question about Zoloft... Wife took her first dose today and while she was at work

[diabeticman]

she seemed restless. She just got home and told me she drumming or tapping her fingers a lot. She seemed to walk around more than usual. yeah, the place she is working is a slow place so she waits a while for paperwork to come in so she will sometimes take walks around the warehouse but tonight she seemed to walk more than usual.

Is this normal? Is she have a reaction? I am only concern because she had some weird reactions to fake sugars they make her jigger.

Her doctor said the pill gives people energy and it can make people nausea and may cause her to throw up but if she can hang on for a couple weeks that will subside and the medicine will start working. She did tell my wife that it will take about 6 weeks to really work. I am concern of an adverse reaction or am I getting worried for nothing?

[NYC_SKP]

1. Walking and activity is very good if it's not interfering with her work.

I have to make myself get up and walk on most days, it's my primary exercise.

It's great if she can get used to it, or her PCP might have to adjust the dosage.

[diabeticman]

2. Thanks for the info. She is on the min dose.

[Quantess]

10. Can she break the pill in half?

I needed to.

[elleng]

4. 'Common side effects of Zoloft include

sleepiness, nervousness, insomnia, dizziness, nausea, skin rash, headache, diarrhea, upset stomach, loss of appetite, abnormal ejaculation, dry mouth, and weight loss.'

http://www.rxlist.com/zoloft-side-effects-drug-center.htm

The container should include this information.

[diabeticman]

5. she did see that but the drumming kind of distrubed her. It is unusual the way she was doing it.

[LiberalEsto]

15. The diarrhea may be caused by lactose in the tablets

I have a relative who takes it. She is lactose-intolerant. She has to take a dose of Dairy Ease every time she takes her med.

A surprisng number of medications contain lactose as a filler. My Vitamin B-12 tables contain lactose. Welbutrin has lactose.

This website has good info on whether a medication contains lactose or gluten.

http://www.glutenfreedrugs.com/newlist.htm

[cwydro]

6. She's a home health aide right?

Hopefully she can have some down time and pay attention to any symptoms.

I know there are many different types of anti-depressants. Some have some bad side effects.

[diabeticman]

8. she use to be but not now. She is now doing Data entry.

[hopemountain]

9. the pharmacist

who filled the prescription can offer some guidance regarding side effects and contraindications. i also suggest she keep a little notebook where she can keep a daily account of how she is doing/feeling to share with her psych for feedback, etc.

i took zoloft for 3 years in the late 90's while working and during a very stressful time and found it helpful. i also walked 3 to 6 miles per day after work.

if she drinks caffeine or has other stimulants she might consider cutting back or eliminating them for a day or so to see whether she is still experiencing the antsy feelings.

ask the pharmacist how long before the zoloft begins to take full effect.

[cwydro]

12. Yes, I agree that exercise is a huge help with depression.

[blogslut]

11. There's a lot of trial and error with mood drugs.

Sometimes a dosage needs to be lessened or increased. Sometimes one needs to take it at a different time of day than indicated on the bottle. Sometimes the prescribed medication needs to be changed to another altogether different one.

I had a friend who went through numerous anxiety/mood/seratonon-uptake blah blahs before she found the right combo. As for me, I learned that I had to take my mood drug in the morning as opposed to bedtime and that my dosage was too strong - through trial and error.

They all have side effects. Some you can adjust to - some you can't. I became accustomed to dry mouth and a funny taste that subsided but never really went away.

If your wife's nervousness becomes a serious problem then steps must be taken to either adjust the dosage, switch to another drug or get an additional prescription to quell the side effect. For example, my mood drug helped manage my anxiety but did nothing for my insomnia so I was also prescribed a mild tranquilizer.

I do hope that counseling is also part of your wife's treatment. I'm not a fan of here's-some-meds-you're-on-your-own therapy.

Good luck.

[sakabatou]

13. Um, I don't think medical advice is allowed at DU

>.>

[Avalux]

14. Here is Zooloft's package insert.

It lists possible side effects. As you can see there are many, ranging from mild to severe. I'm not giving advice, but if your wife is having a difficult time with side effects she may be experiencing, she should talk to her doctor.

http://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=517

[cwydro]

16. Check with the doc or pharmacist.

Seems odd that she'd have any type reaction that quickly, but what do I know?

[CreekDog]

17. are you asking for medical advice here?

[elleng]

18. 'am I getting worried for nothing?'

sounds like he's asking for hand holding, one of the things we specialize in here.

[cwydro]

19. I agree.

Hand holding, support, feedback in general.

We all love to give that.

Lol, I kinda wish we had a "medical advice" form, just to see what peeps would write (and advise). It could have a disclaimer that no one should pay it any mind!

[cwydro]

20. I read it that way first too.

But I don't think it was meant that way.

Again however, what do I know?

[IcyPeas]

21. I would also ask her doctor...

I think this is divulging very personal information.

[SammyWinstonJack]

22. That ship has sailed.

[vanlassie]

27. !!!

[cwydro]

23. Is she doing any better?

Keep us posted.

[diabeticman]

28. Well she doesn't have much desire for food. but nothing too extreme yet.

sorry about your sis' situation. Unfortunately my wife at this moment needs them.

[ghostsinthemachine]

24. I took Zoloft and I would punch that doctor in the face if

I ever saw him again. Absolutely the most horrible experience of my life. Took it 6 weeks, told him I hated it and he told me to double the dose. 6 weeks later I was homeless and all I could think about was killing myself.

3 question diagnosis.

Don't fall for it.

[cwydro]

25. Years ago,

my sis had a bad reaction to an anti-depressant.

I really hate all drugs. I simply don't believe in them.

[CTyankee]

26. This past year I was close to strangling a couple of my doctors...

one was a painkiller (I got so dizzy I couldn't stand up) and the other was an antibiotic (don't ask but it was uncomfortable and involved different kind of medical appointment). I now get injections (and do exercises) for my spinal arthritis and am treating my blepharitis with Restasis and lid wipes. The only pain med I take is extra strength Tylenol. My blood pressure meds are not a problem at all. If my arthritis gets bad I'll get a prescription from my rheumatologist for physical therapy...that was one of the best things I have ever done!

[diabeticman]

29. I am sorry about your situation. My wife's doctor is checking in her every 2 weeks.

[elleng]

31. Good. I hope she's feeling OK.

(and you too.)

[Marrah_G]

30. Give it 5 or 6 weeks to get into her system

If you act worried, she will start getting more anxious.