For a while now I've wondered what dosage everyone's on and whether it's effective or not.

This post has been edited by lestat: Jan 15 2008, 10:09 PM

Hi lestat,

Good poll! Thanks for coming up with this.

I've been on Zoloft for about 3 years now and I've been on different doses during that time. For the past year or so I've been back at 50 mg.

Overall I find that Zoloft is pretty effective for me and I like it better than any of the other anti-depressants I've tried. I find that Zoloft is particularly helpful with my panic disorder. I was having bad panic attacks before I started Zoloft and this has got much better since being on this medication.

I hope Zoloft is very helpful for you and I'll look forward to hearing from you again!

Take care.

Joanna

I'm on 100 mg, but I take 50mg in the morning, and 50mg at lunch. I take Amitriptylin at night to sleep, as well, so the meds are balanced out throughout the day for me. If I take 100mg in the morning, I feel washed out by evening.

I WAS on 150mg of Zoloft but was taken off of it about a two and a half weeks ago. I had taken in for around 3 months but got considerably worse than before taking it. I lost 20 pounds, had absolutely no motivation, etc. Everyone is different - what works for one may be horrid to the next.

Good luck! I hope it works well for you.

Lost in the Past

I went from 50mg to 75mg and am now on 100mg. I've been on it for about 10 months, but I don't find it very effective. I'm still severely depressed, though it's different to how it was before. Not to say that I believe ADs to be ineffective, I think different people have different reactions to it and for me, my problems are related to external factors. I think my situation needs to change for me to get better.

I have been on 50mg for about a month and just asked the doc to up it to 100mg because while 50 was working, I didn't think it was as effective as it could be. If the 100mg doesn't improve things, then I will drop back down to 50.

Good luck with the dosage increase, JerseyRob. Keep us posted!

Take care.

Joanna

Hi lastresort,

Are you able to get any help with making the changes to your situation that you talk about here? And in the meantime, perhaps a different medication might be more effective for you than Zoloft? (I'm not sure if you've tried any other ADs?). I do understand though that you feel like your depression is mainly caused by the situation you are in. And I hope so much that you are able to get some real life help and support with this.

Wishing you all the very best.

Take care.

Joanna

Im currently on 100 mg..if this dosage does not work my doc is going to try another med...im better then I was before but still not normal.

Hi christalonely,

It's really good to hear you are doing better than you were, and I do hope you continue to notice an improvement on Zoloft. So glad that things are moving in the right direction for you!

Take care.

Joanna

I am starting, this is my fifth week and I am taking 50 mg and doing great.

Hi Andres,

Welcome to the Zoloft room! It's great to hear that Zoloft is working so well for you. Yay! Thanks for sharing this good news.

I hope you continue to go from strength to strength!

Take care.

Joanna

This post has been edited by Joanna: Jan 26 2008, 09:13 PM

Hey Christa,

Sorry to hear you're not 100% - and I hope you find something that helps. I took another med for a couple of years, and while it helped, it didn't help as much as the zoloft has - I thought that was as good as it got.....

I hope the new dose helps, but in any case, let us know how you're doing, okay?

Take care,
Dewayne

I'm so glad to hear it's helping! Keep us posted, and I hope the good times continue!

Take care,
Dewayne

I'm almost on my third week at 50mg. I was doing well the first week, but after that I started feeling depressed again. I haven't been able to get back to where I was yet, but I'm working at it and hope to be somewhere near normalcy soon.

Hi allypoo,

Good for you for working hard to get back to where you were before your depression and for staying hopeful. I really hope the improvements you felt during your first week on Zoloft will continue. I think it's very normal to have some good days/weeks and not so good days/weeks as we adjust to a new medication. Three weeks is still early days and I'm keeping everything crossed for you that your good days will become much more consistent. If you aren't already, don't forget to stay in close contact with your doctor about how you are doing. And please keep us posted too!

Wishing you all the very best.

Joanna

This post has been edited by Joanna: Feb 18 2008, 11:50 PM

Hi allypoo,

I wish we had meds that "kicked in" faster, so we'd know they were working sooner. I had good and bad days when I started, and I think it was about four to five weeks before I could really tell they were helping. Keep talking to us, and letting us know how you are, and I hope you approach normalcy soon.

Take care,
Dewayne

Hi everyone,

I'm new to these forums, but i figured this was a good place to start.

I've been on Zoloft for about 3 months now. I've taken 50, 100, and recently 150mg.

After about a month on each with no visible changes, my doctor is recommending me to another specialist.

Despite their ineffectiveness in improving my mood, i did notice an increase in my hostility and anger, especially towards others. Since i've always been a pretty peaceful person, this was a bit alarming. Also, a severe change in my eating habits. Since i've had problems with eating disorders in the past, this worried my doctor more than anyone.

I've recently realized how frustrating and well,.. depressing this continuous struggle to find a balance in medication can be, so i want to applaud anyone and everyone who deals with this every day.

