New here need support

[SH_]

I am on a low dose 50 mg. It takes several weeks to kick in. Not sure if it is doing me any good, but I am doing better. Maybe it's the meds maybe it's the work I am putting in to move forward. But I will continue to partner with MD.

But the affects vary for different folks. The key is to stay close with MD and determine what works best for you. It may take some time, but you will want to stick to whatever you are advised by MD. And communicate with him/her in case you need to try other options.
For me the anxiety was worse than depression so I needed something for that. It worked and now I take it infrequently but I know when I need it.

You are on the right track, now you will need to stick to it. Healing takes time, and work ,but it will happen.

[poschan]

50mg recommended. I'm not sure I feel comfortable with taking something daily with the various side effects I've read briefly online. I would rather be able to take something when I feel the waves coming on. I'll discuss further with MD. Thank you all for the feedback I really appreciate it.

[poschan]

Hey SadHub, do you take something different for the anxiety?

[collin]

poschan, as mentioned before, zoloft and other anti-depressants affect everyone differently.

But for me, I am on 150 mg. I was on 200 and I felt out of it, like a zombie. I have tried 50/100 and they didn't have the desired effect. The Dr. put me on 150 about a week ago. The only negative side affect was sexual, but that's not really important now, is it? However, DO NOT STOP TAKING ON YOUR OWN WITHOUT A DR'S GUIDANCE!!! It will seriously mess you up.

There is a medicine you can take, and I think I mentioned it in a post earlier, you put it under your tongue when you feel like you need it and it works within minutes.

The zoloft does take several weeks/month (once again depends on you) before it's in your bloodstream and starts to work.

Remember, this is just my experience with it.

[poschan]

Sorry Collin. The distress is horrible. I guess it will just take a lot of time to adjust to our new/or soon to be new lives. I've been studying up on some of the inner child methods and will try some of those techniques.

[Phoebe]

Poschan, I'm not aware of any meds that can be taken on an as-needed basis for depression. Depression is a long-term issue anyway. My doc put me on Prozac, I've had no side effects at all. I am on a small dose, too. May get it bumped up again.

Anxiety is another thing altogether. It can come on quickly and there are short-acting meds that help - Valium, Xanax, etc.. I'm like SadHub. I take it very infrequently these days, but I know when I need to take it.

Again, just tell your doc everything, and you should start getting the help you need. ADs aren't for life in cases like ours, where we are dealing with an acute trauma. 6 months and then taper off is typical. Take what you need and don't feel bad about it for a second. Do what you need to for yourself and your D7.

[poschan]

Thanks Phoebe. I feel like its more anxiety for me and need to discuss with MD further. The crying this morning was therapeutic and I'm sure there will be more to come. I just need to accept my emotions and feelings and ride them out...This too shall pass

[SH_]

Hi poschan,

I take Xanax for the anxiety. It works for me.

As the others have posted you will want to work with the MD, different meds for depression and anxiety.
Side effects also worried me and kept me from starting for over a month after prescribed. Wish I had not waited, but I think the reason for the low dose is to minimize side effects. I did not have any side effects, not even the one I wanted which was tiredness. I really wanted that so I could sleep.

My advice though is don't just count on meds alone,be sure to do the work to heal. I believe both combined have helped me.
I would recommend a DB coach as another source of help.

[Phoebe]

Definitely. Meds won't heal us. They just help us while we help ourselves. We've got to do the heavy lifting.

[Phoebe]

Oh, I forgot to mention. A lot of us start with severe anxiety (due to uncertainty), and then as that improves, depression becomes a more prominent symptom (more grief and examining the past). I only say this so you know that you are totally normal if you follow a similar path.