125 mg of Sertraline (Zoloft)
I have been on this high dosage of zoloft for many years (over 10 years). I also take 50 mg of Atenolol. I feel good with this amount of zoloft. Initially I was on a very low dose of 25 mg --- was not working. Fifty mg of zoloft was the increase -- still was not working. I was so miserable waiting for this drug to work. Then my DR increased my dosage to 100 mg. My symptoms still were there -- not as severe -- but still had unpleasant symptoms. Finally, I asked for an increase to 125 mg of Zoloft. Finally, I began to feel better. More than likely, 150 mg would probably even be better -- which is what a psychiatrist informed me after an exam. However, I was afraid to make the leap to 150. Thus, I implemented other mental boosting strategies into my regimen. --- such as a very low carb diet, exercise, prayer and meditation, etc. I have OCD also --- which was my biggest nuisance! Thus, the sertraline (Zoloft) of 125 mg helps this very much. I didn't have the repetitive hand-washing --- it was more of the repetitive thoughts, fears, irritability.

I often wondered if I COULD EVER GET OFF of 125 mg of the Zoloft. My doctor said that if it is helping, stay on it. Thus, I am afraid that if I lower the dosage even, that the OCD and depression symptoms might return severely. Occasionally, I have had mild recurrences when I am stressed out. Once, I deal with the stressful situation, then I am okay again. NEVERTHELESS, I was also informed by my DRs (gen prac & former psychiatrist) that when matters are extremely stressful, and I feel that I need help coping to add the Xanax to the mix. That amount is just 25 mg. I have been instructed to not take this often -- only as needed. Thus, I rarely take the Xanax --- maybe 1 pill a month or every 2 months -- depends on the need.
Initially when the Sertraline (Zoloft) was not working after just getting on it, I had to take the Xanax every day with the 125 mg of Sertraline to arrest the awful/ unbearable symptoms. Once the sertraline started working after about a month of taking it --- I could get off the Xanax and take only when needed , I do find that my hands get extremely cold . But this could be from the 50 mg of Atenolol that I take (been taking over 20 years). As a whole, I am pretty healthy. My diet is very healthy and clean. I am 5'2" and weigh about 118 lbs and I am over 65 years old.
THUS, IS IT harmful to never stop taking the sertraline (Zoloft) and the atenolol?
What is the best meds for OCD? The sertraline seems to be working well for me, but I am taking it also for anxiety and panic attacks. I do get heart palpitations sometime and I used to get PVCs quite often. Thus the meds (atenolol and sertraline) seemed to help with the PVCs and palpitations. Occasionally, I will get palpitations --- and I blame that on a side effect of the atenolol. My concern is that I probably will never be able to stop taking either drugs --- Sertraline (Zoloft) or the atenolol. I now take the atenolol to help with my blood pressure, too -- now -- didn't always because my pressure used to be very low consistently. Then my cardiologist added Rosuvastatin to the mix to help with chloresterol which creeps up sometimes -- even with this healthy diet of mine.
MAIN QUESTION is what are the long-terms side effects of SERTRALINE (Zoloft)? Looks like I might have to be on it forever. I am afraid to try weaning. I would not be able to handle the OCD symptoms anymore . Friends have said that I should try weaning myself off of the Zoloft. My doctor said not if it is helping me --- my quality of life is SO, SO much better. It took forever, forever to get the Zoloft working --- but when it did --- it was worth it! LAD