HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Help I dont think the zoloft is working!!

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/27/2013 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all, I am at my wits end with this whole anxiety thing!! I am now taking zoloft, started at 25mg for 9 days, and 50mg for 5 days and my anxiety is through the roof! Klonopin doesn't even help at all. I am living in a state of high anxiety daily. I can at times feel somewhat better in the evenings, but I am awake at 4 or 5 am with the usual chest tightness burning arms etc... I just don't know what to do anymore. I know some meds can take awhile to work, but I seem to be feeling worse, not to mention my personality is dulled too. Should I stick it out? Is this normal? Maybe I should try the celexa again at a higher dose? I am so confused as to what to do. Could celexa work again? I was only on 20mg for 8 years and tried 30 for like 10 days with no change. Maybe I should have tried 40? Please I need advise!!!!!
Posted 8/27/2013 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
I have a better time managing my panic attacks with klonopin alone. I tried the SSRIs and they made me feel way worse! Have you tried to wean off the SSRIs?
Posted 8/27/2013 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jake. I weaned off celexa to zoloft. I'm wondering if I should just stick it out or stop. I seriously hate this feeling!
Posted 8/27/2013 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
I only tried Celexa. After 5 days it had me feeling so bad I had to go to the ER. My PVCs were worse than ever. My chest, arms, neck, and thighs were on fire. And I was in a constant state of anxiety. I didn't feel like experimenting any more. So for me, I chose not to stick it out. I hope you make the right decision for you. I'm sorry you're feeling so bad. I wonder if your symptoms are a result of celexa withdraw, or the introduction of zoloft. When I was on the celexa I had to have valium just to settle me down. I wonder if you're having a similar reaction with the zoloft. Geeze I wish I knew.
Posted 8/27/2013 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry you are having such a hard time with the zoloft. I was on it for 10 years and it was the best drug for me until it quit. Having said that, you have not been on it very long so I would give it more time. I am sure it took me over a month before a felt a little bit better and then it went from there. Your body is adjusting to the increase as well as the decrease of celexa - then we have the worry that it is not going to work. It will work, just give it time - if you quit now it only means starting on something new all over again. Good luck to you and keep us posted. Hope you feel better soon.
Posted 8/27/2013 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on many of the antidepressants over the years.    An antidepressant usually takes two to 12 weeks to set in, with a peak at six to eight weeks .  If you feel better  immediately after starting a  treatment, it’s most likely a placebo effect.

Yes, the side effects are harsh but more often than not will ease up the longer you remain on Zoloft and than disappear. 

You were on the beginner dose for 9 days; perhaps you should discuss with your Dr. the idea of  going back to the starting dose for another week  or if you are strong enough keep moving forward at the current dose.

Once you get on the right medication you may be pleasantly surprised at how much better you feel. 

Adding therapy to your medication may be something you want to consider.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Posted 8/27/2013 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
Bless you all sooo much! I feel like I need to press on with this, and maybe the anxiety is so bad because I really am worried that it wont work. I have klonopin, but it does nothing for me. Is there something else that works better than klonopin? I have zero appetite too which doesn't help. I would like to have something to take the anxiety down in the morning because I think maybe the lack of sleep is also contributing? I have beaten this down before, but the med change has really gotten to me unfortunately. I think I could take a few more weeks if there was something that would shut off that tight feeling in my chest? Any suggestions??
Posted 8/27/2013 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
Zoloft is not really meant for anxiety. What is your doseage of klonopin? Maybe you are on too low a dose which is why it isn't working.
Posted 8/27/2013 5:01 PM (GMT 0)

Jake B said...
I have a better time managing my panic attacks with klonopin alone. I tried the SSRIs and they made me feel way worse! Have you tried to wean off the SSRIs?

You are right on. SSRI rarely help with anxiety and the side effects are way worse. Most of the horror stories about benzos are from junkies that were taking al sorts of other legal and illegal drugs. The "Stevie Nicks" story is the best known. She blamed klonopin for all her issues but was using it to come down off coke and drinking large amounts of booze everyday.

 

 

Posted 8/27/2013 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
I believe that zoloft is in fact prescribed for anxiety, OCD, panic disorder as well as depression.
Posted 8/27/2013 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and beta-blockers are the most common medications used for anxiety disorders according to the National Institute of Mental health.

Regarding the benzodiazepines, people can build a tolerance to benzodiazepines if they are taken over a long period of time and may need higher and higher doses to get the same effect. Some people may become dependent on them.

To avoid these problems, doctors usually prescribe the medication for short periods.

Antidepressants plus psychotherapy is often the best choice for treating anxiety/depression.

Posted 8/27/2013 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
I suffered from anxiety and Zoloft was wonderful. Wish I could still take it.
Posted 8/28/2013 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
I'm new to zoloft for major anxiety amd pamic attacks also. I started 20 days ago on 25mg for 2 days , 50mg for 5 days now today is day 14 on 100mg.

I weaned off endep to start zoloft which made or harder.

The first 3 days on 100mg were hard I had a nervous shake all day, I had 2 nights of insomnia.

Each day this last week has gotten better, at first I had a dull mood like my brain was blank but that lifted on Sunday I'm getting chattier and chattier. I also had no appetite but now I'm eating like a horse.

I couldn't get off the lounge last week but this week I'm functioning Amd my mind isn't racing or having panic thoughts. Even my morning anxiety had calmed alot.

