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Suggest Remedy For Depression, Fatigue And Lack Of Motivation While On Zoloft
Question: Dr Sheppe
I have asked you about my daughter previously; she is experiencing depression, she calls it a cycle. Zoloft is not helping apparently. She is lacking energy, and motivation. She has been on Zoloft 50 mg for over 6 weeks now. She is an elite level ice dancer training for US nationals in 6 weeks and is having trouble training and is tired and not motivated. Do you recommend upping her dosage or changing medication?
I have asked you about my daughter previously; she is experiencing depression, she calls it a cycle. Zoloft is not helping apparently. She is lacking energy, and motivation. She has been on Zoloft 50 mg for over 6 weeks now. She is an elite level ice dancer training for US nationals in 6 weeks and is having trouble training and is tired and not motivated. Do you recommend upping her dosage or changing medication?
Brief Answer:
Private Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello! Of course I remember you and your daughter very well.
I'm sorry to hear your daughter is still not feeling better. I truly wish our medications worked faster, but we do the best with what we have.
I do indeed strongly recommend her dosage be increased to 100mg daily. I would wait a week or so, and let me know how she is doing at this dosage. If she is still not better, I would increase again to 150mg. People can be on up to 200mg daily, so there is still plenty of room to increase and hopefully boost this medication's effectiveness before switching to another.
This dosage increase should not affect her ice dancing performance. She may have issues with insomnia, nausea, or constipation/diarrhea for a few days after the increase, but typically these side effects go away quickly. They do not affect motor function at all, so her physical performance should not be impaired.
Please let me know if you have any followup questions, I am always happy to answer them!
Once you are satisfied, kindly remember to rate and close this question thread.
Dr. Sheppe
Private Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello! Of course I remember you and your daughter very well.
I'm sorry to hear your daughter is still not feeling better. I truly wish our medications worked faster, but we do the best with what we have.
I do indeed strongly recommend her dosage be increased to 100mg daily. I would wait a week or so, and let me know how she is doing at this dosage. If she is still not better, I would increase again to 150mg. People can be on up to 200mg daily, so there is still plenty of room to increase and hopefully boost this medication's effectiveness before switching to another.
This dosage increase should not affect her ice dancing performance. She may have issues with insomnia, nausea, or constipation/diarrhea for a few days after the increase, but typically these side effects go away quickly. They do not affect motor function at all, so her physical performance should not be impaired.
Please let me know if you have any followup questions, I am always happy to answer them!
Once you are satisfied, kindly remember to rate and close this question thread.
Dr. Sheppe
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Would you jump directly from 50 mg to 100 mg per day?
She has really low energy now and it is effecting her ability to function.
If she has trouble sleeping would you still recommend melatonin and if so what dosage?
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She has really low energy now and it is effecting her ability to function.
If she has trouble sleeping would you still recommend melatonin and if so what dosage?
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Brief Answer:
Private Followup
Detailed Answer:
Yes, jumping from 50mg to 100mg is a standard dose increase and is completely safe, no worries. I would give this a shot and hopefully within a few days her energy will start to perk up.
Melatonin is an excellent choice for sleep. It's also over the counter so it's easy to buy. I recommend starting at 3mg, and if this does not work, the next night increase to 5mg, and if that doesn't work increase to 10mg, the maximum dose.
Dr. Sheppe
Private Followup
Detailed Answer:
Yes, jumping from 50mg to 100mg is a standard dose increase and is completely safe, no worries. I would give this a shot and hopefully within a few days her energy will start to perk up.
Melatonin is an excellent choice for sleep. It's also over the counter so it's easy to buy. I recommend starting at 3mg, and if this does not work, the next night increase to 5mg, and if that doesn't work increase to 10mg, the maximum dose.
Dr. Sheppe
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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