ptsd and zoloft

[Meowmix8]

I have ptsd stemming from an incident in April 2023. Am now on Zoloft 50 mg. Today is day 12. Any advice as this is all new to me. Today I got up and really felt awful . I think this is the worst day ever. Can anyone give me support?? I’m 77 years old and want my happy, life back!!

[Attaloss01]

Well, if it's going to be the antidepressant that works for you then give it a week or so longer. You can alway check with your doctor. One size doesn't fit all. I had to try out 3. Paxil ended up helping me a lot. Nut that's just me. Good luck!!

[Meowmix8 in reply to Attaloss01]

Had you tried Zoloft? If so, did it not work for you?

[Tealpillow]

I’m on 150 mg of Zoloft and it’s the only drug that’s worked for me long term. The side effects were very difficult but they eventually went away (head shocks, nausea, extremely tired). It’s been about 5 years and I’m a functioning human being! I’d say stick it out as best you can but definitely communicate your experience with your doctor. We don’t want you to suffer anymore than you already are!

[Meowmix8 in reply to Tealpillow]

Thank you! How long before it took effect? What dosage did you start with?

[Tealpillow in reply to Meowmix8]

I started on 50 but had to get bumped up a few times due to stressful personal crap lol. I felt truly better (like functional) by the 3rd month. It was difficult, but in my case, well worth it. Let me know if you have other questions

[Meowmix8 in reply to Tealpillow]

When did you actually begin to feel better? Anytime before 3 months?

[Tealpillow in reply to Meowmix8]

It was gradual - I felt a little better within just a few weeks but it was hard to be happy because of the side effects. The solid change happened within 3 months I’d say … but I have had to increase the dose over time.

[Meowmix8 in reply to Tealpillow]

Thank you.

[yhsbirny]

An anti-depressant like Zoloft usually takes about 6-8 weeks to kick in, although if it going to work you may see some effects after about 4 weeks. Also, 50 mg, the ususal starting dose, is a low dose and may have to be increased after you have given the starting dose a fair trial (the average dose is probably around 100mg, and I was on 200 mg for several years). My advice would be to stay on the 50 mg at least 6 weeks if you can (if there are no intolerable side effects), If you have no relief after that time, increase the dose and repeat the 6-8 week cycle, and keep going like that if you can up to 200 mg or so. If still no results, try a different medication (not another SSRI, which Zoloft is; try one from a different class, an SNRI like Cymbalta maybe; if one SSRI doesn't work a different one will not work either).

It is too bad it takes so long for these things to work (that is one of the main topics of anti-depressant research, to find one that works faster), and that you may have to experiment to find the right one for you, but it is something all of us on ADs have had to go thru, and you will make it thru too.

PS, By your name it looks like you may be a cat person. I have 2 and don't know what I'd do without them.

[Meowmix8 in reply to yhsbirny]

Thank you!! Monday will be two weeks for me in 50. I hope this works as I don’t want to have to “ start all over again!!” Do you happen to know if Zoloft has a good “ success “ rate for most people? You mentioned intolerable side affects.. can you tell me some of these? I still don’t have a great appetite, but know I have to eat something… I have lost weight and not happy with that.

Yes, I am a cat person but don’t have any right now.😺

[yhsbirny in reply to Meowmix8]

I mention side effects because I read about them but I don't recall ever having had any bad ones myself (wouldn't have gotten up to 200mg if I did) . Google "Zoloft side effects" to see what you might experience but please don't do like many people do; if you read about a side effect don't immediately assume you have it (like if you have one sleepless nite don't think the Zoloft is giving you insomnia). I have to go out now but I will write you a longer explanation of ADs when I get back later today (I am76, been on every one on the market since I was diagnosed 50 years ago, and know some stuff that may help you).

[Meowmix8 in reply to yhsbirny]

Thank you!!!

[yhsbirny in reply to Meowmix8]

Hello again. I just want to tell you a few things I have learned about anti-depressants that I have learned thru many hours of research and many years of trial-and-error.

I am not at all surprised that your doctor started you on Zoloft (sertraline); it is cheap, has the fewest side effects of any popular AD, and works for many people. It is in the class of ADs called SSRIs, which were formulated on the theory that depression is caused by too little available serotonin in the brain, and these drugs cause serotonin, which the body produces naturally, to remain at the brain site longer (SSRIs do not produce serotonin). Since their introduction, though, the serotonin theory of depression has come into question by many researchers, and the SSRIs have been found to be not as effective as first believed. The reason I'm telling you all this is because many doctors will only prescribe SSRIs; if one doesn't work they will try another. Don't do this. If the Zoloft doesn't work after a reasonable trial, don't try Celexa or Lexapro or Paxil next (I have been on all of them with limited success), all SSRIs which are not likely to work either. Try a drug from a different class like Celexa or Pristiq which are SNRIs, or Trazodone which is in its own class and is great for sleeping, or Wellbutrin (its own class) for increasing energy. I had great success with Celexa and was on it for over 4 years before it just stopped working (this happens with most ADs; they will just stop working after some period of time and nobody knows why; if it happens you just have to find a new one).

The other thing I will tell you is something I wish had been available 30 years ago, There is a company called GeneSight (I don't think you're allowed to post links here or I would); just Google it. It has a DNA mouth swab test done in the office which will tell you what psychiatric drugs your metabolism is most likely to work well with and which are not for you. The test has to be ordered by a medical professional. I finally took it 7 or 8 years ago after years of being on SSRIs that never relly seemed to help that much. The test told me my body does not utilize SSRIs well and another class of drug would be better, which finally explained why after all the Zoloft and Prozac and all the other SSRIs I was on for so many years I was still not really getting relief. It said Celexa would be much better for me and sure enough I started it and felt better than I had in years. Please tell your prescriber you want this test; it may save you years of wasted time and depression. It may turn out SSRIs are perfect for you, or it may turn out like mine, but at least you will know (the test is not 100% perfect but it sure worked for me and for many of my psychiatrist's other patients; she gives it to all new patients and she tells me she is quite happy with the results she's been seeing). So give the Zoloft a fair trial (6-8 weeks; many of the drugs I have taken that worked took the whole 6 weeks to start), get the GeneSight test, and hang in there. You will find what works for you.

[Meowmix8 in reply to yhsbirny]

Thank you for all of this information!! I will see what happens and go from there. The Gene Sight test sounds interesting as well. I was on Lexapro for many years but I guess that just stopped working for me; hence the Zoloft. Again, thank you for your input!!

[yhsbirny in reply to Meowmix8]

If Lexapro worked for you then Zoloft is likely to work also (both SSRIs). Just give it enough time and try a higher dose if you need to before you give up on it.

[Meowmix8 in reply to yhsbirny]

I will… thank you.