Posted , 4 users are following.
On week 4 of Zoloft for anxiety and depression. I have had a few really great days but this week has been horrendous! Sinus and ear pain as well as a mild headache! All of which seems to make my anxiety worse! 😭 Does anyone have any words of wisdom?! I’m at my wits end with this!
0 likes, 10 replies
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Clarkey118 christina_77261
Posted
Hey Christina!
I too am just starting week 4 of Zoloft (sertraline). My week 2 into week 3 was a rocky road I will say. Some really bad headaches at night, face aches, tension headaches, slight dizziness and off balance, worse anxiety. Like you I then had a couple great days where I felt almost normal (apart from a slight feeling up top that something was off). I am just starting week 4 and the past couple days have gone back to being rough with the headaches and the worse anxiety so we are in the exact same boat. It doesn't help when you have health anxiety and you have meds that bring about a plethora of side effects!
I've heard it can take up to 8 weeks for the side effects to go away and even longer to completely subside, and that mentally you should begin to feel a lot better between weeks 4-6. I've told my doctor about my symptoms and they said that all the wooziness, the dizziness, the tension headaches, the face aches, the increased anxiety, the vision symptoms of the world moving slightly are all normal especially if it's the first time taking any medication. I trust her and I'm choosing to stay with the drug as overall I have felt better. It would be nice to stay in touch seeing as we both started this medication around the same time. Stay strong, it will all be over soon.
P.S. - Tension headaches happen when the nerves in your head constrict and expand rapidly, honestly try giving yourself a head scratch from side to side just above the ears and a slight head massage, it can work wonders for some temporary relief
christina_77261 Clarkey118
Posted
Ahhhh!!! Clarkey!!! Thanks for replying and although I’m sorry you’re feeling like me, I’m also a bit relieved 😌 I was thinking about coming off of the meds because it seems to make me feel worse. But I’ve already invested so much time to it that I might as well stick it out. On the other threads I’ve read that it can take 6-8 weeks. (YIKES!) but I’m glad that I stumble across this blog because I don’t feel so alone 😊
christina_77261 Clarkey118
Posted
Hello friends!
I'm going on 5 weeks and still on 50mg.
The weekend and yesterday were TERRIFIC! no side effects and just an overall feeling of well being. I am having a lot of trouble staying asleep, which effects my mood for the entire day. "/
Today I am feeling very lightheaded again and pressure in my face and ears! I was hoping that I was passed that stage, but apparently it goes up and down? Any one else experience this? I sure thought I was FINALLY over the hump. Guess not......Thoughts?
Clarkey118 christina_77261
Posted
It's really put me at ease this place! If you ever need to chat just message me
! We can get through this easy peasy. If you ever worry don't hesitate to contact your doctor at all. I've rang mine 3 times in the past three weeks I think she might be sick of me 
. Every time I ask about my side effects she tells me it's completely normal and that in time they will pass and that I will feel better soon and I completely trust her. 4 weeks ago I was a wreck about my health thinking I had a heart condition and brain cancer. Fast forward to now and Im coping so much better with myself only occasionally slipping back into an anxious state, but I try to just remind myself it's the brain altering drugs!
debbie_84339 christina_77261
Posted
Hi girls . Omgosh ! I could have written all these myself ! Started in December at 25 mg slowly working my way up .. I am 10 days at 150mg and I feel awful ! Anxiety is horrible. Depression is better .. but the side effects are almost unbearable. Not sure if 150 is just too much for me .. I don’t know how much longer I can do this 😩
lynn260 debbie_84339
Posted
Doctors go by averages. A lot of people tolerate the drugs but some don’t. I am down to 40mg and I am desperate to get off this drug. It has given me tinnitus ( which is a known side effect) and I have loss of hearing in my left ear.
I now sleep well - better since I have been withdrawing from it! Insomnia is another side effect of the drug!
christina_77261 debbie_84339
Posted
Hi Debbie!
I’m sorry you’re feeling awful. I’m only on 50mg and as you’ve read I’ve got quite the mess going on. 😭 But since I’ve been on here it’s really help ease my thoughts a bit. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to raise my dose to 150mg and I’m wondering if that’s why you feel so crappy? Have you spoke to your doctor about it?
brenda53218 christina_77261
Posted
Hi Christina, I too will be starting on my 4the week soon. You didn't mention how much you are taking. I am on 50 and I to have headaches, ear ringing. And worse of all anxiety. It seems every day is a new thing. I did have a couple of days of the wow feeling. That was in my second week. But now it's shaky and everything else thrown in. So I guess we have to hang in there. Do you have anything to help you, talk to your doctor, I was finally given ativan, and it helps. So hang in there, if the Lord's willing we will overcome.
christina_77261 brenda53218
Posted
Hi Brenda,
I am also on 50mg like you. The worst of it seems to happen while I'm at work with the constant computer work and the horrendous florescent lighting! The vision issues always make me really freak out. I often have to talk myself down and remind myself that I am NOT dying and that its just the meds....Today seems to be a much better day. No headache, just a bit of nausea so far. I like to diffuse different essential oils and that seems to relax me as well. Besides the Ativan, what else do you do to help get you passed this crap?!
brenda53218 christina_77261
Posted
Hi again, I try to talk myself down. Sometimes it helps but sometimes not so much. I have interstitial cystitis also , so really have to watch what I take as to medicine or comfort food. So it can be differcult. My main issue is the anxiety which seemed to peek it's ugly head around the time of my diagnosis and the death of my mother. But we just have to be strong and carry on.