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im unsure how this site actually works but i just wanted to shout out to the lovely people that have commented on my many discussions so far. Last night i took my 4th dose of sertraline after being terrified to take it for the past 11 months. i am only on 12.5 to start low and slow due to my vomit phobia. Today i also woke up with no clenched jaw or knotted stomach, first time in goodness knows how long! Can anyone shed some light on "things getting worse before they get better". how does this usually manifest? fine one second, insane panic attack the next? its very early days for me and would just like to know that to expect. the first three days were filled with insomnia, no food, nausea and panic attacks but that could be my general anxiety about taking the medication due to my phobia. many thanks
0 likes, 13 replies
Grounded april89734
Posted
I was in the same boat as you starting the zoloft, and also the fear of throwing up! I do think some of the things you're feeling have a lot to do with your anxiety of taking the medication. In the beginning I used to have a panic attack after I would take it for the first couple weeks, and as it slowly started making things feel better that fear went away. I would push through, it will be worth it in the long run, and that is what we all try to focus on.
As far as worse before it's better, that means a lot of people have increase anxiety, and dip in their mood at the beginning, and for short spurts after that but they do eventually stop. So for now that the good days and enjoy them and as far as the bad days or dips just think of them as temporary. You can do this! 😃
april89734 Grounded
Posted
bloody awful isnt it? i know its irrational lol i hope i can keep going because i need this to work. i need my life back
Grounded april89734
Posted
Not really you would be surprised how common that fear is! But it's okay you will get through it 😃 If I can anyone can!
gsquez77 Grounded
Posted
Hey grounded ! I been struggling on zoloft almost 6 weeks.
I still feel dips in.mood and anxiety.
I am very worried as i have been crying and getting other stuff as well.
I feel like no energy to do things either.
My family cant see me go on like this they say.
Thanks!
april89734 Grounded
Posted
im finding it cery hard to tell the difference between hot flashes and nausea so ive been having panic all night i deel awful and atill happening
Grounded april89734
Posted
Anxiety can definitely cause hot flashes or feeling warm all the sudden like that. It seems you've not been taking it that long as of yet, and you are taking a really really low dose. Does your doctor have you working up to a higher dose? Have you actually thrown up as of yet from taking the zoloft? If not what I think is happening is you're associating anxiety nausea with zoloft causing it. I know that zoloft can cause a little nausea but anxiety causes it to be 10x worse especially if you're afraid of it. Have you possibly talked to your doctor about getting something to keep your anxiety levels down while starting zoloft? I would mention it to him, what I took was clonazepam and it was a life saver for me I took .25mg to .5mg when I was really really anxious and it helped so much! I only took AS NEEDED though for extreme anxiety.
I think once the zoloft kicks in this fear will decrease greatly or even go away so stick with it, and I really think that 12.5mg is a very very low dose for such fears like we have. Talk to your doctor again, call him and tell him whats going on.
Grounded gsquez77
Posted
6 weeks is still very early gsquez, have you had any times of relief as of yet? Even if it's been a good day, good few hours etc? Dips can happen for quite awhile after starting and getting your system leveled out and it seems that you've been going through a lot for a long period of time so it may take a little extra time to get you to where you need to be. But zoloft is very very good for anxiety and panic attacks, also for depression and it should start to give you some more energy as it seems to be a little more stimulating antidepressant.
What dose are you taking now?
gsquez77 Grounded
Posted
Hey grounded! I feel so out of it buddy.
Like i wanna lay around a lot.
I cant get going buddy.
I think im very tired feeling this way.
Im just saying stuff grounded too like i dont like . I feel like lightheaded too.
Its 6 weeks at 50 mg.
Thanks!
april89734 Grounded
Posted
sadly my doctor isnt very helpful to the point of hanging up on me whilst i was having a panic attack. i kid you not! no i havent thrown up, and im not sure if i actually feel sick. i just think everything is and panic. i have my own plan to increase. i was going to increase by 12.5mg every 2-3 weeks depending how i felt. i was thinking maybe to stay at 25 for a little longer as i know some only need that much, same with doses after that. thats my plan anyway. my doctor gave me 5x1mg ativan which i take 0.25-0.5 as needed and have used a few already because im in such a state
gsquez77
Posted
I feel like my mood is dipping more now.
The anxiety isnt the worst.
Thanks!
Grounded april89734
Posted
April, you should get a new doctor that is not professional at all..
If you've not thrown up then I'm pretty sure it's just anxiety causing the nausea so that is what you need to get under control and leveled out.
I also started out low the first time taking zoloft but after that it seems that if you're going to have any start up side effects it's going to happen whether you're on 25mg or 50mg so I chose to just take 50mg and get it over with so I can start to feel relief. 50mg is actually pretty low dose I've been told, 25mg is more for children and teens but thats just my thoughts on it.
That's good that your doctor had given you something to help you during the beginning like ativan, when you're so worked up like this just getting calmed down is so important.
Hope you start to feel better soon! 😃
Grounded gsquez77
Posted
Gsquez sounds like your anxiety is starting to improve! That is a very good sign! As far as the mood, I do believe if you keep pushing on with that you will start to have more and more better days ahead. If you're feeling sluggish and not wanting to do much push past that too, try to stay active, body and mind it will really help a lot.
april89734 Grounded
Posted
and you werent sick on low or higher dose? i know everyone is different 😦