3 days on seratline (half tab of 50mg) feeling awful mentally, want to stop taking it. advice?
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first time writing on these forums but it has given me peace of mind reading some so I thought I'd try it.
I've been on SSRIs before. I was on Lexapro for 6 months nearly a year ago that worked really well until the end where I felt like it was hindering me from working and made me feel lazy and disinterested in my work. Going off it I was fine and everything was great. I recently graduated college and for the last two months have been basically a high functioning depressive (runs in the family). I was really moody and sad on a family vacation. I had a really bad trip on an edible on the vacation that still scared me a month later. I could do my work and be happy but I get in these slumps of feeling bad for myself and impatient. I got news I'm going to be moving at the end of the summer which added more pressure on the post grad job hunt.
Up until a week ago I was functioning fine didn't really feel too bad then had a depersonalization episode that lasted about 3-4 days. My anxiety was through the roof just because I've never experienced this before. When it passed my anxiety was a lot about my body and stress in my life. I started talking to a therapist through my insurance on one of the apps because no therapist in my city is taking on new clients right now (havent been to therapy in about two months). I was starting to feel better after the week and at the end of the week I went to see my doctor because I thought going back on medicine would help this sudden anxiousness I'm feeling.
Well, I was perscribed to go on Zoloft with the direction to split 50mg tabs for 6 days before bumping up. It's been three days and I can't bare it anymore. I tried taking it in the morning and at first I feel fine. Sick to my stomach and then all the sudden I just have a panic attack...the kind I haven't had in such a long time. I just spiral in my thoughts about literally nothing and panic. I can't sleep. Even tried taking it at night with food and my brain just won't shut up that I barely sleep. I have such bad brain fog today. Even things I was looking forward to three days ago it's like hard for me to feel connected to and spiraling like I'm doubting myself and my choices. I've been meditating regularly trying to stay grounded and truly trying to give it a chance but this is just totally awful. I'm worried now that once it leaves my system I won't be as connected to my life and interests as I was or my anxiety will be worse now. I don't know what to do. My plan was to not take anything else today and just call on Monday telling my doctor I have to stop. I wish I could see a therapist regularly sooner because I think going back to regular CBT would help but now I worry I've just completely hindered all my progress and can't control my anxiety.
Would appreciate any advice or comfort right now. Wasn't sure if I needed to ween off a half tab and do a quarter just for a day. Going to try to rest today and keep myself occupied in the meantime and pray all these bad side effects pass and I can be in control again.
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Clidecjay adrianna82385
Posted
Hi. I have had anxiety for over 20 yrs off and on. It runs in my family. I take clonezepam as needed....a low dose of .25 usually and have never really needed to up my dose. A couple of weeks ago i went to my doctor and asked to try Zoloft due to not really feeling like myself. I found myself not wanting to do anything like i used to do or be around anyone. Also, wanted to stop taking the clonezepam every day to not panic. The good thing about Zoloft is you can still take the clonezepam or xanax as needed if you have a bad panic attack. Ok, so I started Zoloft .25 just as you 2 weeks ago. The first 3 days i took it around 10am and felt dizzy, really strange thoughts with some panic feelings. It did also give me a terrible headache. It says it may take up to 6 weeks to get leveled out in our system to work. I was just about to quit as it seemed to make me feel much worse. I decided to give it a few more days. I get home around 7pm from work so I decided to take it then instead of morning so i could just sit and relax/watch tv if it made me high or dizzy. Also, first thing in the morning I would take a Pepcid Ac for my heartburn that i always think is a heart attack so i wouldnt confuse my chest tightness to the new medicine. It worked taking it later in the day for me and after the first week i had a couple of days i felt great...the best i have felt in many months. I decided to just stay at .25 instead of upping the dose to .50. Actually i read where zoloft is to be taken at .25 for anxiety..50 or more may be needed for OCD and other things. I plan if it keeps working to possibly take this for many years. So my suggestion to you is take at night and after you take it try to take your mind off of any sensations you get from it as it is normal. My headaches also stopped after 1 week. Adrianna, I really wish you welland will pray for you. Remember, you will feel worse before you feel better. It will happen. Just stay the course for now. chris j