Zoloft

December 7, 2001

In a message dated 12/7/01 7:56:02 PM Eastern Standard Time,

macdonald@... writes:

> . He wants us to start at 25

> mg. for the first week and then increase to 50mg. if she seems to tolerate

> that without side effects. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I have to

> say that I'm a little nervous about this whole med deal. Billie already

> takes 8 different meds every day (more on an as needed basis when she's

> sick) for her asthma, allergies, migraines, and GI problems so adding

> another drug makes me nervous. It seems like so many chemicals can't be

> good for a little kid.

{{{{{Kathy}}}}}}

It's just what Zachary did to start Zoloft. He also has all the other meds,

you may remember he has Asthma as well. The only side effect I don't like

that he has is he is tired. He was taking it in the morning. We changed to

taking it at supper time and he seems to be doing better. Dry mouth is also a

side effect. If Zach is still having the sleepiness as a problem we talked

about switching medication. I am not sure how things will work out but for

now we are taking EVERYTHING one day at a time.

Good luck I hope things work out for Billie!

Tammy

December 7, 2001

does not take zoloft, but he does take the ssri Luvox. He was started

at 50mg and gradually increased. He is now at 400mg per day. (he is 16 and

a big kid). I was very nervous about starting meds on and then when

the doc added zyprexa I refused to give it to him for a whole month. It is

an antipsychotic and lists some pretty heavy side effects. I told the doc

my fear, he reassured me and I tried it(I very nervously tried it). Nothing

bad has happened with either med. The only side effect that is obvious is

the shaking of 's hands, which the doc tells me is from the Luvox and

will go away when he quits taking it. My fears were unfounded and the

benefits of the meds are now well worth it to me. It has tremendously

helped the OCD.

Sharon

>From: Kathy Mac <macdonald@...>

>Reply-

> < >

>Subject: Zoloft

>Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 19:59:01 -0500

>

>Hi Everyone,

>

>After a very long wait we finally saw the psychiatrist today. He has

>recommended that we begin a trial of Zoloft. He wants us to start at 25

>mg. for the first week and then increase to 50mg. if she seems to tolerate

>that without side effects. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I have to

>say that I'm a little nervous about this whole med deal. Billie already

>takes 8 different meds every day (more on an as needed basis when she's

>sick) for her asthma, allergies, migraines, and GI problems so adding

>another drug makes me nervous. It seems like so many chemicals can't be

>good for a little kid. On the other hand, the meds she's on are doing

>their jobs pretty well. I'm also concerned about behavioral side effects.

>I would be interested in hearing how Zoloft has worked (or not worked) for

>others. That said, I do understand that not every kid responds to every

>SSRI in the same way. Did folks find that giving it in the morning or at

>night works best?

>

>Billie has had considerable improvement from E/RP but she still experiences

>OCD symptoms many times every day. A couple of weeks ago she had a night

>where she cried and cried and talked about how she feels sad all the time

>because of OCD. She shouldn't have to feel this way so I guess I feel like

>if Zoloft helps it will be worth it. Mostly I think I just need someone to

>tell me that it's OK to try the Zoloft and nothing terrible will come of

>it.

>

>Billie and I are fortunate to have been accepted into Dr. Geller's family

>study. She will complete all the testing and we will meet with him the

>first week in Jan. for a full evaluation. Starting the Zoloft now will give

>us a chance to see if it's showing signs of working before we meet with

>him. If not, he may be able to make suggestions for other options as he's

>willing to consult to her psychiatrist and her therapist.

>

>Can you all tell from reading this where Billie got her " anxiety genes "

>from?

>

>Kathy

>(Who probably qualifies for an " OCD Spectrum Disorder " Diagnosis due to

>anxiety and compulsive cuticle picking)

>

>--

>Kathy Mac, LICSW

>email: macdonald@...

>

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December 7, 2001

----- Original Message -----

From: " Kathy Mac " <macdonald@...>

> Mostly I think I just need someone to

> tell me that it's OK to try the Zoloft and nothing terrible will come of

it.

Hi Kathy, it's OK to try the Zoloft and nothing terrible will come of it

:-) Oops that's reassurance, I should know better than that by now!

