Date: Fri Sep 29, 2000 8:02pm

I'm new here and have a question. 
My husband has been on Zoloft for about three months and seemed to be 
doing better. now, suddenly, he has relapsed (if not gotten worse). 
his mood swings are very severe and nothing seems to break his 
lethargy. i was just wondering if any of you had gone through this or 
could offer any advice. it would be greatly appreciated. by the way, 
thank you cynthia for welcoming me. 

Date: Sat Sep 30, 2000 10:04pm
Response:

Hi! I just read your e-mail from 9-29 on the prozac awareness e-group 
site. It sounds to me as if what your husband is experiencing is not a 
relapse, but rather side effects from the Zoloft. When my teenage son was on 
Prozac , he seemed to improve at first, but after a few months he started 
having all kinds of problems. Unfortunately, doctors will rarely acknowledge 
these side effects, and will generally try to increase the dose (as in my 
son's case) which intensifies the problems. I've done a great deal of 
research on this, and what happens is that the Zoloft (or Prozac) 
artificially elevates the levels of serotonin in the brain, which in time 
throws off the balance of the other neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine. 
This effect is what causes symptoms such as lethargy, inability to 
concentrate, memory impairment, and problems with motor control, as well as 
tremors, muscle spasms, etc.
If you haven't read Prozac Backlash by Dr. Glenmullen, this is must 
reading.

Patti