NEED HELP

starla86 · 11-12-2009, 10:07 PM

I recently was switched by Paxil to Zoloft. [See my signature for my history.] I've been on Zoloft for about 2 weeks now and I saw a therapist for the first time two days ago. However, I have been feeling especially depressed and anxious today and yesterday. I've never had to work so hard to get TO and through work today. I'm scared to do anything, or I just plain don't want to do anything.

I called my doctor and I'm going to see her tomorrow afternoon. [4th appt in 4 days. $25 co-pays each time. $100 in 4 days. YAY!]

I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice. I am getting so bad, that suicide has crossed my mind for the first time ever. I keep telling myself that I would never carry through with any of it. I don't have any plans, but it's just in the back of my head. It's just that everything seems pointless and overwhelming. I feel like I will never feel better ever again, no matter what.

Does anyone know of any safe, effective over-the-counter supplements to take for depression? I'm not looking for something to completely cure me, just something to make me functional again.

I have a feeling that tomorrow, the doctor will either increase my Zoloft dosage or switch me to yet ANOTHER drug. [The Zoloft makes me anxious and shaky.]

Someone please help.........

carolyn · 11-12-2009, 10:21 PM

Switching from Paxil to other meds doesn't ever really seem to work out very well. I bet you're having withdrawal from the Paxil on top of start up anxiety from the Zoloft.

Silly question, but if you got down to 10mg on the Paxil and were doing well, why not continue tapering slowly down?

Also -- good for you for starting therapy!! That will really help. How often are you going to go?

Songbird · 11-13-2009, 02:03 AM

Switching does work for some people, but many find it doesn't work and makes them feel terrible. There seems to be enough difference between these drugs that they don't cover for each other, so what you are feeling is probably Paxil withdrawal, start-up effects of the Zoloft, or both, as Carolyn said.

Sorry, I don't know much about Zoloft. But if it is like the others, you should start to feel some improvement within about the first three weeks, if it is going to work. How have you felt over the past two weeks? Getting better or worse?

The suicidal thoughts are from the meds, either Paxil withdrawal or Zoloft start-up or both. So please keep in mind these thoughts are not you, they are a symptom.

I can't remember, why did you switch? I think your best bet would be to get back on the Paxil and stay there until you stabilise, then wean it down very slowly. You will feel better again, but it may take time and patience.

scotty · 11-13-2009, 10:20 AM

What your experiencing is very common with switching, and VERY common with Zoloft. Why would you consider going up in zoloft dose, when it's done nothing positive so far?

nicole55 · 11-13-2009, 11:01 AM

I feel for you. I've been there with anxiety and with the drugs.

I don't know if you have the start up effects that I had on Zoloft , but yeah the were horrible. And add all that to the issues/anxiety I was already having.

It is so good you started therapy, that is a huge step, and extra visits are good idea when you are feeling so bad. I really think the therapy will help , or course it just takes time.

If the Zoloft is going to help- unfortunately I don't think you'll know for a few more weeks. They just take that long to start working if they do help. I personally wouldn't want to go up in dose .

You could be having start up stuff happening from the Zoloft, withdrawal stuff from the Paxil and regular old anxiety all going on at once. You must be feeling so bad. Please hang in there and take it one day, one hour at time. You WILL have better days ahead -you are going to get through this.

imokay · 11-13-2009, 11:34 AM

Starla go back on the Paxil and stabilize. If you need to talk I will PM you my cell phone number.

JessG · 11-13-2009, 01:07 PM

I'm so sorry you're having a rough time Starla, you have definitely been in my prayers. I think you should probably just ditch the Zoloft and re-instate the Paxil. I know it wasn't working for you when you re-instated, but it takes time and you were probably experiencing side effects from going to 6mg to 20mg all at once. If you crash it's best to go to the last dose that you felt stable on or close to it. I know you trust that your doctor knows best, but sadly that is probably not the truth. Listen to the people here who have gone through it or have seen others go through exactly what you are going through. There won't be any quick fixes. Talk to your doctor about going back on the Paxil and maybe she can also prescribe you a low dose of a benzo (for short term use) to help you with the awful anxiety. Hang in there, girl. ((Hugs))

rain · 11-13-2009, 01:13 PM

I agree that you should stop the Zoloft and reinstate Paxil... stabilize... and then do a VERY slow wean. Feel better!

