Zoloft week 4, swinging between feeling great and feeling like crying
Posted , 3 users are following.
I finally got help after a depressive episode that forced me to postpone my last bachelor exams last semester to spring 2020. I have OCD, anxiety and moderate depression. I started with 50mg two months ago and gradually went up to 100mg 4 weeks ago(I have an app for those dates). So far it has worked great for my OCD, anxiety and my depression, especially for the OCD and the looping thoughts. I have gradually been improving. However in the last few days I have been really anxious at night and in the mornings, and then feeling okay and relaxed again a few hours after taking 100mg Zoloft. It is also really hard to get out of bed in the morning now. Is this just the body getting used to the medication and something that will pass and balance throughout the days?
I have an exam in a week for improving a grade, so the volatility in mood makes me worry about doing great on the exam, my concentration has improved a lot since taking Zoloft however.
0 likes, 27 replies
krissy60143 olav39697
Posted
Yes if the reason your having problems is due to every joint in your body aching then I feel you! I too am still experiencing side effects from this medication and wished I would have never taken it. I stopped taking it 1 month ago and am now on 2400mg of Ibuprofen a day &20mg of Valium. I still wake up swollen & in pain every day. My hands cleinched like someone in their late 80's with Rheumatoid arthritis. I am in my 40's and have never had issues with my joints. I have always been very active and healthy and now I struggle to even go to the bathroom. I think this medication is poison and the risks & side effects out weigh any benefit this medication ever had on me. I was only on 25mg too. I would talk to my dr and try to get off it. I was on Prozac for 2.5 years and never experienced anything like this. My doctor ran some tests on me and everything was normal with the exception of the inflammation of every joint in my body. He definitely contributed it to the Setraline.
olav39697
Posted
That did not answer my question.
Guest olav39697
Posted
Maybe it's worrying about the exam causing a spike in your anxiety, as it seems the meds were working really well up to now. try looking up calming breathing exercises worth a try, and I find chamomile tea helpful.. i've only been on it 3 or 4 weeks for intrusive thoughts & anxiety so good to know it worked for you. Sorry I can't help with the getting out of bed problems if it continues ask your doctor see what he thinks. But if you had problems around exams before maybe that could be causing it. Is there any counselling available to help you through the exam period?
olav39697 Guest
Posted
I'm pretty relaxed about the exam. I'm not really anxious anymore, it just feels like side-effects from the medication, mentally I feel much better but I feel slight nausea, headaces, fatigue and do not sleep well. I remember feeling the same way at 50mg at 4 weeks but that passed, so I will stay positive and wait for further results, I can postpone that exam to late January if I still feel sick, so no worry about that either. I just hope I will get back to normal soon, I am so tired of being inside. My doctor takes this seriously so I have good support.
Guest olav39697
Posted
That's a big positive if you aren't worried about the exams the meds must be doing something. I have read every time you change dose like starting again so could well be that. I started on 25mg for week or so and swapped to 50mg couple weeks ago, last week anxiety awful but calming down this week. Did your doctor advise you to up the dosage, sometimes think can take while to get it right. Am getting bit despondent as thoughts not improving but mine due to zopiclone withdrawal so might take while and encouraging it helped you. It does say can take 4-6 weeks to adjust so sure it's just adjusting to new dosage. I'm getting headaches and fatigue as well think it's normal, hope you soon improve.
olav39697 Guest
Posted
Yes, the meds have definitely made a difference, my girlfriend noticed a huge difference and so did I. I used to be in a constant state of panic and suffering, so I'm calm and feel hope. I do however hope I get my energy, appetite and proper sleep soon, as well as the head ace going away. I do take depression sleep medication which helps a lot. I'm still in bed now even though it's 11:55. Just reading this forum and watching videos to make time pass. I felt better a week ago but I am much more relaxed today than yesterday, hopefully things go back to normal soon. I lost a year of uni because of this crap, now I feel hope. Hope you are doing fine 😃
olav39697 Guest
Posted
I'm at 100mg at day 29 and feeling good except the side-effects, so I would rather wait a month or two before increasing.