Seriously, Zoloft was " the one " for Kel and enabled her to begin recovery.

You are right though that each kid is an individual and there's no way to

know if/how Zoloft may help Billie without giving it to her.

Best of luck,

Kathy R. in Indiana

December 8, 2001

Hi Kathy. You know that I don't have on any meds but I'll be

interested to hear how Billie does as it's still a possibility for

us! Then again, we'll have to use whatever SSRI comes in a liquid

since can't swallow pills so that limits any choice we might

have.

I will say that the psychiatrist where I work who used to be a

children's ped doc said that he'd prescribe Zoloft for someone

's age. (11 at that time)

December 8, 2001

Hi , my daughter is takeing zoloft ahe is at 50mg daily and she is doing better

on it, no side affects eaither. dont worry and trust your dr ok patty in calif.

Zoloft

Hi Everyone,

After a very long wait we finally saw the psychiatrist today. He has

recommended that we begin a trial of Zoloft. He wants us to start at 25

mg. for the first week and then increase to 50mg. if she seems to tolerate

that without side effects. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I have to

say that I'm a little nervous about this whole med deal. Billie already

takes 8 different meds every day (more on an as needed basis when she's

sick) for her asthma, allergies, migraines, and GI problems so adding

another drug makes me nervous. It seems like so many chemicals can't be

good for a little kid. On the other hand, the meds she's on are doing

their jobs pretty well. I'm also concerned about behavioral side effects.

I would be interested in hearing how Zoloft has worked (or not worked) for

others. That said, I do understand that not every kid responds to every

SSRI in the same way. Did folks find that giving it in the morning or at

night works best?

Billie has had considerable improvement from E/RP but she still experiences

OCD symptoms many times every day. A couple of weeks ago she had a night

where she cried and cried and talked about how she feels sad all the time

because of OCD. She shouldn't have to feel this way so I guess I feel like

if Zoloft helps it will be worth it. Mostly I think I just need someone to

tell me that it's OK to try the Zoloft and nothing terrible will come of it.

Billie and I are fortunate to have been accepted into Dr. Geller's family

study. She will complete all the testing and we will meet with him the

first week in Jan. for a full evaluation. Starting the Zoloft now will give

us a chance to see if it's showing signs of working before we meet with

him. If not, he may be able to make suggestions for other options as he's

willing to consult to her psychiatrist and her therapist.

Can you all tell from reading this where Billie got her " anxiety genes " from?

Kathy

(Who probably qualifies for an " OCD Spectrum Disorder " Diagnosis due to

anxiety and compulsive cuticle picking)

--

Kathy Mac, LICSW

email: macdonald@...

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December 8, 2001

My daughter has been on zoloft since age nine. She is now 13. She takes 200

mg/day which is the therapeutic dose for OCD. She used to take it at night,

but it caused insomnia, so now she takes it in the morning and seems to be

functioning very well. Last year I was able to reduce it to 100 mg/day, but

this fall when problems began recurring, we put it back at 200 mg/day. She

eats a lot but is not horribly overweight

(5-1, 135 lbs.) When she was on Respiradal (age 7-9) she gained a lot of

weight (insatiable appetite, even when her stomach was full) and got

" chipmunk cheeks " , but after she was taken off the Respiradal, her appetite

returned to normal without any dieting, and since she is highly active, the

weight came off easily.

Jay in Denver

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December 9, 2001

My son took luvox and it made him feel like a piece of concrete. Before his

sudden onset of ocd at 16, he was a straight A student that played varsity

hockey, football and baseball. His grades went to F. and he had to give up

school and all sports. The celexa was much better. It does not make you so

tired. He has to take metylphenidate to give him a boost. I hate the

combination (* an upper and a downer) but his is doing better. Dana

December 14, 2001

Hi Kathy and Sharon:

YOu can add my name to the long list of parents who felt very

concerned about medicating my young child's brain. We tried SJW,

valerian and kava. Things just kept getting worse for Steve so in the

end we were begging for an appointment with a child psychiatrist to

prescribe meds.

