posted
I was just given zoloft to help wiht feeling so depressed lately. I am too afraid to take it after hearing horror stories about withdrawal when stopping it.
Had anyone taken this med while under lyme treatment? I was never depressed or sad until I started this whole treatment, or maybe it is becuase I cannot do the job i loved so much anymore?
Any info on it would be great. I cannot get myself to take even half of a pill...too scared of what i will feel like.
-------------------- Diagnosed with chronic neuro lyme 12/10 after 30 years of vertigo.2 tick bites in 3 yrs from upstate NY. Was on omincef for nine mths..zith and rifampin stopped.Remission~ All the pain and symptoms are back and I am not treating now with biaxin. Posts: 788 | From New york..queens | Registered: Nov 2010
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BoxerMom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25251
posted
I have been on Zoloft for years. I stopped it with no problems or side effects last fall.
I started up again just recently, at my husband's suggestion. He noticed my depression had returned.
I am very sensitive to these meds, so I take only 50mg. You may want to start with 25mg and see how that goes.
At such a small dose, you may not feel anything.
I often find I need to increase my dose every few months, but I have never needed more than 100mg.
posted
I wouldn't have survived if I didn't get anti-depressants a few years ago. They really did help me through a rough time in my life.
I stopped my anti-depressants a few months ago, and I was told horror stories, also. It took me about 4 months, but I was able to wean myself off of them by slowly decreasing my dose.
Posts: 71 | From Missouri | Registered: Jun 2010
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chiquita incognita
Unregistered
posted
I did not take it during lyme treatment, but was infected at the time and didn't know it.
Had absolutely no problems at all and fYI I am a chemically sensitive patient. I react to everything under the sun.
I also had zero problems stopping it. None at all. I can't remember how I tapered off, and this would be something you need a doctor's guidance with anyway. If you are professionally guided with withdrawal, problems may not be non-existent but should also be minimized. Again I don't recall having any problems at all with this.
Responses are individual, but for me I had no problems and only peace after taking it.
My LLMD says for a very sensitive body, start at sub-therapeutic doses that wouldn't even work, just to get the body acclimated. Then gradually increase.
This way you can tell if you are having any side effects. Going gradually could possibly reduce any risks.
Ask your doctor what s/he thinks about this and what dosages you might try. I am not a doctor and can not recommend any such protocols, only sharing about my own experience and what my LLMD said *to me*. That's the key: Everybody is different with varying medical needs, vulnerabilities, etc. Check with your doctor.
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Onbam...I alreayd have numerious white brain lesions listed as MS, vasulitis or Lyme on my MRI in dec? I was never on any of these meds in my whole life so I know that didnt cause them.
Thank you for your help. I am veyr sensitive to all meds too and my doc knows. He even starts abx very low and gradualy increases them. I lately feel like I am having a breakdown and just want to laugh again and feel human. I will give it more throught before taking even one of them first.
Feel good all
-------------------- Diagnosed with chronic neuro lyme 12/10 after 30 years of vertigo.2 tick bites in 3 yrs from upstate NY. Was on omincef for nine mths..zith and rifampin stopped.Remission~ All the pain and symptoms are back and I am not treating now with biaxin. Posts: 788 | From New york..queens | Registered: Nov 2010
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Just remember that you can always try them temporarily; and you can always stop taking them if you don't like them.
I am sensitive to antidepressants myself, but have been able to take some other psych meds that have helped me. Sometimes you just need a little help.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
They gave me 50mgs of zoloft but I only took a quarter tonight. I couldnt do it, just to afraid. I am so depressed, things are going so wrong
I am losing my home since I cannot work and the taxes are so far behind. My insurance had denied my IV treatment so I cant get it. I was denied payment for the money I paid for the B12 injections of 100 a month. I got 72 back from my LLMD's office fee of 950!
I had my first HUGE fight with my new son in law over giving 100 a month to my 76 yrs old mother to help her with bills. He told me I did not raise my children to be self sufficient as a monther should and I should have seen this coming five year ago? He wasnt even in the picture 5 years ago??
I was supppose to get 50% of my ex's pension in January. I called today and they told me that he went out on early retirement and I am young so I will only be getting about $50 a month from the pension. I have my first SSD doc appt on thurs with a psychiatrist of all people! I am told that SSD never gives in on the first try.
Sorry to be a whimp but I just want to die today, truly.I am newly married and cannot even cook a dinner or shop for food or drive my car since I am so sick and dizzy and get lost.
There has to be a God somewhere to help all of us, please...
-------------------- Diagnosed with chronic neuro lyme 12/10 after 30 years of vertigo.2 tick bites in 3 yrs from upstate NY. Was on omincef for nine mths..zith and rifampin stopped.Remission~ All the pain and symptoms are back and I am not treating now with biaxin. Posts: 788 | From New york..queens | Registered: Nov 2010
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
it made me feel wierd like other antidepressants
i refuse them
but many on here do well with them
the first step for me to get out of depression is to walk...evena few steps then a few more and eventually i'm wanting to walk and then i get better from there
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
They kind of throw Zoloft at anything these days... I was in pain, not depressed & my GP literally threw a sample pack at me... I really needed pain management but many doctors get called on the carpet for prescribing pain meds - so, they hand out Zoloft like candy.
I would avoid it if possible. You have legitimate problems to sort out. A pill won't make them go away. I can't say it's no good for everyone but there are other things you can do. I think the depression meds are about equal in effectiveness to going for a walk, exercising or meditation.
