Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 9519

Shown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Tolerance to Zoloft??

Posted by Fer on August 2, 1999, at 21:37:10

a friend of mine has been taking zoloft for 6 years with
success;
over the years his doseage has been icreased due to o couple of relapses;
he is currently on the highest recommended doseage (200 mg?);
and has been having severe depressive episodes for the last few months;
is there such thing as building a tolerance to zoloft? how can we find more info?
what are the options??

 

Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??

Posted by Wayne R. on August 3, 1999, at 7:48:55

In reply to Tolerance to Zoloft??, posted by Fer on August 2, 1999, at 21:37:10

Fer, It is quite common for this to happen with many of the meds. Your friend should consult the Dr about moving to another med or augmenting with something that might kick start the Zoloft again. Sorry, but this tends to be the nature of the beast... Wayne

 

Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??

Posted by fer on August 3, 1999, at 10:27:40

In reply to Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??, posted by Wayne R. on August 3, 1999, at 7:48:55

thanks wayne,

this seems very logical to me; i just can't understand why there's not more info on it; any suggestions?

 

Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??

Posted by Sean on August 3, 1999, at 11:50:10

In reply to Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??, posted by fer on August 3, 1999, at 10:27:40

> thanks wayne,
>
> this seems very logical to me; i just can't understand why there's not more info on it; any suggestions?

Many people (physicians and patients) know about
this, but I think the pharmaceutical companies
have nothing to gain by having this become common
knowledge.

On the flip side, depression itself appears self
limiting for most people. That is, the beast also
has an episodic nature which if left alone, seems
to eventually fade. When I think of the years I
spent dealing with it this way I am very glad to
have the ADs around!

Best of luck for you friend.

Sean.

 

Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??

Posted by Seedwoman on August 4, 1999, at 10:56:10

In reply to Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??, posted by Sean on August 3, 1999, at 11:50:10

> > thanks wayne,
> >
> > this seems very logical to me; i just can't understand why there's not more info on it; any suggestions?

augmentation with Buspar can help to "boost" Zoloft as its effectiveness wanes. this strategy really helped me, although the effects were temporary and created a series of highs & lows as the new dose of Buspar kicked in each time. then we added something else to produce a complex cocktail that seems to be holding up.

good luck.
>

 

Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??

Posted by Wayne R. on August 4, 1999, at 11:43:04

In reply to Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??, posted by Seedwoman on August 4, 1999, at 10:56:10

For me Naltrexone was the magic augmentation strategy. See my postings on this site beginning in Feb. for my story. Wayne

 

Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??

Posted by Jaypee on August 7, 1999, at 9:15:04

In reply to Tolerance to Zoloft??, posted by Fer on August 2, 1999, at 21:37:10


My wife has had exactly the same problem ...
Zoloft ceased 'working' and we've been searching for a replacement since (18 months) suplementary meds have not even been suggested - Is this a new strategy that hasn't filtered down to Colonial Australia ...?

 

Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??

Posted by Wayne R. on August 8, 1999, at 8:08:05

In reply to Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??, posted by Jaypee on August 7, 1999, at 9:15:04

There are many commonly used augmentation strategies that are used. I would expect most pdocs to be aware of them. You may want to check out the Tips section of this site for examples. Someone else might be able to join in and summarize some of the more established augmentations. The use of Naltrexone is one of the lesser known strategies. Wayne

 

Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??

Posted by Tim on August 9, 1999, at 8:26:37

In reply to Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??, posted by Wayne R. on August 8, 1999, at 8:08:05

>My original dose of 50 mg wasn't completely effective and so was increased incrementaly but fairly rapidly to 400 mg which I take in one dose. I sometimes feel I detect a tolerance but Dr assures me that is very rare.

Does anyone know of any risk in taking twice maximum recommended dose? If not - try an increased dose instead of a supplement.

There are many commonly used augmentation strategies that are used. I would expect most pdocs to be aware of them. You may want to check out the Tips section of this site for examples. Someone else might be able to join in and summarize some of the more established augmentations. The use of Naltrexone is one of the lesser known strategies. Wayne

 

Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??

Posted by joanna on October 23, 1999, at 2:54:48

In reply to Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??, posted by Wayne R. on August 3, 1999, at 7:48:55

> Fer, It is quite common for this to happen with many of the meds. Your friend should consult the Dr about moving to another med or augmenting with something that might kick start the Zoloft again. Sorry, but this tends to be the nature of the beast... Wayne

I've experienced the tolerance to Zoloft after taking it for 1.5 year. I wish somebody helped me at this time, as I loose 2 years of my life. You may consider the augmentation with stimulants or Desipramine. Of course, everyone's chemistry is different.

 

Re: Tolerance to Zoloft?? --A very simple solution

Posted by VJ on October 26, 1999, at 20:57:08

In reply to Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??, posted by Wayne R. on August 3, 1999, at 7:48:55

Dont take the pill for a week or two..not until you feel low again...then take it again..it will work again! Maybe even with a lower dosage than before...

or try paxil for some time, then move back to zoloft

try some simple "boosters" like benadryl, wellbutrin, etc

> Fer, It is quite common for this to happen with many of the meds. Your friend should consult the Dr about moving to another med or augmenting with something that might kick start the Zoloft again. Sorry, but this tends to be the nature of the beast... Wayne

 

Re: Tolerance to Zoloft?? --A very simple solution

Posted by Bob on October 26, 1999, at 21:16:28

In reply to Re: Tolerance to Zoloft?? --A very simple solution, posted by VJ on October 26, 1999, at 20:57:08

> Dont take the pill for a week or two..not until you feel low again...then take it again..it will work again! Maybe even with a lower dosage than before...

