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11th day on Zoloft anxiety subsided, depression worse?

Posted , 4 users are following.

ThirdTimer
ThirdTimer

After a massive and unfourtunate life event, here I am, taking Zoloft for the 3rd time in my life. Today is day 11. Thankfully I didn't get any of the horrible side effects that come with it apart from loss of appetite. Anxiety pretty much went away after the first week, which at that point I was at 25 mg a day. After increasing the dose to 50 mg I have noticed that my depression is unbearable especially in the mornings. I find it hard to motivate myself to get out of bed, eat, shower or do anything. By the afternoon I feel more relaxed and OK. So my question is does Zoloft get rid of the anxiety first and the depression takes a bit more time? I don't remember how it worked for me

In the past, so if anybody could share some knowledge I would be very thankful! 

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • UK-Rose
    UK-Rose ThirdTimer

    Posted

    Hello Thirdtimer, sorry to here you have a rough time.

    I never really had depression till I started taking Sertraline. My issue was anxiety (although I know the two can occasionally go hand in hand) like you my anxiety eased after 2wks, but I was left with the most depressive low mood (which I never had when my anxiety eased pre med) this lasted for about 4weeks on 50mg... It did eventually lift, but it took time 

    Hope this helps 🌹

    • ThirdTimer
      ThirdTimer UK-Rose

      Posted

      Thanks so much! Just what I need to hear. I hope that's the case for me too and these bouts of depression will subside over time. XXxx

  • lattifa7777
    lattifa7777 ThirdTimer

    Posted

    I remember that the anxiety went first then the depression.

    I have been on sertraline for 2 years now, I really want to come off. Pls can u advise how you did come off the other times? I’m down to 25mg now from 50mg, been doing that for a year. I skipped a few days about 3 weeks ago and last week I had really bad anxiety and felt depressed again , I was so scared I was relapsing. Just any advise would be great. Can I ask how long in between taking sertraline did u have med free?

    Many Thanks x

    • ThirdTimer
      ThirdTimer lattifa7777

      Posted

      Hi Lovely! I was down to 25mg for about 6 months before stopping. I found myself forgetting to take it and one day I just stopped. I was fine! No withdrawals whatsoever. However due to this current situation, here I am back on them after 6 months. I found the anxiety and everything came back due to the situation and I couldn't cope without Zoloft.  I feel like I won't be getting off it until I Am truly ready to handle these stressful life changing situations more rationally. Xxxx

    • Guest
      Guest lattifa7777

      Posted

      I had this awful anxiety and brain zaps coming off celexa and I was able to get a benzo short term from my doctor.  Maybe you can try that?  Also just ride it out that is what I did too. 
  • lattifa7777
    lattifa7777 ThirdTimer

    Posted

    Thank you so much 😊, I have been on 25mg now for a year and I do skip a day here and there, but as I said last week I had awful panic and very low mood, so I don’t think I can stop them like you did 😞, don’t know what to do? 

    • ThirdTimer
      ThirdTimer lattifa7777

      Posted

      I would say to stay on them, especially if you have experienced recurring panic attacks recently. In hindsight I wish I had stayed on mine, so that I wouldn't have to go through all this start up drama with Zoloft again. Just had a mini panic attack before, and trust me I would much rather take the pill then deal with crazy irrational crippling anxiety. By the way I was on Zoloft for 2 years like you before starting up again. Wish I never got off them now. Xxx

  • lattifa7777
    lattifa7777 ThirdTimer

    Posted

    I do see what you mean yes, but I have not had a panic attack in well over a year, so it was strange ? All I can put it down to was missing 3 days dose in a row! Or maybe I have been stressed? I don’t know, but I’m taking 25mg everyday again now not going to skip days at the moment. I think what scares me is I hear so many people are on these meds for years and years then they get what people call a poop out of the drug where they just stop working, I’ve also put on lots of Waight , ok I know that’s minor compared to suffering anxiety attacks and depression.  Sorry to hear you had an attack today, so you have a coping mechanism when it happens?

    It’s awful isn’t it, then it really knocks the life out of you. Bless you xxx

    • ThirdTimer
      ThirdTimer lattifa7777

      Posted

      Hi lovely! The only other thing I can think of is that, once you forget to take it for like you said 3 days in a row, thefollowing situation might occur. As Zoloft only has a short half life of about a day and a half and after that it's out of your system. It would make sense to me that after you take it once again, after 3 days of not taking it and (since it is out of your system) it pretty much gives you that start up anxiety as if you were starting the drug up from scratch? I read that somewhere online. Hence why they say it is so important to always take your dose at approximately the same time everyday. It might be the reason your panic attack occurred once you discontinued for 3 days and you took the pill again. It might have given you that nasty side effect of starting up on Zoloft or the missing doses started to create an imbalance and whacked things out. Hope that makes sense?  As for dealing with my panic attacks now, I kind of don't resist them anymore and surrender to them! I try to focus on breathing While it's happening and reminding myself things are not as bad as what I'm currently thinking and feeling! And I say ok bring it on give me more what's the worst that's gonna happen. And after a few minutes they go away. Lol 😘

  • lattifa7777
    lattifa7777 ThirdTimer

    Posted

    Wow you sound very strong, I do try and do the same, but once I have a couple the low mood just takes over and the tears roll down. It certainly does make sense what you are saying, so maybe staying off then would have been better?? To scary to try lol, I need to be a bit more brave 🤔 xx

    • ThirdTimer
      ThirdTimer lattifa7777

      Posted

      I wish I was as strong as what I sound! lol

      If you really wanna get off them, I would suggest to get this amino acid Iv used for anxiety while Iv been off Zoloft. It's called Inositol (also helps regulate body fat) which is a plus and is also all natural! It was amazing for a while until this huge change happened and it just wasn't gonna cut it. But seriously it's so good if everything is going smooth and fine with your life.  Do some research on it. Read the Reviews for anxiety! But if I was you I'd Just stay on that low dose on Zoloft. Nothing to be concerned with even after long term use. Don't stress! Whatever you decide you know that Zoloft is always there! Thank god for that. ??

  • lattifa7777
    lattifa7777 ThirdTimer

    Posted

    I think you are rite I’ll stay in it for now, feeling well is so much better than having depression and anxiety, I always used to say Ide rather any illness than A &D. May I ask what has changed in your life to cause this flare up for you? If you rather not say that’s fine I understand, how long have you been on the Zoloft now? You are strong never forget that, it’s strong people that suffer I think, you know you will get through it and knowing and believing is more than half the battle xxx

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