11-12-2009, 10:07 PM	#1
starla86 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: central MA Posts: 77	NEED HELP I recently was switched by Paxil to Zoloft. [See my signature for my history.] I've been on Zoloft for about 2 weeks now and I saw a therapist for the first time two days ago. However, I have been feeling especially depressed and anxious today and yesterday. I've never had to work so hard to get TO and through work today. I'm scared to do anything, or I just plain don't want to do anything. I called my doctor and I'm going to see her tomorrow afternoon. [4th appt in 4 days. $25 co-pays each time. $100 in 4 days. YAY!] I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice. I am getting so bad, that suicide has crossed my mind for the first time ever. I keep telling myself that I would never carry through with any of it. I don't have any plans, but it's just in the back of my head. It's just that everything seems pointless and overwhelming. I feel like I will never feel better ever again, no matter what. Does anyone know of any safe, effective over-the-counter supplements to take for depression? I'm not looking for something to completely cure me, just something to make me functional again. I have a feeling that tomorrow, the doctor will either increase my Zoloft dosage or switch me to yet ANOTHER drug. [The Zoloft makes me anxious and shaky.] Someone please help......... __________________ ...Started Paxil 20mg in 1997 for anxiety and depression. ...Two VERY unsuccessful attempts to wean. ...Started weaning 1/16/09 with 10% drops. ...Got as low as 6.3mg, but had to go back up due to severe anxiety attacks. ...Went back up to 20mg, but sunk into severe depression. ...Weaning off Paxil and starting Zoloft 50mg. ...11/12: Took last Paxil half tablet on 11/11. Only on Zoloft 50mg now.

11-12-2009, 10:21 PM	#2
carolyn Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,602	Re: NEED HELP Switching from Paxil to other meds doesn't ever really seem to work out very well. I bet you're having withdrawal from the Paxil on top of start up anxiety from the Zoloft. Silly question, but if you got down to 10mg on the Paxil and were doing well, why not continue tapering slowly down? Also -- good for you for starting therapy!! That will really help. How often are you going to go? __________________ 10mg: May 2002 - August 2007 for panic disorder. 20mg: August 2007 - August 2008; doubled dose after hitting poop-out. Started Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in August 2007. Recommended! Tried to taper too fast in July 2008 and went back to 20mg. Started my current taper on August 2, 2008. Dropped by 8% to 10% every three weeks. Switched to liquid at 9.2mg on March 6, 2009. Currently at 2 mg.

11-13-2009, 02:03 AM	#3
Songbird Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 7,532	Re: NEED HELP Switching does work for some people, but many find it doesn't work and makes them feel terrible. There seems to be enough difference between these drugs that they don't cover for each other, so what you are feeling is probably Paxil withdrawal, start-up effects of the Zoloft, or both, as Carolyn said. Sorry, I don't know much about Zoloft. But if it is like the others, you should start to feel some improvement within about the first three weeks, if it is going to work. How have you felt over the past two weeks? Getting better or worse? The suicidal thoughts are from the meds, either Paxil withdrawal or Zoloft start-up or both. So please keep in mind these thoughts are not you, they are a symptom. I can't remember, why did you switch? I think your best bet would be to get back on the Paxil and stay there until you stabilise, then wean it down very slowly. You will feel better again, but it may take time and patience. __________________ Jul 01-Feb 02 Aropax Feb - Dec 03 Citalopram Jul 04 Aropax Jan 07 - Feb 08 20mg - 5mg Apr 4.5mg 5mg Jun 10mg zopiclone > seroquel Jul 20mg Aug + methionine Oct aropax > loxamine Dec off seroquel 7 Dec 17.5mg 30 Dec 15mg 24 Jan 12.5mg 16 Feb 10mg 10 May 9mg 30 May 8mg 5 July 7.5mg 2 Aug 7.25mg 1 Sep 7mg 9 Oct 6.75mg 8 Nov 6.5mg 18 Dec 6.3mg Appreciation is the antidote to stress - Trust is the antidote to fear

