Hello Doc,

I've been reading that tests have been conducted where depressed/alchohol dependant patients have achieved good success with abstinence while being treated with a combination of Zoloft and Naltrexone. Can you tell me what are your thoughts on this subject.

Thank you,

I'm not a doctor, but I'm on zoloft and naltrexone (and my doctor knows this). There are certainly no negative side effects for me, and I will say that ever since starting TSM I have not had a single panic attack after drinking. Not sure if that's the nal or its combination with zoloft, but that used to be a very common side effect from drinking for me.

Good morning EL,

Thank you for your response. I don't remember too many panic attacks in my life. I remember turning beat red, pounding heart and sweating profusely and totally paralized as far as speaking was concerned. This happened not becuase of drinking but because I used to get so very nervous when anyone directed their focus on me. Wow, what an awful feeling that was. But that was long ago, back in my 20's. Is that considered a panic attack? Anyway, I take prozac for depression but wonder if switching to zoloft will help me. Not that I don't feel fine on prozac 10mg but if switching to Zoloft would help, I'd certainly switch. Anything to get the best results in the shortest amount of time.

You take good care EL.

Best,

I think panic attacks differ slightly in people, but for me it was always a complete, utter, and total sense of despair and fear that nothing was ok, would ever be ok again, combined with hyperventilating, hysterical sobbing, and ridiculously high heart rate and blood pressure. Nasty stuff. I used to think I had severe anxiety and mild depression (for a while they even diagnosed me as bipolar II...) but in retrospect I think it was really just all the drinking, combined with an erratic lifestyle, sleep schedule, and crapping eating and exercising habits. Now that my life is much more stable and I am healthier in general, I haven't had a panic attack in months. And now that I don't drink nearly as much as before, my hangovers are mostly physical, not psychological (SUCH a relief). I generally feel astoundingly sane and happy most days since starting TSM. It's great!