My dh just started taking Zoloft

[gethane]

Can anyone clue me in if there's anything I should know about people taking Zoloft? I'm a total newbie to medications for mood problems. He's been experiencing anxiety and stress and he's been having panic attacks to the point its really negatively affecting his life.

How long does it take to work? The doctor gave him a box for a 5 week course and he's supposed to go back for a follow up at that time. I really don't know anything about this stuff. I've never known anyone that took any prescription drugs for stuff like this. Though I'm TOTALLY glad he went to the doctor and got something. He's not been his normal balanced self.

[jmreinke]

He might notice feeling better right away, and it might take a few weeks before he and you notice something.

Remember, it is not a "happy" pill. It won't make him happy all the time and "cure" his anxiety. I can best describe it (when I took Zoloft) as it helped things roll off my back easier. I was more able to take things in stride and not let things get to me as much.

And also, he may need to up his dosage after 5 weeks, or switch if he doesn't feel it is helping. These meds sometimes are more art than science. It make take a little bit of time to get the right dosage and the right med.

Also, I'm a big advocate in meds along with therapy. There are some very good treatments for anxiety and panic attacks that can go a very long way in bringing relief. A good psychotherapist with a specialty in anxiety can really help your dh.

[gethane]

thank you for the info. He says he feels kinda high now. He seemed a lot more relaxed this weekend. Now, though, he's saying he doesn't feel good - tired and jittery and sweating.

I don't really know what to think. First (3 -4 years ago) he was having headaches and the dr said migraines. He's had every test imaginable (heart, lungs, camera in his stomach, etc) because he doesn't feel well.

I try to be patient, and I've suggested therapy several times. His life has changed A LOT in the last 7 years and that's got to have an effect on someone. But I have to be honest, sometimes I can't help but think "SUCK IT UP. you are aging. No one feels good all the time and there isn't always a reason."

He's had a very hard time articulating what about him doesn't feel good. First headaches, then stomach. I mean I KNOW he's undergoing stress. ANd he needs to work to reduce that, or deal with that. But he's always trying to find a medical reason for how he feels and the answer "it's stress" isn't doing it for him.

Sorry if I'm rambling here. I'm sorry he doesn't feel well, but I have to admit, after 3-4 years of this my sympathy supply is running low. I love him, he's a great guy. But the only reason he's even taking the zoloft is I got so tired of him whining EVERY SINGLE DAY that I told him to go to the dr and he better not come home without some sort of presciption for depression or anxiety. He'll make dr's appts, then complain about his stomach or head, but doesn't actually tell the doctor he was up in a panic in the middle of the night for no reason.

I know some of this is stereotypical "man" stuff, and I really do want to help him. I want him to feel better. But after every damn medical test in the arsenal, I just don't think he has anything physically wrong with him, in that sense.

I do need some advice on the best way to be sympathetic to him, but without enabling what I see as hypochondria.

[AmyB]

You should be hyperaware that SSRIs like Zoloft cause some people to experience suicide related side effects.

A very dear friend of mine killed himself after using Zoloft. He was depressed, but he was not THAT depressed.

If you notice any indication of suicidal thoghts or unusually violent behavior take it very, very seriously.

--AmyB