It was a tough call. I finally decided that I couldn't let my pride get in the way. My panic disorder and anxiety was just getting worse and I don't want my kids to remember their mommy as always irritable.. never wanting to go anywhere or do anything because of her fears. I know meds aren't a sure thing..but at least I can say I tried, ya know? I started Tuesday evening. I had my 6 wk. check up and had confided in my dr. (family dr.) about everything.. so he agreed we could try a low dose of Zoloft to see if that would help. 25 mg. (half a pill) the first week, and 50 mg after that, once a day. I know it takes a few weeks to have the full effect..but only a few days later I am noticing a difference in how I feel. I feel more mellow.. and I have also noticed that I don't have the urge to eat compulsively as much? Maybe it is all in my head? I don't know.. I do know that I had gained 10 pounds since the birth due to my compulsive eating and my anxiety was getting worse too. I have lost a few pounds just by stopping the compulsive overeating and I have hope now that maybe, just maybe, this Zoloft thing will work for me. I am very hopeful.. I never wanted to go the medication route. I had all sorts of fears that it would make me worse..that maybe I would end up worse than before with all sorts of horrible side effects..but so far so good.

It can be rough going on meds... I lost a friend after I told her I'd been put on Zoloft. She wasn't a very good friend in the first place, but still. It's rough.

If it makes you feel better, though, it's worth it. Though antidepressants are over prescribed, some of us really need them. Some doctors and experts like to downplay the effectiveness of them or just how much brain chemistry has to do with it, but I can tell you with 100% certainty that I have a brain chemistry problem and that the meds have helped. Sure, it takes 300 mg of Zoloft to keep me somewhat level, but it works. I've tried lowering the dose or going off of it and it throws me for a loop.

Best of luck to you.

I am sorry you lost a friend after going on meds. I haven't told anyone besides my husband..and here online. I am scared that I would also lose friends..I know that for a fact they would disagree with the choice I made. They would think I am crazy or a danger simply by being on them. I have heard them say judgmental comments previously..that is why I know I have to keep mum on this. It sucks though..How depressing of a secret to feel like you have to keep.

I went on medication 2 weeks ago after resisting meds every winter for years and years. I had a few really bad weeks and couldn't sleep through the night. I was very crabby, isolating, and hating life. I wasn't as good at work as I should have been and wasn't a good friend, either. So my doctor prescribed Celexa. I think it has helped. I don't know that I'll stay on it forever, but maybe a few months.

It was hard to swallow my pride and ask for meds. And I've only told one friend (and this board), but I am hopeful that I will feel better and that's what counts.

Hi, I was on Zoloft ( 100 mgs ) for about 8 years before being switched to Lexapro ( 10mgs which I am still on ) ...I loved the way Zoloft made me feel but I was having sexual side effects so I went off of it, to save my marriage, ha ha ...

but I think it takes about 6-8 weeks to fully feel the effect ...I think you will be feeling really good in a while so stick to it ...besides the sexual s/e I didnt have any others...

I did gain weight but that was my own fault, I was eating horribly and really high calorie...stay on plan and you will be fine.

I hear you on the reluctance to take meds. I think we all start there, after all, who wants to accept that they need chemical help to just feel good enough to get through the day?

I have been on meds for the past 12 years, and seriously, were it not for them I would not be here. Period. I am now down to the lowest dose possible for Effexor, but I may have to always take them. I have finally come to terms with that. Earlier today, I made a post somewhere 'round here about my personal journey, so I don't want to go into much more detail.

Whatever your journey, I'm glad to hear you are feeling better. In this forum, we all know what it is to not feel good, right folks?

I appreciate the support. I haven't really noticed any side effects other than feeling more "mellow" perhaps.. I know it takes time though so I am trying to stay focused on letting the meds have a chance to work. Today I felt myself having a mini panic attack related to being on the meds (thoughts like..what if I end up worse, what if I gain a bunch of weight and/or they screw up my metabolism, etc, what if I can't come off them when I decide I want to without painful side effects like I have read about..should I just stop now before I am in too deep..

Deep breathe.

I try to remember WHY I decided to take the plunge with meds in the first place and that I really need to give them a fair shot. So I will. Can't say that I am not totally scared though. It is a freaky thing that a little blue pill can totally change the way your brain functions...but hopefully it will be in a good way.

Something like this happened to me during the first week or so after I started on my meds (prozac). I think of it as "the dip." I mean, I thought I'd hit rock bottom, thats why I went on the meds, but then it got worse after? I remember having a panic attack, too, which isn't my usual pathology. The dip went away, though - a friend of mine helped me understand that it was my body normalizing the medication, a process that can take a couple weeks to a month. Still, it can be scary, and its UBER important to be aware of what is happening and causing it, and stay connected to those who can support you. Not every med works for every person, and you may want to stay in close contact with your doc until you figure out if Zoloft works for you.

The same wonderful friend also walked me through various ways that I could go off the meds when it was time. Evidently, people can have really good success working with accupuncture to help transition. I have a long way to go though.

Take care!

That is interesting...I have never heard that. Does this just work for anxiety issues, or is it helpful for any issues for which anti-depressant meds are prescribed, ie, depression, SAD...