Not sure if I should keep taking Zoloft

Posted 9 years ago, 9 users are following.

Tlynn1

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 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!

0 likes, 50 replies

50 Replies

marion39490 Tlynn1

Posted 9 years ago

I've just started 50mg 4 days ago after being on escitalopram for 3 years and I feel rotten. Depressed, can't stop crying and want to give up. Please tell me it gets better
- Tlynn1 marion39490
  
  Posted 9 years ago
  
  I know how you feel.. today is my 6th day. And it's not too bad today... yesterday was pretty good too. Unfortunately just being patient is all you can do.. and it sucks.. but each day it gets better.
- john_35050 Tlynn1
  
  Posted 9 years ago
  
  I wish that were true for me. Today has not been great. Experiencing quite alot of the physical symptoms today like hot and cold flushes, trembling, the gold old depersonalisation, all of which set of this crippling anxiety!! Just awful. I'm on day 8 so it looks like it'll take a bit longer for me unfortunately.
john_35050 Tlynn1

Posted 9 years ago

Feeling a bit better this evening after a tough day with the physical symptoms of the medication. Day 8 nearly done. Counting the days until i feel some level of normailty. Having had a few glasses of wine I dont feel too bad but the wolf is never too far from the door if any of you know what i mean? Hoping you are doing ok.
- Tlynn1 john_35050
  
  Posted 9 years ago
  
  Well hopefully you'll start feeling better soon!! Today was pretty good for me.. still not perfect, but better. Hopefully tomorrow is better for you!
marion39490 Tlynn1

Posted 9 years ago

Had a massive panic attack this morning. Feelin ok just now, day 5!!! We can do this xx
- Tlynn1 marion39490
  
  Posted 9 years ago
  
  Oh man.. don't give up though. I was pretty panicky my 3rd and 4th day. But it's not as bad now. I'm trying to give it a few weeks before I decide if I wanna stay with it or try something else.
- CG1964 marion39490
  
  Posted 9 years ago
  
  Hang in there - I'm on day 35 @ 50mg after 21 days @25mg and for the last week i have been feeling better and better. You really do have to give the medication time to work and unfortunately for some of us that means maybe 6 weeks of waiting. I had all the physical side effects and increased anxiety and panic attacks - my dr gave me Ativan to bridge the time before the sertraline started working but i haven't needed it since last week!
  Stay strong and keep in touch with this community and you will find the support and encouragement really helps get you through the hard times.
- Tlynn1 CG1964
  
  Posted 9 years ago
  
  My dr also gave me ativan until a couple of weeks goes by.. I haven't taken any though. Did they help you by chance?
- CG1964 Tlynn1
  
  Posted 9 years ago
  
  Yes they did help me. I only took 6 over the course of 3 weeks on days when i was overwhelmed. They also helped me sleep at night - insomnia being one of the side effects that I am still suffering from - and i even felt better the day after i took the ativan. It just gave my mind a rest from the intrusive thoughts and panic.
  i was very concerned about the warnings about Ativan and my Dr was very clear that i should only use them as a last resort, but they really did help and every 4th day or so was just what i needed to keep going until now.
- Tlynn1 CG1964
  
  Posted 9 years ago
  
  That's good to hear, I might have to try them then. I've been worried to try them because you hear about all these stories with people becoming addicted to them, and having a hard time coming off of it. So I just suffered. The zoloft is helping... but still quite an edge. Hopefully as the weeks go on, it will improve more.
marion39490 Tlynn1

Posted 9 years ago

The intrusive thoughts especially first thing in the morning are what's killing me. I think everyone would be better off without me. Got some diazepam to take from my gp but I hate taking anything like that in case I get addicted. I've got a 3 yr old and 12 yr old to look after. Did the Zoloft help anyone withthese horrid horrid thoughts?? xx
- Tlynn1 marion39490
  
  Posted 9 years ago
  
  I know how you feel... but don't give up!! It did help with my intrusive thoughts. There not gone... but not as bad... and I deal with them better. I was feeling the same way that you are a few days ago... but I just did my best to stick it out. I know... so much easier said, than done. But it's worth it. I just stayed busy... as busy as I could. And I go walking once a day. It seems to help a lot though. Do something that makes you busy. It'll help.
- marion39490 Tlynn1
  
  Posted 9 years ago
  
  Took my 3 year old out a wee walk to the Bach today and had a dizzy turn, jelly legs and felt awful. Back home now and crying and feeling anxious again. One positive is that I felt moment that I was my old self. Fingers crossed that's a good sign. Got the doctors on Friday and I've got a feeling that he will put my dose up to 100mg 🙈
- Tlynn1 marion39490
  
  Posted 9 years ago
  
  I was like that too.. but I just kept doing it. Just a walk a day. It just helped me. I also had small moments where I just felt normal. And it was gone pretty quickly. But I was getting several of those moments a day. And honestly yesterday and today haven't been too bad. I seen my dr this morning and she said she could see a big difference already. She wants to keep the 50mg for 6 weeks to see how it goes. Which right now I'm comfortable with. I also talk to someone... once a week. And it has been a tremendous help. Do you talk to anyone?
- marion39490 Tlynn1
  
  Posted 9 years ago
  
  No I haven't. Seen someone on Monday who said CBT would benefit me but where I stay there is a 20 week waiting list and to go private would cost an absolute fortune.
  That's fantastic that your starting to feel better and happy to stay at your current dose. Keep going :-) xx
- Tlynn1 marion39490
  
  Posted 9 years ago
  
  Oh my.. that's a long wait. But it will be help a lot. Hang in there... it'll get better.
- marion39490 Tlynn1
  
  Posted 9 years ago
  
  Had an awful morning. Intrusive thoughts as soon as I woke up. Really not sure what to do. Only 7 days on the tablets but I kinda hoped the thoughts would be better by now xx
- Tlynn1 marion39490
  
  Posted 9 years ago
  
  Oh my.. that's rough. I'm sorry! I had a morning like that a few days ago too. It just may take longer for you to adjust to the new medicine. Try to keep your head up!!!😊
- CG1964 marion39490
  
  Posted 9 years ago
  
  I have found the mornings to be the worst time - and i just had to make myself get out of bed and keep really busy to stop the instrusive thoughts from overwhelming me.
  Really just one task after another, plodding along was all that kept me moving forward.
  Now during week 6 @50mg I can honestly say that I feel the positive results of this medication. It was such a long time coming but it really is WORTH THE WAIT and you just have to take it a moment at a time and focus on getting through each day. I still have insomnia and flashes of anxiety and panic , but I am more like myself as each day passes.
  Hang in there and give the meds time to do their thing.
  You can do this and you will be stronger for having survived this experience.

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