The Lexapro trial is over. Swithching to Zoloft. Any advice?

[duckandcover]

My PAWS related anxiety was getting a big jump while on Lexapro.  2 weeks into it I was actually just taking my 10mg Lexapro with a .5 xanex.  It worked well enough but I'm NOT interested in a xanex addiction.  He's switching me to Zoloft.  I trust him so I'm giving it an honest try here.  Has anyone made this switch?  Any experience/advice much appreciated.

[Krisse79]

I wanted to check in with you and see how your switch from Lexapro to Zoloft went/is going.  I am making the switch myself and have been weaning off Lexapro and onto Zoloft.  Right now, I'm taking 10mg of Lexapro and 37.5 mg of Zoloft with 1 mg of Lorazepam 2x a day (to help get over the hump of changing).  I have noticed that since I am overlapping AND taking the Lorazepam, I have little desire to interact with anyone AND the sex drive is completely dead.  How are you doing now on Zoloft?  Do you like it?  I was on Paxil for 9 years, 40mg and got off because we thought we might be ready for a baby and Paxil is the worst SSRI for babies.  Now, I miss it because it actually worked!!!

[duckandcover]

You wrote: "But hey, if you are depressed, sex isn't really an option is it? "

Hard to argue.  At this point I'll give up a little sex drive for more peace of mind.

[GoingToMakeIt]

don't get me wrong about Zoloft. I have been on it for years. I have tried most of them out there and I agree, for me the Zoloft has the least side effects. It still can cause excessive sweating and can lower your sex drive some. But hey, if you are depressed, sex isn't really an option is it?

[duckandcover]

WOW!  Thanks for the fast feedback!  I agree that everybody is going to have different reactions to these drugs.  I'm going to give it an honest couple of weeks and see how it  goes from there.  My sleep patterns have been OK.  I still take a Magnesium/Calcium combo and it's lights out for a good 8 hours.  They are both ssri's and seem pretty similar when I google them but often it's that one little difference that does the trick.  So far the biggest single side effect of Lexapro for me (other than anxiety) has been the lack of appetite.  My stomach will literally be growling and my brain just feels nauseous if I eat something.  But hey I've dropped 7 pounds.

Anyway, I'll give it an honest try and I'll keep posting the results in my tracker journal for those that are interested.

[worried878]

Lexapro affected my sleep patterns like most AD do...it is hard to say..i used lexapro for detox as recommendedto get on an AD..stayed on it for 4 months and went down to 5 mg..dont think i am seratonin deficient...zoloft does wonders for my daughter and she has an anxiety disorder....not really diagnosed but i can sure tell when she stops her zoloft....she will pick a certain topic and worry herself to death over it...she wil call me 10 times a day..which i like (: but i dont like seeing her so stressed...then i will ask her  "Did u quit the zoloft?"   and it is always yes...she is young and i dont blame her for not wanting to take it forever...but she does much better on it than off of it...i believe lexapro and zoloft are both SSRIs....would have to google it but pretty sure....i have a problem with AD wiring me up and causing me sleep problems...everyone is different

[bladerunnerb]

I think that is a good move.  Again, some antidepressants work better for some than others.  Again, remember that if the zoloft doesn't work for some reason, you might try an SSNRI like Effexor.  It could be your nor-epinepherine out of whack.  Good luck on the zoloft, and give it the same 14 days.  Zoloft might take a full four weeks before you feel better, but the side effects should be greatly decreased by day 14...good luck!

[joann1975]

i have tried most all AD's since I was 19..... the zoloft has had the least side effects for me...but that is JUST ME...we are all different!

[GoingToMakeIt]

Zoloft is a love/hate relationship. I love feeling better but hate taking anything Rx because of side affects. With antidepressants you have to find the one that works for you.

[joann1975]

Yes, I made that switch and it made a HUGE difference for me! I do take zoloft and clonazepam b/c I didn't know til I found this forum that clonazepam is habit forming and not to just quit it....but I will address that at a later date....

Anyway...the zoloft has been great for me!

good luck and keep us updated!