Guest olav39697
Posted
Hope you soon feel better. I am managing to get out but feel very anxious when I do and definitely not taking as much exercise as I used to. Think once you can get out and be a bit more active your appetite will improve. Luckily I only had nausea for a little while, I swapped to taking them at night which seemed to help with it. My doctor did warn me could cause headaches, think all these symptoms just take time to subside. Just focus on the good days which will hopefully be increasing for you as time goes on, easier said than done I know 😉.
olav39697 Guest
Posted
The appetite thing was sort of strange, I suddenly got really low appetite 3 days ago, before that I was eating a lot. My appetite was also very low before I started with Zoloft, but I think this will pass in a few days, just like my anxiety went away today. My appetite sort of goes on and off during the increases, but has been mosly on. Things change from day to day though so something is definitely happening. I like going outside too, I will visit my gf tomorrow so then I will get some fresh air. Hopefully my energy will come back soon, it feels so great to do things when the anxiety level is so much lower. I had so much creative energy and energy in general for weeks just some days ago, I did not even look up forums like these for weeks. This sure is a rollercoaster. I will probably just postpone the exam to January when I am more stable and energetic. I hope you become less anxious when going out, I used to be that way too even anxious in my own room, but it is much better now thanks to zoloft.
Guest olav39697
Posted
certainly is a roller coaster emotionally. Does sound like a sensible thing to do postponing your exam, gives you bit longer for meds to settle down. Sure things will improve for you sounds like they are working an it's just a blip. Still early days for me and zopiclone withdrawal takes long time you're not alone having rubbish year but hopefully 2020 be a good one for us both. There are lot supportive people here that helps!
olav39697 Guest
Posted
This whole thing is a humbling experience for sure. 1,5 years ago I felt like I was on the top of the world, and had so for years, never thought I would struggle this much with mental illness, but zoloft seems to slowly give me my life back. Hopefully no more blips for a while. Withdrawal and doing new meds at the same time seems horrible, zoloft is my first real attempt with SSRIs and it sure has been a hard journey even though my OCD improved really fast and some decrease in tension. There are ups and downs. The heaviness is what I want gone next.
Guest olav39697
Posted
You'll get there. I was forced to come off zopiclone by new doctor in January has been pretty rubbish year had to cancel couple of holidays and really limited what we've been able to do. The OCD type symptoms and intrusive thoughts not improved yet but encouraged by what you've said. Initally took Citalopram but made hair fall out so swapping meds hasn't helped, I was very anti taking any more meds but several friends had really good results with SSRI"s and seem help lot of people so figure it's worth trying. Least there is a lot more openess about people struggling with mental health problems nowadays. Think friends struggle to understand that it takes you months to improve, but certainly sounds like you're definitely getting there.
olav39697 Guest
Posted
Do you take painkillers like Paracet for the headaces or do you just ignore them? I know they will probably leave soon but combined with fatigue and other things they are really annoying.
Guest olav39697
Posted
Yes I take paracetemol, I do tend to suffer with headaches anyway and used to get migraines , but have noticed seem bit worse since starting the tablets. Sure they will eventually subside along with the other symptoms
olav39697 Guest
Posted
I used to have tension headaces but zoloft fixed those very early, all the tenseness in my body is gone after over a year with it, amazing. Tension was so terrible, never got rid of it even after running 15km. The side-effect headaces came after I started 100mg but never really had them at the lower doses, I guess they will go away soon. I only take paracet once a day before I sleep, I try to keep meds as low as possible so that they work in case I get in an accident or something. My grandfather got allergic to them from taking them too much before he died from cancer. Are you feeling better?
