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View Full Version : Zoloft + Ativan for 5+ weeks- when will I know the Zoloft is kicking in??



LifesPeachy
09-26-2015, 01:20 PM
Hello Everyone,

I started Zoloft for Anxiety just over 5 weeks ago. The docs also put me on Ativan 1mg morning and night to help with the anxiety I was having. I am now taking 0.5mg of Ativan morning and night, and very occasionally, I haven't taken any Ativan during the day if I woke up feeling great. Most mornings I wake up with anxiety, from mild to moderate that goes away after I take the Ativan.

How will I know when the Zoloft kicks in for anxiety if I keep taking the Ativan? I have tried experimenting with lowering the doses or skipping but I feel like if I've been on this benzo for nearly 6 weeks, maybe any anxiety I am feeling is from NOT taking the Ativan?
I feel like I need to see a psychiatrist, which I am hoping I can do in a couple weeks (We are between insurances until then).

I guess a side effect of the Zoloft is that it is waking me up at night around 430-530am, where I used to sleep solidly through the night till 7 or 8. I think when I wake up so early, I start getting anxious about not sleeping. This was even happening when I took 1mg of Ativan before bed. I tried switching the Zoloft time from bedtime to 7am, but I am still waking up early. I HATE waking up with anxiety. It's the worst feeling. And I really don't have anything to be anxious about, it's not like I am off to some horrible job. It just seems to be unexplained anxiety. The early wake ups started as soon as I went from 50mg to 75mg which was 2 weeks ago. I am trying to remember, but I think I felt generally ok when I was waking up at normal times before the dose increase.

I just wonder when the Zoloft will kick in and how will I know?? Is the anxiety from a side effect of the Zoloft or am I not taking enough Zoloft yet?? I don't want to take Ativan everyday even though it helps. The doctor said "Some people just need to be on benzos and SSRIs".

Any advice you have, I appreciate it!!

ozm8ey
09-27-2015, 06:19 AM
well according to my dad it took a year to fully kick in when he started. I was on it for about 2 days and had nasty side effects of agitation so my Doctor made me get off it then i was put on EFEXOR-XR and worked within 3 days, maybe you should ask for efexor too?