Okay, I used zoloft for 15 years with great results. Then, like many, I thought I could do without it. Big mistake.
So I began taking it again in March, yet here it is October, and I am still not 100 percent. Maybe 75-80, but not 100.
And yes, I have increased dosages- I am now at 200 mg. And I even addedbuspar to givethe zooft a kick.
I am wondering what I have to do to get back to 100 percent. Can someone tell me what they know, through their own experience or otherwise, about what happens when Zoloft is no longer effective for you? Has anyone needed to add another drug, especially another anti depressant? I may need to add something to my zoloft to get full remission.
My pdoc tells me if you have developed a tolerance, it will be a 100 percent tolerance, meaning the pill will do nothing for you! However, it appears the pill has done a good amount for me, just not what it used to.
Has anyone who used to have 100 percent response (in other words remission) from zoloft, had their doc stop them on zoloft because it worked again, just not enough?
I am getting a response, and it became a pretty good one at 175 mg, but not remission. For 15 years I had remission with 100 mg.

I may sound paranoid, but the experience I am having from brand name zoloft now reminds me of when I tried the generic years ago. I noticed a decent sized relapse then.
Now the pills I buy say zoloft, and god knows I pay the brand name cost. But is it possible that it is really the generic sertraline that someone decided to cover as zoloft and thus make the much higher profit off?

Also, I noticed something my docs think is weird. When I begin to feel anxious or depressed, the side effect (delayed ejaculation) wears off. It is supposed to be the opposite they, they say; you are more sexual when the anxiety and depression leave you. However, it makes sense to me that if the medicine isn't helping you to feel better, then it is not at its full potency and can lose its side ffects.
Anyone know anything about this?

This post has been edited by PRT: Oct 10 2009, 01:32 PM

Hi supersack,


I guess you may have become resistant to Zoloft this time around. If you came off after 15 years there is a chance it will not work as effectively this time around. I had the same problem with Citalopram after I weaned off and went back on it was only 50% effective.

I went on a different generic brand and that worked within 2 weeks. So I guess the difference in the packing/compound made the difference. I found the same with Prozac, all brands don't seem to be the same, I tried a few brands before I go the right one.

Best Wishes

Jim Bow

This post has been edited by jimbow15: Oct 10 2009, 04:35 AM

Hi Supersack,

People take a lot of different combinations of meds depending on what works for them. Some people may add Wellbutrin if they are having problems with lethargy or sexual dysfunction. Other people may take mood stabilisers to keep them on an even keel. I can't be more specific because I don't want to give you wrong information and I have only ever taken benzos in addition to my SSRI and that's obvously to help with anxiety, not depression. If you have a read around though, many people have mentioned their combinations.

As for the other sexual issue, I do remember reading someone else posting something similar a while ago and coming to the same conclusion as you. I'll have a look round and see if I can find it.

PRT xx

This post has been edited by PRT: Oct 10 2009, 01:44 PM