-T

Hi JustFinicky,

Welcome to DF and to the Zoloft forum! I'm really sorry that Zoloft does not appear to be helping your mood and, if anything, that it's causing additional problems in terms of your anger and eating habits. I'm wondering how much longer your doctor is suggesting you stay on this medication? Also wondering whether Zoloft is the first anti-depressant you have tried? There are definitely a lot of other medications out there and, hopefully, one of them will help you. But, as you rightly say here, this trial and error process can be very frustrating. I'm really sorry you're going through this right now.

Wishing you all the very best and looking forward to hearing from you again.

Take care.

Joanna

Welcome JustFinicky!

I'm sorry zoloft isn't working for you, and I can relate. I've experienced the frustration that comes with searching for a med that will help.

I'm so glad you're not giving up, and I hope the specialist can help you!

Take care,
Dewayne

It's hard to say what dose I am on. My dr wants me on 150 mg. I tried it for a couple days then went back to 100mg. Decided I want off of zoloft (long story), so I adjusted my dose to 50mg since the 19th (a about a week ago). I know how to ween myself off, I can't consult with my doctor about doing this because she doesn't believe in withdrawals.

I was on seroquel, I stopped cold turkey and had horrible withdrawals. My dr said it wasn't the medicine that caused the way I felt. But all the research I did showed that it was withdrawals I was going through.

My dr isn't very helpful mental threapy wise, I don't know why I even bother going at this point. I am thinking I am nearing the end of going but my husband thinks I should still go. My dr already told me she doesn't know how to help me other than px medicine and asked me if I wanted to come back. I said I don't have to come back, it's okay, then she looked at me with a shocked look. What a waste of time in my opinion, a waste of time for me and her. the only thing she is helping me with is 2 other medications, one for anxiety and one to sleep.

there is a lot more detail that I am not putting, Only because I am tired, it's late, and I have to get up at 5am to get ready for work, ugh! so please don't judge me. I have a lot of reasons why I am weening myself off.

cheers

This post has been edited by snowqueen: Feb 25 2008, 08:38 PM

Hi snowqueen,

I really hope you can find a new doctor and I am sorry you have landed with someone who sounds so unsupportive. Once we lose confidence in our doctor and/or therapist, I agree that it is pointless continuing a relationship with them. Perhaps you could make an appointment with a psychiatrist? In other words, someone who really knows their stuff when it comes to anti-depressant medication. Hopefully you could then work with him/her on trying a new AD that might suit you better? And, presumably, whichever doctor you switched to would be able to help you with your other prescriptions also?

Wishing you all the very best, snowqueen.

Take care and keep us posted!

Joanna

((((((Snowqueen)))))

It is hard to find docs that know how to treat mental illness. Please try to see another doc who has more experience, it makes all the difference in the world.

I went to one who I felt didn't have much experience treating mental illness, and was having lots of problems with the med he gave me. Every time, he just upped my dose, and I got worse and worse until I was maxed out on it. Long story short, he left town, I found a new doc, and she knows what she's doing. I was on the verge of having myself committed before I found her, and she's helped me more than any other doc I've ever had.

And you are correct that quitting meds cold turkey is NOT a good idea, and I'm shocked that any doc would suggest that with all the info that's out there. I think it would also be a good idea to be under another doc's supervision while weaning yourself off of zoloft, but I'm glad that at least you're not going cold turkey.

Not fun. Ask me how I know.

Take care,
Dewayne

Take care,
Dewayne

I was surprised to see that I am the only one on 200mg. I started on 25 for bout a week then 50 for 2 weeks then 100 for 2 weeks and started 200 today. Im not very confident about it because I havnt been feeling any better at all. The reason she up'd me is cause I am sleeping more and she thinks that might be an indication it will help but I still feel more horrible even though im sleeping more (probably sleeping too much now). What made me decide to try one higher does is because ive already put in so many weeks I may as well stick it out otherwise she would have switched me to something else and i would just have to start again.
the scary part is that she gave me double dose so that I dont run out in two weeks (cause they only make 100mg tablets) and I still have some from previous scripts... and im tempted just to take them all, everything in the cubboard actually... i went off the track a bit there... sorry

(((((((((((((((destructive))))))))))))))

I'm so sorry you are feeling like this ((((((((()))))))))) You are definitely not the only person who takes a 200 mg dose of Zoloft, it's just that it's the people taking lower doses who seem to have responded to this poll. Definitely doesn't mean there aren't people taking 200 mg out there though. But more to the point is that Zoloft does not sound like it's helping you too much.......And I'm really sorry about that. I completely get it that you don't much feel like starting all over again with a totally new medication, but, honestly, if you are feeling this bad on Zoloft then I wonder if it might not be a better idea to think about something different??

Also, maybe you could talk to your doctor about adding something? I am totally not an expert on these things, but I know many people take more than one medication and seems to work very well for some folks.

