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extreme anxiety wakes me every day! zoloft??

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Posted 9/1/2013 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
I seem to be at a loss as to why I am having this issue, and it is very frustrating. As most of you know I am currently on my 3rd week of zoloft, and rather than feeling better, I seem to be feeling worse. I can't seem to figure this all out. I know I keep harping on this subject, and I apologize but I'm really at a loss as to why I don't feel better yet? I wake up every day between 5 and 6 with major anxiety, and this continues thruought the day. I just can't get a handle on this. It is there before I even wake! What's the deal? Does anyone else have chronic all day anxiety? What helps? Klonopin doesn't do much. I'm so scared that I will never feel better!!! Please talk me down. I am so sick and tired of waking like this every day. I just want to relax again!!!!!
Posted 9/1/2013 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi coopsmom!

I too felt like that on zoloft and the klonopin didn't help take the edge off. I discontinued/weaned the zoloft after about 4 weeks because I just couldn't take it anymore. I'm not saying that's what you should do, I am only here to tell you that my doctor said I should have given it a little more time. But, it's not right for everyone.

I am now taking an older favorite of mine, Buspar. It seems to have way less side effects for me.

Good luck!
Posted 9/1/2013 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
CM,

Is the waking with anxiety and increase in symptoms just since starting your Rx?

I ask because it could be the med...or it could be that your anxiety was peaking just before you started it.

I would follow your doctor' s advice. If he/she encourages you to hang there...try. You could be halfway to feeling some relief.


Best wishes, peace and patience.

S.C.
Posted 9/2/2013 4:20 AM (GMT 0)
I had exactly the same thing every morning, but it didn't last all day. I am on Effexor, but I was on Zoloft for a very long time - it took a while with both the Zoloft and Effexor to kick in but it was worth the wait as I am feeling 85% better. Zoloft was a wonderful drug for me and worked for 10 years before pooping out. I was doubtful when I started the Effexor as well because it didn't seem to be helping me, but I stuck it out and one day I noticed, hey I am feeling a lot better - it is very subtle.
I just kept taking it and slowly the anxiety stopped in the morning and eventually the anxiety and panic stopped for me period. I am not yet where I want to be, as I still don't have a lot of energy or creativity, but I am hoping it will come. I am happy I stuck it out - Give your Zoloft a little longer - it will work.
Posted 9/2/2013 11:48 AM (GMT 0)
Wayupnorth, what was your dosing for zoloft? I'm still on 50mg, and this anxiety is unbearable at times! Also feeling depressed because of it. I'm glad to hear that you are doing better! I would take a 50% reduction at this point! I wish we could chat!!
Posted 9/2/2013 1:03 PM (GMT 0)
CM,

Out of curiosity, before you started the Zoloft, what was your experience with regards to:

1) Panic attacks in general
2) Generalized anxiety
3) Waking up with anxiety/panic attacks
4) Moods not feeling stable


Is this the first medication your doc prescribed to you for helping with this?

What did you do prior to deal?



Merrida
Posted 9/2/2013 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
Merrida, this is not the first med I've been on. I was sucessfully treated with celexa for 8 years, when it pooped out on me july 1st. I had my first panic attack in 8 years!! I tried to go up to 30mg, but it didn't seem to work. I have been getting progressively worse since the zoloft. I used to feel somewhat of a relief in the late morning, but I seem to be in a panic attack mode that lasts most of my day. I try deep breathing, but to no avail. I have a constant burning tight feeling in my chest, my arms are weak and burn, and my head is foggy. Some nights I feel a bit better, but lately it has been pretty constant. I have suffered with anxiety, panic, and resulting depression for many years, and while I was on celexa I felt amazing. No panic, no anxiety, nothing. I am terrified that I won't be able to take anything that will work. I am only on 50mg, which I believe is small, but I'm scared that 100 will make me feel worse! I'm really at a loss here. If Klonopin would help, I could manage, but it really doesn't. Any advise?? I'm exhausted. Not to mention I have had absolutely no appetite for 2 weeks!!!!
Posted 9/2/2013 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
CM,

What does your prescribing doctor say?

S.C.
Posted 9/2/2013 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
CM - don't know what happened to my post - did it this morning and now it is gone. To answer your question I was on 50 mgs. of zoloft, then went up to 100 mgs. then 200 mgs. for a while I was on 300 mgs., but as I got feeling better I reduced it to 200 mgs. and that was where I was when it quit. I know it didn't kick in until after a month or so, very slowly, each day a bit better. Hang in there.
Posted 9/2/2013 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
coopsmom,

I should probable shut up as I have encouraged you to give the med a chance - but I will admit that I was on Zoloft for 3 months in February, March and April of 2012 and I hated it.  I tried to hang in there and had started on 50 mg increasing up to 150 mg but only felt worse and more anxious and depressed on this drug.

The first part of May I insisted I be put back on Effexor and life became much better.  I am on Effexor now at 300mg per day and dealing with my medical problem is the toughest stressor I have ever had but in between treatments I feel pretty good right now.  I also take Buspar.

When two people take the same drugs why do they have different reactions?  The  answer is the human body is so complex (to us) that we can't give an exact factual reason for why X person has a certain reaction and Y person has a totally different.

Talk with your Dr. about looking at a different med...............you have toughed it out for 3 weeks and you should be adjusting to the side effects but you don't appear to be.  I am so sorry.

Kitt

Posted 9/2/2013 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your support! I really need it right now. Today I decided to give the klonopin a try again, as I was up at 5am and couldn't settle down and it actually helped! I was feeling much more calm. I spent the entire day at the pool with the kids, surrounded by my favorite people and enjoyed myself! I don't want to get too used to the klonopin, but it really made a difference for me today. Maybe because my husband was home to co-parent with me today? Whatever the case, it was nice. I am going to call my doctor tomorrow to see what his advise is. If he says to try 100, then so be it I will. If I am not feeling better after that, then I think it's time to switch. Still very confused!!!!
Posted 9/3/2013 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
I am glad that you had a good day today...and even more that you made it throught the weekend, so that you can get your doctor's advice tomorrow...great job!

I hope that you will get the guidance that you need, and start to feel better soon.:)

S.C.
Posted 9/3/2013 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
When I first started taking zoloft, and the times when my dose got adjusted upwards, I would have trouble going to sleep or staying asleep, but the side effect only lasted several days or maybe it was two weeks for me. Well, got in a lot of extra late-night TV watching, anyway!! The med seems to work pretty well otherwise. In answer to your question, 3 weeks of feeling roughed up by it seems a bit much IMO
Posted 9/3/2013 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
I was once on zoloft from 14 to 28 you may want to talk to your doctor with your anxiety being that strong,moving to a higher level maybe better for 100mg worked well for me,to the point I got to feeling as if I no longer was in need of the zoloft&the doctor started to wean me off of it and brought me down to 50mh it work for a min. And then I notice I was slowly getn worse and thats when all my problems started&I wish I never got off the 100mg Zoloft until I was truely ready,best of luck to you&I hope things start.to better for you soon.
Posted 9/3/2013 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Dear ashamed, please take the time to write a post and introduce yourself to all of us, a little background
to let us know where you are coming from. Thanks
PS:I know you are trying to help humanity, but how much does it cost?

Larry

Post Edited (lgm1942) : 9/3/2013 1:42:16 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/3/2013 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
I am on it Larry.:)

Thanks!

S.C.

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