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Any positive experiences of Zoloft controlling anxiety & depression?

Posted , 8 users are following.

Psyched_Out_Kim
Psyched_Out_Kim

There's many negative stories out there about Zoloft, so I'm wondering if anyone can share a positive experience from taking it.

I was on it many years ago, but don't remember the start up effects, how long it took to work, etc. The time has come to use this medication again, but my anxiety is so bad that I'm afraid to take it. I do use Xanax, but I can no longer pretend that that's enough to help me. There's a lot of depression involved as well, so my back is against the wall.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

1 like, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Onestepatatime7
    Onestepatatime7 Psyched_Out_Kim

    Posted

    Hi,

    I've only been on sertraline for a week on 50mg. I only had a few sides lasting a couple of days, headache and dizziness. Still experiencing a bit of anxiety but I feel it's doing something. my mood has lifted. I'm increasing in another week, just hoping I don't have any bad side effects.

    Give it a go.. let me know how it goes

    • lorraine82455
      lorraine82455 Onestepatatime7

      Posted

      Good for you! I have a friend who reacted the same way, very little side ffects, and she felt like she could come off after only three months. Her depression never cam back!  You are lucky one👍

    • Onestepatatime7
      Onestepatatime7 lorraine82455

      Posted

      You should try another med. I didn't get on with flouxtine.. but some people swear by it. Everyone reacts differently.

    • Psyched_Out_Kim
      Psyched_Out_Kim Onestepatatime7

      Posted

      I've read that the first week can be okay, but side effects get worse the following weeks as the med builds up. That's the part I'm afraid of, especially the increased anxiety. 😕

  • thomas96833
    thomas96833 Psyched_Out_Kim

    Posted

    It definitely helped me somewhat but I only took it for 1 week and a bit. I got taken off it though as the dizziness was to much to deal with. I was literally sofa bound as I couldn't walk that with highened anxiety was scary. Having balance problems anyway which I am seeing an ENT for so that's an underlaying problem

    I did feel calmer on it. Fluoxetine I couldn't tolerate at all, gave up after 2 months of hell on that drug. It's literally a trail and error finding what works for you sadly!

    • Psyched_Out_Kim
      Psyched_Out_Kim thomas96833

      Posted

      I'm currently dealing with dizziness daily, and am sofa/bed bound. A lot of that is due to a deviated septum and a cyst in my left maxillary sinus. I'm due to have surgery May 22nd to fix all of that. When anxiety is added to that mix, it's horrible.

    • thomas96833
      thomas96833 Psyched_Out_Kim

      Posted

      Basically sounds the same as me! I have a deviated septum and getting surgery next month. Currently dealing with the worst sinus congestion ever.

      It's been going on for over a year. Hence why starting Sertraline as it's gotten me really down and developed back anxiety. The thing is though, I just found the Sertraline and Sinus problems were just to much to deal with together.

      I do think I need something now though. Partly thinking I shouldn't have stopped and just solidered on as the dizziness is still extreme 3 days after stopping. How can it affect you so much after such a short time.

    • Psyched_Out_Kim
      Psyched_Out_Kim thomas96833

      Posted

      Sounds like were in the same boat. I don't doubt Zoloft having a side effect of dizziness, but sinus problems definitely would make it worse.

      I don't remember the start up effects when I took Zoloft years ago, but I know that the only reason I stopped was because I felt I didn't need them anymore. Plus there was the pride and stubborn part of it as well. I didn't want to need them, and a lot of other dumb thinking. Now anxiety has returned with a vengeance, and there's definitely depression going on. I'd like to blame all of this on sinus problems, but the truth is that the anxiety has been getting worse over the last couple of years.

      When I was on Zoloft and for some time after I came off, I could drive and just live a normal life. As I look back now, I can see how each year I stopped doing more and more things. It's as if I was in the middle of a circle that was getting smaller, but it went unnoticed until I was being squeezed. That sounds strange, but that's the only way I can explain it. Sometimes I definitely regret stopping Zoloft.

      Anxiety has taken so much away from me, so that's where the depression started, but it wasn't a deep depression. However, after losing my mom in 2015, there's definitely been a deep depression going on. The sinus surgery will take place at the same hospital where I had to make the decision to end my mom's life, which was May 21st, so the surgery being on the 22 nd doesn't help matters.

  • Eleven11
    Eleven11 Psyched_Out_Kim

    Posted

    Hi Kim, I know there's a lot of negatives out there re zoloft and i too was afraid and hesitant about antidepressants altogether. But my anxiety/panic attacks got so bad over the last few months that i had no choice. My only request to my Doc was to prescribe me something that would not increase my appetite as i have heard and read horrid reviews about almost all antidepressants. A little quick note about my need to go on zoloft: depression due to losing father, which caused other issues, fear, anxiety, panic attacks... on a daily basis... ones that made me shiver, could not walk, heart palpitations.... it had taken over me completely. Thoughts of death, constant worrying and so on.

    So today is day 6 of Zoloft for me, i have not had any of the above happen since starting zoloft.... i feel so muchhhh better. I call it my magic pill. I take 50mg once in the morning. I have no appetite whatsoever. I do drink a lot of water. It has made me a bit emotionless.... which for me is a good thing.... no more bad thoughts, thoughts about dying.... its like i cant even believe i am the same person. I had forgotten what life was before the horror of anxiety/ panic attacks.....

    My experience so far has been wonderful and hope it stays this way. No complains. I hope it does work for you.

    All the best

    X

  • PaulMar
    PaulMar Psyched_Out_Kim

    Posted

    Hi Kim - I started Zoloft about 6 weeks ago and it has helped me a little. I started at 25mg and I'm now on 150mg. Moving up is hard but I'm sticking with it. I also take Trazadne at bedtime for sleep and 6mg diazepam (Valium) in the morning. I used to take Ativan and was switched to diazepam to taper off. I'm 100% sure that Ativan made my anxiety 300% worse last year after I hit tolerance. Once I'm stable and feeling better, I will taper off the diazepam. Point being, be careful with the Xanax as it can be make your anxiety worse and also it's difficult to get off of.

    I have read that Zoloft is actually the easiest to take and get off of compared to other ADs.

  • Onestepatatime7
    Onestepatatime7 Psyched_Out_Kim

    Posted

    Hi,

    I'm currently on 100mg have been for the 5 days. Feel a bit spaced out in the morning but it wears off my lunch time. I'm still going to work. I was on 50mg for two weeks and had a few symptoms for a few days. I have GAD. I feel so much better since starting this medication and I hope it continues. Give it a go.

  • eric70660
    eric70660 Psyched_Out_Kim

    Posted

       Hello Kim I have been on and off  Zoloft .  I am on 50  mg     I guess I can say I felt better on it.  The Hardest part is the wait .   It can take over 5 weeks to really kick in.  I also use a  (  Fisher  Wallace Device ).  How are you doing are you still taking it?    Eric
    • Psyched_Out_Kim
      Psyched_Out_Kim eric70660

      Posted

      Hi Eric,

      Nope, I've never plucked up the courage to start Zoloft again. I see a different psychiatrist on Friday, so maybe he'll have a good recommendation.

  • Cdogcovilla
    Cdogcovilla Psyched_Out_Kim

    Posted

    My doctor diagnosed me with moderate depression and anxiety and prescribed me Zoloft. I started at 25mg a day and after 2 weeks upped to 50mg. I can honestly say that the first 2 and a half weeks were complete hell for me. Felt nauseous, completely drained, and I felt like my anxiety and depression worsened. I wanted to give it a full month before I made any decision to come off and I am glad I did. Out of nowhere it was like night and day difference. I feel the best I have felt in years
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