Keep it simple. 

Most anti-depressants take 3 to 6 weeks to regulate in your system.  SSRIs, like Zoloft, are generally well tolerated many.  

Suggestions:

1) Read the symptoms and side effects on your Zoloft drug list.  Document any symptoms good or bad you have on a daily log.

2) Put your body on a good healthy schedule.  We all need proper nutrition and patterns for our body.  Going to bed at the same time every night, getting up at approximately the same time every day.  Following the same routine before retiring for the evening. Don't leave your tv on while sleeping.  Don't exercise past 8:00 p.m.  If you need a nap, take it before 3:00 p.m. and set the oven timer or alarm so you don't nap over an hour. 

3) While Zoloft is well tolerated perhaps your dosage is too high or it isn't the right SSRI for you, talk this over with your doctor. 

4) What you consume can impact the way the medications influence your body.  Watch your sugar intake.

5) Sleeping aids are meant to be temporary, not permanent.  Most are meant to be taken approximately 2 weeks.

6) Perhaps you need an anti-anxiety like Busparone?  Discuss the "wired" feeling at length with your physician. 

7) Doctors while well-intentioned are unable to determine how your body will react with specific medications, reporting every symptom good and bad (documenting it and taking it along to the doctor) will help zero in on the right medication faster.

(My brother had a friend we called Beatle Bailey -- he drove a VW Bug back in the late 60's.   He was a very gentle, likeable character as is the cartoon character.  Thanks for the memory jogger. )

beatle

2/11/08 8:04pm

Thanks for the info. I spoke with my doctor's nurse today and she said to stay on 150 for at least another week. She said the same as you said it will take a while to be tolerated before it's ruled out. I'm seeking therapy also to work on why I feeling the way I do so that I can sleep better. I have started walking on the eliptical so that helps for 30minutes to raise my serotonin level also as a stress reliever. I have also set up different sleeping arrangements with my husband until we can get his snoring under control. I have to say today has been a better day. I think part of my problem is that I really don't want to be dependants on meds anyway I just want this to go away. I have always prided myself on being in control of myself, actions and now it's changed. What an uneasy feeling. Also I took Busparone at night and it acted as though it was a stimulant so I let it go..I've read that Trazodone isn't habit forming in small dosages,but when you want to stop it it has to be tapered off like any other anti-depressant. I just started last night doing progressive muscle relaxtion which has seemed to help. Also trying to incorporate meditation into my routine(not really feeling it),but will stay positive and continue to try it..Sorry to vent,but I just needed to type it out that I am really trying and staying positive so I can believe it..again thanks for the info your right about my sugar intake I had to cut down on it and also caffeine switched to decaf.

a work in progress

2/11/08 10:44pm

Beatle Bailey,

 

Sounds like you are on the right track, keep up the good work!

 

"I have always prided myself on being in control of myself, actions and now it's changed. What an uneasy feeling."  It can also be liberating to not be responsible for everything in the whole wide world.  Imagine turning it over to God and letting it go.  Like the young child who reaches into the cookie jar and grabs as many as possible.  He soon discovers he gets more when he reaches for them one at a time rather than a fistful which won't allow him to extract his hand.  This gives him the freedom to tap in whenever he wants --- freedom!  Any new behavior is bound to leave you feeling uneasy until you practice it enough.  Keep going you're doing GREAT!!!!