Zoloft helps?

[SurvivingEveryday]

Has anyone had success with Zoloft, in terms of minimizing OCD symptoms? I have been on Zoloft for about 6 months now, with some improvement to my symptoms and routines. But, I sometimes feel that I am better with lower dosage (I think I take like 75mg a day). But, with any dosage there are side effects and I am not sure why I cannot get it right.

For example: at lower dosages (20 a day) I feel great, energetic and like I can control my symptoms. However, it feels like I am more anxious. On 60mg a day I feel numb (sexually, emotionally) but not anxious. At 70+ mg, I feel completely numb but not anxious... able to work through my day with no problem. But, I am hungry and tired.

I know it takes a while to reach a homeostasis with medication, but wondering if this is "just me".

[bpj6001]

Zoloft helped my daughter but her symptoms really improved after switching to Fluvoxamine. It is my understanding that different medications work better for different people even though most start with Zoloft.

[ArchMan in reply to bpj6001]

Sorry for the random question but was there a reason for switching from Zoloft to Luvox? I’m currently working with a new doctor to figure out which one is best for me, suffer from health OCD. My therapist recommended Luvox but the new doctor wanted to try Zoloft. When I asked about Luvox she said she would discuss with the head physician, she was his PA, and decide at my next appointment which to go with, she personally wasn’t opposed to either but didn’t have any knowledge about Luvox. I tried Lexapro 4 years ago and had a bad time with it and now it has me scared about trying a new medication.

[bpj6001 in reply to ArchMan]

My daughter’s symptoms were severe and a psychiatrist at Rogers gradually decreased her Zoloft while slowly increasing Luvox until she was off the Zoloft completely. She has remained on the Luvox for about 4 years now.

[aparente001]

These observations are important and I hope you've been keeping a log, or can reconstruct a rough log, to talk over with your doctor. A good internist and/or a good psychiatrist would potentially be helpful for this conversation.

Zoloft is a popular choice because in general its side effects profile is less (statistically speaking) than most other SSRIs (that's what my son's providers have told us). But it's not the only SSRI by a long shot, and there are other medications outside the set of SSRIs.

My son supplements his Zoloft (200 mg, but he is 6'2" and weighs 200 lbs) with Buspar, which was given last year to replace the Ativan he was taking for anxiety.

I hope you'll keep us posted.

[SCC1]

Hi. No, you are not the only one who feels numb/anxious. I had felt this way, too, and had wondered how I was going to get the right meds or dose to even out both of those symptoms. I had felt numb and less anxious, and also felt like I had control over my life, and I had loved it. For me, feeling numb took the edge off of my anxiety. But at the same time, I lacked any response to something good happening in my life b/c the meds made me numb. I had tried Zoloft in the past, when I was a teenager, and had to stop it b/c of a side effect. I am now on Luvox after many attempts to find the right medication for my OCD, and I still don't see much progress. I was told by my psychiatrist, that Luvox is a good medication for OCD, but it seems nothing is working (as far as medication alone). Maybe w/ both therapy and medication, the dose of the Zoloft or whatever medication is right for you, can work together. Best wishes to you!

[thaishcb]

I had tried zoloft in the past and I had not noted any difference in my progress - I stopped zoloft alone and also nothing happened neither side effects (I know I never should do this!!!). Now I'm on Revoc (same that Luvox) 100, and I feel progress but I'm feel tired and hungry.

[annapugh]

I currently take 100mg of Zoloft but for something different than OCD. I'd say stay at the dosage which helps control whatever purpose it was given for the most. Keep track of how your progress is with the Zoloft and report to your doctor. Also remember that if the purpose of the medication outweighs the side effects then you should consider still staying on it. Side effects aren't great but if it's mainly benefiting then it will help improve.

[SurvivingEveryday]

Thanks everyone for your advice, experiences, and opinions. I think that this medication is "worth it", but I sometimes wonder if medication should only be used in certain cases, or after other treatments have not helped much. For me, I think I will be the person who will be on the medication (of some sort) for life.