07-16-2004 - 9:07am
Wow, that is a pretty strong drug combination so early in the game. I was put on Levoxyl recently after having had about a dozen other medications fail. From the research I've read, Levoxyl is usually prescribed in treatment-resistant depression, when all other antidepressants and combinations have failed. Also, 75mcg is a pretty big dose for depression. My dose is 25mcg. I take it with 375mg of Effexor and 300mg of trazodone. I've never taken Zoloft, because my depression was considered too severe right from the start for Zoloft to make any sort of difference. I would ask the GP if she could increase your dose of Zoloft--my roommate takes 250mg, so I know it can go higher than 100mg. Then I would start trying to find a doctor ASAP. You can probably get in in about six to eight weeks, and the increase in Zoloft should hold you until then.



However, if your history includes a lot of drug failures, then I would go with the Levoxyl. Although ask the doc why she wants to start out on such a high dose. The dose isn't high for treatment of thyroid problems, but it is for the treatment of depression.

Hope that helps.

Elise

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Fri, 07-16-2004 - 12:36pm

Well Im not a doctor or an expert but I would think trying a different AD Med might be the better way to go. How long have you been on the Zoloft?

*hugs             

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-03-2004
Sat, 07-17-2004 - 6:15pm
Actually it's my regular dr that wants me to try the Levoxyl with my current dose of Zoloft. I took Prozac over 6 years ago and it didn't work at all for me. After that I wasn't on anything until trying the Zoloft 2 years ago. That worked beautifully until recently. The past 6 months or so it has really stopped working. Not all together, mind you. Before I was on meds, I was seriously considering having myself hospitalized. Now I get frustrated easily and cry about once ever other day or so, which even for a Mom without depression who has 3 little ones ages 3 - 7 isn't all that abnormal. LOL!!!

Any way, I think I would be much more comfortable trying something new rather than adding to a medication that I have obviously built up a tolerance to. Do you guys agree with that line of thought?

I think I should see a pscychiatric nurse rather than a psychiatrist, as well. I would feel much more at ease with a nurse. They seem to have such good bedside manner compared to what a specialist has most of the time. I have met some awesome doctors and specialists but nurses just seem to have that extra bit of understanding that really makes a difference.

Any thoughts? Thank you so much for your help! It makes it easier to think through a problem when you get input from others with similar obstacles!

Rebecca

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-23-2004
Sat, 07-17-2004 - 10:00pm
I think what you want sounds reasonable. If you've only ever taken Zoloft and Prozac, adding Levoxyl is really jumping the gun. Some drugs to consider switching to would be Wellbutrin, Effexor, Celexa, or Lexapro. There's also Paxil, but I've yet to hear of someone having a totally good experience on that drug. There are a lot of side effects and it's really hard to get off of.

If you're more comfortable with a psychiatric nurse, by all means go to one! As long as you get the help you need from someone who is qualified to give it, that's all that matters. I have to say, though, that your regular doctor is really up on the research for someone that doesn't specialise in psychiatric disorders! But you really don't need to be screwing with your thyroid when there are other antidepressants yet to try.

Good luck! Keep us posted!

Elise
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-03-2004
Sun, 07-18-2004 - 2:01am
Thank you. I will!

Rebecca

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-20-2004
Tue, 07-20-2004 - 8:16pm
Hi Rebecca,

I`m Rose.Hey I was surprised to read about levoxyl for depression.I take 150mcc,but for my thyroid.And 100 of zoloft.Have been for years now.But i don`t really fell better.As a matter of fact I`ve started feeling worse.But this is recently since i`ve been off work.Now when i stop taking lev.... I`ll star feeling reeeal fatigued.I don`t do that anymore.But i`m thinking it`s the zoloft that`s not working anymore.Maybe you should try it for a while.It`s a generic ,you know for insurance purposes.I pay 17.$ for it.

Hope this helps

P.S.Research the drug on the web!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2003
Tue, 07-20-2004 - 9:50pm

Hi Rebecca,


The Levoxyl in your title caught my eye so I read through your post and the threads.

IVHealth Ruth Ann
Community Leader/Ask the Health Librarian