Uplifting post- Zoloft CAN take effect after 8+ wks

Posted , 9 users are following.

I just wanted to post a positive outcome because I know those can be rare on this forum and I hope my story will serve as a shining beacon of hope for some people.

Eight and a half weeks into Zoloft, battling constant anxiety, no lifted mood and overall lack of energy (and being advised by my doctor to slowly up my dose because of this) - I finally had a break through with the medicine and literally felt a dramatic change overnight. It sounds unreal but it was almost as if the medicine had finally settled completely into my system enough to take effect. I feel like myself again FINALLY when I was starting to wonder if it was ever even possible. This just goes to show that you should definitely stick it out, even when the going gets rough, because things will unfortunately have to get a little worse before they get tremendously better as your body gets used to the medication. Stay positive and you can make it through <3

8 likes, 20 replies

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  • Posted

    Thanks! I'm in week 3 and feel pretty miserable. I'm not as anxious but feeling depressed. I needed to hear it will get better

    • Posted

      I'm glad I was able to motivate you somewhat! If you are feeling better even slightly, that's already an awesome sign! And 3 weeks is pretty early in so by 6, I'm sure you'll be on the track to feeling normal! 

  • Edited

    I just wanted to post a positive story as well as I know how often I came here to get reassurance that the Zoloft was going to work.

    6 years ago I was hit with horrid anxiety due to burnout and too many stresses in life etc. I had no idea what was happening and tried everything natural that there was pills, acupuncture, yoga, essential oils you name it I tried it. Eventually after 3 months and another anxiety attack at a family dinner I said to my hubby that's it I'm taking the zoloft (which my doctor had given me and was sitting in the cupboard) .

    Ill admit the road was rough, I initially took it at night but found it interrupted my sleep too much so I began taking it in the morning. I lost my appetite, nauseated, headaches and highly anxious which sucked and I just felt horrid and out of it. I was counting the days and weeks of how long I'd been on it as people online would have differently timelines of when they seen changes and had it kick in. Around 6 weeks I felt better and semi normal again id have good days and bad days but then I just remember it being 6 months in and I hadnt really thought about anxiety much at all. I took zoloft for 2 .5years and then went off them as I felt my chemicals had balanced and was fine for another 3 years or so.

    Fast foward to October last year and a stressfull year with covid lockdowns, home learning of my daughter, teaching online and having a VCE class, my mum having a massive heart attack, my hubby having vertigo and a family member marriage separation I crashed and burnt and the anxiety was back. I didn't hesitate to reach out for meds this time and yes it was rough again with every side effect again (although my dct gave me a benzo to help for the first few weeks). At the 4 week mark I was seeing good days and every week my bad days were further apart and shorter. It takes a long time to get at a steady state in your system but trust me its a lifesaver and resets you for a long as you need it for. I have always just been on 50 mg and never needed to change but definitely work with your doctor to get your perfect dose, be patient, be kind to yourself, talk to a therapist and breathe.....

    all the best to all x

  • Posted

    Hi,

    I am now just past my 8th week on Zoloft, but about 3 weeks since my increase from 50 to 100 mgs. No definite improvement. Some really crappy days. Few good days. My doc just added Buspar just under two weeks ago. Losing faith. Do you think Zoloft could still kick in?

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