My experience with zoloft

[mom44]

I thought I would share my experience. I was getting a tight feeling in my throat as if someone was choking me. The DR had me get the upper GI scope and see an ENT. Both ruled out any issues with GERD or physical problems. During that time I was taking Ativan to help me cope with the feeling in my throat. The DR determined it was anxiety and I started on zoloft. I started off at 25 mg every morning for week and upped the doasge each week. I stabilized at 125 mg per day meaning the feeling is now gone. During the first few weeks taking the zoloft was not easy..I had so many side affects..nausea,tingling, headaches, not able to sleep and my anxiety increased. I still took the ativan during that time to help me..by the sixth week all the side affects were gone and I no longer need the ativan. I was very frustrated during that time and kept asking "why me" but I do feel so much better now. So my advice is if you start and SSRI be patient because it does take awhile to work.

[magister_perotinus]

Thanks for this post! I just started on 50 mg Zoloft 3 days ago and I was getting a little worried about the side effects I've been having. Tingling in my chest, sleeplessness, anxiety and panic, grinding my teeth, ugh. It's good to know that other people have had this problem. Hopefully the side effects will mellow out a little and I'll start to feel better soon.

[mom44]

Hang in there. I started with a lower dose but give it time. I also used melatonin to help me sleep. I took 3 mg.

[milo0071]

Hang in there. I started with a lower dose but give it time. I also used melatonin to help me sleep. I took 3 mg.

I didn't know I was suppoed to wait so long. I quit Zoloft after 1 week because the insomnia was too much for me to handle. Now I'm on Trazodone to help me sleep, but it does nothing for the anxiety. Would it make sense, in your opinion, to take the Zoloft in the morning to deal with noghttime anxiety (I have no daytime anxiety issues) and still use the Trazodone at night?

p.s. the dry mouth is also a real problem.

[mom44]

I am not a dr so I cannot say if you can mix medications but I was taking the zoloft with the ativan (lorazapam sp?) and had no problems. I also did not get the dry mouth maybe because I am a big water drinker and I have always drank alot of water?? Not really sure but I hear a mouthwash called biotene helps with the dry mouth. The side affects were bad for a few weeks but I am so much better now. I can only suggest you can be patient or maybe seek another SSRI. My anxiety was all during the day not at night and I would take it first thing in the morning. For me the insominia finally went away and now I am sleeping great. I also saw my dr every two weeks at his insistence until I was stable..it was great because I could talk to him about it and he was very helpful...

[CindyE]

I am seeing my GP Friday about getting on Zoloft or a comparable med, at my counselor's recommendation. I'm worried about the side effects, but I already get most of them anyway, including some insomnia, thanks to anxiety! I'm nervous, but hopeful. I am so tired of being on edge, and unhappy. It has been bad lately, DH is laid off, and trying to quit smoking. I rarely get any alone time. I enjoy his company, but he adds to my stress when he is so irritable! I jump at almost every noise anymore, and want to cry over minor issues. I don't usually want to take meds of any type, I don't always react well, but it is also unhealthy to be so anxious and unhappy, so guess it is worth a try. Now I will probably have anxiety about getting on the meds, and the side effects!
So for headaches, did the dr. say if it is OK to take something like Excedrin? I take that often, with PMS, but not over the recommended dose. I haven't seen any mention about birth control pills on any site, which i am on. I am also normally a glass a night wine drinker, counselor said that is OK, just don't overdo. I know some drs. say no alcohol. Lately I have wanted to drink more, maybe getting on meds will end that. I hope this works out for me, and all of you, too!

[mom44]

I was able to take Motrin to help with my headaches. I did not have them very long so I was lucky. I also am able to have one or two glasses of wine with the medicine with no effects. I am not a big drinker due to my family history of alcholism so I have always been very cautious as I have seen the impact on my mom who had an alcoholic father.

I am not on the pill but make sure you tell your DR that you are taking it. You can also take melatonin (3 mg) for sleep when you first start the SSRI. I took ativan but that was to help relax my throat problems because I felt like I was choking but once that went away I started using the melantonin to help but now I do not need anything.