Now I know that SSRIs have literally saved Steve's life as he has

MDD. It is one of my worst fears that he might decide to stop

taking meds and spiral rapidly downward. What a turnaround in

attitude, no?

THere is also some grieving involved in reaching acceptance that

our kids have something seriously wrong with their mental health.

Until we go through this process we are not ready to medicate them.

Take care, aloha, kathy (h)

kathyh@...

> does not take zoloft, but he does take the ssri Luvox. He was

started

> at 50mg and gradually increased. He is now at 400mg per day. (he is

16 and

> a big kid). I was very nervous about starting meds on and

then when

> the doc added zyprexa I refused to give it to him for a whole month.

It is

> an antipsychotic and lists some pretty heavy side effects. I told

the doc

> my fear, he reassured me and I tried it(I very nervously tried it).

Nothing

> bad has happened with either med. The only side effect that is

obvious is

> the shaking of 's hands, which the doc tells me is from the

Luvox and

> will go away when he quits taking it. My fears were unfounded and

the

> benefits of the meds are now well worth it to me. It has

tremendously

> helped the OCD.

> Sharon

December 14, 2001

Kathyh,

There is absolutely grieving involved in reaching acceptance as you said.

After all, when was born, he was my " perfect little boy " and I always

expected he would grow up normal, whole and healthy in all areas. I was

very naive back then. Letting go of that image is hard and painful.

Sharon

>

>Reply-

>

>Subject: Re: Zoloft

>Date: Sat, 15 Dec 2001 01:09:48 -0000

>

>Hi Kathy and Sharon:

>

>YOu can add my name to the long list of parents who felt very

>concerned about medicating my young child's brain. We tried SJW,

>valerian and kava. Things just kept getting worse for Steve so in the

>end we were begging for an appointment with a child psychiatrist to

>prescribe meds.

>

>Now I know that SSRIs have literally saved Steve's life as he has

>MDD. It is one of my worst fears that he might decide to stop

>taking meds and spiral rapidly downward. What a turnaround in

>attitude, no?

>

>THere is also some grieving involved in reaching acceptance that

>our kids have something seriously wrong with their mental health.

>Until we go through this process we are not ready to medicate them.

>Take care, aloha, kathy (h)

>kathyh@...

>

> > does not take zoloft, but he does take the ssri Luvox. He was

>started

> > at 50mg and gradually increased. He is now at 400mg per day. (he is

>16 and

> > a big kid). I was very nervous about starting meds on and

>then when

> > the doc added zyprexa I refused to give it to him for a whole month.

> It is

> > an antipsychotic and lists some pretty heavy side effects. I told

>the doc

> > my fear, he reassured me and I tried it(I very nervously tried it).

> Nothing

> > bad has happened with either med. The only side effect that is

>obvious is

> > the shaking of 's hands, which the doc tells me is from the

>Luvox and

> > will go away when he quits taking it. My fears were unfounded and

>the

> > benefits of the meds are now well worth it to me. It has

>tremendously

> > helped the OCD.

> > Sharon

>

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December 16, 2001

HI Sharon:

Hugs to you and to .

As hard as this grieving work is and letting go our unrealistic

dreams, the reward is great when we can gain a greater appreciation of

the strength, perseverance and courage our kids show when they learn

to cope with OCD.

I see that Steve is so much more sophisticated and capable about

managing tough things in life than I was at his age. Except for

occasional ongoing sadness that his life is not easy (whose really

is?), I am much more caught up in celebrating him as he is, OCD and

all, he is marvellous to me. Today I got a big compliment about him

from his aunt who really does not care for kids that much!

Take care, aloha, kathy (h)

kathyh@...

> Kathyh,

> There is absolutely grieving involved in reaching acceptance as you

said.

> After all, when was born, he was my " perfect little boy " and I

always

> expected he would grow up normal, whole and healthy in all areas. I

was

> very naive back then. Letting go of that image is hard and painful.

