Panic and started zoloft

[Jen293]

Hello everyone, new here to the site. I have suffered from panic attacks, a little of ocd and recently depression for the past 10 years. I was first put on Paxil then and went off it 2 years later I cant exactly remember the reason why, and then was not taking anything such trying to cope, the last 4 years been taking a sleeping aid, but recently everything has come back and more depression and fears of dying,I am not very religious but my parents really didnt explain all the God stuff to me, and I dont want to die, if it was up to me would live forever. I have been on Zoloft now for almost a week, cant sleep at night and at work am exhausted. I do want to have a family someday however heard goodand bad things about people being on meds during pregnancy, if anyone one has similar stories that would be great, Jen

[Krisse]

Hey, Jen-

I've been on Zoloft for a year and a half now.  It was very hard for me to adjust to it at first.  It honestly took about 6 months to figure out my dosage and have the side effects go away.  I, like you, was on Paxil, too.  I took it for about 7 years and had very good luck with it stopping my panic attacks.  The reason I went off of it was because, at the time, my husband and I thought we were ready for a baby.  This was at the time Paxil came out with all of those warnings about causing heart issues in babies born from moms who took it throughout pregnancy.  My doc switched me to Lexapro, which just didn't work as well for me.  My psychiatrist and OBGYN both agree that me staying on Zoloft if/when I get pregnant is necessary.  They are really encouraging and we've weighed the pros and cons.  I cannot function without medication.  I have spoken to women who have taken an SSRI or SNRI throughout pregnancy and they have done really well (and their kids turned out just fine).  I, like you, am nervous about it.  For me, I'm MORE anxious about even getting pregnant/having a baby than staying on the meds while pregnant.  I am on a high dose of Zoloft, but I feel like I don't have a choice.  I have done everything from CBT, talk-therapy, etc. along with medication.  I have a good support system.  I was unable to sleep when I started Zoloft, too.  It actually made me a little more anxious at first.  I worked hard with my doc to inch up slowly and pay attention to my anxiety/depression as I monitored my dosage.  I have a fear of dying, too....I think people with panic all feel that way.  My only real advice is to keep communicating with your doctor.  Zoloft really helped me, but it's different for everyone.  I've heard horror stories about Paxil, but it REALLY worked for me.  If it makes you feel better, Zoloft is one of the SSRI's that has been most studied in pregnancy.  I'm thinking of you and am always here, if you need to chat.  What you're feeling is normal for someone who has anxiety...and you're not alone.

[Jen293]

Thank you so much for all your information Krissie, I feel alot better knowing your side of the story and know that not alone in this. I have only been on Zoloft 7 days now, try my hardest at work to do what I can but must admit feel a little bit loopy, and cant sleep, but I am sure it will pass with time, once my body adjusts. Yes I find that am even a little more anxious now as you mentioned when first taking it, have dry mouth as well but drink lots of water so that doesnt bother me. Yes am a little worried will talk to my doctor am almost 32 no children, would love some, but am very nervous even thinking about it, but I guess that is why they put me on it, and talked to my obn already and said it is ok, will give myself time though at least 4 months before starting to try for a family and see how my body feels, thank you so much, I truly appreciate your reponse, have a great day, Jen

[alwaysnervous]

I am also on my 7th day of Zoloft, I think I jumped the gun yesterday talking in one of my posts about how my side effects have passed, today has been a little rough on me....very dry mouth, butterflies in my stomach along with a strong pulse in my stomach...anxiety, dizzy again...ugh...its a nitemare.  Scares the hell out of me.  I did have 2 good days though.
Last night I woke up and couldnt get back to sleep and had the wierdest thoughts going through my head that I couldn't get rid of which made me panic, I just started stressing about dying and all these horrid images kept jumping into my head.   I wish I could hit the fast forward button and go through these side effects a little faster.  Im about to turn 34 next week and have been worried about having kids aswell, I dont have any but Im also not partnered up, I was very stressed that my anxiety was going to prevent me from ever meeting anyone to begin with.  Not that I wish this crap on anyone else, but im glad i found this site and other people going through the same thing as me...