Sertraline Reassurance Needed
Posted , 9 users are following.
Hi,
I am on my 9th day of taking 50mg of sertraline.
The last couple of days I've felt a very slight improvement and my appetite is slowly returning however, I started feeling very anxious again yesterday afternoon and it's just got worse and worse since then. The intrusive and obsessive thoughts have come back and I just can't seem to relax at all!
Can anybody let me know if they have also experienced this? Should I take it as a good sign that my appetite is coming back?
Really feel like I took 1 step forward and 2 back.
Clare xx
0 likes, 14 replies
Tyger1994 clare2729
Posted
Now that you are 9 days in and your appetite is returning is a good thing! The anxious thoughts are going to be present during the first 4-8 weeks of treatment unfortunately. Zoloft is a very slow-acting medication. However, 50mg is also a rather small dose. 25mg is typically the only dosage prescribed smaller than that. Maybe try contacting your doctor to up your dosage to 75mg or 100mg now that your body is balancing out; hence the return of your appetite!
Also, my doctor prescribed me a fast-acting benzo Klonopin to take during the 4-8 weeks it takes for the Zoloft to really start working. I myself am on my 8th or 9th day and I began on 50mg Zoloft and have already been cleared to start 100mg a day a couple days ago. The Klonopin helps for the time being until the Zoloft takes full effect.
Hope some of this helps!
Samrock clare2729
Posted
Hey Clare,
I'm in the very same boat as you, but I've been on 50mg for the past 6 days. The last 4 days my anxiety was much higher, yesterday noticably lower, and then today it's back high again.
The intrusive thoughts are more noticable aswell, which I didn't have much on of when I was on 25mg. I'd be interested in what other responses you get to this post.
From what I've seen others say, this seems par for the course in the initial stages.
GodsServant clare2729
Posted
Clare,
Yes, appetite returning is a very good sign that Zoloft is working for you. And I know this may sound strange, but the fact that you’re more anxious on the med is also a sign that it is working for you. Remember, it gets worse before it gets better.
I feel awfully sorry about your insomnia and how much it’s bothering you. Did you try to see if you can stay awake all night? I know my suggestion makes no sense whatsoever, but nothing about this illness makes sense, if you really think about it. This illness turns everything on its heads. So we have to try do the opposite in this illness, almost like doing reverse psychology with our brains. I read this good line from a psych whose specialty is OCD: "Overall, never forget that OCD is very paradoxical and rarely makes much sense. The things that you thought would make you better only make you worse, and the things you thought would make you worse are the very things that will make you better." (Fred Penzel, PhD). You can google him.
So like I said, I got really angry one night, screamed, cussed, and got all my stuff (Bible, iPad with Wordbrain game, journal), ready to stay awake ALL night. Because my goal/expectation wasn’t about getting sleep but to just get comfy and get ready to stay awake all night, I eventually fell asleep.
It’s like, remember when we were back in school and tried so hard to pull all-nighters before a big a exam or to finish an assignment, we inevitably fell asleep? So it’s Friday, maybe you can try this since there’s no work tomorrow.
Getting angry at illness is good, too, cuz you can’t be angry and anxious at same time. I don't know what else to say to help. I have been praying for you.
Samrock GodsServant
Posted
Thank you for that input!
An interesting perspective that I might take on myself!
GodsServant Samrock
Posted
Hi Sam,
Sleep is one of those things that the more you want to fall asleep, the more it keeps you awake. This illness is so horrible we get to the point when we become more anxious about the anxiety/panic attack than the attack itself. We panic about our panic attack, but this only increases our anxiety so it's a darn vicious cycle. I have lived with this illness on and off all my life, so you would imagine that I'd be used to it by now, a cakewalk, but it doesn't get any easier. It's like my mind knows it but my brain is fighting my mind.
A month ago at this time I had problem falling asleep, and now I fall asleep too early. Last night I fell asleep at 8pm, but woke up at 2:15am and I just went to my iPad and read a bit and played my WordBrain game till I fell asleep again at 3:30am.
