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Increased anxiety with increase in zoloft dosage

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Posted 1/19/2014 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hello! I am new to this community, but I find your forum extremely informational and comforting. I was started out on a very low dose of lexapro of 12.5 because I had such severe side effects from trying Lexapro. I had some increased anxiety initially and was feeling much better by the end of two weeks. However, my pdoc increased my dose to 25mg (Normal starting dose for zoloft) because I was still having breakthrough anxiety. I am on day 10 and take it at night per my pdoc's instructions. The past 2 days I have had increased anxiety, insomnia, feeling very restless, etc. Will this pass once my body gets adjusted to the increased dose or is this dose possibly too much? I can't feel like this forever and really don't want to have to take my xanax on a daily basis. Anyone else have similar issues with dosage increases?
Posted 1/19/2014 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Could you just confirm that you have stopped the Lexapro and changed to Zoloft? It is a very difficult time when changing medications and it is normal for things to get worse before they get better but I am not a doctor so just commenting from my personal experiences. You may be getting some side effects but these usually pass after a couple of weeks and once your body is used to the new medication.

Hibee
Posted 1/19/2014 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nikki and welcome!

Experiencing s/e's upon increasing in dose of your A/D is not unusual.

I have however heard that the effects should not be as pronounced or long lasting as during your start up period.

Since you are a week and a half in...hopefully you will be finding some relief soon.

Until you do, here are some helpful ideas to keep you calm and lower your anxiety and symptoms:

Self Help sites with breathing/relaxation exercises instructions

Panic attack relief exercises:


http://www.healthyplace.com/



http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/

 

http://www.ehow.com/video_4405003_breathing-exercises-panic-attacks.html

 

http://www.psybersquare.com/anxiety/panic_relax_I

 


Keep posting with us if you find it helpful. We will always be here to encourage and support you!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 1/19/2014 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
First, let me clarify my first post. My doc changed me to zoloft after bad side effects with lexapro. I was on half of the usual starting dose of zoloft and then was increased 10 days ago to 25mg. Second, thank you both for your replys. I will definitely look into the links you provided. Hoping everything equalizes soon.
Posted 1/19/2014 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
I may have missed it, (I can be like that from time to time! :P)....

Can you help me understand something a little better?

How long were you on Lexapro? What dose/s were you taking?

When did those s/e's from Lexapro start up?

How long were you off of Lexapro before your doctor decided to switch your medication to Zoloft?

How long were you on the "half dose" (12.5mg?) of Zoloft before your doc upped your dose to 25mg?

I'm sorry to be asking so many questions,-- I'm just trying to get an accurate representation of what you've been going through. Thank you!

I hope things normalize for you relatively soon. As S.C. pointed out, it certainly is not unusual for things to get a little worse before they begin the journey to getting better! Hang tight.




M.
Posted 1/20/2014 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Merrida. I took Lexapro 6 years ago for anxiety for about 6 months and it worked. I slowly weaned myself off and had not had any signs of anxiety until recently.

It started with me taking my blood pressure and it being really high. I was told by my GP that it could be my high blood pressure giving me anxiety or my anxiety giving me high blood pressure. She first started me on blood pressure medicine (Norvasc). The anxiety continued so I went back to GP.

My GP put me back on Lexapro 10 mg and increased my Norvasc to 10 mg and I immediately, within days, had horrible insomnia, a very stiff neck, along with the worst panic attack of my life that landed me in the ER bc I thought I was having a heart attack. They did EKG and Echo and said my heart was normal. I was then told by my GP to stop the Lexapro and she referred me to a psychiatrist who started me on Zoloft instead.

I was taking the half dose of Zoloft for 2 weeks and then she upped it. I have now been on 25mg for 10 days. Hope this clarifies things.
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