Guest olav39697
Posted
think mine could be due to sinus as well they aren't too bad. Have you been taking it for a year then? I'm not too bad mainly intrusive thoughts but think because still recovering from zopiclone might take bit longer as that's caused it all. Don't like winter and the cold either! i can put up with headaches but when hair fell out with citalopram was too much. How are you now?
olav39697 Guest
Posted
No, I recently started the meds, that
s why Im at week 4 with 100mg. I did not start with the meds before months after I finally crashed. I wish I got them a year ago. I am all over the place, but always way better than without meds. Looking forward to see more again, Iove that I can laugh, I used to go days without a single laugh. Anxiety comes and goes, sort of a rollercoaster, but before zoloft it was constant. Intrusive thoughts went away for me first, that`s what zoloft fixes first, at least for me. Still have some sometimes but just a tiny fraction that is very bearable. If zoloft works for you that will probably go away. Keep in mind that I was on 25mg and 50mg for 5 weeks before I upped to 75 and 100, so be patient.Guest olav39697
Posted
Thanks I will try and stay on 50mg as hoping eventually might be able to come off them. As this was all caused by withdrawal from zopiclone hoping once Ive got past that will improve. Been gradually getting worse last 18 months since Istarted randomly cutting out tablets so will no doubt take while. Really good they are working so well for you anyway you sound bit more positive which is good.
olav39697 Guest
Posted
Now it feels like my anxiety and OCD is almost completely gone. However I still feel depressed and heavy as well as having all those side-effects all the sudden at week 4 as I mentioned. Does depression tend to go away after anxiety and OCD with antidepression medicine?
With less anxiety and OCD it sure is easier to deal with though.
Guest olav39697
Posted
That's good at least some things have improved. I haven't had much experience with anti depressants. I took seroxat about 15 years ago, when had quite bad depression with menopause, was only on it about 6 months but it definitely helped then. It was gradually process not sudden lightbulb moment when you feel better. I would imagine if the anxiety has eased depression should subside. I was really depressed and tearful earlier this year with withdrawal but that side things definitely eased. If you can find any distraction think that helps, as haven't been able to get out much I've got into tapestry last few months, anything that occupies your mind a bit! There are lot of helpful posts if you look through the site.
Guest olav39697
Posted
I don't know how SSRI's which sertraline is differ from the other anti depressants, if you find you aren't improving I would go back to your doctor for advise. Different ones treat different things and if it continues you doctor would be the best person to advise you what to do next, as I say I'm not expert and haven't had lot experience unlike others but sure GP would be able to help.
Guest olav39697
Posted
Depression is listed as common side effect of sertraline on the patient advice stuff, not logical I know! I would go back to your doctor maybe upping dose is too much if it'S made you feel bad. Don't struggle on get some help as different doses suit different people.
Guest olav39697
Posted
How quickly did it help your OCD not helping mine yet but only been couple weeks on 50MG. Hope you soon improve
olav39697 Guest
Posted
The OCD improved pretty fast, I felt differences from a pretty early stage. However I would say the anxiety started decreasing a lot after 2 months on 50mg and 4 weeks on 100mg. As for me right now most of the struggle comes from the side-effects that I think will subside eventually. I am not really depressed either, no I just want my energy, sleep as well as my sleep back. I also don't feel much in bed and last a long time, but I'm just happy it works for the sake of my relationship. These things has gone up and down for me over time, these things takes time as you know and varies a lot from person to person. For some it comes later, just keep in touch with your doctor and assume it will take time, even if the zoloft works for you. I hope you are feeling better soon. 😃
olav39697
Posted
Now I just want my sleep, energy and health back.*
I'm multitasking so I mess up sentences haha.
Guest olav39697
Posted
i just want my life back. Hope you soon improve too
olav39697 Guest
Posted
Yes, it has been so long since I felt truly normal, at it all changed overnight after some death in the family. We just have to get through the days and we will be better eventually, everything passes. Dying is not an option for me anyway, nor do I feel like dying anytime soon. Without the constant panic attacks depression is much easier to deal with, and even if I never improved from where I am now I would survive. Zoloft made me not want to die while I sleep so that I was not to blame for my death. True mental illness is pure torture.