Last night instead of freaking out that I was crying for no particular reason (other than being afflicted with this illness) I realized that I had wanted to cry in the past but couldn't, so when I embraced my crying as a cathartic release of pent-up feelings and thankful I could cry again, I suddenly felt less anxious and stopped crying and fell asleep, almost immediately.
So I am trying to do the opposite. I hope things are better for you. It often feels like two steps forward and one step back, but if you really think about it, even with one step back you are still moving forward, albeit at a slower pace but still better than nothing.
AngieNew GodsServant
Posted
How do we know if the dose is too much for us, or that it isn't enough? I have been on Zoloft steady now for 5 months. The first 2 months was 50mg and I have been taking 100mg for now for 13 weeks and I am still a bundle of nerves and anxiety with that horrible trembling feeling in my stomach. I know I am not well and want to just feel well again.
GodsServant AngieNew
Posted
Hi Angie, I think for you it's maybe a bit different because you were on 100mg Zoloft as well 50mg pristiq, which is a terrible combo. The trembling feeling might be coming off of pristiq while increasing z. From what little I know, your system is influx right now and need some time to settle down. I am not a doc, but if you were previously on a higher dosage of z, you need to up to that dosage again.
I don't know what you are on z for. I am on it for OCD intrusive thought no compulsion, GAD, and depression. I could tell right now z is working for me because the thought stopped consuming me 24/7 and I can function. I am not anxious all the time and do not feel myself going mad. Previously I had wanted the good Lord to just take me home in my sleep. Now I just pray for Him to take me home to spare me from another attack like this one.
I am not joking here. But of course I prayed for Him to give 20 more years without an attack and then he can take me home, but what am I but a speck of dust to Him so I can only beg Him. I still have the terrible side effect of neck pain and stiffness of neck. Oh, my stomach makes lots of noise too and my taste buds is returning. I am starting to crave sweets.
Angie, hang in there. Please stay strong, muster all your strength but go easy on yourself. At my worst, I prayed very hard, read the Bible, and kept reminding myself of Paul and the thorn in his side. "My Grace is sufficient for you; made perfect in your weakness." So, He will not give you more than you can handle. He carried me and He is carrying you.
I have a very complicated relationship with God. Sometimes I get so angry at Him for this illness, each and every successive attack, these flare ups, I could never put enough distance between me and this affliction no matter how hard I try, and I have tried but He humbled me. It's like He chopped both my legs and spat on my face but I am so Grateful and thankful to Him because I now know how precious it is that I can move still swing my arms.
Xx
AngieNew GodsServant
Posted
Thank you so much for your response. I agree the Pristiq along with Zoloft was not the best. I have been off the Pristiq for several months now and taking the Zoloft as my antidepressant.I have lorazapam but don't want to take it because I am afraid of getting addicted to it. I was taking small pieces when needed. I am a Christian also and love the Lord. I have also prayed if I have to stay sick to please take me even though I want to be well and stay here. It feels like we just can't go on living like this doesn't it? Being consumed with anxiety everyday is horrible. I am not functioning well at this point. I know we have to keep praying and trusting The Lord to help us get through. I hope you will continue to get well. You seem like a wonderful and caring person.
I take Zoloft for depression, ocd, anxiety, and my mind always worring about everything. We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. Father God, Please help us all that are not well get well, In Jesus Name, Amen.
GodsServant AngieNew
Posted
jasmin30103 clare2729
Posted
I starded Zoloft 25 on 12/19/2016 and 4days ago they updoze me to 50mg all the side affect came back worse vomiting I was not able to sleep untill 12:am even by taking the attivan 0.5 that don't even help my head hurts so bad my appetite is gone again an only able to try and eat fruits I text my Phsy to see what a going to do tonight if to go down on the doze when I was on 25 mg my appetite was good
ann55375 clare2729
Posted
pam01968 clare2729
Posted
tim31651 pam01968
Posted
Pam,
My son has had great success for the last eight years. He keeps telling me that it will take time and struggle before things get better. I'm only on day 2, so I can't comment on the effects. There is proof it works.
pam01968 tim31651
Posted