New to Zoloft

Posted , 4 users are following.

I started on Zoloft May 14. I was put on 50 mg. I was told to take half a pill for a week and then graduate to taking a whole pill. The process has taken longer for me. I'm drug sensitive. I'm finally up to the whole dose. The side effects caused me to have to miss work. I felt very lethargic and extremely emotional. I feel anxiety. I tried to take in the medicine in the morning and found that I can't function properly. Since taking it at night, I'm feeling better. The only problem is that it wakes me up with anxiety and I can't go back to sleep. Has anyone had similar experiences?

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    Yes. A lot of people get fairly horrid side effects but they do go. With every increase they come back until you find the correct dose for you. I would suggest you ask your doctor for a mild sleeping tablet. I used phenerghan which is an anti histamine. Don't mess with your Zoloft dose. Try to take at the same time every day. Cut down on coffee especially in the evening and try to drink loads of water. Try to keep busy ..I know it's hard when you feel so s**t..Try to laugh..watch some comedy..Or even cry. Laughing and crying are good. You havnt said why you have been put on Zoloft. But if you are having panic attacks and anxiety there are brilliant breathing techniques you can do which really work.

    Keep reading and posting on here as there is a mine of information on this forum.

    Good luck

    🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄

    • Posted

      I was diagnosed with PTSD and depression. I provided hospice care for my parents at a young age. My son recently had a cancer scare. Everything turned out okay, but I wasn't myself after. I felt extremely depressed, had nightmares about the things I saw my parents go through, etc I went to go talk to a Dr about it. He put me on Zoloft and it has been awful. It's several hours of anxiety and then moments of feeling like myself, then depression. Thank you for responding. This has been so difficult.

  • Posted

    Hi Jess, yes it does take awhile for you to figure out what is the best time of day to take your dose. My doctor recommended morning so I started to take it at 9, but it seemed to wear off around seven and i felt awful so I started to take it at 11 a.m, it seems to work for me, crazy i know but it works

    for me. Its a slow action drug so hang in there. As for your upped anxiety, unfortunately that is a side effect, but anything that worries you should be brought up to your doctor. 😎

    • Posted

      I am currently awaiting for the doctor's office to open so that I can

      call and discusss the side effects that I'm having. I haven't been able to go to work for 4 days. Luckily I have PTO, but if I continue on this way, I won't be employed. This concerns me. I have never been prescribed antidepressants so this is all new to me. Thank you for the encouragement.

    • Posted

      Thats why we are all on forum , to encourage , to advise , to compare, to comfort, and most of all to listen. This has been my first on any type of drug, i was scared to death but knew that i could not and would not live this way. So chin up and soon you will feel better.🙂

    • Posted

      I just got off the phone with the nurse and she told me to go back to taking half. My anxiety has subsided enough for me to start getting ready for work. Hopefully I can make it through the day without getting emotional or spacing out too much.
  • Posted

    This medicine is a roller coaster for sure. The side effects can be almost debilitating in the beginning but they do subside and eventually you will start waking up in the morning feeling like your old self again. Such a gradual change you may not even notice. I’ve been on Zoloft since January and can honestly say I’m about 90% better. It takes time but will be worth it. If I can give one bit of advice it would be to stick with it. Though you may see no light at the end of this tunnel, it’s there. And like others suggested, any concerns you have you should bring up to your PC. Hoping for better days for you 😊 stay strong. 

    • Posted

      Thank you so much for listening. I'm trying my best to stick with it. Deep down I want to quit. I feel like the depression I had before this medication was the lesser of two evils. I'm trying my best to go to work today. I don't want to go to work and have an outburst. That has been my biggest fear. I got off the phone with my therapist who told me that my mind will play tricks on me.... Tell me to hideout. I'm worried I'm going to go to work and that everyone is going to know that something's wrong.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.