Zoloft (Sertraline) 8 week story

Hi Everyone! I just want to give some people hope as I know the start up struggle with Zoloft can bring anyone to their knees.  It has been really rough for me.  I actually got in the car around week five and started driving to the hospital to get help.  I talked myself out of it, perhaps I just needed the drive and to clear my head lol Anyway, the first week was good for me, no side effects, no start up effects.  Around week three, my appetite and sleep improved 100%.  However, little did I know, the next few weeks would be nearly debilitating. Please remember when you are taking this medication that it gets far worse before it gets better.  I almost checked myself into the hospital a few times because I thought I was going crazy or that this medication wasn't working for me.  I got so low and thought that nothing would ever help.  I finally hit week eight yesterday, and in the morning I had anxiety. However, the second half of the day and this morning and afternoon have been really good.  I do not want to speak too soon, but I feel like it is finally settling in to my system and leveling out.  This medication takes AGES to work.  Do not get discouraged.  I am getting my period in a few days and usually my hormones are bouncing off the wall and I am a nervous wreck.  Not this month. Anyway, you may go through the same thing and despair and want to give up.  I suggest that anyone starting this medication give it 8-12 weeks before adjusting your dose or changing medication.  I've been on several SSRI's and this is the first one that has taken this long to kick in.  I experienced ups and downs for nearly two months.  Please expect this until it levels out in your system.  I think I still have a ways to go, but I am finally seeing that glimmer of hope and I'm holding onto it.  My emotions seem to be more stable.  My sleep is back to how it was before I had anxiety (when I was a little girl, yes that long ago).  I used to sleep up to sixteen hours a day.  I now wake up before 9am on most days.  My appetite was awful. I am a recovering alcoholic, I have been sober since age 27.  When I drank, I didn't eat anything, and I drank every day.  It's been three and a half years sober and eight weeks on this medication, and I get hungry now! I eat full meals no problem. I think it's important for anyone dealing with anxiety not to mask it with alcohol, as it's far to easy to do.  Also (I"m guilty of this too) ease up on the caffeine! It increases your anxiety ten fold.  I'm just rambling at this point, but hang in there Sertraline people!! There is hope, please see it out to the eight week mark at the very least. Good luck to all <3

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