> Sharon

January 2, 2002

Hi Everyone,

I hope everyone has a great year in 2002! We are not starting out that

great with the zoloft for Brook. He was on 25 mg for over 2 weeks which

didn't seem to do anything and then last night we raised it to 50 mg and then

today he is suddenly very aggressive, which is very unusual for him. He was

hitting me and pinching me and did the same to Miles and my DH . I

really don't think I should give him the 50 mg tonight but am wondering if

just one day is enough to be sure. This type of behavior from Brook would

only be seen if he was really upset and he wasn't at all. He was doing it

even when I was taking him to his bath, which is his favorite activity. Maybe

one more day just to see what happens. Although I am wary because his respite

worker is coming tomorrow and she is around 75 years old and I don't want him

to hit her. Not that he is hitting that hard or I would stop it right now.

Marisa

Mom to Miles 14, Brook 11 and Genevieve 4

January 2, 2002

I'd stop the zoloft and call the prescribing doctor.

sorry....sounds like a hard day!

j

January 2, 2002

Hope y'll figure out the medication dosases. Glad

that everything is turning out good.

--- poggim@... wrote:

> Hi Everyone,

> I hope everyone has a great year in 2002! We

> are not starting out that

> great with the zoloft for Brook. He was on 25 mg for

> over 2 weeks which

> didn't seem to do anything and then last night we

> raised it to 50 mg and then

> today he is suddenly very aggressive, which is very

> unusual for him. He was

> hitting me and pinching me and did the same to Miles

> and my DH . I

> really don't think I should give him the 50 mg

> tonight but am wondering if

> just one day is enough to be sure. This type of

> behavior from Brook would

> only be seen if he was really upset and he wasn't at

> all. He was doing it

> even when I was taking him to his bath, which is his

> favorite activity. Maybe

> one more day just to see what happens. Although I am

> wary because his respite

> worker is coming tomorrow and she is around 75 years

> old and I don't want him

> to hit her. Not that he is hitting that hard or I

> would stop it right now.

>

> Marisa

> Mom to Miles 14, Brook 11 and Genevieve 4

>

January 2, 2002

Marissa ,

Just wanted to send you some HUGS . Luck tomorrow with the respite

worker . May you find some answers for Brook . I know it takes time

to find the culprit . Take care .

Irma, 13,DS/ASD

> Hi Everyone,

> I hope everyone has a great year in 2002! We are not starting

out that

> great with the zoloft for Brook. He was on 25 mg for over 2 weeks

which

> didn't seem to do anything and then last night we raised it to 50

mg and then

> today he is suddenly very aggressive, which is very unusual for

him. He was

> hitting me and pinching me and did the same to Miles and my DH

. I

> really don't think I should give him the 50 mg tonight but am

wondering if

> just one day is enough to be sure. This type of behavior from Brook

would

> only be seen if he was really upset and he wasn't at all. He was

doing it

> even when I was taking him to his bath, which is his favorite

activity. Maybe

> one more day just to see what happens. Although I am wary because

his respite

> worker is coming tomorrow and she is around 75 years old and I

don't want him

> to hit her. Not that he is hitting that hard or I would stop it

right now.

>

> Marisa

> Mom to Miles 14, Brook 11 and Genevieve 4

January 3, 2002

I decided to stop the zoloft last night and I left the Dr. a message this am.

This morning he seems to be back to normal. Monday we go back in for a

follow-up. I hope we can find a drug that works for him.

Marisa

January 4, 2002

In a message dated 1/3/02 2:54:54 PM Eastern Standard Time, poggim@...

writes:

> I decided to stop the zoloft last night and I left the Dr. a message this

> am.

> This morning he seems to be back to normal. Monday we go back in for a

> follow-up. I hope we can find a drug that works for him.

> Marisa

>

Marisa,

Sorry you are having to deal with this!!! What's the latest?

Donna

January 4, 2002

> Hi Everyone,

>......last night we raised it to 50 mg and then

> today he is suddenly very aggressive, which is very unusual for

him. He was

> hitting me and pinching me and did the same to Miles and my DH

.....

