Not sure if I should keep taking Zoloft

Posted , 9 users are following.

I was recently started on Zoloft for depression and anxiety. I have struggled for a long time with both but tried to stay away from medications, but got to a point where I had to do something. I suffer from racing thoughts, very intrusive thoughts, that have just destroyed my life sad nothing like me to have thoughts like this. Very anxious.. and feeling very detached from myself. I also suffer from hypochondria (very bad). I do talk to someone once a week, and they prescribed me brintellix, which made me very sick. And they switched to zoloft 50mg a few weeks ago. I was very hesitant to take it, but finally caved this week.

The first day I took it, I felt very nauseous in the morning, but it lightened up as the day went on, and I actually felt decent later in the day.

The second day was fine, no problems except for the nausea.

The third day which was yesterday, I seemed very anxious and more panicky. And couldn't sleep at all. I couldn't relax and the thoughts got awful. This morning will be my fourth day and I don't know if I should take it or not.. I don't want to feel worse, but I've heard that a couple of bad days in the beginning is normal... I'm not sure how true that is. Just need some kind of feedback because I'm so sick of feeling like this and just don't know what to do! sad

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  • Posted

    I too suffered very bad for the first 10 days even got suicidal and went to a&e, Dr said this was normal and would pass, I stuck with it as I was determined to get well. and I was just like you before taking the meds very very scared and wasn't getting any better lost loads of weight and couldn't sleep at all , racing thoughts and panick and deep depression , felt heavy foggy feeling in my head too, just pure doom and gloom. after 4 1/2 weeks I started to feel a lot more my self , just had headaches but I decided instead of taking paracetamol I took to drinking lots of water would force feed my self and wake lots and lots . and now I'm so much more better , even started a job this week. I'm not 100% anxiety is sometimes always lingering but I can get on. weight is back on ( not that I like that part lol) but ide rather be chubby and happy than thin and suicidal.

    keep going with the meds it's hard but plz don't stop.

    let me know how you are each day if you like

    I'm always here.

    • Posted

      Thanks so much! It's nice to know I'm not alone. It's so scary to be like this... and feel like you can't talk to anyone because of how they'll look at you or think of you. I've always suffered from anxiety... but within the past couple of months it has gotten so much worse. Like it's just spiraled out of control. And just makes me feel like I've literally lost my mind. I've never been a violent person, never. So to have such nasty insane things go across your mind is just sick and scary. Its just consumed me. And you just want that relief and to feel better.. how you felt all before this took over your body. It's just horrible...
    • Posted

      Hi Lattifa,

      Hope you are well. I know that this is an old thread, but can you tell me what dose of Sertaline you were on in the early days?

      Many thanks

      Darren

    • Posted

      Thanks, I've on my 3rd week of 50mg to clear up Post Concussion Syndrome. It's really hard at the minute with the thought's, but ill give it to 4 weeks and see were I am!!

      Hope all is good with you

      Darren

    • Posted

      I'm ok for now Darren , thank the lord., everyone is different on how long it takes Hun.

      Give it at least 6 weeks , but I'm sure in a week or 2 you will start to feel the difference.

      It is a very , very hard journey , the toughest in my life.

      Your strong you can do it, you have to do it. Keep in touch with me on here or private message me, and I will be happy to support you through it like others on here did for me.

      Most importantly have faith in god and ask him to help you.

      Big hugs

      Lattifa

  • Posted

    You sound very similar to me. I'm on this medication for anxiety and mild depression. I'm in my 5th week of taking it and this week had my dosage put up to 150mg. I can see a difference since taking the tablets. The first 2 weeks were not easy, my anxiety increased a lot, I felt nauseous for 3 days and generally just felt weird. It has got better tho. I didn't really want to go down the medication route, so I have been beating myself up about that, but I knew I had to do something as couldn't go on the way I was. On my 3rd day I led in bed thinking maybe these tablets were a bad idea and I should stop, but glad I stuck it out. I still have bad days, but nothing like it was and I know it could be another few weeks before I really feel any benefit. If you can stick with it It does get better.
  • Posted

    Hi Tlynn1,

    I am on day 6 with Sert and my experiences have been similar to yours. I have to say day 3 / 4 was the worst for me. Today hasn't been too bad but I only took my 50mg tablet about half an hour ago.

    I think we just have to stick with and be as stubborn as the anxiety that haunts us!! I am determined to get through this to the point where the sert is at a therapeutic level.

