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Constant ups and downs on zoloft

Posted , 11 users are following.

sophie15514
sophie15514

I struggle with anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I’ve been on zoloft for three weeks and I still have really intense periods of anxiety and panic and dp/dr. I know it’s normal to have good days and bad days but my anxiety seems to go up and down every few minutes. Is this is a sign that the meds are stabilizing? Or are they just not working? I’m more often anxious and feeling down rather than not. 

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • sarah_62089
    sarah_62089 sophie15514

    Posted

    hi Sophia,

    ?I too suffer from anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I'm on Zoloft too. I would say give it time to adjust each dose takes at least two months to fully work. if your not feeling better after one dose go up and wait till it adjust to your body. during that time find a good therapist  or get into a support group tha understands you and most of all make sure you have close support. I have been doing through it for about 1year and a half I'm made it to 100mgs and its finally adjusting. I still have my horrible weeks I just turn 31 and it got super bad before my period it was like depression with anxiety and horriable thoughts mixed together. the only way I would feel ok is to cry it out or talk about it with family. my bf supports me, he doesn't understand it but he supports me. don't give up just think its going to help you in the long run!!! keep pressing forward better days are ahead for you! I'm here if you want to talk!!!

    • kamil123
      kamil123 sarah_62089

      Posted

      Hi Sarah,

      I too suffer from depression, anxiety and intrusive thoughts, i have been on zoloft for 2 months started 25 mg then went up to 50 and about a month ago I went up to 100 mg. I am having ups and downs somedays I feel good with little anxiety(managable) other days I feel like my anxiety is going up again, somedays I feel tired want to sleep all day... how long does it take for zoloft to get its full effect? I am worried about my future, about my studies and if I ll ever be able to work. Is it normal to have ups and downs and are the meds efficient as they say they are?

  • karin88115
    karin88115 sophie15514

    Edited

    Hi Sophie. I’m at exactly the same stage as you. I’ve been on 100mg Zoloft for nearly 4 weeks with only a couple of ok days in there. Then yesterday felt I was right back where I started. Full on anxiety and panic. I have diazepam as a back up so had to take 5mg and it only just took the edge off. I feel very disheartened and just want to give up but everyone says hang in there. It takes at least 4-6 weeks to really get into your system but holy hell its hard and I’m worn out. So let’s keep going. And check in on each other. We can do it ❤️
    • kamil123
      kamil123 karin88115

      Posted

      Hi Karen,

      I suffer from depression, anxiety and intrusive thoughts, i have been on zoloft for 2 months started 25 mg then went up to 50 and about a month ago I went up to 100 mg. I am having ups and downs somedays I feel good with little anxiety(managable) other days I feel like my anxiety is going up again, somedays I feel tired want to sleep all day... how long does it take for zoloft to get its full effect? I am worried about my future, about my studies and if I ll ever be able to work. Is it normal to have ups and downs and are the meds efficient as they say they are?

    • karin88115
      karin88115 kamil123

      Edited

      hi Kamil,

      I always have to look back in my journal to remind me how bad things were when i was starting on zoloft because i feel so good right now. And you will get there too. i really didnt feel an improvement until the 12/13 week mark and then it was like someone turned a switch on. And i still feel great. i had to come back down to 50mg cos the dizziness just wouldnt go away. so i went to 75mg for 2 weeks then straight down to 50mg. All the experts will say thats too fast but it worked for me. I feel wonderful. some days arent so good but they are just life situations that everyone foes through sometime.

      so dont be discouraged. it takes such a long time and zoloft is very slow acting but once everything is right in your brain, it all falls into place.

      i have been travelling and housesitting. things i thought id never do again. i couldnt leave the house for 3 months.

      so hang i there. try and stablise on 100mg. although different doses work for different people. you need to find your magic dose.

      keep gojng, stay strong. its worth it.

    • kamil123
      kamil123 karin88115

      Posted

      I've been sleeping all day not sure if its my anxiety or side effects of zoloft its hard to know, sometimes i feel like I can't walk from the balcony to my room... Its nice to hear you're doing good, also gives me hope. Thank you for the reply and the encouragement

    • marco55206
      marco55206 karin88115

      Posted

      hi do you know if its true that each time you increase the dose is from there that you need to start counting the weeks

      i ve been on 200mg for a week, cant say that i m still bad as before but i still get my bad days

      thanks

  • joe41529
    joe41529 sophie15514

    Posted

    I would say the medication is stabilizing in your system, three weeks is still very early with this medicine. It took me at least 4 weeks for my side effects to start getting better on 50mg now I’m on my 12 week on 100mg and let’s just say I’m glad I gave it time to work. I feel almost 100% better. Good luck
  • Kat23tracy
    Kat23tracy sophie15514

    Posted

    Hi Sophie,

    I’m sorry you are struggling. Around 4-5 weeks the med really kicked in for me, at 8 wks I was calm, now 13 wks and life is joyous again. It’s starting to do its work for you, hang in there and take care.

    - x kat

  • avril23791
    avril23791 sophie15514

    Edited

    I was on paroxetine from 1995 to June this year, which is horrendous to come off; I have been taking Sertraline since June this year and am now on 200 mg which is standard for obsessive thoughts.  The anxiety and depression lessened as soon as I hit 200 mg but the thoughts took another month.  They are slowly fading and I now feel much better overall.  Take care.
  • itsdestinyy
    itsdestinyy sophie15514

    Posted

    I completely understand! I was in the same position you are, I am just now getting over those panic attacks and very very disturbing anxiety from Zoloft. I was hesitant enough to see a doctor and get put on medication, and I was very hopeless the first 3-5 weeks. I started to notice I was a lot less tense, I could actually joke around and not overthink it a million times, I hangout with my boyfriend and people I barely know now and it's not that bad anymore. It gets better. It takes a bit of time to actually start working. Stay strong!! 

  • karin88115
    karin88115 sophie15514

    Posted

    Hi Sophie. Just wondering how you are doing. I’m into my 5th week now and still experiencing anxiety and panic but apparently this is what happens. It’s very hard to keep positive. Also the dizziness is really bad. How are you doing with that? Counting down the days till the 6 weeks mark and hopefully will turn a corner. 😀

    • sophie15514
      sophie15514 karin88115

      Posted

      I had some really good days recently and now things have gotten kinda bad again. I mostly just feel very disconnected from myself and the world. It has gotten better than it was before but it’s hard to see that on my bad days. 
  • Maniyaar22
    Maniyaar22 sophie15514

    Posted

    Hi my wife is on sertraline 100mg

    First 3 weeks was 50mg and then 100mg till now

    it’s more than 8 weeks now but she is still struggling with anxiety. She was ok in between but she has got her symptoms back again and more severe, especially in the evening and lasts till she goes to sleep and also she takes half tablet of  Resperidole 1mg before sleeping. 

    Any suggestions when sertraline will show proper results 

    • joe41529
      joe41529 Maniyaar22

      Posted

      It can take 9-12 weeks! Depends on the dosage and the person 
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