Going off Zoloft after one week?

[Doodadsmom]

Hi - I've been diagnosed with PPD, and started Zoloft a week ago. Today is my last 25 mg dose before I start the 50 mg pills. But I'd thought about trying fish oil instead...so I guess I have two questions. One is, can I just quit "cold turkey" since it's only been a week on such a low dose? Also, the past day or two I've started feeling somewhat better. Could the Zoloft be having an effect in such a short time span? I'd kind of hate to quit taking it if it helps that quickly, and yet, if it can't help that fast, I think I should stop taking it...thanks for any suggestions!

[JennP]

It's been a while since I was in your shoes so please only take the info that seems likely to help you.

I was on zoloft after having dd. I don't think you will see a direct affect from the pill in just a week on 25 mg. I also don't think it always takes the 2-4 weeks other say to work. I would guess that on the medication you have been talking to you partner, medical professional or other person and that has helped you feel a little better. I know that for me some positive thinking has gone a long ways.

That being said if you are having thoughts of harming yourself, your baby or anyone else you need to continue the medication AND seek help from and professional now.

I was in a blue slump after having my baby and I tried a couple of different meds. Some were better than others. I don't know anything about fish oil so I hope someone else can help you with that.

I hope you continue to feel better. Also take into consideration how old your baby is (which I can't see as I'm typing) and maybe you are adjusting to motherhood, I hope this is true.

JennP

[Doodadsmom]

My little boy is six weeks old as of yesterday. I did manage to get some exercise the past couple of days, and tended him pretty much by myself (though my husband was home and helped occasionally) over the weekend - a little bit of a confidence booster, maybe. Though he is wearing me out. He's growth spurting right now and eating all the time. I may half tomorrow's dose if anyone knows of 25 mg being enough to make a difference? If not, maybe I'll give it a try anyway - maybe it's like you said and other things have helped. It had gotten pretty bad. It's still not great, but I'm not feeling like I want to take off for somewhere and leave the baby with my husband either...not that I would do that, but that's the kind of thing that I'd been thinking of. Thanks for your reply!

[MrsWells77]

Been on Zoloft before

I was on Zoloft several years ago for chronic depression, not PPD. I eventually went off of it b/c it was causing me some GI and abdominal discomfort. I switched to Prozac, which has worked tremendously for the last 4 years.

When I went off the Zoloft I took one of my regular dose pills every other day. You can also halve your pills and take a half every day for a week and then take a half every other day.

Any of the SSRIs are non-addictive, so you don't have to worry about w/drawls or anything like that. However, it is still recommended to do a gradual stop b/c SSRIs do boost chemical levels in the brain. It is thought that if you stop all of a sudden, the serotonin level in your brain that was being boosted by the med will no longer be boosted and that can cause the pt to feel overwhelmed and experience some anxiety. It's not really a w/drawl symptom so much as it is like when your Tylenol wears off and your headache still isn't gone.

I have been living w/ chronic severe depression for 5 years now. I have tried at different stages going off my med to see if maybe it was better. However, I have discovered that I'm just one of those people who has to take a pill everyday. I was on the meds while pregnant and have been while nursing. I haven't noticed any ill effects on my dd.

I hope this helps a bit. It takes awhile to find the exact right med and dosing. If you find that you don't begin to feel better after 4-6 weeks of a med, see your provider again and try a different dose or med. Always remember that you have to do what will help you be a better mother to your dc. If that means taking a med, then that's what it means. I know for me, if I were to stop my meds I would be doing my dd a major diservice as well as putting her well-being at risk. Good luck.

[Doodadsmom]

Well, I'm going to keep taking it for now. It seems to help, and right now I don't want to risk messing that up. Thanks for your responses!

[merrijayne]

zoloft seems to be the only SSRI that works for me. it does take me a good 6 weeks to notice the difference or any effect.

[hairpin]

You might want to give your practitioner a call, just to let them know that you think it might be working already. From what I remember it took 3-4 weeks for me to feel anything. But I think it would be best for your doctor to monitor how it's affecting you.

If you decide to drop it, I would also be very sure to tell him/her before doing so.


Glad to hear you're feeling better though.