A couple of months ago I wrote about my decision to begin taking a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) and delay trying to conceive after suffering two miscarriages last year. After two months on Zoloft, my world has softened and my life has become more manageable.
After multiple [fruitless] appointments, and a 10 minute appointment with a psychiatrist I’ve never met, I had a prescription for Zoloft in-hand with instructions NOT to begin taking while breastfeeding or trying to conceive [without speaking to my OB first]. I sat on that prescription for days, weighing my options and surfing the internet to get even more information. My research indicated that I was prescribed a hefty dosage of Zoloft, and my inner doctor told me to take one-third of that dosage, which I did. I don’t advocate disregarding a prescribed dosage of medication, but my decision to cut the dosage was based upon several factors:
- I still did not want to let go of the idea of getting pregnant…yesterday, so I figured that taking a lower dosage would allow me to feel the benefits of the medication and have an easy time weaning in a few months.
- I tend to go with a ‘less is more’ approach to taking medication
- I haven’t really taken medication in the past three years (allergy, aspirin, or otherwise), so I knew my body would be sensitive to any medication I put into it
- I didn’t know this doctor from Adam, and he prescribed my dosage after speaking with me for ten minutes (#Idonttrustdoctors)
- I’m stubborn and think I always know what’s best for me (at least I’m honest)
I am very happy to report that I have, indeed, felt the effects of the Zoloft, despite taking one-third the dosage prescribed to me. The changes are subtle, but the impact taking Zoloft has on my quality of life is immense.
I feel the need to make a SSRI Public Service Announcement here: if you begin taking an SSRI and don’t feel like yourself, or stop feeling anything, contact your doctor to discuss; you should still feel like yourself and experience a full range of emotions while taking an SSRI.
While my ‘problems’ and ‘demons’ have not changed in the past couple of months, nor has my workload or stress(es), the way I approach dealing with them (ie. actually dealing with them) has changed as a result of taking an SSRI. In the two months I’ve been taking Zoloft, I have noticed an increased amount of patience with things that used to irk me or get under my skin, and situations that would send me spiraling in an attempt to control, I now take in stride. I’m no longer experiencing daily anxiety attacks and have less anxiety while driving and in social situations. In fact, I am confidently attending a blogging conference this week as a result of taking an SSRI; a couple of months ago, the thought of traveling and being in an extremely social setting for an entire weekend would have caused me a great deal of anxiety and stress.
My overall outlook on life is definitely more positive than it was prior to taking Zoloft (and beginning therapy). I’m meeting with a new psychiatrist this week and am incredibly excited to talk to her about a medication plan and start considering the possibility of trying to conceive in a few months. I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to do something about how I was feeling, but am so glad to be feeling the way that I now do…
I’ve been on Paxil for 14 years 🙂 I had excellent therapy in my late twenties before having my son, and am now finally considering getting off of it…
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I wish you an easy time getting off of Paxil. I’ve had several friends have a tough time coming off of it, but one particular Paxil-weaning success story was a friend who started a yoga regimen during her weaning process.
I take Zoloft during the week before my period. I was diagnosed with PMDD a few years ago… for the week before my period I hate myself and everything around me more than is bearable. I’m a different person. When I take the Zoloft, I can manage and don’t feel like I have to hide in the closet so I don’t kill anyone. It’s a huge relief to not hate myself. Hormones suck.
I wish that I had been prescribed Zoloft for my PMD! But, I guess my doctor (and I) was more concerned with my cramps at that time (I had passed out a couple of times from them).
After the birth of my oldest daughter I was diagnosed with PPD…the scary kind where you have thoughts you shouldn’t have. After meeting first with at therapist and then with a psychiatrist I was proscribed the lowest dose of Lexapro. The transformation was incredible. In a matter of a week or so I was beginning to feel more like myself and then within an month’s time, the best way to describe how I was feeling was “even”. I could handle all the day to day nonsense with ease and I was laughing and enjoying being a mommy…even the icky parts.
A little over a year after I had my first baby I found myself pregnant again. I was still taking my low dose Lexapro and I continued to take it until I was 6 months pregnant when I got the okay to wean. I now have two wonderful daughters and both are happy and healthy. And so I am I. Thankfully I did not relapse after the birth of my second daughter and I am glad I reached out for treatment and took back my life.
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So glad that you have a success story! The meds have really made a difference in my life — I am so grateful for some relief!
Thanks for a very honest and candid look at your experience with meds. I went on Effexor after the birth of my daughter 13 years ago and had a very similar experience. I found that I could cope so much better and the anxious thoughts that were just bombarding me were gone. I continue to take them today and they have helped me manage a very stressful life. Glad you have found relief!
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Thank you for stopping by and sharing your experience! I’m glad that you were able to get relief — no more feeling as though you’re trudging through mud and ready to snap!
Thanks for your willingness to share your experience. I have not taken any antidepressants, but I’m thrilled the dose is helping you.
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Thank you, Sarah 🙂
I am so proud of you! Deciding to take an ssri is a huge deal but it’s definitely worth it. I’ve been on and off of celexa for about 3 years. While in the past it made a huge difference, the last go round was unsuccessful and I gave up before going back for my 4 week check up. I can’t handle my doctor nagging at me about seeing a therapist so I’m off the medicine now and we will see about the future. I, too, want another baby so the medicine isn’t a great idea for me right now.