11-13-2009, 10:20 AM	#4
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 39,329	Re: NEED HELP What your experiencing is very common with switching, and VERY common with Zoloft. Why would you consider going up in zoloft dose, when it's done nothing positive so far? __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

11-13-2009, 11:01 AM	#5
nicole55 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 563	Re: NEED HELP I feel for you. I've been there with anxiety and with the drugs. I don't know if you have the start up effects that I had on Zoloft , but yeah the were horrible. And add all that to the issues/anxiety I was already having. It is so good you started therapy, that is a huge step, and extra visits are good idea when you are feeling so bad. I really think the therapy will help , or course it just takes time. If the Zoloft is going to help- unfortunately I don't think you'll know for a few more weeks. They just take that long to start working if they do help. I personally wouldn't want to go up in dose . You could be having start up stuff happening from the Zoloft, withdrawal stuff from the Paxil and regular old anxiety all going on at once. You must be feeling so bad. Please hang in there and take it one day, one hour at time. You WILL have better days ahead -you are going to get through this. __________________ status: PAXIL FREE date of Freedom: June 26, 2005 method: 2.5 mg drops reason for taking: anxiety how long taking: 5yrs attempts to stop: 4th attempt worked!! briefly went back to ssri's- 12/07 tried Zoloft in desperation//awful side effects starting up, tapered quickly after only 4 weeks on 01/10 doing good

11-13-2009, 11:34 AM	#6
imokay Sometimes ya just gotta say F$%^ YOU! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 7,263	Re: NEED HELP Starla go back on the Paxil and stabilize. If you need to talk I will PM you my cell phone number. __________________ CALLY PAXIL FREE October 7, 2009

11-13-2009, 01:07 PM	#7
JessG Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Houston,Tx Posts: 282	Re: NEED HELP I'm so sorry you're having a rough time Starla, you have definitely been in my prayers. I think you should probably just ditch the Zoloft and re-instate the Paxil. I know it wasn't working for you when you re-instated, but it takes time and you were probably experiencing side effects from going to 6mg to 20mg all at once. If you crash it's best to go to the last dose that you felt stable on or close to it. I know you trust that your doctor knows best, but sadly that is probably not the truth. Listen to the people here who have gone through it or have seen others go through exactly what you are going through. There won't be any quick fixes. Talk to your doctor about going back on the Paxil and maybe she can also prescribe you a low dose of a benzo (for short term use) to help you with the awful anxiety. Hang in there, girl. ((Hugs)) __________________ Prescribed Paxil in Mar. 1998 for social anxiety 1st attempt to taper in 2002 by 2.5mg drops. Crashed somewhere between 10-15mg "Doc" upped Paxil back to 30mg. 2003-2005: Up and down from 27-35mg(?) Tapering since Dec 2005, from 35mg Stayed at 20mg for ALL of 2008 2/23/09:19.5mg 4/10/09:18.7mg 5/23/09:17.5mg 6/18/09:16.5mg 7/20/09:15.5mg 8/22/09:14.8mg 10/28/09:14.5mg 12/02/09:14.0mg

11-13-2009, 01:13 PM	#8
rain Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 2,489	Re: NEED HELP I agree that you should stop the Zoloft and reinstate Paxil... stabilize... and then do a VERY slow wean. Feel better! __________________ Currently 20mg Celexa 6/6/09 - 17mg appx. 7/6/09 - 15mg 9/7/09 - 12 1/2 appx. 10/24/09 - 10mg 1/19/10 - 7 1/2 appx. ...and then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. Anais Nin

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