Starting Zoloft

He chele_4 yes I was on lexapro to for 7 years but I got off and it was really hard getting off. I tried Zoloft started at 25mg then about a week or so later dr upped it to 50mg. I coukd not deal with 50 had the runs bad and fast heart rate nose bleed sore throat etc. I weaned off per dr but noticed on 25mg I was fine. I stopped it all together but now I'm having bad attacks were I think I'm dying all day. I think I'm gonna go back on. I was scared at first to but antidepressants truly do help you just have to find the right one. Keep in touch.

I really hope the medicine works for you. We are here to support you along the way.

I started out with 25 mg Zoloft with klonipin until it he Zoloft kicked in. I had to be increased to 50mg which was having an opposite effect by making me lazy and unmotivated. The doc added Wellbutrin which was a disaster. She took me off Wellbutrin and added bus par to the 50mg of Zoloft. It's only been a week but so far so good. It just takes time to find the right Ssri at the right dose and combo that works. Everyone's brain chemistry is different.

I started to get some anxiety last night and took another klonopin to get me through the night. Woke up once with some anxiety but I got back to sleep. Trying to hold out a little longer this morning but I woke up anxious. I'm wondering how anxious I'll be on the 25mgs. I just hate taking to much of the klonopin. I don't want to become dependant on it. I'm also praying the 25mgs will work for me. What is wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin from what I understand works on increasing noraphernaphin (not sure of spelling) rather than serotonin like Zoloft increases. My doc said it's more for depression than anxiety, but because some people experience depression and anxiety together, it works for some. My husband is on it with no problems. I don't have depression, only a lethargic feeling with the Zoloft which is why she added it to my Zoloft to try and address that. Taking Buspar with the Zoloft works much better for me. I do feel like a guinea pig sometimes trying these different combos to find what works but my doc said that is normal; that it is trial and error to find the right mix. I also feel like it depends on your current mood and state of mind. At one point it was on 50mg Zoloft and 100mg Wellbutrin and I was able to stay even. However, when I am less calm, that combo doesn't work, it just increases the anxiety. My doc assures me that I'm not bipolar which runs in my family which is something I worry about constantly, but I'm pretty sure my problems are related to the ups and downs of anxiety.

YOu won't get dependant on the Klonopin if you use it correctly. Once I was steady on the Zoloft, my doc tapered me off of it and now I only use it as a last resort. I have no problems with having to rely on it, etc.

I have only taken the Zoloft for 2 days at the 12.5 dose. I have also been taking .25 klonopin in the morning and at night. The daily klonopin lasts about 12 hours. It doesn't take it completely away but it manageable. I took .25 klonopin last night at 10:30 and woke up this morning with horrible anxiety. I took .25 at 6am (it's now 6:25) and the anxiety is still there. Originally my Dr wanted me taking .25 in the morning, .25 in the afternoon and .5 at night. I didn't want to become to dependant on it so I was just trying the .25 in the morning and bed time. Would anyone know if I take the .5 at night if it will help with the morning anxiety? It's just weird how it will last 12 hours during the day but only 6-7 hours at night? Could it also be that the more Zoloft I am getting into my system is making me more anxious? Thanks for all your help!!!

I also wanted to add that I have been pretty tired. I don't think I have slept this much since my husband left 4 months ago. Would that be from the Zoloft or the Klonopin?

Post Edited (chele_4) : 7/27/2015 4:21:00 AM (GMT-6)

Hi Chele,

Yes it is totally normal to get worse before getting better, increased anxiety is one of the most common side effects of starting an AD and one that most people complain about here on the forums. I'm sorry you are experiencing side effects, but the good news is they usually only last 2 to 3 weeks then it starts to get better, so sticking with it if you can will result in feeling less anxiety and other symptoms of anxiety. It will get better!!

As far as the klonopin, I would take them as your doctor suggested. I understand your fear of being dependent or addicted to them, but it isn't likely if you take them as prescribed. Your doctor gave them for you to help you, so why not take them? At least during the first couple weeks of taking the zoloft to counter act the increased anxiety the zoloft is causing you.

...I am going to jump in here if that is okay...AL is feeling under the weather.:(

Yes, increased mood issues are not unusual. Initially upon starting an SSRI...Serotonin levels drop. They eventually go up again as the autoreceptors in the brain ajust to the 'new' Serotonin being introduced...and the neurotranmitters  learn to send the 'feel good' signals to each receptive neighboring nerve cell....but this takes time.

So for the first couple of weeks or so, things can be a bit rough.

Call your doctor if your depression gets to be unmangable...as you should not suffer needlessly...but a small dip in mood will pass with time.

Welcoming you, and wishing you the best on your start up! Keep posting! :)

Scaredy Cat

Thanks for the responses. I'm kind of just not caring. I just found out I have to make a major decision about my job and just don't know what to do and not caring to much. I also took. 25 klonopin this morning and again at 2 and it's only 7pm and I'm feeling anxious already! The first 2 days i was only taking. 25 am and pm. As the days go on does the anxiety get worse? ???? Someone said the 3rd day is the worst, any one else feel that way? I'm really praying I can stick this out.

Chele,

Klonopin builds up in your system, so it's not that the .5 would last longer, but you would have more in your body. Like AL said in an earlier post, I would take it how your doctor prescribed it. Short term benzo use is super common in anxiety patients. I was on a low dose of Xanax (3x daily) for about four months and had no problem getting off.

And remember, 12.5 is not a therapeutic dose of Zoloft. If you feel like the Zoloft isn't working, it might not be at such a tiny dose. So I would try not to worry too much about it not working until you ramp up up to at least 25 mg.

I know it might seem like this anxiety will never end, but you are making steps to help yourself!! Hang in there:)

I slept much longer last night. I did wake up at one point but got back to sleep. After not sleeping for 4 months, that does feel good. But i am tired all the time. Had another episode of dizziness and nausea when i was eating dinner. It lasted quite some time. Just couldn't wait to go to bed. I'm really praying those don't get worse. Anyone start at the 12.5 get worse side effects when they went to the 25?

Hi anxious texan,
did you start on a low dose and work your way up? I tried lexapro at 10mgs and couldn't handle it at all.