Why do something with so many side effects? Isn't having Lyme bad enough? I'm sorry you are going through so much trouble - I can empatize with you. Life can be really difficult at times.
You may want to try to get food stamps & SSI rather than SSD - I have heard SSI is easier to get if you need assistance. You can wait years for them to get to your SSD case.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Your right sparkle. I took a quarter of the pill for two nights and I am so dizzy!
I cannot walk or exercise right now due to bad pain and imbalance, vertigo but I can deep breathe. I am just feeling there is no hope for this anymore. I a losing everying in my life.
Today I go to my first SSD doc appt, their psych? Dont knwo what but that is where they are sending me. I cant get SSI since we have the house and they will count my husbands income too. I applied for SSD in Dec and was called a week later for info and they set up doc appts. I can just pray since we have to pay the mortgage. All I want is to be better and go back to my job that I love so much. zoloft wont do that for me, I agree.
-------------------- Diagnosed with chronic neuro lyme 12/10 after 30 years of vertigo.2 tick bites in 3 yrs from upstate NY. Was on omincef for nine mths..zith and rifampin stopped.Remission~ All the pain and symptoms are back and I am not treating now with biaxin. Posts: 788 | From New york..queens | Registered: Nov 2010
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
We all just have to keep going forward one step at a time. Doing a little something like going for a walk around the block or whatever you can handle does help - even if you are in pain. Dizziness is hard, though.
Seems they are more efficient in NY than NJ for disability... I had to wait over 2 years for an appointment. I was rejected twice & didn't want to keep pursuing it. I was originally diagnosed for fibromyalgia. Later, I got a Lyme diagnosis. I guess I'd have to start the whole process over.
The psyche I saw from SS said I should be getting benefits based on my symptoms. I was having alot of migraines back then & cognitive problems. All of this stuff is difficult to go through.
I hope you get what you need.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Hello Annier, I came on here to get some help for myself. I want to start up my treatment again, and looking for new antibiotics combos,and saw your post and want to help in responding.
Anyway, I have been ill for about 15 years. I can truly sympathize with you about depression. Please do take it from me and treat your depression first and foremost.
Otherwise the other steps you have to take will be that much harder.
Zoloft for me personally saved me. Yes, I experienced some side effects at first, but I was willing to give it a try.
I am currently taking Lexapro, at a low dose. Although these meds do not cure depression(I still get it) It does and can help you move past it, in a more positive way.
Just dealing with it alone, is not enough. I truly was depressed at one time, so I am talking with great experience.
Depression medications are given such a bad name, but if you had any other disorder, you need the medication. You may be sensitive to it, but you need to atleast try it.
It also took me 4 years to get SSI. I live in NJ. Please keep going. Don't give up. Be brave and keep up with your treatment.
Posts: 18 | From New Jersey | Registered: Sep 2009
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lyme in Putnam
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11561
posted
I just want some quality of life. I'm starting luvox today. Almost running to pharmacy cause I'm tired of my mind pain, try and do what u have to. Feel good.
-------------------- He took u to it, He'll you through Posts: 2837 | From NE. | Registered: Apr 2007
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Cass A
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11134
posted
Try some B vitamins or Brewer's yeast--B vitamin deficiency can make all this mental and emotional problems much worse.
The adverse effects, including serious physical problems like diabetes, brain damage, and others, are hardly worth it.
Best,
Cass A
Posts: 1245 | From Thousand Oaks, CA | Registered: Feb 2007
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phyl6648
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28522
posted
Annier, if I could take an antidepressant it would be zoloft. I tried it and the only side effect I had was yawning wich goes away after awhile. I was seeing a psych. and he put me on a very small dose 1/2 of a 25 mg. I am so med sensitive and I would take it at night but I only took 1/4 of the 25 mg in the beginning because of my med anxiety. If it works I wouldn't worry about getting off or stopping them. I do think you have totaper off but if they help then you can cross that bridge when you get to it..
I know when my depression is better I can handle things so much better even this darn disease.
I stopped zoloft no problems and now take xanax for anxiety. I am thinking of adding my zoloft back but hate to take meds. Sometimes I think I had rater be sick than to sit around worrying about what these meds are doing to me.
Guess you could call me MED Phobic.
Posts: 1058 | From VA | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
Phy, I am also med phobic..I have been on xanax for years for menieres and severe vertigo. Five doctors have told me to stay on it for vertigo but I still am so afriad of it that I cut the pills, like you do, into quarters.
Sometimes people try to help but put such a fear in us of taking medication and addication that it overwhelms our brains and makes matters worse.
I was given 50 of zoloft but cut it into a quarter and tried two nights of it. I got so dizzy in bed both times which I havent had in a long time. I wonder if even such a low dose can cause this dizziness?
I was told by my LLMD office that he usually give lexapro? but they said many people come to him alredy on zoloft. He is on vacation and going to get back to me next week. For now the PAA told me to take a 72 hours abx break. I am so overwhelmed in muscle and joint pain and I cry all day long she feels it is a major herx from the new abx he added.
In three months, I went from 3 igenex bands to ten so I am thinking I really must have lyme..even with the main bands being IND?
-------------------- Diagnosed with chronic neuro lyme 12/10 after 30 years of vertigo.2 tick bites in 3 yrs from upstate NY. Was on omincef for nine mths..zith and rifampin stopped.Remission~ All the pain and symptoms are back and I am not treating now with biaxin. Posts: 788 | From New york..queens | Registered: Nov 2010
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