Hi again Marisa,

I was just scanning some of the past posts (I have been " no mail " for

a while..) and I saw this one from you about the Zoloft.

took Zoloft a couple of years ago for a few months. At the lower

dose, I don't remember it doing much to start, but I know after

several weeks, he started having real " outbursts " where he would

scream out loud for no reason. It was so loud that you could hear it

outside and across the street at our neighbor's house! It was

unnerving because it would come out of no where and you would want to

jump out of your skin! LOL I don't know if it affected the

aggression because he was aggressive before the Zoloft; but, it

certainly didn't stop it! He tried Prozac as well and had pretty

much the same reaction. When he was about 4 or 5, his pedicatrician

gave him Anafranil (which is a trycyllic anti-depressant) to help

control SIB and it definitely made him crazy!! He went off the deep

end with the aggression and self-injurious behavior. Go figure! I

am really sorry you are going through this. We've been down this

road and it isn't pretty! Hang in there...it really is by trial and

error that you will find the right med or combination of meds.

is proof that it's possible! LOL

Terry

January 27, 2002

Dear Jeanne,

Unfortunately, there is has not been a petition specifically aimed at Zoloft, yet... However, I hope to see one as do you. Have you thought about creating one yourself? All you have to do is write down your grievances (you can use the Prozac, Paxil or Effexor petitions to get some ideas), and submit it to http://www.PetitionOnline.com

You can go to that website and find complete instructions on how to get your own petition up and running. I had been collecting every email address I could get my hands for months, and when our Prozac petition was first posted, I spent two days sending the link to the petition to every one of those email addresses. Getting the petition posted is only half the battle... then, you have to work hard to make sure everyone knows about it.

Another thing you can do is go to the www.prozactruth website and add your name to the list of others who want to see a lawsuit against Pfizer and Zoloft. A list is being maintained there with hopes that we will soon see a Class Action formed against this drug.

Let me know if I can provide any other information. The Avenging Angel

Please sign the petiton at

http://www.petitiononline.com/lilpro

>From: Jeanne Fitzgerald

>Reply-SSRI medications >SSRI medications >Subject: Zoloft >Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 13:27:02 -0800 (PST) > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com.

If you would have any petition to sign specifically

for Zoloft, please send me info/link. Thank you very

much, Jeanne Fitzgerald

__________________________________________________

January 27, 2002

Dear Jeanne,

Unfortunately, there is has not been a petition specifically aimed at Zoloft, yet... However, I hope to see one as do you. Have you thought about creating one yourself? All you have to do is write down your grievances (you can use the Prozac, Paxil or Effexor petitions to get some ideas), and submit it to http://www.PetitionOnline.com

You can go to that website and find complete instructions on how to get your own petition up and running. I had been collecting every email address I could get my hands for months, and when our Prozac petition was first posted, I spent two days sending the link to the petition to every one of those email addresses. Getting the petition posted is only half the battle... then, you have to work hard to make sure everyone knows about it.

Another thing you can do is go to the www.prozactruth website and add your name to the list of others who want to see a lawsuit against Pfizer and Zoloft. A list is being maintained there with hopes that we will soon see a Class Action formed against this drug.

Let me know if I can provide any other information. The Avenging Angel

Please sign the petiton at

http://www.petitiononline.com/lilpro

>From: Jeanne Fitzgerald

>Reply-SSRI medications >SSRI medications >Subject: Zoloft >Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 13:27:02 -0800 (PST) > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com.

If you would have any petition to sign specifically

for Zoloft, please send me info/link. Thank you very

much, Jeanne Fitzgerald

__________________________________________________

March 7, 2002

Hi everyone...

Maybe some of you have tried Zoloft? I am wondering if any of your children

experienced increased gas and loose stools with this? Sorry about the gross

topic, but this has become a major issue for us at home and now school. And

I truly am tracing this back to starting this med last summer. We have been

having trouble iwth Gene putting his hands down there, not wiping and rubbing

it on his legs and the wall. It has become worse in the last week since

going up on the dose...so now I am going down with it and have put in a call

to the Dr. I think we may need another SSRI. Has anyone else dealt with

this issue. Yesterday it happened at school and thank goodness he has an

aide this week who has a son with autism and has four kids. She was so great

about it. Please let me know if anyone has had a similar experience so I can

share with the Dr.

Lauri, Mom to Gene 13

March 8, 2002

I dont think zoloft did a thing for nathan, so he was took of of it. shawna

re: Zoloft