21 Days on Zoloft

[blondie33]

Today is 21 days on Zoloft. For the first 4 days I was on 25mg than bumped it up to 50mg & 4 days ago bumped it up to 100mg per my Dr. I have Depression & Panic Disorder. I do feel a little better Depression wise but constant anxiety is still lingering. Like constant uneasiness. I know it's still early and it can take up to 4-6 weeks to work but I'm getting so discouraged and thinking what if it doesn't work.

[jaxsonny]

are you having any side effects? i'm only on 25 but the first week was awful with insomnia and nauseous feeling. i still have the nauseous feeling and almost have to force myself to eat. this is why i haven't increased the dosage. hope it gets better!

[blondie33]

The only side effects I have had are really dry mouth and upset stomach. I did have a teensy but increased anxiety when I upped the dose but nothing bad. I feel like it is helping with the Depression. My Psychiatrist said it takes 8 weeks to help with the anxiety. And I'm still waiting for my motivation to kick in. Are you taking it for Depression or Anxiety or both?

[Eva314]

My doctor just increased my dosage to 100 mg of Zoloft. I do not feel better. I have tried other antidepressants and they have not worked very well for me.

[insights]

I do feel a little better Depression wise but constant anxiety is still lingering. Like constant uneasiness. I know it's still early and it can take up to 4-6 weeks to work but I'm getting so discouraged and thinking what if it doesn't work.

The SSRIs tend to be better anxiety than depression drugs, so if Zoloft has lifted your depression then there is a good chance it will have a positive effect on anxiety too, so hang in there.

Ian

[blondie33]

Eva314 how long have you been on the Zoloft?

[ruthless]

Hi

I am new to this forum today and been looking through some of the posts.

I am on Sertraline - I am from UK - think it's the generic name of Zoloft, but it is the same. Now been on it for 28 days
Started on 50mg and went up 2 weeks ago to 100mg.
I'm on it for panic and anxiety
I am finding that I am starting to feel less 'down', and I'm not having bad panic attacks
I still have some anxiety. Also Intrusive thoughts, but the thoughts I can sort of put into the background most of the time.
The worst thing is the mornings. I struggle to get out of bed and motivated, even though I am not sleeping very well.
I have Lorazepam which I am taking at small dosages every now and then/but only as a last resort - I am scared of dependancy
I am on an 80mg slow release dose of Propanol which helps with the physical symptoms - rapid heartbeat etc, but not with the emotional thoughts

[insights]

I am on Sertraline - I am from UK - think it's the generic name of Zoloft, but it is the same. Now been on it for 28 days
Started on 50mg and went up 2 weeks ago to 100mg.

It can take 3-12 weeks for an antidepressant to kick-in so please give it time.  The insomnia may also be holding you back. I suggest you ask your doctor to prescribe a small dose of trazodone (Desyrel) to help you sleep. It is a sedating antidepressant commonly prescribed for SSRI induced insomnia. At low doses, <200mg,  it doesn't act as an antidepressant, but as an anti histamine, so won't affect sertraline. It may also counteract some of the other SSRI side-effects, including sexual dysfunction. Alternatively, you could try an over-the-counter anti histamine such as Benadryl.

Ian

[ruthless]

Thanks insights
I think I will get some Benadryl. I took some antihistamines the other night- Certirizine, but it didn't help much. Can';t remember if Benadryl is Loratadine or Cetirizine. I always tend to buy the cheap shop antihistamines rather than the branded ones as generally they contain the same ingredients.