I was on Effexor XR 75 mg from January 2007 until July of this year. I came off of it as I heard it was a very powerful SSNRI(I was given this in a Psych unit and didn't even know what it was they were giving me). Well, it was a terrible withdrawal as I am sure most of you know who have been on it. I had NO sex life AT ALL. Gained about 35 pounds in the meantime. Uggggh. During the withdrawal, I started on 200 mg of Wellbutrin. YUCK YUCK. I think it messed up my periods, and my anxiety was terrible. I am now off Wellbutrin since last week.
The only thing I am taking now is 30mg of Buspar. And I do have a script for Klonopin but I haven't taken it yet.

I hear some "good" things about Zoloft. But here are my questions:

1. I looked at the side effects on the sticky here, and I did not see "Sexual Side Effects". Are there any?(One good thing about wellbutrin is that I had my sex life back)

2. I also read on what Zoloft is prescribed for and it said here on the sticky "Obesitty" so does this mean you might lose weight?

3. For females. Has this drug messed up your menstrual cycle in any way?

I have Health Anxiety, Panic, depression and trouble sleeping.

How does Zoloft, an SSRI, compare to Effexor XR??? Which is SSNRI? If I hate Zoloft, are teh withdrawls bad? I had NO problem at all coming off of Wellbutrin.


I am seeing Psyc Dr on Thursday, and would like to make some suggestions to her.

Hi dancingmama67, I can't answer your question from personal experience only from what I've read.

All SSRI's have some sexual side effects. Evidently with Zoloft, some (less than half) women fail to achieve total satisfaction. (I'd love to see a chart of which had more and which had less effect.)


Many people do lose weight with Zoloft.


I haven't read of this.
Iowa

This post has been edited by iowa: Oct 26 2009, 09:41 PM

Okay, so far so good. My problem with Effexor, as far as my sex life, it was like I was ummm, like "numb". I could not have the big "O", and when I did, it took forever(sorry ff that is TMI).

I knew SSRI's usually have a history of sexual side effects, but I thought some meds had this problem more then others. I was hoping that Zoloft had a "lower" incidence of this.

And glad to hear about the weight issue.

So how does it work for anxiety/panic/depression?

And what would you say is the biggest side effect complaint would be?

I have not had any trouble with my periods or with my sex drive. I havent lost any weight though. One thing I have noticed is losing time, esp in the early evenings. My anxiety has gotten worse and I hope this is temporary. I have been afraid to leave my apt. When I do go out I try to avoid people, usually by going out in the early am on the weekends. I have been having trouble sleeping too which is why I am on here now. I dont want to scare you, but I have been having a hard time on this med.

No, not scaring me. I know meds effect different people in different ways. The Wellbutrin gave me insomnia so I know the feeling. Glad to hear you have not had any troube with your periods or sex drive though. And I do not care so much about losing weight(well, I do) but I certainly do not want a ton more either.

Everyone is different, and at one time, I was scared to take Zoloft. I had the script filled finally, and still waited a week before I could take it. I'm glad I did. I have no regrets at this time. It has been good to me.

I am glad to hear that. Have appt Thursday so I will ask about it.

How'd your appointment go? Have you decided to try Zoloft or not? I've been taking it for 6 months but have to increase the dosage a couple of times. Before I was switched from Lexapro to Zoloft my libido was nonexistent. It's finally starting to come back now. I think that would have earlier but I was on too low of dose. I sleep better than I used to...I wake up feeling well rested most of the time. I think the only side effect that I have experienced is low appetite. Good luck with everything!

From what you say, your "withdrawl" symptoms from effexor may actually have been a continued need for an anti depressant, rather than real withdrawl. In other words, if you still need an ad, you could lose your sex drive and gain weight.

Zoloft is probably the best ad out there, but yes sexual side effects are all too common, including delayed or unachievable orgasm.
I have heard about zoloft causing weight loss, but not to any great extent. Not sure of the truth, though.

Not sure on zoloft vs effexor, but such comparsions are somewhat useless becasue people respond differently. They are pretty different in the way they work. Effexor is an SNRI. If you hate zoloft and get off it quickly, within a few weeks, there should be no withdrawl. ALso, the side effects will pass within a day or two once you stop.

Keep in mind that side effects and withdrawl get played up on boards like this because people come here to complain about their problems. People who have no problems with the meds usually do not come here. The fact is, most people can wean off zoloft gradually, and suffer limited, or no, withdrawl. I had no withdrawl at all when I weaned, but you gotta go real slow.

I was on Remeron for only 4.5 weeks and the noradrenaline effect at higher does took my already bad anxiety through the roof. I have learnt from this experience that any AD that affects noradrenaline is definately not for me. I also gained 17 pounds in that short time. I have only been on Zoloft for 9 days, but have already lost 4 pounds.
I have read that Zoloft is a bit kinder on the sex life, but really have no idea lol.....
I have never had any problems in the past with SSRI's messing up my menstrual cycle, but haven't been on Zoloft long enough to know whether this one does.
Zoloft may make it harder to fall asleep, I have had a little trouble with that so far but your doctor could add another med for night time. I have a better quality of sleep on SSRI's.
I have been experiencing really bad anxiety and depression, this time, for 5 months. I have had a few med changes, but in the short time I have been on Zoloft I feel I am improving.
Hope you feel better soon,
Miracle