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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by DP on April 11, 2002, at 0:03:27
Hi Everyone,
I've avoided going to my doctor yet again since I knew that all she was going to do was have me try more drugs. I went to her because I recently had a panic attack. This, combined with my constant anxiety, has been more than I can handle by myself. In the past, I've been prescribed Paxil, Wellbutrin and Effexor all to no avail. I'm on day three of trying out Zoloft. I know from experience, it takes time, but I just feel very "weird". I'm experiencing *CONSTANT* nausea and this feeling like I'm "not all there". I've driven through a stoplight intersection, then thinking to myself 10 seconds later, "did I just run a red light"? My coworker who's been on it for a few years tells me Zoloft has been the best thing that's happened to her. I hope this will be the case for me, because I'm starting to think that maybe these adjustment side effects are not worth it.
I suppose if I could be more specific about my symptoms, it's basically this uncontrollable, contsant fear in the back of my mind. An example of this would be, say I have plans to go out with friends tonight. I would worry about my appearance, whether I'll be able to keep up with conversations, whether I'll lose control of my sanity and embarass myself. I'll worry about it all day long - often times, getting to the point where I can't concentrate on anything else. I'll even get sick to my stomach and feel like throwing up.
I'm sure there are others that are going through what I am experiencing, but it's hard to keep even this notion in prospective. I have this intense fear of losing control and possibly being commited to a mental hospital or something. I feel as though if this keeps up, I'll lose my boyfriend (it takes a LOT of effort for me to have a "carefree" facade with him or with my colleagues at work).
I'm an otherwise, healthy 27yo guy who shouldn't be worrying about these kinds of health problems during what I believe is the best times of my life.
If anyone has any input or thoughts, I'd really REALLY appreciate it. I feel very alone and scared.
Thanks!
Jimmy
Posted by TSA West on April 11, 2002, at 1:08:58
In reply to Please help me with Zoloft adjustment!, posted by DP on April 11, 2002, at 0:03:27
This link will be helpful: http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Medication-induced-nausea.html
I have confidence that you _will_ get better on another SSRI, despite the fact that a similar SSRI failed (Paxil):
http://www.vh.org/Providers/Conferences/CPS/11.html
"A more common practice today is switching among SSRIs. For inpatients converted from fluoxetine to sertraline in a retrospective review 56% were considered responders (Zarate et al 1996). In another open trial 63% of outpatients switched from sertraline to fluoxetine responded (Thase et al 1997). In another open report of switching from one SSRI to another the overall success rate ranged from 40 to 67% (average 51%) (Joffe et al 1996).""The most effective organization in the U.S." --Forbes magazine, speaking of the Salvation Army.
Posted by rainbowlight on April 11, 2002, at 1:25:19
In reply to Please help me with Zoloft adjustment!, posted by DP on April 11, 2002, at 0:03:27
I think your side effects are pretty normal. I am on day 5, I believe, and the first few days I had nausea and I felt pretty spacey too (still do somewhat). I do have a sure fire way to get rid of nausea, get ahold of ginger capsules (liquid ginger in capsules), they are available at a health food store. They are cheap and work like a charm. I took them when I was trying to get on lithium and had severe nausea all day. Hopefully you live near a health food store. You can use raw ginger too, which might be available at a grocery store. The Zoloft is working well for my anxiety and OCD already, so there is hope that it does get rid of anxiety. I sure hope it works for you and that you start feeling better soon.
Posted by Spongemomsquarepants on April 14, 2002, at 0:07:48
In reply to Please help me with Zoloft adjustment!, posted by DP on April 11, 2002, at 0:03:27
Hi,
I took zoloft for a year. It took me 3 weeks to adjust to the odd side effects. I felt very disjointed..is that even a word? anyway it was an odd feeling, and I was kind of groggy and lethargic. After 3 weeks I was ok. I gained 30 lbs in a year on it though. I discontinued it, but I still take meds, and I stopped with my Dr. knowing. My anxiety problem is not too severe thank goodness. If and when it takes effect, go work out!! and eat right! I have lost 15 of the 30 I gained, but I am working out 5 days a week and eating well.
