posted
Zoloft has helped me quite a bit. I'm on a high dose (200mg daily). I can't go without it or I will not be able to function. Period.
It only hurts me when I try to wean off of it. I get terrible withdrawl symptoms. Yuck!
I need it for my complete lack of concentration (thank you Lyme disease), brain fog, anexiety, depression and chronic pain. Whew!
The quack, I mean neurologist I saw a few years ago told me it would help with my headaches. It didn't, but then I couldn't get off of the stuff.
My GP has since increased the dose up to the 200mg daily. On one hand I wish I never started taking the stuff. On the other hand I can't live without it.
Hope this helps! ~Kelly
-------------------- ~Kelly
"Had I not known I was dead already, I would have mourned my loss of life."
Posts: 22 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
It is tempting to want to take antidepressants in hopes that they will help with symptoms. The just might help, but I believe that they interfere with abx Tx and make it difficult to interpret progress or lack of progress. There are many on this board that wish that they had never started them. Once started, they are very difficult to get off of. There are also too many known and unknown interactions between this class of drugs and abx that can hinder Tx. The following is from Garth Nicolson at IMMED:
Antidepressants, Narcotics, etc
Antibiotic uptake and immune responses may be inhibited by some drugs, and antidepressants (sertaline [Zoloft], fluoxetine [Prozac], amitriptyline [Elavil], maprotiline [Ludiomil], desipramine [Norpramin], clomipramine [Anafranil], nortriptyline [Pamelor], bupropion [Wellbutrin]), muscle relaxants (cyclobenzaprine [Flexeril]), opiate agonists, anticonvulsives or certain analgesics (oxycodone [Percodan], carbamazepine [Tegretol], acetaminophen/ hydrocodone [Vicodin]), narcotics (codeine w/Penergan, propoxyphene [Darvon], morphine), antacids, antidiarrheas among others should not be taken, if possible, or gradually decreased during therapy. Some drugs (certain antibiotics, antidepressants, analgesics, narcotics, etc.) may inhibit immune responses and interfere with therapy. These should be decreased and gradually eliminated .Posts: 132 | Registered: Jul 2005
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hopeful123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3244
posted
antidepressants help and, yes, for some they are hard to get off of them. i have taken them on and off for years before and during lyme. they are essential for my functioning like a semi-normal human being.
i have a problem with the previous poster who lumps anti-anxiety meds with anti-depressants. an addictive anti-anxiety medicine is a very different kettle of fish from a non-addictive anti-anxiety med and/or anti-depressants.
they not only help me with depression and anxiety, but with concentration,too!
i hate that i am taking so many drugs in addition to the atx, but i support myself, so i need to function in a world that doesn't look kindly on disorganized, weepy, irritable people.
hope this helps
ps never had much of a problem going off of them. i am lucky in that.
best hopeful123
-------------------- some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield Posts: 1160 | From NY | Registered: Oct 2002
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
yes, zoloft helps me tremendously ... helps my mood swings & flare-ups of temper outbursts
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
grrrrrr-my computer or my fingers are pi--ing me off. i just answered -thanked you all-and said some other stuff and then deleted it all---so up and thanks and any more info?????
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
Zoloft has "worked" for me... it seems to level out the mood swings and increase energy a little bit. Usually I take 50-100mgs a day, been on it for years.
Recently I have tapered down off the zoloft (its so darn expensive!)and started SAMe. I like the results of SAMe, seems to be as good or better than zoloft!
Plus, SAMe has some research proving that it helps with joints, and immune function. Check with the Life Extension Foundation (lef.org)for the specifics.
Posts: 21 | From Midwest, USA | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
I have tried all the SSRI's with no success at all. They leave me completely out of it, sick to my stomach and actually cause my symptoms to get worse especially the twitches. This is hard enough with out adding to it. My doc wants to try Buspar soon as my only issue is really anxiety. It is suppose to be easily tolerated. We'll soon see.
Take care and peace.
Posts: 221 | From S. Florida/Massachusetts | Registered: Mar 2005
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