My neurologists wants me to take zoloft to treat my symptoms of peripherial neuropathy. Does anyone have any experience with this? Does it work and are the side effects worth it?

Zoloft is not usually (to my knowledge) a firstline treatment for PN, but it has been prescribed when other medications have failed to provide relief. It helps some people, and doesn't help others. Whether it's worth the side effects only you can decide. Virtually any/everything we put in our bodies has the potential for side effects, but not everyone experiences them and not to the same degrees. That's where each person must decide if the benefits they get outweigh the side effects (or risks), if they get them.

It might be useful to learn what you can about Zoloft online (google it), take notes, and discuss any concerns with your doctor.

There may be other reasons s/he has for prescribing Zoloft, and it's ok to ask him/her about that too.

Best wishes,

Doc

Antidepressants are often used for chronic pain.

However, the ones that are most effective are the ones with mixed actions. Zoloft is primarily an SSRI and affects only serotonin reuptake.

The mixed ones are called SNRIs and affect norepi and serotonin.
They are Effexor, Cymbalta and Savella.

For PN primarily low dose tricyclics are often more effective.
The are amitriptyline and nortriptyline. There has been a study recently to show amitriptyline helps peripherall nerves regenerate. It is the only one so far with this potential discovered. All the other actions of the antidepressants are central, working in the brain to change your perception of pain.

mrsD do you have a link to that study on nerve regeneration from amitriptyline?

http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/06...tors/6761.html

Thanks mrsD