Zoloft - cyclic dosing anyone?

[Bernard]

Hey CBers,

I've just been prescribed Zoloft for what is presenting as PMDD. So I am supposed to take it for the last two weeks of my menstrual cycle. That's the two weeks before I bleed, right? That's usually my most psychotic time.

Anyone else doing this? How goes it? Does it take long to notice the effects of Zoloft?

Does it make you loopy going on and off meds all month?

I'm nervous. We are trialling it for three months and then reviewing. My Dr thinks I may end up on full-time Zoloft but he is hoping cyclic dosing will work.

If you've experience with this, I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Bern

[happyheart19]

I would imagine that those are the 2 weeks before you get your period. I have never done cyclic dosing, but because it's PMDD I would assume it's before.

I also have PMDD and I notice that my symptoms get somewhat better after I do get my period.

But I would either call your doctor or email them just to make sure.

Hopefully you get some relief! PMDD really sucks.

[CookieN]

Hello. I have never tried this approach. Although 10 years ago my gynecologist suggested it. (at that time I was not as ill as now).

I take an antidepressant and antipsychotic everyday. But realize my symptoms get worse -during- my period. And I recently remembered what my gynecologist had said years ago.

When you say that 2 weeks before you bleed is your most psychotic time. Does that mean that you are not psychotic the rest of the time?.

I have the same questions. If going on an off the medication will make me have withdrawal symptoms everytime I go off the medication. But I think it depends on the half life of the medication.

I think it is good that your doc is considering cyclic dosing instead of taking the med everyday.

[Bernard]

CookieN,

I apologise, psychotic is not an apt description: anxious, depressed, suicide-ideation etc - in the week/week-and-a-half prior to menstruation and during ovulation (my body freaking out about reproduction!). Pretty much day two of my period, everything normalises (mood wise)... So I'll dose in the two weeks prior and stop while menstruating and see (I called my GP to clarify just now). I just hope there are no weird side effects or withdrawals.

[Mamabug]

That is how I started zoloft...for PMDD, cyclic dosing. I really felt so much better on it, that I called the doctor and said, "Um, yeah...I'm just going to keep taking it." The doctor wanted me to take an extra 50mg. for the two weeks before my period, but I haven't. I really did feel very weird going off the zoloft, like those little brain zaps and just really down. So I just started it up after 3 days off.

[lifequake]

Initially, I tried cyclic dosing with both Prozac and Lexapro. I took the medication during the luteal phase of my cycle (last two weeks). I found that I needed a high dose of an SSRI during those two weeks, so my pdoc and I decided that the side effects would be minimized through continual dosing.

I understand being nervous about trying a new treatment, but you have a lot of room for symptom improvement, right? If going on and off the Zoloft doesn't work well for you, then you could always take a low dose in the follicular phase (weeks 1-2) and a higher dose in the luteal phase (weeks 3-4) or even take the Zoloft daily.

You have options, and I hope one of them brings you the relief you are seeking.

[CookieN]

CookieN,

I apologise, psychotic is not an apt description: anxious, depressed, suicide-ideation etc - in the week/week-and-a-half prior to menstruation and during ovulation (my body freaking out about reproduction!). Pretty much day two of my period, everything normalises (mood wise)... So I'll dose in the two weeks prior and stop while menstruating and see (I called my GP to clarify just now). I just hope there are no weird side effects or withdrawals.

Bernard, it´s good that you don´t go through psychotic symptoms. I hope medication helps with your anxiety and depression during PMDD.

[Bernard]

Lots of room for improvement,lifequake. I'm keen to try this. I took my first dose today and after feeling completely nauseated all day, have decided to take my next dose tomorrow night before bed! Aye.

[Odetta]

I've never heard of this. I'd be interesting in hearing from you how it works.

I don't know Zoloft at all. From what I understand, ADs need time in the beginning to ramp up to full effectiveness, as weeks. Maybe Zoloft's ramp up is much faster. I'm sure your doctor has already talked to you about this.

Of course, I'm bipolar, so the idea of deliberate cycling gives me the hee-bee-gee-bees.

[Bernard]

Odetta,

My doc did mention that Zoloft was quick. I'll let you know how I get on. I was super sick taking it yesterday, so I'm switching to night doses tonight and then I'll take it till I get my period. Will post back in two weeks .

[Bernard]

Yikes. I made it through my first two-weeks on Zoloft and now that my period has officially arrived, I am supposed to stop taking it...

But, I just don't want to. I can feel it helping. I am not nomal but I don't feel anywhere near as super-anxious and depressed as I normally do.

I did not expect this....

[scatty]

You may want to tell your pdoc that you want to continue treatment with the zoloft. I know I am not depressed and it's due to taking zoloft every day. Good luck!

[Bernard]

Yeah, I keep meaning to call him but he is semi-retired and I can't remember what days he works. Lame, I know, but I truly hate the phone and the receptionists, while friendly and all, frustrate me.

[Jennien13]

Interested in hearing if your PMDD symptoms have been managed since May. I take a very low dosage of Sarafem daily and the new bc pill, Lo Loestrin, and have not felt better in almost 15 years!

[Bernard]

Hi Jennien, 

I ditched the Zoloft. I had laproscopic surgery and switched to a different mental health plan (more exercise, more therapy). I can't take bc but maybe someone else will find this useful. I've never even heard of sarafem. I find that a decent anti-depressant keeps me in check. My symptoms are still bad at times but I am better managed now.