Any opinions about Zoloft or Sertraline?

Posted by mazel47 @mazel47, Sep 8, 2024

My husband passed away almost a year ago. I do feel a little depressed sometimes. My pcp has prescribed 50 mg sertraline. I have not taken it yet as I do not want to depend on medication. My doctor said I can take half of the pill. Does anyone have any side effects with Setraline

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Profile picture for roseann4z @roseann4z

Just started Zoloft for anxiety/depression-started at 25 mg and then after two weeks increased to about 40 mg by cutting pill in half. Third day at that dose noticing increase in anxiety, shakiness, restless, headache. Assuming these are all side effects and will pass eventually. I need some reassurance that this is worth it. I have so many other medical issues (cancer treatment, migraines etc.) which are causing the need for the Zoloft I just feel hopeless that I will ever feel good physically or mentally again. I am getting some counseling from the oncologist office. Thank you!

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Definitely talk with your doc about your side effects symptoms with the Zoloft. I take Zoloft ( generic) for many yrs now.
I don't remember have any of those side affects. Sounds terrible. . They can test your genetics or blood now to see what Anxiety meds work best for you.
Best of luck. I hope you find a solution soon. Anxiety really runs us down.

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Profile picture for shmerdloff @shmerdloff

I thought Sertraline is Zoloft?

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@shmerdloff Zoloft is a brand name for sertraline. You got it right.

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I was prescribed Sertraline (Zoloft) 25mg by a Neurologist. It was prescribed, supposedly, for depression due to early onset Alzheimers disease (as I was informed later). Why, I wasn't given a reason except it was assumed it would help me with mood/depression when it was prescribed. My body's reaction to this med was the worst. Took half doses for the first week, no identifiable problem. Then started the full 25 mg dose after that. Two days on the 25 mg and I had an extreme reaction. Severe intense and crushing headache that would not let up at all and then COMPLETE memory loss. Then, with complete memory loss, I took myself to the ER for the excruciating headache. However, I have absolutely zero memory of going to the ER. NONE what-so-ever. Don't remember driving, going in to ER, tests, how I got home, what I did during those days, nothing! This memory loss lasted about 3 days. I had to be told about this by other people in that I have, still, no recall at all of those lost days. This is completely unacceptable. I have not taken any more of this drug since then and refuse to in that I live alone and I find it extremely dangerous to completely lose ALL memory, cognitive thinking ability and definitely can't endure crushing headaches with zero relief. Not for me.

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I was prescriped sertraline in 2000 after chemo sent me into early menopause. The doctor said it would help with the hot flashes, which it did. I also noticed a 'lightening' of my mood which at first I attributed to finally getting through my cancer treatments. Over the years I've tried to wean off the med but I always feel a little shaky and "off". My docs say that there may be something that the sertraline is taking the place of and since I have no adverse effects, I can keep using. I wish I could get rid of one pill, but on the other hand, I feel fine with it.

I wouldn't worry about relying on medications. You don't have to take them forever (I was on sertraine several years before I thought about getting off it.) For the most part, they do what they are supposed to do, and you'd be surprised how many people use anti depressants, or maybe should!

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I had a coworker who went on to be a pharmacist and back then 15 years ago she said the most filled prescription was for Prozac.

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