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I question if Zoloft is helping me .. help

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debbie_84339
debbie_84339

Hi . I was on Effoxor for 22 years . Last June , my doctor and I agreed it was time to try a new medication. My depression was bad . The withdrawals were HORRIBLE!!   He started me on 25 mg of Zoloft.. increasing it slowly and I am on 125 mg as of Feb 10th . My anxiety is off the charts !!   I have lost over 20 pounds since August. I  have a online psychologist and she wants me to increase it to 200 mg . I went up to 150 for 3 days and I was a space case . So I went back down to 125 . I am scared to death to go off it , due to the horrible withdrawals from the Effoxor. I believe I am still suffering withdrawals from it !!  7 months later 😢.  My brain never stops worrying. I feel like my entire body literally shakes . I take Dizapam 2.5 mg when needed .. what should i do ?   My psych wants to try something that works faster . But I am a full time caregiver for my disabled son . 24/7 . No time off . I am zapped . Mentally and physically. So basically I have been on 125 mg for 3 weeks. Will I feel better ?   I know we are all different. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks 

1 like, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • rachael25624
    rachael25624 debbie_84339

    Posted

    Hi Debbie, It sounds like your having a bit of a rough time. I am no expert but I can just share my experience and what others have said. I have been on Sertraline for 9 weeks now. 6 weeks on 50, 1 week on 75 and about 9 days on 100. First couple of weeks were horrible side effects were horrific. Apparently it is where your body is adjusting. About the 6 th week things were much better but not quite there so had to increase. With an increase you get a bit of a bad patch but it settles. Everybody says that sertraline is good but it takes a while to work. Once you have got the right dose and it settles in your system. I hope this is the case with you. Up to 3 months to settle properly some people have said. I know it is hard but hand on in there. Keep posting and keep in touch with your doctors. You can do it. X x x
    • debbie_84339
      debbie_84339 rachael25624

      Posted

      Hi , Rachael ,

        Thank you for your reply. Yes !   Every time I increase it , it makes me feel so yucky !   So I am scared to increase it . I know I need to increase it .. 125mg  is not taking care of my anxiety!   I worry non stop . My brain feels like it’s going a million miles a hour. Now with my weight loss , I am worrying about that . My regular dr ordered labs to check my thyroid. It helps knowing I am not alone . My baby brother took his own life in 96 . My son was 9 and hit by a semi while riding his bike . He has a brain injury and I am his caregiver. My hubby is awesome!   He has stood by my side through all of this . I just want to feel better. Mental illness is real . I am happy to hear you are getting better!!   

    • rachael25624
      rachael25624 debbie_84339

      Posted

      Oh hun, no wonder your not well. I don’t know what to say. Just plane cruel. You are brave to be doing as well as you are now. You not on your own hun, it is everywhere but nobody says anything. I didn’t. I am so glad you have the support from your husband. Hang on in there, give the tablets time. Anything I can help with just message. X x x
    • angela54572
      angela54572 rachael25624

      Posted

      Hi Rachael,

      i started taking Sertraline 3 weeks ago after being on Fluoxetine for 15 years. The Fluoxetine stopped working so I had to switch. I’m now on 75mg and really struggling with the thoughts of ‘I can’t take much more of this torture’.

      I’ve read you’re message and you’ve given me hope to stick with it and that given time this will work. Did you think about the depression constantly? I do and can’t switch off until I go to sleep. 

    • debbie_84339
      debbie_84339 angela54572

      Posted

      Hi Angela .. 

      boy you said it ! Touture!   I live in a corn field out in the middle of no where Illinois!  We do not have a psychiatrist within 100 miles . So I have been using Amwell . It is a online chat and it is so expensive!   I have spent so much money trying to feel better . I am on 125mg of Zoloft and it is not helping me at all . I went through the absolute worse withdrawals after going off my effoxor I was on for 22 years .  I wish I would have not stopped taking it !   Now I read that if I were to go back on it it would not be as effective 😩. I tried to increase my Zoloft to 150 and the side effects were brutal . Talk about spacey and brain fog !   Not to mention the upset stomach. My online dr wants me up to 200 mg . I feel like I am stuck in a pit . Changing meds again scares me half to death . I am 58 and more than likely going through post menopause..  fun .. NOT !  My withdrawals from the effoxor just about killed me . I lost my ability to swallow!  I could not eat or drink . The Zoloft has helped with this .. but I continue to lose weight . This roller coaster ride is brutal..  I hope you begin to feel better SOON !!   

    • debra34304
      debra34304 angela54572

      Posted

      Hi Angela do you take anything to help you sleep? Cus I still can’t sleep without sleeping tablets cus my mind just does overtime and that makes me panick even more 🌹

    • rachael25624
      rachael25624 angela54572

      Posted

      I’m glad to have given you some reassurance. I know first couple of weeks were hell. Like you said it is like you can’t shut off. I am still struggling with sleep and can’t sleep without sleeping tablets. It was anxiety that made me start taking the sertraline but later on then I started to feel depressed. I am getting there and so will you. One day at a time. X x x
    • debra34304
      debra34304 rachael25624

      Posted

      Hi Rachael what sleeping tablets are you taking? How long have been taking them for x
    • rachael25624
      rachael25624 debra34304

      Posted

      Hi Hun! I am on zopliclone, for about 7 weeks. Don’t like taking them mind but can’t go without sleep. X x x
    • debra34304
      debra34304

      Posted

      Hi Rachael I’ve been on them aswell for about 3months . Cus o can’t sleep at all without them. How many do u take each night x
  • debra34304
    debra34304 debbie_84339

    Posted

    Hi Debbie I was on paroxatine for 17yrs and then the doctor decided to change it to sertraline. Which I was on for 9wks with little progress. So instead of trying me on anything else he put me back on paroxatine. I’ve been back on it now for 3wks. The first 2 wks at 20mgs and this last week at 30mgs. But I’m really suffering. Feeling awfull really anxious, shaky my legs are like jelly and I still can’t sleep without sleeping tablets. I rang him back yesterday and told him how I was feeling. And he said to drop my dose back down to 20mgs. I’m just wondering how long it will take to start to kick in again. Any advice or reassurance please 
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