Also, it did affect my ability to have an orgasm at first. My husband was very patient and we kept trying and now it is no problem. It was as if I just needed my body to get use to the meds and now it is fine. It does take a little longer but it actually is fun trying different ways.

I have to be honest...this anxiety problem for me was a slow process. I did not realize how it had impacted me until I started the medicines. Once the side affects were gone it was like a cloud was lifted. I did not even realize it...over the holidays I am ususally stressed and unhappy ..waiting for it to be over but this year I loved it. I enjoyed making the dinner, shopping etc...I laugh more and I am much nicer to my family not yelling at them or freaking out over nothing.

I wish you the best of luck and let us know how you are doing. I found that the forum really helped me so that is why I share my stories. It was a long road but it was well worth it. Good luck!

[CindyE]

Thanks for the reply!
I hope I have good results, too. I feel like I've been in a rut for years, just going thru the motions of life, and not realizing I was sick from this. I knew something wasn't right, but kept thinking it would get better, maybe it was hormones, etc. I don't like holidays much, and there are very few people I'm comfortable having in my home. It has gotten to the point where the thought of it can make me physically sick. At Christmas, we visited Dh's daughter and her family, which we prefer, rather than having guests. But as we were leaving, they mentioned coming to see us, and on the way home I was sick and we had to stop at a gas station! Then I realized we stopped at the same station last year because I had diarrhea, on the way back from their house! I understand that there are always going to be people I'm not comfortable with, but does it have to be so extreme?!
Orgasm? What's that? LOL. I am probably too tense to ever have one!
Part of this is probably the product of coming from a stressful home, and hereditary too. Both of my parents had issues. DH is another story, and refuses to get help. After years of being strong and holding things together, I'm broken, I guess!
Seeing the dr. tomorrow, they called, and had to change my appt. I haven't been to the family dr. in awhile, so i don't know if i'll have to do any kind of tests, etc., before he prescribes something. I've been getting blood work, etc. at hubby's work for free, on their health day.

[CindyE]

Well, I started 25 mg of Zoloft Wed., and then go to 50 mg after 7-10 days. I have experienced many of the side effects, but not severe, and some might not even be related, as I have had them before, like having vivid, disturbing dreams. One I don't see mentioned much is feeling cold, and I also have kind of a yucky taste in my mouth when I wake up. some of the side effects have already gone, or decreased. I think I might feel a bit more relaxed. I see myself a little differently when I look in the mirror, i don't see a stressed out, angry middle-aged woman anymore.

[mom44]

It has been about four weeks now...how are you feeling?

[CindyE]

Well...after 2 weeks, i went to my counselor, and he felt that i would have to be on at least 100 mg to benefit from Zoloft. So i've been doing that now for about 2 weeks. I have noticed some difference, i am not as sad or emotional, but i do still have quite a few feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed. My counselor thinks we should increase the dose if things are not improved in the next couple of weeks. I still have some side effects, a little nervousness, some minor stomach issues and headaches, nothing debilitating. Does that sound about par for the course?

[mom44]

That does sound right because you are still increasing your doses. The best news for me is that I wake up and most of the time I forget I even had a problem so that was what made me realize I was getting better..before I was obsessed over it...

[CindyE]

It still seems like it should be better, guess i'll give it one more week, and then increase if no change. I have noticed some improvement, but still get nervous, worried and irritated somewhat easily. Like yesterday, hubby and i were working on a remodeling project, and i really felt irritable and agitated, just wanted to go be lazy and be left alone! Of course, it is PMS time, so that may be a factor. i still am having some stomach upset.

[mhdwjw]

Hi Cindy E,

Just wondering how you are feeling? Just been reading your posts. Are you still on zoloft? If so what dose and has it worked? I have been on zoloft 100mg for just over 3 weeks and have had some improvement but am thinking I may need to increase my dose again?

[CindyE]

Hi! I'm on 150 mg. Most of the side effects have gone away. It is not a miracle cure, but it helps. I have more energy, and don't turn red like i used to. my counselor tells me that anxiety will always be my first reaction, but i can control it. i do feel better, but it's all subtle and gradual changes. not a "happy pill" as some people say. at this point, i feel like it is a good choice, and the counselor thinks it is doing what it should.