Posted by blueberry on November 18, 2006, at 14:14:44
In reply to Would I be crazy, posted by saturn on November 18, 2006, at 11:49:28
> to try another SSRI after having a horrible reaction to Zoloft (8/10 chest pain, heart rate around 150 after a single 50 mg dose)? I think I probably would.
>
> I'm completely gun-shy to try anything else and do not want to use a beta blocker. I mean if I can't tolerate an SSRI from a cardiovascular perspective what *could* I possibly tolerate? Any suggestions? Thanks.
>
> Peace...Saturn
>I sure understand the gunshy thing. That has happened to me so many times. 50mg can actually be a pretty hefty dose to start with for many people. 25mg is a common starting dose. Here are just some opinions of what you could do.
The bad effects you felt are common start-up effects with all ssris and usually go away in 1 to 3 weeks. I've been with prozac for years though and it never tamed down completely. Paxil to me felt like zoloft to you, but in a month it was calm peace. Lexapro to me was not nearly as uncomfortable at the start. Nevertheless, they all did it to varying degrees.
If you really want to give zoloft a trial, I would suggest cutting the tablet so that you get 12.5mg. After 4 days, go to 25mg. As soon as you can go to 37.5mg. And so on. You will find that the first step will be the hardest, the others will get easier, and eventually the steps will be very tame.
Other options would be to try different antidepressants altogether. But in any case, keep in mind you can reduce that first day's dose to whatever you want by either cutting the pill or by mixing capsuled powder into juice and drinking a custom amount.
poster:blueberry
thread:704866
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061117/msgs/704911.html