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Zoloft 50 mg

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HopefulDee
HopefulDee

Hi... I just started on 25 mg of Zoloft for one week & now I'm on 50 mg for another week for anxiety/panic. I have yet to feel the difference? Does it take this long to take affect? I really want this to work. I almost feel like I'm worse! It's been 14 days and really not much of a difference. Should I wait longer?

0 likes, 60 replies

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  • JJ0604
    JJ0604 HopefulDee

    Posted

    Hi there I've been browsing these forums the last few days. I'm on day 13 of 50mg Sertraline and feeling awful. No appetite at all and nauseous. Trembling, lump in my throat, fuzzy head, weepy, massively panicky when I wake. I'm desperately trying to get through to the "light at the end of the tunnel" but it's so hard. It helps to hear others are in the same boat but I'm not sure how long I can handle it. I'm self employed, so not working and therefore not earning. Trying not to add that to my list of anxiety but finding things VERY hard. Dr suggested changing meds yesterday but I don't want to go back to square 1 so said I'd try another week. Sorry to jump on your post HopefulDee x
    • HopefulDee
      HopefulDee JJ0604

      Posted

      the best part about anxiety and calming down is "IF" you have a reason for your anxiety that should calm you down.  You sound like you have some things going on with no income etc.. that's stressful.   So try to breathe ...I learned breathing through my nose long breaths and few deep ones helps...  I also started Zoloft 50 mg about 3 weeks ago and I too have random anxiety episodes, MORE than I EVER had before meds... so it's very frustrating, but I have read and heard from my dr that this won't last long.. hang in there...  Another 2 weeks...
    • jeffrey66255
      jeffrey66255 JJ0604

      Posted

      JJ0604,

      Hang in there friend. The initial side-effects from Sertraline can be very uncomfortable and frightening. After 15 years on Zoloft, I recently had my dose increased, and the side effects were paralyzing. I also experienced extreme nausea, physical exhaustion, anxiety, insomnia, and I was completely zoned out. I began to think that was something physically wrong with me. Whatever you decide to do, do it under the supervision of a clinician, and experienced clinician (emphasis added) but for me, I had to go back down to the original dose. Also, and importantly, make sure you have a clinician that gives a sh*t. I always tell them to pretend that I am their son before they start prescribing stuff .

      Jeffrey

    • HopefulDee
      HopefulDee jeffrey66255

      Posted

      I just spoke to my Dr and he suggests I now up it to 100 mg. tonight.... I'm a little worried going from 50 to 100, but I think maybe it'll work?  I hope it does...   I'm debating on going to 75mg first for a few days... what do you think?
    • jeffrey66255
      jeffrey66255 HopefulDee

      Posted

      Dee,

      Honestly, if it were me, I'd increase it to 25mg for a week to see how it goes. If you were to panic because of the initial side-effects, you could potentially stop taking it. Gradually increasing the dose is how it is typically done with individuals that suffer from panic disorder.

      Jeffrey,   

    • JJ0604
      JJ0604 jeffrey66255

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply, I'm feeling very low today. The nausea seems to be getting worse when I thought I'd be starting to feel better. The increased anxiety is frightening but it's the physical symptoms/ side effects that are really getting to me. I'll see how I am tomorrow before contacting the dr again. Just wish someone could say "here, take this, you'll definitely feel better on day X" I know that's what we all want. Anyway I'm rambling, thanks for the support!
    • JJ0604
      JJ0604 HopefulDee

      Posted

      Thanks hunni. It's the physical side that's getting to me more than the anxiety today. Not eating doesn't help and the nausea feels like it's getting worse not better. Just feeling very low xx
  • papote53
    papote53 HopefulDee

    Posted

    Hi Hope,

    Besides not getting better, have you had any additional side effects?  I will give it 2 more weeks.  Now, even if medication takes time to work, when they said it takes weeks they are actualy saying it takes week to feel the full benefit.  You should start feeling at least a little better in 1 week, if not I will ask for a change. Just my opinion, but it took my Doc 2 weeks to get me out even if I suggested taking the medication in the morning because in my case it did not help, and gave me BIG TIME Insomnia and sweats. I take Valium 5mg twice daily, sometimes 7.5 at night to sleep longer.  I'm authorizex =z to take 15mg daily, but normally I take 5mg twice daily because I expect one day to get off these medications.  But honestly, Valium is by far the best out of around 22-25 medications that I tried and I'f I have to I will take it till the day God sends for me. ;-)

    • HopefulDee
      HopefulDee papote53

      Posted

      My dr. this a.m. suggested I now up it to 100 mg... wondering if this will help?  It's been a few weeks on 50 and it's not working.  
    • AdamE
      AdamE HopefulDee

      Posted

      Don't take it from me since I'm only 7 days into Sertraline but I'd probably up it 75mg for the first week then go to 100mg.  I'm no expert but seems with this drug you want to take it slow on your increases/decreases.  I've only been on 50mg for the past couple days and I'm dying, haha.  My anxiety was pretty terrible already, mostly physically. So that heightned up a bit on 25mg and more so on 50mg.  Hoping this will pass within the next couple weeks or at least deminish. 
    • rachel1357
      rachel1357 AdamE

      Posted

      makes perfect sense, I probably should have done that, but being on 100 mg was definitley a huge change and 
    • HopefulDee
      HopefulDee AdamE

      Posted

      From what I read it WILL diminish but timing is the question.  Everyones different sad    I am going to go to 75mg tonight and do that for 5 days and then do the 100...  I'll see how I am on 75...  I think you are right Adam, it should be done slowly....   I feel WORST ON ZOLOFT than on nothing at all!  This is crazy...  I have anxiety like never before!!!
    • AdamE
      AdamE HopefulDee

      Posted

      You're still in the early stages also.  Try and stick it out a little longer. Plus upping your dose could increase your symptoms a bit.  There are so many people on here who constantly remind us to stick it out. They were all in the same boat as us and they saw the light. We have to work together through this nightmare in order to see the light.
    • Guest
      Guest HopefulDee

      Posted

      im on my 4th week on 12.5mg im supposed to be on 25 mg but first day i took it i felt weird it scared me sad still having bad anxiety it sucks
  • papote53
    papote53 HopefulDee

    Posted

    We are all different, what works for me may not work for you. We all know that, but the same applies to Doctors- All Doctors are different and they make decisions based on what they believe, what they learned or what they always do,  Which means they will make mistakes as well with doses and even medications.  Basically we turn into Guinea pigs and that is the best they can do for now.   I have learned to never jump to high doses and that is why from 9 medications they were giving me once I only take 2 now and one of them is weekly and I take half the prescribed which is working perfectly fine for me. Yes, after I learned to eat better and take control of my conditions and medications.  
    • HopefulDee
      HopefulDee papote53

      Posted

      I'm hoping going gradually, starting tonight on 75mg helps.... who knows maybe 75 is all I need.... you're right everyone's different. Thanks
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