    Stay strong and stick with it. Best thing to do is to stay busy and keep active.

    Hope this is in some way helpful.

    • Posted

      Thank you! Its nice know that I'm not alone. Not that it's good, your going through it as well!! It absolutely sucks! I did take it this morning.. I was very hesitant but did it. Still very on edge though rolleyes I'm hoping it gets easier.
    • Posted

      I was also very hesitant taking mine today too. I tried to condition myself prior to taking. By that I mean prepare myself in a more positive way, rather than just sitting waiting negatively for the bloody awful side effects. It actually helped significantly, today has been much better than yesterday and the day before that. I have yet to attend any cbt meetings yet but i imagine it will relate to this type of thing.....conditioning your own mind to resist all the negativity.

      I've had no major issues today and feeling reasonably positive. The Sert can't be working already could it?

    • Posted

      Oh your so lucky! I wish I could say the same. I have been so anxious today, can't decide if i'm happy or sad. One minute i'm somewhat ok, and the next i'm shaking and wanting to cry. I've heard some people can see improvements within a week, so it could be helping.. good for you!!
    • Posted

      If only that were true. I had a decent few hours after taking it. Then it all went pear shaped again. Paranoia, panic, depersonalisation, all the usual!! Buggar!

      Not feeling too bad now since the side effects have passed and almost definitely helped by the 3/4 bottle of wine I've got through and without question will finish the rest.

      This really is a daily struggle. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

      I'm sorry you had a tough day. I know what you are going through. We're all in the same boat. Stay strong. These awful feelings will subside. They have to!! Better times coming soon!!

    • Posted

      Oh man.. I'm sorry!! It's been a rough day for me too! Hopefully tomorrow will be better!
    • Posted

      Hang in there i know its really hard iv been on sertraline for about a week and it was so horrible the first couple of days one major panic attack shaking night sweats insomnia anxiety sky rocketing lost of appetite and headach fatigue i really wanted to stop sertraline but thanks to my mom and her support telling it gets worse before you feel better i stuck it out and honestly glad i did cause im feeling much more better i still have my anxiety here and there but a whole lot better than before
    • Posted

      Oh thank you... does the anxiety lighten up at all?? I just can't handle the panic attacks anymore rolleyes it probably doesn't help I haven't eaten either... I have no appetite at all sad
    • Posted

      Honestly it does ease up and my family really helps me and i find things to do to distract myself... I know how you feel panic attack is probably the scariest thing i have ever gone through but believe me it goes away in time and it doesnt help if you keep thinking am i gonna get it tonight? What if i sleep and i wake up with a panic attack? What i do is put some music i really love and think about especial memories that mean so much to me and honestly in time it does go away... And about the appetite i went like 2 days without eating and was just making me feel worse but i found eating little bit of crackers granola bars sometimes nuts and yogurt helped me get my appetie back then started eating little bits of chicken and i got my appetite back, dont force yourslef to eat too much just as much as you can
    • Posted

      Well thank you... it was pretty bad today. I'm not going to give up yet though. I am scheduled to see my doctor Wednesday, which will be one week since I started it. I'm hoping by then I am feeling better, and if not hopefully she can help me!! sad
    • Posted

      Maybe ask her if you could dose down unill you can cope with the side effects thats what i did cause i couldnt handle it and dont give up dont put it in your head that maybe it wont work for you just think as positive as you can and keep pushing foward you and everyone suffering from this can and will recover but its not a day and night thing it takes time
    • Posted

      I hope it works... i'm so sick of feeling like this. Feeling so unattached from my body.. and so sick over everything. Like it just has me sick to my stomach. It's crazy how one day you can be fine, and then wake up the next day and be someone completely different. 
    • Posted

      Yeah i know the first days i thought i was going crazy and i just wanted to give up but trust me you do get better and you are on your 5 day? Just give it a couple of more days so you can handle it but everyone is different but sertraline will help
    • Posted

      I'm on day 7 today and with great trepidation took my 50mg tablet a couple of hours ago and the side effects are nowere near as bad as yesterday. In fact I feel rather normal today for the first time in a long time. I have experienced glimmers of normailty the past couple of days but this was coupled with all the other negativity and anxiety. I think today may different. Fingers crossed this continues, it's early days yet.
    • Posted

      It keeps getting better and better with each passing day and it comes and goes through the day but you'll feel much better in a couple of days

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