Is It Necessary To Increase The Dosage Of Zoloft For Pressure Feeling In Head And Dizziness?

Brief Answer: You need high dose, or go for change in drug. Detailed Answer: hello and welcome to HCM! Aftre reading your question I can say form my clinical experience that you have recurring episode of depression and had good results with sertraline 100 mg. Reducing the dosage to 25 mg resulted in relapse and now it is not showing same results with 50 mg...and there is worsening of symptoms. firstly, I would like to tell your that the dosage of anti depressants usually take two to three weeks to show its effect, and a psychiatrist usually waits for this durations before hiking it further. So, if it is past this time, then I think your doctor would hike it now. Secondly, the next important thing is that when someone had effect on a high dosage previously, the it is highly likely that next time the effect would come at that dose or may be little more of it, ( it is usually not effective with lesser dose) ...so, if your doctor wants, he may increase the does to 100 mg fast,,,as their are high chances that you will need to go upto it for getting any results... You have not mentioned if previously you had same symptoms as you have now...anxiety , difficulty in breathing ...etc...if they are new sets of symptoms, then may be you need something different this time, better than sertraline. I usually go for SNRIs in such cases, not only they give quick response- (may be few days) but are also more effective in controlling such symptoms...So you may discuss this with your treating doctor. # had you ever tested your thyroid levels , this is a very commonly negledpcted comorbidity and it helps a lot in depressive disorders when it is treated.. ## you will have to take the medicine for at least 2-3 years (at the dose which makes you better this time), after that one may think of reducing it gradually. Hope the reply helps you with your problem. Feel free to ask more questions for any clarifictaion If you are satisfied then kindly rate the answer. Dr. Manisha Gopal MD Psychaitry

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Brief Answer: May continue Zoloft .. Detailed Answer: hello, If your symptoms are same as last time, then it is ok that you are on Zoloft, (but you would require to reach the 100 mg or more dosage to get some good response.). I asked to a change the medicine as I was not aware that symptoms are of same nature and intensity....you donot need to do so now.. However,, if with 100 mg or more of Zoloft- you are unable to get better, then one may think of adding SNRI and later building it up and tapering Zoloft down.. This is a slow process, but it is done easily, as SNRI are quite good and there is no problem faced by the patients in shifting them. I think you should continue with Zoloft for now and go for hike in it's dose. Hope the reply is useful feel free to ask more questions for clarification Dr. Manisha Gopal MD psychiatry

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