Sorry, VJ, but in general this is rather unsound advice.

Again, different meds - different people - different effects. But being on Zoloft for 6 years and for some of that time at the maximum dose (200mg), stopping cold turkey is asking for a world full of withdrawal grief. I also believe it is more often the case that when restarting a med you have stopped for a while (don't know what the time period for this is, so maybe someone can correct/add to this) it can be far LESS effective than it had been. I learned that lesson about Zoloft the hard way.

Bob

 

Re: BENADRYL???

Posted by Jeff on October 26, 1999, at 21:22:51

In reply to Re: Tolerance to Zoloft?? --A very simple solution, posted by Bob on October 26, 1999, at 21:16:28

VJ...Do you know what Benadryl is...it certainly will not augment an antidepressant.

 

Re: BENADRYL???

Posted by vj on October 27, 1999, at 8:29:51

In reply to Re: BENADRYL???, posted by Jeff on October 26, 1999, at 21:22:51

For some people whose "pooping" out is marked by an increase in the side effects of agitation and akathisia, benadryl is helpful.

> VJ...Do you know what Benadryl is...it certainly will not augment an antidepressant.

 

Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??

Posted by NR on November 26, 2002, at 14:04:09

In reply to Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??, posted by joanna on October 23, 1999, at 2:54:48

I'm bipolar. I'm on Zoloft and Depakote, but switched to Neurontin recently. I've learned that I've built up a tolerance to Zoloft, just recently. In the course of changing, augmenting/ and getting the meds just right, has anyone had to take a Leave of Absence from work?

I am on the corporate fast track, and I'm highly thought of at work. (please know that I'm not an egomaniac here, I'm just trying to draw the picture for you). However, lately, I am finding that I can't perform my job at all. I just sit at my desk in a daze, when before I was very highly productive. Now, I can't work; I am paranoid. I cry all day, and I think that I'm going to get fired if they catch on to my lack of performance.

 

Re: Tolerance to Zoloft?? » NR

Posted by LyndaK on November 27, 2002, at 2:47:12

In reply to Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??, posted by NR on November 26, 2002, at 14:04:09

Boy, I can relate -- not to being on a corporate fast-track, but to sitting at my desk in a daze, having anxiety attacks, and having emotional meltdowns (crying) at work. I did my best to hide but wasn't always successful.

First off, I don't think your medication is working for you. It is possible that you've developed tolerance, but it is also possible that the Zoloft is causing the inability to concentrate -- it did that to me (although the depression wasn't much better), but once I got onto a different medication that didn't have that particular side-effect my ability to perform at work VASTLY improved -- even showed up on my next performance eval. Not everyone has that problem with Zoloft, but it definitely had adverse cognitive effects for me. I don't have any personal experience with the other medications that you mentioned.

I also had a supervisor who I was able to be upfront and honest with about what was going on. That enabled her to support me as best she could as I continued to seek treatment. I realize not everyone feels safe/comfortable doing this. A Leave of Absence might relieve some of the performance anxiety of work while you try to find the right meds. I never did that, but I certainly had days when I called in sick because I just couldn't get it together emotionally. In planning a medication change I might take a few days off to allow myself time to adjust to any initial side-effects.

I truely empathise with you. I know the scene you describe. But I'm finally on a med. that's working well for me and my productivity is back to where it should be again. (BTW I'm not bipolar. I'm on Remeron for depression). Work with your doc. If you decide to go off the Zoloft be aware that it can have withdrawal side-effects. I did best when I took it slow -- "cold-turkey" sent me into suicidal thoughts.

Hope you find something that works well for you soon.
Best Wishes,
Lynda

 

Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??

Posted by NR on November 27, 2002, at 8:02:29

In reply to Re: Tolerance to Zoloft?? » NR, posted by LyndaK on November 27, 2002, at 2:47:12

Thank you Lynda. Just knowing someone else has experienced this, your message helps me immensely.

 

Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??

Posted by Peter S. on November 27, 2002, at 14:47:49

In reply to Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??, posted by NR on November 27, 2002, at 8:02:29

I also empathize very much.
I quit a very unsatisfactory job recently because it was just becoming too much. Now I'm looking for work but when I'm depressed, my interviewing skills go down to zero. No self confidence, no energy, etc.

I'm beginning to come to the conclusion after many years that I'm bipolar 2 or 3. I find anti-depressants make my cycles worse. As a matter of fact I had a hypo-manic episode when I tried Zoloft followed by a major crash.

Currently I'm taking Neurontin, Lamictal and Lithium and praying that this will work.

If your bipolar and Zoloft is not working, you may want to look at more mood stabilizers

All the best of luck!

Peter

 

You are very welcome. (nm) » NR

Posted by LyndaK on November 27, 2002, at 20:00:05

In reply to Re: Tolerance to Zoloft??, posted by NR on November 27, 2002, at 8:02:29


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