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Zoloft side effects :( causing me anxiety

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Posted 1/21/2015 8:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys

So I started Zoloft 5 days ago and I'm kinda freaking out and I'm on 12.5 mg only half dose , so I feel like its making me feel kinda off and I start to panic and get thoughts like I can't run away from this feeling because it's coming from a pill that's inside of you and I feel like I can't escape it and it makes me panicky , I feel little body tremors and weird head pressure and shocky feeling , I'm kinda scared to take my next dose , have you guys had anything like that , can you go crazy or just act out of your mind when you start SSRIs .
Oh man I freaking my self out 😖
Posted 1/21/2015 9:40 AM (GMT 0)
I also am afraid of SSRI's because of their side effects. I have never been on Zoloft but know quite a few friends who are and like it. Some did have side effects at first but they wore off after just a couple of weeks. But what I want to say here is that the problem you are having could very well be what so many of us with health anxiety suffer with....a fear of side effects from any and all drugs which then makes us have side effects that are just a product of our own fear. No matter what drug I have taken over the years, I've always initially had imaginary side effects, even with things like a few too many aspirins in a day because of a toothache! So try and talk yourself down from letting those thoughts exaggerate the feelings you're having. No pill like that is going to make you go crazy....and if you continue to feel uneasy with the drug as time passes, ask your doc to try you on something else. Some people have to try a few before they find the one that's right for them. Good luck.
Posted 1/21/2015 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
Just had a panic attack , Woke me up from sleep , I think u got my self worried While falling asleep and about 30 min later boom , wake up your having a pretty bad attack , had to take a Xanax 😣 , it's 3 am here in Seattle and I guess I'm sleepless in Seattle lol
,,, not funny at all but trying to make light from this torture ..
I don't know at all what to do maybe I'll stay on it and go up a little in dose , I really don't want to start something new .




ANDWES thnx so much , I believe that too that you can make your self worried and it might not even b side effects it could all be you causing them . But i do think when I try to fall asleep and close by eyes the stuff that I picture or think about is really off , like tonight example , falling off to sleep and I get s picture of a thight that il saving a princess from jail lol really I didn't think about stuff like before meds my thoughts were under my authority , now I feel like the meds take control give me the weirdest thoughts .
Maybe it's s side effects that goes away I hope cuz I feel really weird when It happens
Posted 1/21/2015 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
Count me in…I ALWAYS make it worse for myself because I am terrified of starting an antidepressant because of the side effects. I actually have more panic and anxiety because of this.

I am so sorry you are going thru this, try to remember and focus on that it will not last long and that the finish line is not far away. I'm rooting for you :)

Take care.

B.
Posted 1/21/2015 12:29 PM (GMT 0)
Rn,

I hope you are feeling better this morning! And sorry you had an off night. Most side effects tend to disappear within two weeks. Hang in there!!
Posted 1/21/2015 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Rn,

Paradoxically, the anxiety symptoms that you seek to avoid, are actually increased at first...but will phase out...and then you have likely found a med that will work well for you.

Some members have even noted that they know when a med is going to turn out to be beneficial for them...because of the s/e's they experience upon start up!!!


Try to hang in there, use your benzo as needed...as well as coping skills!! Breathing exercises, meditation, positive mantras, progressive muscle relaxation exercise, ect...:)

Keep posting with us as well...we are cheering you on!

S.C.

Posted 1/22/2015 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Do you guys get uncontrolable thoughts while on them ?

I kinda feel discouraged now because of my panic attack and the fact that they are waking me from sleep is even more disturbing :(
Will I ever heal ?!! :((( I'm so tired of trying honestly , but I know I have to keep goung and being strong
Posted 1/22/2015 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
I hope you're feeling better!
Posted 1/22/2015 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
I couldn't tolerate this drug. I can't understand the you have to get over the increased anxiety before it works crap. I wanted to jump out of my skin before I started taking it- I sopped after 2 weeks and learned I could take the anxiety better without it.
Posted 1/22/2015 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
Princess Mel thank you :) I was ok today , but dreading tonight I hope I won't wake up in a panic attack ,

WS .
Yea it's kinda tough but I have severe Agorophobia like when I say severe it's severe, I barely leave to go anywhere and if I do it's 10 min away that's it , so I have to take something because I have a family that I need to be they for , it's the scariest thing for me to have panic attacks that's why I know I need something to numb them down , I need some medication work , I JUST NEED SOMETHING TO WORK
I'm gonna stick it out and I'll pray that it will ..
I'm going to continue to post hopefully nothing bad :(
Posted 1/22/2015 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
Do you have xannax to take? I find a low dose as needed works better for me.
Everyone is different- I'm not judging. I just knew the Zoloft wasn't for me.
I wish you all the best
Posted 1/22/2015 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Hope you are having a better day today. Sometimes trialing different medications is the only way to find the right one. Hang in there.