Posted by DP on April 14, 2002, at 19:47:56
In reply to Re: Please help me with Zoloft adjustment!, posted by rainbowlight on April 11, 2002, at 1:25:19
Thank you for your message. After I read your post, I ran straight to a nearby health food store that has EVERYTHING but they didn't have ginger capsules. They *DID* have what's called Ginger Root capsules and I got myself some of that. Hasn't worked at all though unfortunately and I think it's used more for women who have morning sickness during pregnancy and menstrual cramps. I gave it a good shot though. I'm on my 7th day now - doesn't seem to be getting any better. . .
HELP!
> I think your side effects are pretty normal. I am on day 5, I believe, and the first few days I had nausea and I felt pretty spacey too (still do somewhat). I do have a sure fire way to get rid of nausea, get ahold of ginger capsules (liquid ginger in capsules), they are available at a health food store. They are cheap and work like a charm. I took them when I was trying to get on lithium and had severe nausea all day. Hopefully you live near a health food store. You can use raw ginger too, which might be available at a grocery store. The Zoloft is working well for my anxiety and OCD already, so there is hope that it does get rid of anxiety. I sure hope it works for you and that you start feeling better soon.
Posted by DP on April 14, 2002, at 19:55:12
In reply to Re: Please help me with Zoloft adjustment! » DP, posted by TSA West on April 11, 2002, at 1:08:58
This was a very interesting article. Thank you so much for responding to my post. It's good to know that there is hope out there.
I also did a search on the web for Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac and I have seen soooooo many horror stories associated with the use of these medications. DOesn't really give me a warm fuzzy feeling about the whole thing, but I'm willing to give it a shot. If there's any merit to the "switching" theory, I'm willing to go through it.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond to me!
> This link will be helpful: http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Medication-induced-nausea.html
>
> I have confidence that you _will_ get better on another SSRI, despite the fact that a similar SSRI failed (Paxil):
>
> http://www.vh.org/Providers/Conferences/CPS/11.html
> "A more common practice today is switching among SSRIs. For inpatients converted from fluoxetine to sertraline in a retrospective review 56% were considered responders (Zarate et al 1996). In another open trial 63% of outpatients switched from sertraline to fluoxetine responded (Thase et al 1997). In another open report of switching from one SSRI to another the overall success rate ranged from 40 to 67% (average 51%) (Joffe et al 1996)."
>
> "The most effective organization in the U.S." --Forbes magazine, speaking of the Salvation Army.
Posted by rainbowlight on April 14, 2002, at 23:30:03
In reply to Re: Please help me with Zoloft adjustment!, posted by DP on April 14, 2002, at 19:55:12
Sorry the ginger didn't work. I have a couple of other things to try: Grapefruit soda (Squirt is one brand) or ginger ale. Peppermint tea (you should be able to find this at the grocery store). If the nausea is severe enough your doctor might be able to prescribe an anti-nausea med. I have noticed that when I have been upping my Zoloft I get nausea for a day or two. I hope you feel better soon!
Posted by Ritch on April 15, 2002, at 10:30:58
In reply to DP - hope the nausea is going away!, posted by rainbowlight on April 14, 2002, at 23:30:03
> Sorry the ginger didn't work. I have a couple of other things to try: Grapefruit soda (Squirt is one brand) or ginger ale. Peppermint tea (you should be able to find this at the grocery store). If the nausea is severe enough your doctor might be able to prescribe an anti-nausea med. I have noticed that when I have been upping my Zoloft I get nausea for a day or two. I hope you feel better soon!
You can get OTC meds for nausea that can work quite well. When I was on Zoloft I often had to do something about it. The one I found worked quite well is meclizine, marketed OTC for car-sickness.
Mitch
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