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Zoloft making anxiety worse, is it worth it?

Posted , 7 users are following.

Therook
Therook

Ive read around and understand that zoloft can have some side effects at the very beginning which may cause an increase in anxiety and such, but I'm not sure this is going to be worth it for me.

A few days ago i suffered from a crazy panic attack, which prompted me to go to the doctors and get prescribed zoloft for my anxiety as well as another medication for irritable bowel syndrome.

I had taken the IBS medication last night, and it provided almost instant relief for my stomach, which in turn made my anxiety go way down. I woke up this morning and felt fantastic compared to how ive been since the panic attack, but then i took the first zoloft (25mg) and almost immedietly my anxiety came back, i got really tired, became very unmotivated to do anything, completely lost my appetite, and feel nauseas again which infuriates me because the IBS medicine just fixed my nausea and now zoloft has brought it back.

This is very troubling for me because I'm supposed to be getting my first real job, im supposed to be saving up to move out of my parents house, im supposed to start college in the fall, and im sort of an entrepreneur on the side which requires me to be very creative and out going.

My question is, will zoloft really be worth it in the end? I mean i felt fantastic with just the IBS treatment and it seemed to help with my anxiety which i believe is partially triggered by nausea. So would it make sense for me to avoid anxiety medication and instead stick with the IBS treatment? I havent had such bad anxiety ever in my life until my panic attack, and absolutely hate that the zoloft is making me feel like im on the edge of a panic attack again and i dont know what to do.

Obviously i am going to speak with my doctor before any final decision is made, but would like to hear input from others who may have gone through something similar.

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • HopeNFaith
    HopeNFaith Therook

    Posted

    Hi There, do you feel that your IBS is causing your anxiety or the other way round? My other half has IBS and anxiety attacks because he worries about it all the time. IBS meds didn't work on him so he had to take anxiety meds. It took a few weeks on a low dose but he's doing great now. IBS has calmed right down and anxiety is pretty much gone.

    I would say that if you have anxiety that isn't caused by the IBS to continue taking it. If it's the IBS then perhaps speak to your GP about just taking the IBS tablets. Anxiety mids take a good few weeks to start working. The side affects do come down. God bless

  • suzanne23014
    suzanne23014 Therook

    Posted

    Hi Therook,I'm glad your IBS feels better,I know anxiety effects my intestines terribly so maybe the Zoloft will work for you. I make sure I get the original brand not the generic as the generic makes me nauseous.Do you take the Zoloft before eating as that's important,I actually stopped mine as I was having problems I thought were caused by Zoloft but realised that wasn't the case and am back on them.After losing my beautiful sister I wasn't coping and Zoloft has helped me a lot,do you mind if I ask what you were given for your IBS as my daughter and I both suffer with this as well.Good luck with the Zoloft it does take a few weeks to really start to work,hang in there.

  • justducky
    justducky Therook

    Posted

    I like to know what you're taking for the IBS as well... I have a terrible stomach... to the point I don't even think about dating anymore... but I wonder if my depression/anxiety meds are making it worse, or if I'm just blessed with my father's GI issues?!?

  • Eleven11
    Eleven11 Therook

    Posted

    Hi... sorry to hear this has happened but you have only taken one dose of the zoloft!!! I suffered from chronic panic attacks on a daily basis...for months... anxiety its worse....it had consumed me abd taken over my life. I couldn't do anything. I would get two to three panic attacks per day, some lasting over an hour....horrid ones. Extreme ones. Finally i gave in and agreed to go on medication for anxiety and the panic attacks.... from the day i have started taking zoloft i have not had a single panic attack. I do not feel anxious. My heart palpitations are gone. Bad thoughts of death are gone. My appetite is also gone, which is a side effect of zoloft, but i dont mind it because that i can live with but anxiety, and panic attacks i couldn't live with... near death experiences i couldn't live with. Im on day 8 and zoloft has done wonders for me. I dont believe that your other medication is going to help with your panic attack...... you need to give zoloft a chance... not a few hours!!!!!

    Good luck and all the best

  • lorraine82455
    lorraine82455 Therook

    Posted

    If your IBS is under control, maybe hold off for a bit on the Zoloft. It can cause nausea and diarrhea, then you may not know which one is working. The Zoloft increased my anxiety until I had to come down in dose
  • Therook
    Therook

    Posted

    For all those wondering what IBS medicine i take that initially helped before i started taking zoloft, its called dicyclomine (bentyl). Thank you all for your input, i will consider sticking with the zoloft for a little longer, hopefully the side effects will go away quicker rather than later.
    • Eleven11
      Eleven11 Therook

      Posted

      I truly hope that zoloft does help you like it has with me. I'm on 50mg per day. And i take it first thing in the morning. I wish you all the best .... fingers crossed the zoloft kicks in asap and beats puts your anxiety and panic attacks to rest. Xxxx

      Wish you so much luck , love and peace. Allllllll the best. Let us know how you're doing.

    • Therook
      Therook Eleven11

      Posted

      Thank you so much for the kind words. I'm supposed to get blood work done in a few days, i will post an update on how I'm doing before then. Hope you all have a wonderful day/night smile

  • Therook
    Therook

    Posted

    Updating, it turns out i might just have hyperthyroidism and that could be whats been causing my sudden uptick in anxiety and frequent panic attacks. I did not continue to take the sertraline as i dont believe it would be necessary to take if its actually hyperthyroidism that i have. If anyone hasnt been checked for hyperthyroidism and feels it could be something more than just anxiety that is causing you problems, i recommend looking it up and the symptoms that come with it to see if perhaps that was something your doctor may have overlooked. This is not an official diagnosis as im waiting for t
    • Therook
      Therook

      Posted

      The results of my blood test to come back, but it definitely sounds like exactly what im dealing with.
    • HopeNFaith
      HopeNFaith Therook

      Posted

      Oh wow, looking at the symptoms they are very similar. I will speak to my GP as I have had symptoms like this for a long time on and off. Do they just take bloods to find out?
    • Therook
      Therook HopeNFaith

      Posted

      Yeah they should only need to take a blood sample to find out, but they might also do a small physical check pressing against your neck where the thyroid is, that seemed to be what prompted my doctor to suspect hyperthyroidism is what i might have.
  • lauren36705
    lauren36705 Therook

    Posted

    I’m having the exact same situation as you- Zoloft for anxiety & mostly have anxiety because of IBS (or at least what I believe is IBS.) ive only been on the Zoloft for 3 days, but res made my anxiety feel worse an I just had a burning sensation in my chest which doesn’t usually happen with my usual anxiety. I’m joping it gets better. I’m curious what you take for IBS that works, because I haven’t found anything that works for me.  Also, did the Zoloft get better?

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