My side effects when I started Zoloft were; hand tremors, heavy headedness and some tiredness mid afternoon. I still felt anxious, wasnt sleeping, waking up anxious after a couple of hours, but this settled down after a couple of weeks. Might I add my symptoms were wrose when I was late taking my dose or missed it. Therapy didnt hurt in this process either.

I was anti medication as it concerned me that there would be side effects or I would never get off them once I started taking them. In the end the pursuit of wellness outweighed the concerns. Talk to your medical professionals about the medication. Dont be scared to share all your feelings as this will help them find what you need.

A bedtime routine, as silly as it sounds, might be of some assistance. Having some strategies to calm you thoughts before bed. I would have told anyone they were crazy for suggesting it to me during the worst, but there are some great mobile apps that you can focus on calming sounds or a voice. It helps distract your mind from the other thoughts. Takes a little practice too. Might be something to try down the track - just a suggestion.

Everyone's journey is different as we all well know, keep at it, you will find your way through this maze. I wish you all the best.

 

Posted 1/22/2015 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hey rn!! How r u doing today? Did last night go better for you???
Posted 1/22/2015 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
RN,

Sending encouraging thoughts your way! You are really showing determination and doing a great job of hanging in there!

Keep up the good work!

I echo Cinnamon's advice about decompressing before bed time...especially if you are having nocturnal attacks.

I posted links for stress relieiving exercises/coping skills to you previously...let me know if you'd like them again .:)

Hugs and high fives!

S.C.
Posted 1/22/2015 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
I am in the same exact boat as you - same feelings, same drug, same start date, same worries, same symptoms, same concerns. Your post (reading it from someone else versus me telling myself) opened up my eyes. We suffer from anxiety and 99% is due to our anxiety. Your post has helped me and I hope to help you too. This is the disease we suffer from. Let's be strong together and get through this. about to take my Zoloft right now and will stick to it in hopes that we get this disorder under control! Xo
Posted 1/22/2015 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Weary R

Yes I take Xanax as needed but I need something all the time because I'm not able to function on a daily basis , I just hope this helps me :)

Cinnamon -
Thnx , I think I was very anxious going to sleep that's the reason I got woken up in a panic attack , the first time I got my panic attack a year ago that's exactly how it happend too , I think I will listen to something calming . Thats good advice :)


TMA --SC
thank you ladies I slept through the night last night , that's a positive ;)

BT--
Yes absolutely 99% of the time it's our anxiety , and I'm going to take my Zoloft now too , I will hold it through until I see improvemt , if I don't I'll keep trying to a different SSRIs , because I'm sick of living like this , and If there is a pill that can help my brain to function in a less anxious state than why not . I know there is a lot if negative stuff on SSRIs and I freaked my self out reading them , but I believe they helped people and hopefully they will help me too .
I want to travel and enjoy my family , life is so short and I'm sick of living inside my home .
I will keep updating you Guys on how I'm doing on the meds .
In sure it won't be peachy first month but hopefully some good days are ahead 😔
Posted 1/22/2015 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. I am new to this forum but thankful I found it. I recently was put on Zoloft and Klonopin for anxiety. Klonopin works well, but I started with the Zoloft on 25 mg and then went to 50 on day 5. I wasnt sleeping well before the meds, when the anxiety started, but now I really can't sleep. I have missed 2 days of work already bc I can't sleep. I'm on day 8 of the Zoloft. Starting sweating at night and feeling really flushed last 2 nights since I increased dosage. I called the doctor that prescribed it (only seen him once and he is a general dr) and he wanted me to increase to 100 mg and take Zyprexa to help with sleep. I looked it up and it is for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder! Do any of you have any advice to give in this? My anxiety started over fear of developing schizo affective disorder, which I recently found out my dad has. I started obsessing over it until I got myself in an anxious state! Ive always had a little anxiety but nothing this intense. Although statistics say you only have about a 12% chance of getting it of a parent has it, I have worried myself and obsessed about it, thus needing something for anxiety. Anyway, that's my story. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

Post Edited (melymel) : 1/22/2015 2:23:57 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/22/2015 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
I take Abilify which is like Zyprexa, it isn't only for schizophrenia and bi-polar anymore they prescribe it for various reasons. I wonder why he wants you to increase the zoloft so fast, from 25mg to 100 in the course of a week sounds fast to me but I'm no doctor. I know there are people on Zyprexa so maybe they will post too. Hope you feel better Melymel, and welcome to the forums.
Posted 1/22/2015 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you AngelLisa! Knowing that makes me feel better. :) I had to communicate with him through a nurse so he may have thought I had been on it longer. I let the meds sit on the counter for almost 2 weeks before I gave in to take them! :)
Posted 1/22/2015 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi RN,

Just wanted to check in to see how you are going.

