Zoloft/symptoms

[geniekid39]

Hello, I have been taking Zoloft for three weeks which seems to me too short a time to be having crazy symptoms. Right or wrong? I am having "pre" events and "in and out" events all related to dizziness and passing out. I am also having sweating occassion AND, I don't seem to be able to walk farther than 10 feet or so, before having to stop and catch my breath. Any ideas?

[Pam Alexson]

Yes,

Call your cardiologist ASAP and discuss what you have written here about your symptoms. We all respond differently to medication.

In fact when serotonin is low in our system, we can respond rather quickly. It does usually take a full 2-4 weeks to ascertain a good response. One of the issues with SSRI's( serotonin reuptake inhibitors) zoloft is one of them, is that when the system is becoming accustomed to the effect there is no way to prevent lots of symptoms from occuring as your neurological system switches on to receive it. At each neuron synapse we have all these little receptors; for nausea, balance , appetite, headache etc. etc. What happens in the early phase of medication titration is they all switch on. As we become more accustomed to the medication and our neurological system equilavates, the symptoms can abate. Sometimes ,however, this does not occur due to intolerance, too high a dose , not the right med., interactions, etc. Does this make sense?

So most important, your doctor who prescribed and your cardiologist need to be aware of how you are doing and it needs to be a collaberative effort to help you feel better.

Pam

[geniekid39]

Pam, Thank you! That made alot more sense than all the pages I have been reading. I did call the cardiologist. He would like me to take one more month's worth and then I will go in and we will talk about all these symptoms. It is frustrating that these symptoms make you feel as if you are going backwards!
Barbi

[Toogoofy317]

Zoloft really messed me up bad. One quack put me on it because I was having a rough time with the disease and the loss of a career because of it. I was on it a very short time not only was my heart acting all funky but it also messed me up mentally. I went beserk woke up in the middle of the night wanting to kill myself. At one point I even broke out of the four point restraints at the hospital. Those that know me I'm not like that!

Finally, a good psychiatrist came by and said she is having situational depression. It is not a chemical imbalance and these drugs will only have a bad effect. He said the best thing for me was talk thereapy.

Hope this helps.

Mary S.

[Lisa Salberg]

Mary,
I am very happy to hear that you have found a good doctor. Medication - regardless which ones are wonderful...IF you need them...if you do not need them ...well they can do very bad things! Proper diagnosis - regardless of condition is so important.

Best wishes,
Lisa

[Toogoofy317]

Yeah, one doc out of how many (ok two). Guess I haven't told you I still can't get a local cardio to take me on until I get insurance. I'm over it!

Mary S.