The main thing is for you to start feeling better again. Can you talk to someone in real life about how you are feeling right now? Do you have a therapist? Or even a close friend or trusted family member who could give you some moral support while you are struggling? I'm so sorry you are having these feelings and I hope so much you can find a better medication - or combination of meds - and also that you find all the support you need to get through this.

Thinking of you and wishing you all the very best.

Take care.

Love,

Joanna

i went from 25 mg to 100mg within a month. its kinder hard to tell if they work i dont really notice that much of a difference. but my boyfriend does. i've been on them for about 3 to 4 months now. i was on citalopram

Hi pixie,

I really hope you feel some positive effects from Zoloft. It's good that your boyfriend is noticing some, but it would be even better if you were noticing the benefits yourself! I do hope this happens soon.

Wishing you all the very best.

Joanna

(((((Des)))))

I am SO sorry you're not feeling any better.... I do think you're doing the right thing by hanging in there, though, because it was at about the fifth or sixth week that I could tell a difference. 200 mg is not unheard of. I take a smaller dose, but I also take another AD med, too, so that makes a difference.

I really wish there were an easier way to figure out what will work for a patient, but it's still trial and error, and I know how much the "errors" hurt, waiting for them to kick in. Hang in there, 'kay Des? And don't take them all. That's an order!

I really would like to see you well, Des. You're a wonderful person and you deserve to be happy.

(((((Hugs,)))))
Dewayne

Hi pixie,

I really wish you could notice a difference, you should be by now. I'd talk to your doc, and tell him/her what you've told us. I'm glad that your boyfriend can tell a difference, but you should be able to tell a difference by now as well.

Take care,
Dewayne

I am new to meds,and this is my first time.After trying to ...myself 10 days ago,my doc recommended zoloft.I began with 25 mg and today doubled to 50 mg.I feel relaxed and at least the noises in my head began fading away.I hope this works.

Hi Wildcat,

Welcome to DF and to the Zoloft room!

I'm so glad you have got some help and that you've started on medication. It's great that you are already feeling the benefits of Zoloft. Yay! I'm really happy to hear that. This medication has helped me a lot too and I hope you continue to go from strength to strength!

Take care.

Joanna

Im on day 3 of my zoloft experiance starting the first 3days at 25mg then tomorrow uping it to 50mg. I do have to say I already feel better but I think its the xanax that Im taking every 12 hours. Taking it for panic and anxiety. I really hope this works last time because I tried to start back in Dec and had a few se and freaked out and quit. My family is behind me and making me take it so I hope to follow thru this time.

Hi stang,

Thanks for checking in with us again! I'm so glad to hear that you are feeling better. Even if it's the Xanax helping with your anxiety so far, the main thing is that you are back taking Zoloft and that it isn't causing you bad side effects. I really hope the Zoloft starts to help soon too. It's great that you are doing better and that your family are there to support you! Good for you, stang!

Wishing you all the very best.

Take care.

Joanna

Today was day 4 of Zoloft went up from 25mg to 50mg today, I had a strang day felt pretty good most of the day but had a few panic attacks with hot flashes and cold flashes and real since of urgency not sure if its from the zoloft or just me getting anxious because of the increase in does. Is it pretty common to have these panic feelings? I felt like stopping my zoloft like I did bac in dec for the same reason. I know it takes a few days to weeks to really get the benefits so I'm going to try to stick it out.

(((((((stang)))))

It is definitely not unusual to experience more side effects when you increase the doseage. I really hope the unpleasant feelings lessen and that you adjust to the 50mg dose quickly. You are right that it could take several weeks for you to feel the full benefits of Zoloft, but hopefully the side effects won't last that long.

Are you still taking the Xanax? I hope that is continuing to help you a bit. And good for you for trying to stick with this and not quitting the Zoloft cold turkey like before. I'm keeping everything crossed that it works for you ((((((((stang)))))))

Take care.

Joanna

This post has been edited by Joanna: Mar 22 2008, 01:13 AM

Hi wildcat,

I hope it works, too. It's a wonderful thing when you find a med that helps, and I wish you a speedy recovery!

Take care,
Dewayne

im now on none cause they think im beyond the need of an AD. hope it works for someone else tc des

((((((((((((((destructive)))))))))))))))))))

Can you find a more helpful doctor????

Thinking of you and sending lots of love,

Joanna x0x0x0x0

Awww, Des......

I really wish this had worked for you, but I'm puzzled - this seems rather soon for your doc to be making this decision. I'm certainly not qualified to critique that decision, though..... Are you seeing a gp or a psych? Just curious as to how much experience this doc has with mental illness.

I do hope you can find something that will work, Des. You're a wonderful person who truly deserves to get better. I truly wish I could be more help.

Take care,
Dewayne

Hi, new here :o) I'm one of those who has to keep upping the dose because of it conking out. I started on 50 mg and now I'm on 150 and hoping to go higher. Is anybody here on over 200 mg?