I know exactly what you mean by going to bed anxious. It is not much fun. I have tried a number of diffrent things to see what works for me. Unfortunatly with most things it is trial and error.

I thought I would just give you the names of a couple of the sleep apps that I have found useful. They are free so that is good.

The one I use the most is Relax Melodies - it is sounds. You can create your own mix of what works for you.

Sleep sounds lite is similar.

Sleep Easily Meditation by Shazzie. This was not a good one for me. Shazzie and I didn't reallly mesh that well, but she might work for you.

A nice calming before bed routine has helped me in most instances. Or as the drs like to call it - improved sleep hygine.

I have tried lavander baths before bed - they are nice.

Keeping pen and paper by the bedside so I can write about whatever is going on in my head.

Lately it has been a warm chai latte before bed. I think the cinnamon and nutmeg are supposed to be calming, plus it adds a nice flavour to the warm milk.

Good luck

Posted 1/23/2015 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
Memel
I started very slow on Zoloft I cut the 25 in four then only took 6 mg for two days the upped to 12 mg and I've been on it for 4 days so totall of 5 days I've been on them , the doc gave me 50 mg to start but I said no no lol Im not starting on that large of a dose , so I just asked for 25 and kinda made up my own routing ,, I know we all should do what the doc says but starting at 50 did not sound smart to me , anyway Im Doing ok on the 12 mg not jumping out my skin or anything , but I don't see any improvemt yet , I think il go up to 25 in couple days .

In sorry your dad has schi. Disorder that must be tough , and knowing you can get it im sure Is nerve wrecking , but its treatable and 25 % percent of developing it is not too huge , do you have symptoms of it now ?
I know one doctor wanted to put me on the older version of antderprassants and antipsychotics well that' was scary , I didn't take them I figued maybe if Zoloft won't work I'll try something stronger , maybe you should do same ?!
Posted 1/23/2015 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Cinnamon ,
I'm ok today having some anxiety now , and just had a flip flop in my chest ugh 😡 I can't seem to get a break , but I'm trying not to freak out and keep telling my self it's just anxiety just stupid ole anxiety , Sorry for the language I get mad at the situation sometimes cuz I want to be NORMAL 😩 today I went out did some grocery Shopping , seems like Zoloft is keeping my pulse down through out the day , kinda nice . It does not stay low during a panic attack though it goes through the roof 😣
How is everything for you ?
Posted 1/23/2015 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
i had no problems with zoloft at 50mg but 100 was too strong. start low and work up to the dose that works best for you -not what your dr says to take. our bodies all work differently.
Posted 1/23/2015 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Rn1987

Thank you for your advice. I think I am going to go back to 25 for a few days and see if I feel better. I dont have any signs of sch. Aff. Disorder but this anxiety that has come from worrying over it scares me.into thinking im gonna cause it! My dad is doung much better now thank goodness. He had went a while without medication amd fot really bad and it just scared me!!

I agree super20dan! I just pray I can sleep tonight. Havent beem sleeping much at all!
Posted 1/23/2015 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
 

I am doing ok. I am going through the withdrawals of Zoloft at the moment, so there is some anxiety there but I am trying to use all of the techniques I have learnt through the journey so far. My peak dose was 150mg so the tapering down has taken some time.

I have been told something that I find quite funny, but also a little interesting. When we are feeling the anxiety coming on and then moving through to a full blown attack and then the calming afterwards - we are apparently surfing the wave of anxiety. Now, I am no surfing expert, in fact I have never been sucessful at surfing, but I have been dumped by a wave and that is exactly how I feel after an attack. But surfing a wave is not a bad way of thinking about it.

Great job getting out there to do the groceries. Isn't it terrible that even the most simple tasks people take for granted are a huge effort and stressor for us? I certainly know what you mean by wanting to be normal, it is probably the biggest hurdle for me to overcome. I have often used black humour to try to normalise what is happening to me. At the end of the day I have decided we are stronger than most people despite not feeling it. We fight and struggle with ourselves each and everyday and we still manage to have victories and make gains no matter how small in our recovery. We also get to know ourselves so well. We learn what our triggers are, we learn to manage them with strategies, we investigate ourselves in ways that other 'normal' people never do. We are certainly unique.

Hope you have a great day and find some moments to smile.

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