Is Zoloft a good choice for treating depression/anxiety?

[TSonmez]

My mom had her first visit with a psychiatrist today recommended by her neurologist. After reviewing her medication list and blood work and speaking with her, she wants her to start taking Zoloft. She also wants her to increase her clonozapam from 1/2 a tab at night to a whole pill to help with restless sleep.

Does anyone have any experience with this medication?

I read on a post here that an SNRI is better than an SSRI for treating depression with PD. I know zoloft is an SSRI, so I am wondering if I should as her Dr if she thinks an SNRI like cymbalta is better. Any thoughts or experience on this?

[chartist]

I don't know about Zoloft, but it sounds like Cymbalta is gonna be for life because the withdrawal symptoms can be more than severe!

google.com/search?q=problem...

I've always heard that it is difficult to get off of Cymbalta if it turns out to be incompatible with the person taking it. It actually has its own withdrawal syndrome!

drugwatch.com/cymbalta/side...

Art

[TSonmez in reply to chartist]

Oh wow. I just read up on it. Yeah, I don't think I want her on Cymbalta. We will try the zoloft at a low dose and see how that goes. Thank you.

[1953bullard]

I take Zoloft. Works good for depression but can’t do a thing for my anxiety

[TSonmez in reply to 1953bullard]

Thank you. I am glad it helps your depression. My mom has pretty bad anxiety during her off times. Clonozapam helps in very small doses during the day and a large dose at bed time.

[moonsake10]

My experience with- all 3 drugs : I took Cymbalta for several years and found relief in some physical pain as well as depression. It is one of the few depression meds that doesn't suppress the release of dopamine. So why did I stop taking it? Doctor said I would see better results from Zoloft. I didn't have any withdrawal experiences-but I was a wreck in trying to get the right dosage of Zoloft. Now, 3 months in with Zoloft I noticed my dyskinesia is worse and my demeanor is flat.. I don't interact as much, less and have less interest in things. May return to taking Cymbalta. Clonazepam will help with sleep. Hope this helps.

[TSonmez in reply to moonsake10]

Thank you for your reply. Do you plan to switch back to Cymbalta?

[moonsake10 in reply to TSonmez]

More than likely.

[DEAT]

Zoloft was a life saver for me. Anxiety is horrible for me.

Not any side effects either. Made PD manageable.

[LAJ12345]

This made my husbands anxiety so bad initially he was suicidal. If you can avoid it do but if you are so depressed you are suicidal it might save your life I guess. He had to start back on mirtazapine too to knock him out as he was pacing up and down and couldn’t sleep on it.

Please consider trying Hardy’s daily essential nutrients for a month before taking any pharmaceutical antidepressants. These made such a difference to my husband. I am now very slowly weaning him of the Zoloft and mirtazapine but it is very slow. Better not to start on it unless there is no other option. Ring the Hardy’s free help line and have a chat to a product specialist . They are so helpful.