Sertraline alternative.

[Geodog]

I have been on 100 mg Sertraline for several years, for anxiety and depression. I don’t feel like it helps me much, and have a Doc appt next week. Any suggestions for an alternative to Sertraline. Thanks.

[Blueruth]

This is a super individual decision. My doctor talked me through it then presented me with 3 that she thought would help. From there I did my own research and chose. Now I have a stellar long relationship with my doctor so most people probably wouldn't be asked to make a choice. My point is there are many different characteristics to anti depressants. I can't tell you which is right for you. People will tell you what worked for them but you have no idea if they deal with racing thoughts or sleep all day. I should hope your doctor isn't expecting you to just know.

[AnxiousSilver in reply to Blueruth]

"My doctor talked me through it then presented me with 3 that she thought would help."

Was that a doc or a psych?

For me, I've only found psych's that would give me a choice. (but that's just my experience)

[Blueruth in reply to AnxiousSilver]

PA who specializes in mental health and can prescribe. That isn’t a license everywhere so I just say doctor. They have more education than a nurse but also work under an MD. When I say she recommended 3 we really talked about the difference. She wasn’t starting from ground zero either. Since she isn’t a doctor she will spend more than an hour with you if you need it. So she knows me well. I expect a different experience if you are fresh but I do think 30 minutes is inadequate for mental health issues too.

[AnxiousSilver]

"My point is there are many different characteristics to anti depressants. I can't tell you which is right for you. People will tell you what worked for them but you have no idea if they deal with racing thoughts or sleep all day. I should hope your doctor isn't expecting you to just know."

Couldn't agree with this statement any more.

Sadly with meds, what works for one person doesn't work for another.

.

That's why in my previous (traditional sit down support group) we were never allowed to talk about meds. (especially brand names)

Cuz.. What would happen, is that somebody would share a "Success story" about a pill, and then somebody else would tell their doc/psych that they wanted to switch to that pill, and it usually didn't end well. (this happened on multiple occasions)

[Blueruth in reply to AnxiousSilver]

I’m watching dope sick about oxy and I swear that dude came up with the idea of telling your doctor what you should take.

[AnxiousSilver]

"Any suggestions for an alternative to Sertraline."

What I can tell you is this.

Sertaline is the generic name for Zoloft.

& Zoloft is in a med class of "SSRIs".

.

The good news about SSRIs is that it's probably the "med class" that has the most options.

You just need to find the right option for you. (which will hopefully be a convo that goes well between you and your doc/psych)

[Geodog in reply to AnxiousSilver]

Thanks for giving me an idea of how to approach this issue.

[AnxiousSilver in reply to Geodog]

NP. Hopefully everything works out.

[Yogibear11]

The doc will probably increase the dose of zoloft, that is the gold standard in psychiatry when meds don't work. I strongly recommend not ceasing the zoloft cold turkey. Your life will be hell, best to titrate down or better still switch to trailing a new antidepressant like effexor. There are several different classes of antidepressants, SSRI, SNRI, Tricyclics, MAO's which have a lot of bad side effects. I found that zoloft turns you into a walking zombie, devoid of all feelings, good and bad. Good luck, it is simply trial and error. I found the best antidepressant to be living a healthy life. Eating healthy foods, exercise like walking daily and finding a hobby or some interest in life. Hopefully before you were put on an antidepressant, I hope you had a FBE (full blood examination) to rule out depression from lack of vit D, Fe (Iron) or thyroid problems

[Geodog in reply to Yogibear11]

Thanks, I am trying to improve my heathy living in small steps.