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Newbie to Zoloft - ? About increase

Posted , 3 users are following.

Jmk423
Jmk423

Hi everyone. I am thankful I found this website. I've been off work for over three months. Started out with being on two rounds of antibiotics for a horrible sinus/ear infection which made me totally lose my appetite. In a matter of a month and a half I went from 118 lbs to 103. Although I didn't eat much more than yogurt and applesauce I thought for sure there was something more serious wrong with me. That's when the anxiety started. Was in the hospital for two days having test after test. Even to this day, all labs come back perfect with the exception of my sugar being a little high.

One physciatrist started me on mirtazapine and I woke up in the middle of the night with my heart beating over 125. He told me my dose was too low and couldn't cause that. So, I Switched Drs and the new one started me on a low dose of Paxil. The day after my first dose my feet started turning bright red but I gave it a few days. Ended up in the ER and they said it was a reaction so I should stop it (3 days on Paxil). (Btw, feet still red so I'm seeing a rheumatologist now).

I am very sensitive to meds so my dr just started me on 12.5 of Sertraline. Today was my fourth pill. I am doing pretty good so far - just a bit of nausea and feeling a bit out of it. Also major increased anxiety. I take a HALF of a .25 Xanax three times a day to get me thru the day/night. My anxiety has caused insomnia so sleeping is still an issue. I take my pills around 10:30 am.

My question is, I'm supposed to up my dose after 9 days to 25mg. I then see him in two weeks. Do you think the side effects will get worse than they are now? I think that's why he started me on such a low dose so the side effects were minimal. I'm tolerating it so far (thankful for Xanax) and I'm forcing myself to eat - only gained 4 lbs in two months because of the anxiety. That's the main reason I agreed to take the meds. I need to be able to stop having anxiety of being so thin.

Any input would be appreciated.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • a-new-day
    a-new-day Jmk423

    Posted

    hi, an option would be to, only increase your dose of sertraline when any new side effects which occured when you started on sertraline, have eased

    (because, if you are having side effects caused by sertraline and you increase your dose before your body is used to the previous dose, then the side effects could increase along with your dose)

    • Jmk423
      Jmk423 a-new-day

      Posted

      Thank you for your response. I Know I'm on a small dose but am very sensitive to meds. Dr knew that I'm scared of meds as well. Actually stared at the script for a week before I started it.

      I will take your advise - how long do you think the side effects from my first pills will take to go away? Longer than the 9 days that he gave me before upping dosage?

    • a-new-day
      a-new-day Jmk423

      Posted

      i dont think the new side effects should last more than 9 days as you are on a very low dose so i expect they will ease in a matter of days

      sertraline is a good choice regarding tolerability. i am personally on 100mg a day and i did feel rough at first but then got used to them.  do give them time as they do need time to get to work properly on your anxiety

  • shemaywilmur
    shemaywilmur Jmk423

    Posted

    I had been taking 25mg Sertraline for 6wks, I already had hives but these made me worse and also bad stomach pains(I have IBS but it was under control until I started these tabs. Anyway Dr told me to up them to 50mg but I decided I would come of them and am weaning myself off and referred myself for therapy. One of the side effects can be hives and anxiety and this I already had and so couldn't understand being given these tabs. I am taking a 2mg diazapam,short term, to help with withdrawal symptoms but as I was only on tabs for 6 weeks I have been ok, apart from little nausea.  I will be clear next week thank goodness. Everyone has different experiences with these tabs but I cannot even take certain painkillers but they upset me.

    • Jmk423
      Jmk423 shemaywilmur

      Posted

      I have Crohn's disease so I'm hoping it's not affected. Between that and my low weight I'm a little nervous.

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