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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Scleme1 on December 15, 2013, at 12:59:43
Hi all. I've been taking 200mg of Zoloft per day for over 2 years. Before that, I took 40mg of Paxil per day for 10 years (I'm 39). I have OCD (mostly the "O" part) and anxiety. My symptoms ebb and flow, but overall the Zoloft has been pretty good to me. No side effects to speak of except bad cholesterol.
When I am having a hard time (anxiety-wise), one of the things that always fuels my anxiety and puts me in a bad place is thinking about being on such a high dose of Zoloft. I'm not coming off it anytime in the near future, so I will probably be on this stuff the rest of my life.
Does anyone see a problem with that? Should I just continue to take my meds like a good little patient and not worry about the toll it may be taking on my body?
Any insight would be very much appreciated.
Posted by gadchik on December 15, 2013, at 13:51:36
In reply to Long-term, high-dose Zoloft use. Thoughts?, posted by Scleme1 on December 15, 2013, at 12:59:43
Have u tried to taper down to a lower dose to see if u can do well on that?
Posted by Scleme1 on December 15, 2013, at 14:15:44
In reply to Re: Long-term, high-dose Zoloft use. Thoughts? » Scleme1, posted by gadchik on December 15, 2013, at 13:51:36
> Have u tried to taper down to a lower dose to see if u can do well on that?
I haven't really tried tapering down. When I started, I tried staying at 150mg for a while, but it didn't seem to be helping much. Both my therapist and MD agree that higher doses of AD's are needed when treating OCD. They just don't tell you for how long. :)
Posted by gadchik on December 15, 2013, at 14:31:49
In reply to Re: Long-term, high-dose Zoloft use. Thoughts?, posted by Scleme1 on December 15, 2013, at 14:15:44
That's right, I have heard that higher doses r needed for OCD. Is high cholesterol caused by Zoloft able to be controlled?
Posted by Scleme1 on December 15, 2013, at 15:04:36
In reply to Re: Long-term, high-dose Zoloft use. Thoughts? » Scleme1, posted by gadchik on December 15, 2013, at 14:31:49
I have a prescription for Lipitor. They think that'll do the trick.
Posted by gadchik on December 15, 2013, at 16:02:23
In reply to Re: Long-term, high-dose Zoloft use. Thoughts?, posted by Scleme1 on December 15, 2013, at 15:04:36
Has ur weight been affected by zoloft?
Posted by Phillipa on December 15, 2013, at 16:49:49
In reply to Re: Long-term, high-dose Zoloft use. Thoughts? » Scleme1, posted by gadchik on December 15, 2013, at 16:02:23
True higher doses needed with OCD but I'm able to take 25mg of luvox and 5 mg of Lexapro. But still need the benzos at night low dose. How high is your cholesterol and How is it related to the Zoloft? How's your diet? Phillipa
Posted by ed_uk2010 on December 15, 2013, at 16:50:32
In reply to Long-term, high-dose Zoloft use. Thoughts?, posted by Scleme1 on December 15, 2013, at 12:59:43
> Hi all. I've been taking 200mg of Zoloft per day for over 2 years. Before that, I took 40mg of Paxil per day for 10 years (I'm 39). I have OCD (mostly the "O" part) and anxiety. My symptoms ebb and flow, but overall the Zoloft has been pretty good to me. No side effects to speak of except bad cholesterol.
Personally, I would not be concerned. High doses of Zoloft are not associated with any special dangers when compared with standard doses. Normal side effects are more common at high doses but it doesn't appear that you experience any of these.
Posted by Scleme1 on December 15, 2013, at 17:11:43
In reply to Re: Long-term, high-dose Zoloft use. Thoughts? » Scleme1, posted by ed_uk2010 on December 15, 2013, at 16:50:32
Thanks for the replies. My weight isn't great, but not terrible either. I weigh 250lbs, but I am also 6'4"...so not too bad. My bad cholesterol is high, and my good cholesterol is low. Not sure of the numbers, but I don't think they are "off the charts".
I guess I'm really more concerned about what 200mg of Zoloft might be doing to my brain. Seratonin, Dopamine, Neurotransmitters, etc.
I read story after story of SSRI's "pooping out" or of people stopping their SSRI after years of use and never feeling normal again. I just worry that one of those stories may be me someday, and it scares the bejesus out of me if I think about it too long. It fuels my OCD, actually.
Thanks again for the feedback.
Posted by gadchik on December 15, 2013, at 17:46:12
In reply to Re: Long-term, high-dose Zoloft use. Thoughts?, posted by Scleme1 on December 15, 2013, at 17:11:43
I think u have to weigh what the unmedicated ocd does to ur brain, and quality of life, against taking zoloft. Zoloft should come out on top as long as its working. Yeah, there's poop out, but u try something else in that case, and it may never happen to u. Do as much as u can for ur health, such as exercise,good nutrition, good sleep, etc. Live well, and accept ur medication so u wont feel so bad about it. :)
Posted by Phillipa on December 15, 2013, at 20:38:38
In reply to Re: Long-term, high-dose Zoloft use. Thoughts?, posted by Scleme1 on December 15, 2013, at 17:11:43
I have the same, even the cholesterol but there is a cholesterol ratio that takes the total cholesterol and compares to I think it was the HDL's put me at low risk? Phillipa
Posted by Mogger on December 16, 2013, at 1:26:13
In reply to Long-term, high-dose Zoloft use. Thoughts?, posted by Scleme1 on December 15, 2013, at 12:59:43
Being that you have pure o could the ruminating about the dose of zoloft be an OCD thought/feeling that you only ebbs when you are having a tough time? I don't think you have anything to worry about as my doctor has said time and time again to me that it will be ok to be on zoloft for the rest of my life. I think it might be partly your pure o to blame for this worry about zoloft.
Posted by bleauberry on December 17, 2013, at 4:59:23
In reply to Long-term, high-dose Zoloft use. Thoughts?, posted by Scleme1 on December 15, 2013, at 12:59:43
Don't change anything about the zoloft. Instead, add Nortriptyline to it.
Posted by lazylizard on January 2, 2014, at 0:28:46
In reply to Long-term, high-dose Zoloft use. Thoughts?, posted by Scleme1 on December 15, 2013, at 12:59:43
Not to scare you put I took Zoloft 100mg and then 50mg for over 13 years and now I have Tardive Dyskensia. I think if you take such a high dose and for a long time you should stay on it for ever. This happened after I went off the Zoloft and then tried to go back on.
This is the end of the thread.
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