Zoloft not so great now!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2005
Zoloft not so great now!
4
Thu, 04-20-2006 - 1:03pm

It has only been 3 weeks. First 2 were pretty good. When i was taking the 25mg I was pretty convinced it was working. But this week I have been very anxious. PMS, asthma aggravated from my anxiety I guess, just not a good week. I thought Zoloft was supposed to relieve the "PMS Crazys" - my friend takes it for that. No such luck for me. To top it off...I did not take the whole sexual side effect thing seriously - mistake - sex drive still there - orgasm gone. completely. (pardon my bluntness!, kind of embarassing!)

I have an appmt with my dr tomorrow. I just took my last 50 mg of my trial pack.

The only rx I have read about that does not cause sexual dysfuncion is Wellbutrin, and it seems that is not a good choice for people with anxiety????? So now what! argh.

Do I need to give the zoloft more time? Does this get better or is it likely to stick around?

THANK YOU!!!!!
Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 04-20-2006 - 1:17pm

Hey, Molly. I was on Zoloft very very briefly (less than 2 weeks) several years ago. I had to stop taking it because it made me sick to my stomach. But I wanted to let you know that I sympathize with you about the sexual side effects of antidepressants. I wasn't on Zoloft long enough for me to know if it would affect me that way, but SSRIs are famous for that side effect. If you experience it with Zoloft, you're likely to experience it with other SSRIs like Paxil, Lexapro, Celexa, etc. I took both Paxil and Celexa and my sex drive disappeared. It was awful, and I opted to stop taking SSRIs altogether. Depression makes me feel bad enough--I don't need my sex drive to go away too.


I am on Wellbutrin XL and have been for nearly a year. I have experienced no sexual side effects with it, but it has caused insomnia. Also, I was put on it for depression and not anxiety. My anxiety didn't really start kicking up until after I had been on the drug for several months, so my doctor doesn't think the drug had anything to do with it.


If you are bothered by the sexual side effects, by all means talk to your doctor. This is a very common complaint with SSRIs. It is possible that it will get better, or it may not. You have the right to ask to be put on a different drug. See what your doctor suggests.


Hang in there,


Laura

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Registered: 03-13-2001
Thu, 04-20-2006 - 1:42pm
Howdy!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Thu, 04-20-2006 - 2:41pm

Unfortunately I don't have any answers for you. I have only taken two days of the 50mgs in teh starter pack so far. I haven't really noticed any changes in my moods yet. But both my therapist and my doctor said it could take a couple of weeks.


I have definitely noticed that I am sleepier. I went to sleep yesterday when I got home at 5, slept til 8, went back to bed at 11 and slept til I got up at 7:30!! I am experiencing some loose bowels today that have to be from the meds and

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  &nb

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 04-20-2006 - 3:18pm

According to the literature, it does take 4 to 6 weeks to get optimal effect from the antidepressants. That is for both anxiety & depression. In my personal experience, it did take that long. I posted a new article in the Explore iV & H&WB thread about side effects yesterday. Check it out below. Meds do affect us individually. Only you & your dr. will know what med is best. I hope you get to feeling better. I know that no AD has ever totally stopped me from having increased anxiety during my period. Others on the board have reported their cycles to have much to do with how they feel & are able to cope. Good luck! Keep us updated. (((hugs))) jan