Posts by redpilot37

Finally feeling my libido getting back to baseline. I’ve been on Zoloft for about 30 days now, and man, the beginning was just a total coma... but things are finally returning to normal. It’s not quite what it was before I started the meds, but it's fine enough.🙂
Yesterday, instead of taking my prescribed normabel before bed, I tried some Schizandra (that adaptogen herb) and I was out like a light in seconds.😍
I wasn't too worried about potential interactions... and unlike normabel, you actually wake up feeling rested and refreshed in the morning.

"Quote:"

quietwalker5 said:So, you're still dealing with exhaustion even twenty days into the treatment?
It should pass eventually. Are you taking anything to help you relax? How is your sleep?
I take Luxet in the evening.🤷

Yeah, true. Before I started treatment, I was all over the place. Now, the ADHD meds just chill me out perfectly. I end up just sitting at my computer for hours, and before I know it, the whole day is gone. It used to be the exact opposite—time felt like it was dragging forever.
Before I started taking Zoloft, I’d wake up for a second feeling totally restless. There were times when I was drifting off under all that stress and would get these hypnagogic hallucinations. I actually brought it up to my therapist, but he just laughed it off. When I asked him if I was experiencing psychosis, he just said, "No, you're just a little stressed out."😁My current routine is one Zoloft in the morning and 5 mg of Normabel at night. My doctor originally thought about dropping me down to 2 mg. I had to stop him. I told him, "Doc, what am I supposed to do with 2 mg? I’ve had 5 mg sitting in my cabinet for months just in case, and honestly, 2 mg feels like a kid's candy."🤣Back to what I was saying... since I started on Zoloft, the fatigue has been brutal. In the beginning, I’d just crash. I'd hit the bed in the middle of the afternoon and pass out immediately. Never used to do that.😲Things have calmed down a bit. Honestly, that ADHD medication keeps me steady enough that I don't even touch the Normabel before bed anymore. I only reach for it if I really need to crash fast or if I ended up staying up way too late.
I’ve never actually tried Luxet. I know about Normabel and Lexapro, but that’s about it. Lexapro never really sat right with me—it just made me feel all shaky and disconnected. For a while there, I was bouncing between herbal remedies, supplements, and various other stuff, but eventually, I just had to say enough is enough. Looking back, I’m glad I stopped playing around with that. You’ll see things start to improve once the therapy actually kicks in.😉

quietwalker5 said:My doctor prefers a gradual approach. One week at 1/4, then the second week at 1/2. I am currently on day nine. However, the depression still feels overwhelming, so I take 1/2 Xanax in the morning. I spoke with her yesterday, and she said we will start 3/4 Luxet this Saturday.
And she mentioned we shouldn't expect real progress until we hit a full tablet and stay there for three weeks.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm struggling with some intense fatigue today.
Did the pills cause you any stomach issues?

I'm feeling that fatigue too. I expected it to give me a bit more of a boost... but there is some progress, just minimal. It'll probably settle in after a few months.
They cause me a little nausea, but nothing intense. It's not actual stomach pain, just that weird, slight nausea... a strange sensation.
You can usually expect to feel a shift about two weeks into the antidepressant. Half a pill isn't much... once you get up to a full one, you'll definitely notice things getting better.

quietwalker5 said:Hi,
I am also taking Luxet (Zoloft), specifically half a tablet at night. Could you tell me how long the adjustment period typically lasts? When does the improvement actually kick in?

Thanks

P.S. I take Xanax 0.25mg (half a pill) as needed.

I've only been on it for about twenty days. For me, the side effects lasted through the first week, then after two or three weeks you start feeling a slight improvement. My side effects cleared up right after that first week. I started with half a tablet and then moved up to one full 50 mg Zoloft per day.

