Zoloft???

[grannypatches]

I am starting college in Jan. I am so excited about it. At least I was until Thanksgiving. My first husband died over 6 yrs. ago from injuries sustained in a car accident. I took care of him for nearly three years after his accident when his heart finally gave out. Between the auto accident and his care and having to lose him I was a mess. I cried for months after his death. My doctor put me on Zoloft. Over time I began to feel better and eventually remarried. My doctor feels that I should remain on Zoloft. I am a diabetic. I feel fine on the medicine and my diabetes is controlled very well my doctor says. My son told me on Thanksgiving that I was not good enough to be a nurse because I take Zoloft. That only "nuts" take it. I was stunned. My daughter is also attending college to be an RN and she said he was wrong. After he left I cried. My husband says I am going to make a wonderful nurse. To ignore my son and fulfill my dream of being a nurse. I am now worried. Can I be turned down for nursing school because I take zoloft?

[RENAISSANCE RN]

mine doesn't. They just require a MD sign off that you are able to complete the program.

[grannypatches, BSN, LPN, RN]

Thank you for your kind words. I take no offense about what anyone has said about my son. Ever since his father has died I have had sat and listened to him and thought many, many times that maybe he needed to see someone to deal with the death of his father. But I got really worried about the zofoft because I have wanted to be a nurse since I was six yrs. old. I remember once while sitting beside my late husband's bed in icu waiting for him to come out of his coma a very sweet nurse came in and "Honey, I am not letting you in to see him for the rest of the afternoon. You are tired and wore out. You take the bus to the mall and get yourself some lunch and buy yourself something. You need this because you have a rough road ahead of you." I left the hospital went to the mall. I got a haircut, bought new outfit and had lunch out. I bought the nurse a box of candy. She was truly wonderful nurse. I knew then that I wanted to be a nurse more than ever. That one day I wanted to be the one who helped someone through a terrible situation. I am not giving up my chance to go to school. Thank you everyone!! I wish you the best and a very Merry Christmas!!!!

[csax]

Just want to say that you have a head start! I am in my 1st semester of an ADN program and if you had told me last year at this time I would be on Paxil, I would have thought you were out of your mind. Needless to say, it probably has been the best thing that I have ever done for myself and every graduate from the program that I am in states that we all usually wind up on something. I just want to say, keep your chin up, laugh at your son, and follow your dreams! You sound like a wonderful person and I believe if I can do this so can you!

[Rhonda V]

Hi...I'm an RN who also takes Zoloft. I also used to be on Xanax because I was so nervous and stressed out in my job. I can tell you that there is NOTHING wrong with being on these meds while working as a nurse...unless of course they make you too tired to function safely in your job. I've known plenty of nurses who take psych meds, and it doesn't mean that you are a weaker person. I think just about everyone these days is on something...if it makes you feel better and it doesn't interfere with your job, then to me it's OK.

[Mermaid4]

Perhaps your son is also dealing with depression and can't face the fact that he may need help as well. It is quite a difficult thing sometimes. I recently went on zoloft with my doctors advice because I was dealing with so much stress, the impending death of my dad and his care, etc. Never mind that I knew my dad , all four of my brothers and several cousins had been diagnosed with depression. It couldn't happen to me, right? I offer that your son is probably not able to discuss his own issues so is displacing to you. After all, clinical depression is an illness with disruption of brain chemicals. That is genetic and not something that a "nut" takes. I am functioning better in all areas of my life simply by feeling more like "me", and I attribute that to finally listening to reason...You are getting your life together and doing the best you can. Go for it! Your son is possibly unable to accept that despite the tragedy you have been through, you can go on and achieve...Hopefully he will come around at some point but that has to be up to him and not you. YOU have to be there for yourself and bravo for you and your courage at moving on..You will be a wonderful nurse if you allow yourself to be. Zoloft is simply assisting you by replacing or helping along a brain chemical, much like synthroid would be hormal replacement for a thyroid malady, or insulin for a diabetic. Hang in there...{{{}}}

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

I'm looking forward to seeing Grannypatches graduate!! You are strong. Your daughter gave you good advice. Your son is apparently still grieving his father and that is fine, but his remark to you was out of order.

I've been on Zoloft for gosh I guess since it hit the market! About 6 years ago I had a serious health crisis and needed a lot of extra help. My doc added Wellbutrin to a double dose of Zoloft and then doubled the Wellbutrin. I'm now on Lexapro instead of Zoloft and the Wellbutrin is back down to one. As my doc said sometimes your "wiring" has to have a little help.

I feel fine now. But I'm definitely not going to stop taking my meds!

You just take those meds, love your kids and get that Nursing degree!

[lsyorke, RN]

You can be a nurse on zoloft.. you just can't fly an airplane!! The FAA restricts antidepressants.. I never knew this!

[grannypatches, BSN, LPN, RN]

Everyone on here has been wonderful to me. Thank you for your kind words and thoughts. I am excited about starting school next month. I have registered and gotten my books and I am on my way. Me and my zoloft are going to graduate one day. Merry Christmas everyone!

[Nurse Valium]

There are two types of people: those that need to be on psych meds and are and those that need to be on psych meds and aren't.

You'll be fine!