Anyone else on Zoloft? Side effects? | ADHD Information

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My child's Zoloft has been fabulous for controlling his anxiety.  He used to awaken numerous times per night for lengthy time periods, couldn't go outside if he saw a bug, was totally stressed out crossing a parking lot.  Now he's normal in all of these areas!    However, the Zoloft made his impulsivity increase tremendously, and we saw a big drop in his schoolwork, his handwriting, and his behavior (increase of using inappropriate language, too physical w/ his brother, etc.).  We've found that a combo. of Zoloft, a stimulant, and guanfacine has worked well for him.  The guanfacine has anti-anxiety properties as well as helps control impulsivity and hyperactivity.  W/ the guanfacine, we've been able to lower the Zoloft dose to get the needed anxiety control, but w/o seeing an increase in impulsivity.  He takes 60 mg of Metadate CD (the stimulant), 1 mg of guanfacine in AM and 1.5 mg of guanfacine in PM, and 12.5 mg of Zoloft in the evening.  He cannot have any more Zoloft than that w/o seeing the impulsivity skyrocket.

The only side effect of Zoloft that we've seen is weight gain.  He gained some weight initially.  It's not a constant, ongoing thing.

She ended up getting very tired so they took her off the Zoloft.   They told me to wait until Friday and start her   Prozac.  Thanks for sharing!  I don't know what I would do without this site.

Thanks,

lara
spamula, I've heard you mention before that your dr. is opposed to Tenex to treat ADHD or anxiety.  Is it b/c that's a secondary treatment and at this point it's only approved to treat high blood pressure?  If that's the case, do you think your dr. will feel differently in a few months when the med. comes to the market which is a 24-hr version of Tenex and it has been tested and approved to treat ADHD?  I haven't talked to my child's dr. about it in a few months, but he had said that it's due to be released in Fall 2009.I am hoping he will change his mind when the new version comes out approved for ADHD. He is very conservative and just doesn't use tenex unless patient is really bad which I assume he thinks my son is not. Once the reps visit him he may change his mind. I am certainly going to address this again with him. Thank You for the info. spamula39950.2736921296Mom2ADHDboy-My son's psychiatrist is very against using tenex (guafacine) to help with the anxiety and impulsivity from the concerta/zoloft mix. He is so against it it drives me crazy! He won't even suggest an alternatine. He is very well known in these parts and is very cautious. BETHANN already addressed this with me and I don't get why he won't try it. Then I could back down on the zoloft and still get results. spamula39949.2099305556My child initially had fatigue with the Zoloft, but that went away after a few days.

I am an adult w adhd.  I take zoloft.  it is very good for me and it does not make me more mean!  I tried many meds and i do believe strongly that it is a very individual responce that people have to different meds and does and combinations.   It is vital to  1.  give the med a full chance to work...stay on as long a doc. / manufacturer recommends  and have a doc who is willing to work hard with you till the best result is found.

Also:  for me it is necessary to have a counselor/therapist.  I believe that all with adhd benefit from counseling.  with insurance, it is not too costly.  If no insurance, check you areas resources for free or low cost counseling.  Schools of psychology offer this and many citise have mental healthe centers offering this.  the fact of another person having your best interest interewst3ed in you is great and can help one to develope more quality relationships outside therapy

Best to you and yours

josh has tried tried both zoloft and prozac, with either of these he'd never be happy, he's always negative.Just be careful on other medications you take along with zoloft, which will actually increase the side effects . You can find the list of drugs at http://www.internationaldrugmart.com/zoloft.html My son has been on Zoloft 50mg for 3-4 years now. He is 10, almost 11. It has helped his anxiety treamendously.SP?  anyway we only have seen the increase in impulsivity with the Concerta he also takes for ADHHHHD. Before the Zoloft he would be sick to his stomach all the time and have headaches and didn't eat. It has been a miracle for us.My daughter recently stopped eating.  They say she now has OCD.  She is afraid that her food is going to make her sick.  Either becuase she thinks it's poisoned or spoiled.  After two weeks of eating almost nothing she lost 6 lbs.  The decided to put her on Zoloft to get her over the hump and relieve some of her anxiety so she can eat again.  I a have heard from two friends that sometimes Zoloft can make people "mean".  Has anyone else had this side effect?