Michael Hill2 said:Wooo, I am so glad you pushed through the worst of it 😍

Now just enjoy the progress and keep doing that inner work 🙂

Thanks. Things are going to be different now. My prolactin levels—that hormone from the pituitary gland—are actually sitting below the normal range. Low prolactin is often linked to mental health issues like depression, psychosis, or schizophrenia. So, I'm thinking maybe fixing the prolactin issue by boosting serotonin could work. In my case, I'm using Zoloft.
Basically, that the depression might have been triggered by the low prolactin. 😉

Just wanted to let you know that the side effects from the Zoloft have finally cleared up. I'm feeling great. What I’m noticing is that I feel way more relaxed when talking to people—that awkwardness I used to struggle with is just gone. It's only been about 8 or 9 days, but I can already see things improving. I even managed to catch a solid two-and-a-half-hour nap yesterday afternoon since I’m an early riser and was pretty wiped out. It feels like I'm slowly coming back to life. I put this off for so long because I was scared to start them, but honestly, it wasn't the monster I thought it would be. I tried herbal supplements before—not really the topic here—which helped calm me down, but they didn't touch the actual cause. Using the antidepressants made me realize I actually had a mild social phobia I wasn't even aware of. I realized it because now I can express my opinions without all that heavy baggage, and I feel sharper when responding to things. I'm the type of person who notices the little details, and even though it's early days, I'm hoping it only gets better from here. Thanks to everyone who comforted me and helped me stick it out despite those awful side effects at the start. I did some Googling... turns out the fallout from my untreated anxiety, dissatisfaction, depression, and now this social phobia included a weakened immune system. I've burned through four boxes of antibiotics over the last few months. I'm convinced it's all connected to my mental state; the body needs to release stress, and energy flow matters. You can't just "positive think" your way out of a serotonin deficiency with pep talks, no matter how much I tried that over the last year. First, get the meds right, then deal with the underlying issues and the self-work.😉🙂

Michael Hill2 said:Honestly, I'll take being sleepy over feeling wired and anxious any day. 🙂

It just takes a little time to stabilize. You'll be fine. 🙂

I guess so. I’m completely wiped today. Napped this afternoon and now I feel like my blood pressure bottomed out or something. Just couldn't wake up. No energy at all. Even though I'm just hanging out at home, I have no idea how I'd manage to make it into the office if I actually had to work.😁 😲 🤣

My blood pressure is usually totally fine, though.

Finally, the side effects have cleared up, but I just feel totally drained... everything's all over the place. Yesterday I couldn't sit still for a second, and today I'm so sleepy it's driving me crazy... the swings are wild. One day it's nerves and restlessness, the next it's just pure exhaustion.... but I think I'll be fine and things will start looking up eventually.

Michael Hill2 said:It'll pass, for sure. Just hang in there. 🙂

Seriously, I felt twice as bad when I first started. I couldn't get a second of peace, was totally desperate, and kept thinking it would never end. But it does. Your brain needs time to stabilize those serotonin levels. 🙂

Try that breathing exercise—it really helps calm things down. And look, taking something like Xanax or another anti-anxiety med while you're starting an antidepressant is pretty standard until things level out.

As for how long you need them? Probably at least 6 months to a year, but let your therapist decide that. Don't stress about it right now. Try to find something that makes you happy, even if you don't feel like doing anything. Hang out with good people, go outside, soak up some sun, take a walk. Just remember: this phase is temporary and IT WILL GET BETTER. 🙂

thanks🙂
My therapist has me on 5 mg of Valium in the evening, plus as needed. I just took 2 mg and I feel better. I think I'll take Valium in the morning alongside the antidepressant, but I won't need it at night because I sleep fine without it. I feel much better in the evenings anyway. 🙂

Michael Hill2 said:I don't take Zoloft, I'm on Paxil, but since it's in the same SSRI family, I totally get it. During those first two or three weeks, I also felt like I wanted to jump out of my skin. I couldn't sit still, couldn't lie down, just constant crying and shaking.
If your doctor told you to take the full dose, don't start playing chemist and cutting it in half on your own. Just take it like they prescribed and try to white-knuckle through those first few weeks. That hyper-anxiety and restlessness will subside, I promise. 🙂

Don't torture yourself at the start. Take the Ativan when you need it and try that breathing exercise I mentioned in an earlier post; it actually helps. 🙂

Just hang in there. It's just a phase you have to push through, and things will be great on the other side. 🙂

Thanks so much, you really helped me feel better. I'm sticking to half a pill today and then moving to the full dose tomorrow to see how it goes... it's a relief knowing someone else went through these same side effects.
Hopefully this passes. How long do you usually have to stay on an antidepressant? Is six months the standard?

Oh, and I've definitely noticed I can't stay still. I have all this restless energy and feel like I have to keep moving. I can't just sit in one spot, though sleep hasn't been an issue.

