How long before new dose starts to work?
Posted , 7 users are following.
I have been on Zoloft for about 3 months at 50 mg for anxiety, and felt like a million bucks. I felt amazing and felt so genuinely happy and worry free. A few weeks ago something had come over me and my mind would not stop racing and the anxiety was back, if not worse than I've ever had it before. I found myself googling every symptom and making up in my mind that I had all these issues and felt like I was literally going to drive myself crazy and found myself on all kinds of forums about anxiety and panic. After an awful week thinking it'll get better, it didn't so I decided to meet with my doctor. She decided it would be best to bump up to 75 mg of Zoloft, since it worked so well for me before and told me to give it some time and to let her know if I decide I want to go up to 100 mg. I'm now on day 15 of the new dose, and I definitely see an improvement, as most days I'm not full of worry, but my mood is still down, sometimes the worries start up again but I'm able to manage them a little bit better than before but still not feeling 100% myself/happy. I've also noticed the same side effects I felt when I first started Zoloft (hot flashes, dry mouth, nausea), so I know it's definitely in my system. Is this normal? i know it usually takes some weeks for zoloft to start the full effects, but does it still take a while since ive been on 50mg before?Should I give it another week or two to see how it's responding before I jump to 100 mg?
0 likes, 16 replies
Grounded mariah69970
Posted
My suggestion would be to stick at the 75mg. Even at 3 months there can be 'dips' as they call them after starting an antidepressant and the first thing that doctors want to do is increase dose, that isn't always the best choice, then you end up taking more then you actually need.
Also the increase will cause the start up effects temporarily but it sounds like you already know that, so don't worry too much, and every increase will have to level out so yes it could take another 4-6 weeks even after already being on 50mg.
Stick with the 75mg, sounds like that might just be your spot, and remember it is still possible to have a dip occasionally.
Best Wishes!
mariah69970 Grounded
Posted
Thank you for replying. I am only in week 2 of the new dose, so I'm just hoping if I just ride out a couple more weeks things will change!
SerotoninSurfer mariah69970
Posted
Hi Mariah, yes. This is all normal reactions to break through anxiety when the current dose isn't working like it used to. It is common to feel bad for a few weeks when changing doses before you start to feel better again. You are already experiencing positive signs of improvement and you can expect your mood to shift upwards as you become more interested in other things as opposed to the internal worry and negative ruminated thoughts of anxiety.
I read an interesting quote recently that....'Key element that keeps people sensitized is a fear of the thoughts produced by the sensitized brain.Fear causes intrusive thoughts. We respond with more fear. No wonder it doesn’t stop. You’re afraid of the body’s reaction to you being afraid. See anxiety for what and all it is....anxiety'. Best wishes for a speedy recovery x
mariah69970 SerotoninSurfer
Posted
Thank you so much for replying. I love that quote, because it is true. It is exactly what I started doing to myself during that breakthrough. I was worrying about worrying, which led to...you guessed it, more worrying! I felt like I was driving myself insane. I'm hoping these good moments start to turn to good days, good weeks and so on. I now have thoughts every so often that it's not going to work and I might never be "fixed" again, but I'm trying to stay positive and patient. Just want to be myself again!
SerotoninSurfer mariah69970
Posted
Yes, it really resonated with me. Ive only just experienced true realisation laughing with my children in the sea on holiday in Croatia. I had forgot my internal monologue of anxiety and was just enjoying life like we are supposed to do. All anxiety is Fear and we can choose fear or choose life. Medication helps but we have to shift our mind sets too. It all sounds so easy when you're gripped by physical symptoms and internal cyclical negative thoughts. I love this forum as it helps when you're down but also allows you to help others that distracts you from your own problems. Im sitting by the pool and will be on the plane back to reality tomorrow. Just got to maintain the same mindset. Goodluck X
SerotoninSurfer mariah69970
Posted
you are yourself and you will be fixed again. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. You will know that you can beat it then and will never feel hopeless again. Treasure your life. We only live once after all X
mariah69970 SerotoninSurfer
Posted
I feel like currently, I'm obsessing over the medication and am being impatient waiting for change. I already know that it's going to take a few more weeks to level out, but I just can't stop from googling everything about Sertraline lol...It's a thought that seems to always pop up...any advise?
SerotoninSurfer mariah69970
Posted
I've been through exactly the same experiences. Googling and searching the forums for experiences that match the unique one that i feel i alone am being afflicted with. This is all a trick of the mind to keep you looped in the trap. Try to just accept the anxiety and know that it cant harm you. I find getting into a really good book is a good distraction, or listening to music or hitting the gym, walk a dog and get out and enjoy nature.
sandra94465 mariah69970
Posted
im exactly the same googling every thing been on it 8weeks 2 weeks at 50 and 6 weeks on 100
first thing im anxious and foggy headed, i keep thinking tomorrow il get up and feel fine, its just taking so long to get back to being me back to work tomorrow after being off for three months so dont think il sleep tonight .. i had to come off paroxetine that i had been on for over 20 years
my anxiety isnt as bad on sertraline but its there more, if that makes sense, the last 3 months i feel like ive been to hell and back xx
mariah69970 sandra94465
Posted
I hope work has gone well for you Sandra! Throughout all of this, I've been going to work and trying to live life as I would normally, which I think has helped a lot. Definitely been a struggle, especially with the side effects of the new dose...the foggy head and headache make for long days as I am staring into a computer all day! We will get back to us, we just have to be patient!! Please keep me updated on everything!
SerotoninSurfer mariah69970
Posted
i feel your pain. Someone at work said to me...'you're always so happy'....oh the irony. Sometimes our brave faces are too convincing. I find that even in the depths of anxiety and depression you have to grab that grain of humour, cherish it and smile. We will all beat this eventually and be smiling for real soon enough. God bless all X
sandra94465 mariah69970
Posted
hi work was ok just catching up on 800 e mails, i had a couple of blips and couldnt wait to get home
its really hard work holding it together isnt it xx
sunny76207 SerotoninSurfer
Posted
That's me, but with venlafaxine! Oh my god, it's kind of a relief to know other people do this, too.
sunny76207 mariah69970
Posted
That's me, but with venlafaxine! Oh my god, it's kind of a relief to know other people do this, too.
andi76 mariah69970
Posted
Reading this conversation has been so helpful to me, because Im doing the same thing - Googling for hours to find a "needle-in-the-haystack" person who has had my identical experience/symptoms on Zoloft .
Im figuring out that everyone's experience is different, and I wont really know if Zoloft is right for me until I give it the time.
In the meantime, I just have the brave the side effects.
AxleWilliams andi76
Posted
Andi,
I think this applies to many of us. We all want answers, something to reassure us that we are on the right path. It's only human nature, but especially since we are suffering, we want to know that it will all turn out and that we will reach some 'normalcy'. As you have so rightly stated...We are all different and you have to give it time. Hope you are starting to see some improvement.