Zoloft, cholesterol, weight gain, cardiovasular

[Guest guest]

I am posting my story in the hope of contacting others who may share similar

experiences

with Zoloft. In July, 1998, at age 43, I was prescribed Zoloft for severe

anxiety/depression

resulting from work-place emotional trauma. I have taken Zoloft for recurrences

of the

anxiety/depression triggered by flashbacks of the work-place trauma. I have

recently

weaned myself of Zoloft following of identification of health problems

non-existent before

taking Zoloft. My Zoloft experience follows:

July 1998-March 1999: increasing suicidal ideation for first four months; memory

and

concentration problems, first ever urinary tract infection, fatigue, mood

swings, some

weight gain. These were outweighed by the lifting of the anxiety/depression to

the point

where I could return to work in a different location with the support of a

workplace

rehabilitation program.

After slowly ceasing Zoloft I was relived to discover my mental `fog' had

lifted.

August 2000-January 2001: Reluctantly recommenced Zoloft after recurrence of

anxiety/

depression. Conjuctivitis, dry eyes, memory and concentration problems,

confusion,

increasing weight gain, occasional dizziness, tinnitis and loss of coordination,

mild

exercise-induced asthma, fatigue.

November 2003-November2005: A further recurrence and I battled without

medication for

longer than before but found the anxiety/depression increasingly debilitating

and so

reluctantly recommenced Zoloft. Increased weight gain and cholesterol level (4.6

rising to

6.4 during last two years on Zoloft), despite a healthy diet and exercise,

marked increase

in memory and concentration problems as well as dizziness and loss of

coordination,

conjunctivitis, increasing incidence of dry eyes, increasing allergic responses

and food

intolerances, urinary incontinence, diagnosed hypoglycemic, increased

breathlessness

(attributed to increased asthma due to allergies!), mild arthritic pain, fatigue

and muscle

weakness, racing thoughts and periods of hyperactivity.

These effects have become more noticeable in the last twelve months. I attempted

to lower

my dose gradually, but as this produced disturbed sleep I resumed my regular

75mg dose.

Over the past 6 months I noticed that I was becoming increasingly fatigued and

agitated

and had actually started leg tapping and pacing. Two months ago I commenced a

further

period of leave from work and have been weaning myself off Zoloft. During this

time I have

been diagnosed with coronary heart disease with a 60% blockage of right coronary

artery.

There is no family history of CHD and I have never been a smoker. I have also

been

diagnosed with polycythemia and have commenced phlebotemy. Again, no family

history

or identified risk factors. I am also battling my second ever urinary tract

infection, and an

ongoing respiratory infection. My body is obviously telling me it has had

enough.

The information about SSRIs and their effects is much more abundant, accessible

and

alarming now compared to my initial research before commencing the drug on 1998.

I would like to hear from anyone who has experienced elevated cholesterol,

weight gain,

breathing problems or any form of blood disorder or heart disease since taking

any SSRI,

but in particular Zoloft.