I know it's hard but just push through the first hard few weeks, maybe you need a higher dose? 50mg didn't touch my anxiety at all.
Posted 8/28/2013 1:32 AM (GMT 0)

stkitt said...
 If you feel better  immediately after starting a  treatment, it’s most likely a placebo effect.

Feeling better after immediately starting a treatment and then having it drop off within the first couple weeks can also be an indicator that the body isn't metabolizing the medication properly. I know this isn't really relative to the intended thread, but it took me 5 different SSRIs in 8 months before my doctor consulted with a psychiatric pharmacologist and gained this useful information. If the same pattern happens repeatedly, it could be physical and not mental.

Posted 8/30/2013 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Ok so it's been 8 days on 50mg of zoloft and it has not even touched my anxiety! I wake up every morning between 5 and 6am with the racy thoughts, tight chest and utter exhaustion. I can not ever get back to sleep, though I try. I just don't know what the heck to do anymore. I feel like this medication is just not going to give me my life back. Please, any zoloft users tell me what your experience was in the first three weeks. I am feeling defeated, and close to switching to something else. I really don't want to have to start all over again, but I am desperate to feel some kind of relief!!!! I literally cried all day yesterday. I am so frustrated. To top it off, my husband is starting to get annoyed with me too. I'm usually very srtong, but man this is just dreadful. I need some kind advise. Thank you, Lis
Posted 8/30/2013 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
My first three or four weeks were awful - it seemed to bring on the anxiety when I took the meds. Apparently it can do that - before it starts to work it almost seems to act against you, and as for the crying, I have been there many times. I just cried because I wanted my old life back , my kids wanted their mother back and my husband, tho very supportive wondered if he would ever has his wife back. Your husband should walk in your shoes for a day and see how well he would do - and getting annoyed is not going to help your mood. It sounds as if you will have to be strong all by yourself, and you can do it. If you have a good friend who understands what you are going through perhaps you could call her when you are having these scary times. I know, I have walked two other friends through the process that I had met at a group for anxiety. I just told them to call me anytime they were feeling really bad and they did. If I didn't hear from them for a few days I would call them. You just need tht support and understanding because right now you feel you are never going to get better and YOU WILL. I have been where you are three times, after meds quit, and it is hard to be positive but you have to be strong for you. Do this for you. I promise it will get better - Wish I was closer you could call lme. Hang in there.
(((((HUGS)))))
Posted 8/30/2013 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much wayupnorth! What dosage were you on? I've been on 50mg for about 10 days and my anxiety is so horrible right now, not to mention pretty constant. I took a klonopin and nothin. I'm wondering if I should increase, or will that make my anxiety worse? I can't stand this feeling anymore. How is the effexor working for you? I may try that if I can't get a handle on this. Did you take any benzo's to help you? So frustrated!!!!! I appreciate your help!!!
Posted 9/2/2013 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
I started off at 50 mgs. just like you for about a month or more, then was increased to 100 mgs. and then it started turning around and I started to feel it was working. It is very subtle, but each day gets better. It was a wonderful drug for me. My Effexor is starting to work finally and I don't have anxiety any more. I just need to find some energy from somewhere as I just can't get my energy back, hope it will come..

I know it is hard but try and hang on a little longer, then discuss it with your doctor and see what he says. II took clonazepam very sparingly to get through the rough spots as I didn't want to become addicted.
Posted 9/14/2013 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi coopsmom,
So let me tell you my experience with Zoloft, might want to grab a drink and soft chair, this may be LONG

12 years ago I was given Zoloft after trying Paxil for 3 days (anxiety and panic attacks were unbearable ) so given Zoloft along with Xanax

It was a NIGHTMARE!!! I could not sleep, eat, function. I too would wake with BURNING arms and back. Xanax helped a little but tried to take smallest doses of it

Dr. encouraged me to forge ahead and gave me clonazepam. after approx. 6 weeks I started to feel ok

so after 6 months weaned off it thinking I was "cured'..UGH went back on it after shgort time and did this 3xs!!!! off and on

lats time 7 years ago I decided to stay on it for life....and all was good until a year ago it stopped working.

I (drs orders) increased it from 50 mgs all the way to 200mg (slowly mind you) with no relief
so I weaned off it and thought I would just use clonazepam. well I apparently came off it to quick and had major w/d problems

Dr tried me on Lexapro, Effexor...and nothing was helping...so back to try the Zoloft again..UGH

well its been a year in Dec that I have been back on it 100mgs and NO help. I take clonazepam daily .5mg in morning and .5mg at night

I wake to such anxiety I want to die. I am going to come off the Zoloft and do whatever it takes to battle this with other alternatives

I believe the long term use of this has altered my brain chemistry. During this horrible last year and a half I have had H-pylori, Small intestinal bacteria overgrowth and now have IBS and Possible Fibromyalgia (seeing RA on 18th for DX)

never have been this sick in my entire 54 yrs of life. Lost 50lbs too

All I am saying by telling you this is that Zoloft is as addictive as the benzos. coming off them can be torturous too. So think/pray long and hard before you make any more changes

are you in menopause? I am and that definitely has had an impact on my life

If you decide to stick it out with the Zoloft you may want to increase the clonazepam or change to something quicker acting
clonazepam is not fashioned to be taken PRN, more that you take it 2-3 xs a day to keep it steady in your blood stream

Please let me know if I have been any help or more of a hinderance, not my intention.

Peace in Christ, Lainey
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply