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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 eris-24 on January 28, 2003, at 13:17:09
I've made some bad decisions and I need some advice.
I've had a sort of "blah" depression for 8 years. I tried seeing doctors and therapists but it wasn't very helpful. They put me on a few different medications, but because of a lot of HMO crap, I didn't stay on any of them or work out which one was right for me. One of those medications was Zoloft; I took it for two weeks once before the HMO screwed me over, but I don't remember anything about it. That was over a year ago; I've still been depressed the whole time.
For the last three months I've been unemployed and addicted to GHB. The G helped tremendously with my depression for the first two weeks, but after that it lost its effect and I just kept taking it to keep the withdrawal at bay (every 1-2 hours). I am almost out now; the last dose will be around 5pm EST. At that point, my dopamine will stop being supressed and will rebound above normal levels for about three days before it settles down.
Part of the withdrawal is sadness and a sense of hopelessness for the first few days. A deeper depression will manifest in about 30 days (because I have suffered from depression before). With this sudden combination of melancholic and non-melancholic depression, I think there would be a risk of suicide.
Now, this isn't a cry for help. I'm sure I can get through this. But to make it easier, I'm planning on taking Zoloft again.
Since I am unemployed, I can't afford to go to the doctor for about another month and a half. On Friday I will start a job I applied for just for that purpose. In the meantime, I'm going to have to self-medicate with Zoloft.
Yes, I know, you don't like people self-medicating, and you're not doctors so you aren't qualified to help me and all. But I don't know what else to do but try this myself until I can see a real doctor. I don't care about side effects, I just want to get through this alive. I know he'll be able to help me regulate my meds after I see him.
I promise I will go to the doctor as soon as I can. I just need some advice, as you guys know what you're talking about, you've been there.
If you've taken Zoloft before, what has been a helpful dosage for you? How should I build up the dosage?
You should know, even if you don't offer any advice, I'm going to end up medicating myself anyway.
Thanks.
eris
Posted by McPac on January 28, 2003, at 19:45:11
In reply to Zoloft... help!, posted by eris-24 on January 28, 2003, at 13:17:09
I would start at 50 mg. if I were you. 50 mg. MAY be enough for you. You MAY not need to raise the dosage. It will take a while to build up in your system; the time it takes to become very effective will vary from person to person. It DOES help me, yet there are some people that it may not help (NO drug works for EVERYBODY). You may get a nauseous stomach at first; possible diarrhea, headache. For me, those initial symptoms passed pretty quickly. "IF" you were going to increase the dose, you could then try 100 mg. BUT if you are feeling 'okay', I'd try to stay at 50 mg. for a while to see if that would be all you would need. After 2-3 weeks, IF YOU STILL FELT VERY DEPRESSED, then you could try 100 mg.
Posted by proud mary on January 29, 2003, at 10:07:49
In reply to eris Re: Zoloft... help!, posted by McPac on January 28, 2003, at 19:45:11
The first thing I need to know is, what is GHB?
If you've been approved to take zoloft before, I would follow the 50 mg. advice and STICK with it...Hopefully you have enough to last you the month it will take to kick in and then get the updated medical help you need. Zoloft helped me quite a bit, but as everyone keeps saying, everyone's brain chemistry is different, so...it's not guaranteed.I have no idea, of course, what town or city you live in, but I was able to get mental health help here in san antonio when I had NO MONEY and certainly no benefits. It was DIFFICULT, but I kept at it because the alternative was giving up my life (in more ways than one). Is there a psych emergency ward there at all? is there a drug rehab facility that helps street people or recovering addicts? I'm not refering to your self medicating--I'm just saying that sometimes they are able to offer you some social services to help you get the help you need more quickly.
I hope you have some sort of support person (family, friends, significant other) who can help you. Reach out...you might be surprised
Good luck...
Mary
> I would start at 50 mg. if I were you. 50 mg. MAY be enough for you. You MAY not need to raise the dosage. It will take a while to build up in your system; the time it takes to become very effective will vary from person to person. It DOES help me, yet there are some people that it may not help (NO drug works for EVERYBODY). You may get a nauseous stomach at first; possible diarrhea, headache. For me, those initial symptoms passed pretty quickly. "IF" you were going to increase the dose, you could then try 100 mg. BUT if you are feeling 'okay', I'd try to stay at 50 mg. for a while to see if that would be all you would need. After 2-3 weeks, IF YOU STILL FELT VERY DEPRESSED, then you could try 100 mg.
Posted by eris-24 on January 30, 2003, at 1:16:57
In reply to Zoloft... help!, posted by eris-24 on January 28, 2003, at 13:17:09
Thanks guys. I'll try 50mg.
Once a day? 25 twice a day?
GHB is a steroid-like street drug that you ingest as a liquid. erowid.org/chemicals/ghb It causes heightened mood, increased motivation and sociability. It makes everything in life seem interesting again. Basically, it's an instant cure for depression.
Since you can take too much and fall asleep, or pass out if it's mixed in an alcoholic drink, it has been called a "date rape" drug. Before it was taken off the market during the Roofies scare, it was available OTC at gyms and health food stores.
It wears off within 3 hours, so I was taking it basically 24 hours a day every hour or so.
I'm drawing out my last little bit for as long as I can (it's so hard to give up..). I should run out totally sometime tomorrow. I took my first 50mg of Zoloft at noon today.
Thanks again.
eris
Posted by seahorse on January 30, 2003, at 2:22:16
In reply to Re: Zoloft... help!, posted by eris-24 on January 30, 2003, at 1:16:57
really--you should check with doc asap and explain money/job situation...I was not working for a while and my doc and I worked something out for payment. I think someone else suggested city social services, another great idea, also religious groups--like catholic charities or Jewish welfare--they help anyone. A doc can get you on something that is best for you and may work faster...all the better for interviewing. hang in there
Posted by agencypanic on January 30, 2003, at 10:13:23
In reply to Re: Zoloft... help!, posted by seahorse on January 30, 2003, at 2:22:16
> really--you should check with doc asap and explain money/job situation...I was not working for a while and my doc and I worked something out for payment. I think someone else suggested city social services, another great idea, also religious groups--like catholic charities or Jewish welfare--they help anyone. A doc can get you on something that is best for you and may work faster...all the better for interviewing. hang in there
Maybe these sites can help you out.
Posted by eris-24 on February 4, 2003, at 17:21:10
In reply to Zoloft... help!, posted by eris-24 on January 28, 2003, at 13:17:09
I'm on Day 4 clean from GHB. No problems.
Today the withdrawal seemed to be over and I felt relatively normal. So I started the daily Zoloft schedule today at 3pm. 50mg.
To my surprise I noticed a difference about half an hour later! I thought this was supposed to take two weeks, at least. But no, something has definitely changed....
I'm drowsy, kind of calm and mellow, and I'm getting random "pins and needles" in different places of my body occasionally. Is this normal when you first start taking Zoloft? Does it go away?
Had one run to the bathroom, too, but I know that's normal. Just wondering about the other stuff. Any thoughts?
Thanks!
eris
This is the end of the thread.
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