Gridsmasher11

Hey folks, my psych switched me to zoloft about 3 weeks ago from wellbutrin....She had me go from 2 wellbutrin a day to one wellbutrin and half a zoloft the first week then only one zoloft a day...I did this and have been taking one zoloft a day now starting my 3rd week...I switched this to taking in the PM with approval from my psych....I have had terrible problems with being extremely sleepy,lethargic and a general lack of energy....I felt so bad I called in sick to work last Thursday,Friday and then had Monday off for the federal holiday....I tried to go to work today but had to turn around and come home...I got a doctors appt (outside of VA) thinking maybe I had a bug...He advised me to talk to my psych about taking me off the zoloft and switching to something else...He also said that the combination with the Ambien I take may be causing the problems......Has anyone else had these problems.....I really can't afford to lose my job right now and am on thin ice....Even though I work for the Government and am 10% I can be let go because I am in my first year as a permanent employee....I don't want to get fired but have absolutely no energy and find it extremely difficult to make the drive to work..I drive a long distance..............Am I the only person with this problem...I have been told that after 2 weeks or so the effects will go away but they seem to be getting worse....I am a major depressant and will have to take something..........Any advice will be appreciated........Gridsmasher11

Pete. know what you mean...Had a psych appt today....First one with the psychiatrist, was done by telemed...She decided after talking to me for 5 minutes to change me to Zoloft (or the cheaper equilivant)...Now I am supposed to slowly wean myself off of Bupropion while starting to take the Zoloft....Its a wonder that they haven't killed off some of us by with playing with our meds....grid

John, Pete, Thanks for the replies...Some of these things are in my service records...A couple of them were in my MEB/PEB physical that I am anxiously trying to get a copy of....When I asked VA for a copy of my medical records I recieved a copy with several pages missing,including a copy of my physical sent to my MEB/PEB that resulted in my discharge....I know they were in my records on discharge..I had a complete copy of my SMR at one time but it was lost during a move several years ago...I do have the date the board convened, where and what they recommended..I have requested copies of my med board process from the National Archives...There is a copy somewhere, either in MEB/PEB records from Fort Gordon or from records from 97th General Hospital (Frankfurt, Germany...Closed for over 10 years)..It is just matter of locating them and getting a copy...That was not the only page missing.............I do have notations in my SMR of "Almost totally Flat Feet " from a medical doctor while on active duty..The Gout was noted in my exit physical ( Same as MEB/PEB)........Va is currently treating me for Depression and Insomnia...And my primary care phydician has put in my treatment notes that I probably have PTSD related to Gulf service due to dreams,nightmares,unforgetable sights and the fact that I have all of the major symptoms of PTSD....I have buddy letters from 2 different buddies ( from different units) for periods covering several years about the Apnea and the fact I snored horribly and occasionally seemed to stop breathing..Also statement from Wife for the Apnea and my battle with depression dating back to shortly after discharge, and the onset of the PTSD symptoms over the years....I made an initial claim in 1994 shortly after discharge for arthritis in multiple joints..I currently have claims in that are covered by these diagnosis', the one that are not claimed will be after I talk to my Service Officer tommorrow..I called him today and will see him after my VA appt tommorrow AM ...Sorry for getting long winded....Once again thanks for the replies...Will continue to try to get records and connect these items............Grid

Here is the attachment of the letter with identifiable info blocked out....Gridsmasher11 2_20100126125935420.pdf

Sorry about the way my list turned out..I tried to edit it but couldn't......Gridsmasher11

Yesterday I recieved the letter from VA with the results of my Gulf War Registery Exam Quote; " The results of your physical examination, consultations, and laboratory tests have been reviewed and the findings are as follows; 1. Depression 8. Hemorrhoids 15. Arthritis Right Shoulder 2. Insomnia 9. Headaches 16. Sleep Apnea 3. Arthritis Right wrist 10. Recurrent Brochitis 4. Polyarthralgia 11. Nicotine dependence 5. Flat feet 12. Chronic Diarrhea 6. Gout 13. Hematuria 7. History of Kidney Stone 14. Arthritis left knee " End Quote. These results are from my exam at the OKC Va Medical Center that was done in November..Several of the items cover some of my current claims..I am thinking of about trying to get a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and the diagnose of Polarthralgia should support that..( I have constant joint pain in most of my large joints to include elbows,wrists,knees, shoulders and some back pain, plus the depression and some serious sleep issues)....My question is that since this is from the VA and signed by a VA doctor will it help support my claims that I have previously submitted..I am currently service connected 10% for right wrist (medical discharge in '94) arthritis..With the exception of the mental health issues (which I am in the system getting diagnosed currently) this covers most of my claims one way or the other . I am currently scheduled for another sleep study for the sleep apnea..It is not currently SC but being worked..I have submitted buddy letters about my snoring while on Active Duty....They have tried to deny my flat feet, depression, insomnia but I have provided letters and evidence and they are currently working my claims....I will be taking this to my service officer today and giving him a copy.......Thanks any thing that might help will be appreciated.......................Gridsmasher11

I have been taking this twice a day for about 3 months now..It has leveled me out some but not any happier than I was, just keeps me from going off the deep end...It did take some getting used to...On the plus side I have totally put away the cigarettes after more than 20 years..I don't even crave them anymore.It was a pleasant side effect......Truthfully I don't think it works for me as well as Prozac did which I was on a couple of times before..But it is really the individual it effects everyone differently...give it some time and then see how it works..I was kinda jittery the first month or so and thought I was going crazy until I adjusted to it...BUT, if it makes you suicidal or more suicidal please contact your Primary Care physician immediately...Hope it helps and remember they can always the dosage....Gridsmasher

C btry, 3/27 FAR MLRS, out of Fort Bragg Part of XVIII Corps Artillery//Supported 24th mechin Ground War

I am trying to get a rating for PTSD from experiences in the Gulf War (Desert Storm)..I recently had my mental health consult at my local VA clinic..I saw the Social Worker who at the conclusion of outr meeting said that I DO have the signs and symptoms of PTSD..My primary care physician had previously noted this in her notes........I spent several years living in Europe, and while there I self medicated with marijuana...Killed the pain, let me sleep, and worked better than antidepressants, etc..Since returning to the States not very much......The social worker (who just so happens to be the drug and alcohol counselor) said she wanted me to attend Dependency group meetings at the clinic, that I was marijuana dependent....I doubt it since it has been over 3 months since use...She has scheduled me an appointment with a psychiatrist (for PTSD and possible Bipolar)I just don't have it yet...............................My problem is that these meetings are during the work day and I will have to use vacation time to attend them, plus I really don't think I am dependent..I can do without it but would actually prefer it to the pills they give me for depression,sleep and pain..They make me feel funny and don't work as well...But I do not live in a medical use state so am trying to go the right way......Will it affect my claim if I do not attend???? Should I just appease her and attend occasionally...Just asking for someone with more experienced or someone that has been through similair experiences....I know this is going to be a long battle and I don't want to jeapordize my claims..................Thanks, Gridsmasher11