I’m wondering if anyone else dealt with side effects from taking Zoloft 5 day where you felt like you were crawling out of your own skin. It was pure misery. For four days I was just taking half a pill, then on the fifth day I took a full dose, and by that afternoon I felt absolutely nauseous. Honestly, I didn't think I was the type to react like this—I've never even had anxiety before. My psychiatrist just laughed it off and told me not to worry, that it would pass. He suggested I take some Valium as needed. For those of you who went through this with Zoloft, did the side effects actually go away? And how long did it take? Right now I'm back down to half a pill, even though my doctor wants me on the full dose. To be honest, it felt like my symptoms actually got worse. Thanks for any advice. 🙂

I'm wondering if I can list Zoloft on my medical history for a primary care doctor

Gary Diaz3 said:So, is it possible for someone to pick up prescription meds using just their medical history records?

me

redpilot37 said:Can you just walk into a pharmacy and pick up Rivotril to help stabilize your mood? I know you can get Xanax if you show them your medical history, but what about Zoloft? Can that be prescribed based on your records too? thanks

Yeah, you can do that with refills if they're already in your history—like Xanax or Ativan. They just ask for your name, your doctor's info, and you show them your medical records.

I'm not sure about antidepressants or anticonvulsants, though. Or mood stabilizers. Does anyone here know?

Can you just walk into a pharmacy and pick up Rivotril to help stabilize your mood? I know you can get Xanax if you show them your medical history, but what about Zoloft? Can that be prescribed based on your records too? thanks

Does anyone know a good private endocrinologist in the San Francisco area? I’m looking for a recommendation.🙂
Thanks.
Also, does anyone happen to know roughly how much a consultation costs there?

redpilot37 said:I need some help here... it's the weekend and I'm switching doctors, so I have nobody to ask. My mom picked up my hormone results today—I had them drawn on day 21 of my cycle because my dermatologist recommended it for my seborrheic dermatitis. On top of that, I've been feeling exhausted even though my KKS looks fine..

The low prolactin is worrying me: 48.85 (ref range 102 to 496).
Everything else is right on the borderline.

Basically, I used to have plenty of milk supply, but then it just vanished. My little one is still nursing, mostly just sucking for comfort and habit. What could be causing the prolactin drop? Thanks.
I can't seem to find any real answers online.

Sorry, I have one more question to tie this all together... does low sunlight exposure, a drop in libido, or low serotonin levels (which might be linked to mild depressive symptoms) lead to lower prolactin?

I need some help here... it’s the weekend and I have to switch doctors, so I don't really have anyone to ask right now. My mom picked up my hormone lab results today—I had them drawn on day 21 of my cycle because my dermatologist suggested checking things for my seborrheic dermatitis. On top of that, I've been feeling totally wiped out, even though my KKS looks fine.

The thing is, my prolactin is low at 48.85 (the reference range is 102 to 496).
Everything else is just hovering right on the edge of the normal range.

Basically, until recently, I was producing plenty of milk, but then it just suddenly dried up. I'm still nursing a little bit just for comfort and habit, but there's almost nothing left. What could be causing this drop in prolactin? Thanks.
I honestly can't find any clear answers online.

Laura Morales35 said:Also, I count day one as whatever day they actually arrive, regardless of the weather. If they show up at 10 AM or 11 PM, it's still day one to me.

thanks🙂

So, here’s the deal... my period started Monday around 9 PM, but it wrapped up by Tuesday afternoon and just vanished. I wasn't even surprised since my cycles are usually irregular anyway, but it didn't really come back. Just some spotting on the tissue—pinkish and dark brown. It’s Friday now, and the whole thing feels way too short. I have an appointment at my OB-GYN on October 15th, but I’d love to hear what you all think about this or why the spotting might be happening in the meantime.
Do you guys count the first day of your cycle if the flow starts late at night, like 9 or 10 PM, or not?
Thanks.

melloworca6 said:What about the rest of your labs? Why did you get bloodwork done in the first place?

I don't know how much clearer I can make the title—please just read that first post. 😬 It’s there so doctors responding here can see the full picture and so you actually get useful answers. If people just comment based on one single number without knowing why the test was ordered, nobody is going to tell you anything smart beyond what you can already see yourself (like whether it's within the normal range or not).

I had headaches and long-term diarrhea. My stool culture came back fine, and the parasite screen was clear too... thanks.🙂