Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 5090

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Zoloft taking full effect after 3 months?

Posted by Daniel on April 20, 1999, at 12:03:10

Hello everybody,

I have been taking Zoloft 100 mg a day in 2 doses for about 4 and a half months.

I know this is probably a difficult question to answer that I'm going to ask, I understand that each of us is different, so medication may work in a different way with each of us;

As far as I know, Zoloft should take the full effect in about 2 to 4 weeks, in "extreme cases" 4 to 6 weeks. It seems that with me, it took the full effect after some 2 and a half to 3 months (!). During that "initial" period my major depression was not that bad than prior to starting the treatment, but still, I very often felt highly irritable for no apparent reason, suffered from lack of energy and motivation, slept more than usual, and had very poor appetite. Then, it seems like all of a sudden, the medication PROBABLY "kicked in" - I feel I have much more energy, my mood has lifted although I am not extremely cheerful or merry, and my appetite is very good. In addition, apart from slightly diminished sex drive, I do not observe any other side effects.

I know that I shlould be happy with the things just as they are unfolding - good for me - instead of "ruminating" about it all, but still, I have this question: would it be possible that my major depression has gradually "worn off" in some sort of a spontaneous way (given the long period for the medication to kick in)? (Maybe it gradually worn off "with a little help from my friend" Zoloft :-)

"I am glad that I am happy" and most of all, I am really glad that I didn't switch to any other medication...

Thank you and wishing you all the same success,

Daniel

 

Re: Zoloft taking full effect after 3 months?

Posted by Jack on April 24, 1999, at 15:41:01

In reply to Zoloft taking full effect after 3 months?, posted by Daniel on April 20, 1999, at 12:03:10

I take Zoloft too, so I'll give you my take on the subject. (I am not a doctor) Depressive episodes will usually recede after a few months by themselves even without medication.

I wonder did you start at 100mg/day? Because Zoloft didn't work for me until I upped the dosage to 100mg.

Glad you feel better. It's a great feeling isn't it? If those depressive symptoms return, keep your doc posted.

 

Re: Zoloft taking full effect after 3 months?

Posted by Daniel on April 26, 1999, at 12:19:21

In reply to Re: Zoloft taking full effect after 3 months?, posted by Jack on April 24, 1999, at 15:41:01

> I wonder did you start at 100mg/day?

Dear Jack,

I started with 50mg Zoloft a day, the effect lasted for about a week and after that I had very unstable mood for about one more week (first feeling OK, then down again) and then for about 2 weeks I was totally down again. Then the doc told me to take 50 mg with breakfast and 50 mg with lunch. The following 2 and a half months was a real struggle with my irritability and other "milder" symptoms, but now I fortunately feel generally well, stabilized.

Take care

Daniel

 

Re: Zoloft taking full effect after 3 months?

Posted by alison on April 27, 1999, at 22:01:04

In reply to Zoloft taking full effect after 3 months?, posted by Daniel on April 20, 1999, at 12:03:10

>HI glad that you are feeling better. I too take Zoloft but... I take 200mg per day in the morning. As you say it is supposed to work within a few weeks but there is no way that mine did either. I have taken them for approximately 4 months. I am feeling better but not 100% yet, not even 75% yet. At least I can go out of the house now. I suffer from panic attacks, agoraphobia, dissociation and depression because of all the anxiety.
Well my story is written at the beginning of April I think if you wanted to know more about my troubles !!!
alison

 

Re: Zoloft taking full effect after 3 months?

Posted by Sean on April 29, 1999, at 14:32:44

In reply to Zoloft taking full effect after 3 months?, posted by Daniel on April 20, 1999, at 12:03:10

> Hello everybody,
>
> I have been taking Zoloft 100 mg a day in 2 doses for about 4 and a half months.
>
> I know this is probably a difficult question to answer that I'm going to ask, I understand that each of us is different, so medication may work in a different way with each of us;
>
> As far as I know, Zoloft should take the full effect in about 2 to 4 weeks, in "extreme cases" 4 to 6 weeks. It seems that with me, it took the full effect after some 2 and a half to 3 months (!). During that "initial" period my major depression was not that bad than prior to starting the treatment, but still, I very often felt highly irritable for no apparent reason, suffered from lack of energy and motivation, slept more than usual, and had very poor appetite. Then, it seems like all of a sudden, the medication PROBABLY "kicked in" - I feel I have much more energy, my mood has lifted although I am not extremely cheerful or merry, and my appetite is very good. In addition, apart from slightly diminished sex drive, I do not observe any other side effects.
>
> I know that I shlould be happy with the things just as they are unfolding - good for me - instead of "ruminating" about it all, but still, I have this question: would it be possible that my major depression has gradually "worn off" in some sort of a spontaneous way (given the long period for the medication to kick in)? (Maybe it gradually worn off "with a little help from my friend" Zoloft :-)
>
> "I am glad that I am happy" and most of all, I am really glad that I didn't switch to any other medication...
>
> Thank you and wishing you all the same success,
>
> Daniel

I bet your response is a bit of both, although for
me Zo kicks in by the end of a week and I cannot
tolerate a 50mg dose daily; I stop sleeping.


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