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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Shell14 on December 2, 2007, at 21:59:17
I'm 14 and i just started taking Zoloft 50mg/day about a month and a half ago for "major depression" and i cant tell if there is a difference, the only thing abnormal is that i get constant never ending migraines but even before the zoloft i always had a headache, is it just intensifying my normal headache?
i read many pages of info. about zoloft and i was wondering if there is anything i can do that will help me not to become dependent on it like missing a dose every few days.
Right now I'm trying the withdraw effects of a short time on Zoloft and they aren't to bad just a little nauseous and i get these spazz attacks . I'm worried that the doctor might up the dosage and the effects might become worse if they eventually take me off Zoloft I'm barely a teenager, does anyone think its bad that i'm a little terrified of having to go through this?
Posted by torachan on December 3, 2007, at 1:59:06
In reply to Zoloft HELP!, posted by Shell14 on December 2, 2007, at 21:59:17
From what I understand, Zoloft may be easier to withdraw from than the other SSRI's or TCA's. If you decide to withdraw, I've heard switching to Prozac, which has a longer half-life helps.
Of course you're terrified of getting involved with medication you've correctly heard carry some risks, but dealing with your problem should be your main priority, which is probably terrifying in its own right. Focus on getting well.
And don't just follow the orders of your doctor if he insists on you increasing your dose. If you feel well at a certain dose or not comfortable about increasing the dose when your daily functioning and well-being are relatively stable, follow your own instincts and don't simply buy in to what your doctor says. Your in charge of your treatment; the doctor is there to assist you in this endeavor, not control you.
Good luck!
Posted by torachan on December 3, 2007, at 2:07:46
In reply to Zoloft HELP!, posted by Shell14 on December 2, 2007, at 21:59:17
Also, If you don't exercise, please do so. Some good cardio exercise ie;treadmill, stairclimbers, jogging outside,etc, up to 20-30 minutes about three or four times a week. If your energy is low which disrupts your motivation to get engaged with exercise, eat some power bars or get a "greens+" supplement drink (its a powder you mix in water that has all vitamins and minerals and other great stuff). The rush you fell after exercising will also help with your motivation, like a conditioned behavioral response. And the long term benefits are tremendous.
Posted by seldomseen on December 3, 2007, at 5:50:55
In reply to Zoloft HELP!, posted by Shell14 on December 2, 2007, at 21:59:17
I'm sorry you haven't been feeling well. I started to become depressed in my teens as well, but didn't get any treatment until I was in my thirties.
I recognize it is tricky to diagnose "major depression" in a teenager as what you feel may just be situational. Are you seeing a psychiatrist or did your general practioner prescribe your meds?
Are you saying that the zoloft isn't helping the depression, but HAS exacerbated your headaches?
This is something that your doctor needs to hear and your parents. I think you should talk to both and express your concerns about starting/ending this med.
Torachan is right - you are in control of your treatment, but be sure your treatment team (parents, doc, therapist) has full information before you do anything. They might be able to really help you.
Seldom.
Posted by star008 on December 3, 2007, at 8:55:59
In reply to Zoloft HELP!, posted by Shell14 on December 2, 2007, at 21:59:17
YOU do have control over what you will and will not take but don;t start messing with your doses all alone.. If you want to get off then ask the Doc who to wean you off. Thre are other meds that might be better for you. It is tempting to do what you want and play with your dosages and although it is never a wise thing to do ..it makes it worse for you since you have no expereince with these meds.. Please ask the doc to take you off this med and find one that doens't add to the headaches.. there are tons of them out there.
Posted by Phillipa on December 3, 2007, at 11:23:47
In reply to Re: Zoloft HELP! » Shell14, posted by star008 on December 3, 2007, at 8:55:59
I have a queston what caused your doctor to decide you were depressed and put you on an antidepressant? Were you suicidal, not going to school, isolating, sleeping all the time, lost interest in your friends and normal likes and dislikes? Phillipa
Posted by bleauberry on December 3, 2007, at 19:29:45
In reply to Zoloft HELP!, posted by Shell14 on December 2, 2007, at 21:59:17
A month and a half is plenty of time to see if it is going to help. Most clinical studies only go that long, maybe some just a little longer. I could dig it up at pubmed, but there is evidence that the difference between 50mg and higher doses is insignificant. So if your doc wants to raise the dose, I would just say no let's do something else. Besides, I would say probably 90% of people who do have a real good response to zoloft lose that good response in a matter of months. Not scientific numbers, just general anecdotal observations over the years. I do remember one guy who did great at 50mg and is still doing great with it 10 years later! That is extremely rare.
I also saw another meta-study where the predictions of a good response were highly correlated with an early response, and the predictions of a poor response were predicted by the absence of an early response. In other words, the med could kick in with more time, but the clinical odds of it are not in your favor.
If you want to put scientific odds in your favor, then lexapro or effexor have the best statistics for success. Plenty of people fail them too though. Of the two, lexapro has the easier side effects and the easier withdrawals. If you get disgusted with the whole thing, there is always Kira brand or Perika brand St Johns Wort.
Doctors do their best, but honestly it is just a guessing game when they write a prescription. The more you know, the better.
My doctor still says, regardless of statistics and regardless of new drugs, that he has more patients doing well on prozac than anything else. Hundreds actually. I was on it for almost 10 years. I had tried paxil and zoloft before that. They didn't do anything. Prozac was way different and started working in just days.
Just stuff to think about.
This is the end of the thread.
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