Starting zoloft 25mg and on valium when needed 10mg

heya

Regular Member

Joined : May 2010

Posts : 144

Posted 11/19/2016 8:38 AM (GMT 0)

Hey guys,
Starting on zoloft 25mg and seeing a shrink, ive been diagnosed with panix disorder, ocd, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety and mild depression.

anY Feedback Or experienceS would be appreciated like when itll start to work and side effects?

I have been getting mini panic attacks for example light-headed and dizziness when I drive and I can't focus feeling tense and very anxious Like Im Going To Pass Out, I've been on Zoloft for 5 days and counting and it hasn't started to work.

Hibee

Forum Moderator

Joined : Oct 2008

Posts : 7935

Posted 11/19/2016 8:45 AM (GMT 0)

Hi

It usually takes 6-8 weeks for a medication to fully kick in but you should start to see improvements sooner so stick with it. it seems to be the norm for things to get worse before they get better so it's important to stay in touch with your doctor so they can monitor your progress. I have never taken Zoloft but know a lot of people who have and say it works well.

Valium is a very effective rescue med but you need to make sure you stick to taking it as prescribed as it can become addictive.

Hibee

Scaredy Cat

Elite Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 28868

Posted 11/19/2016 6:27 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Heya,

Hibee has advised you well...so I will just send my encouragement that things will start to improve with a bit more time.:)

For now, use your Valium as needed for attacks/acute anxiety...

...and practice your coping skills (see Resources) every day to help you through your start up!

Keep us updated, so we can keep you in support. :)

S.C.

gilly2

Veteran Member

Joined : Oct 2016

Posts : 644

Posted 11/19/2016 9:40 PM (GMT 0)

Wow 10 mg Valium sounds a high dose .. Is that 1 dose worth?
I was given 2mg up to 3 times a day for emergency situations ...
It helps break the cycle of anxiety but I never took more than 2mg in a 24hr period .... As they can be very addictive.

Keep strong and know you can do this

Sending you strength xx

supapfunk

Veteran Member

Joined : Sep 2016

Posts : 534

Posted 11/20/2016 2:54 AM (GMT 0)

hi heya!

I started on 25 mg Zoloft about 5 weeks ago. Within 3-4 days I started to notice a difference - mostly the calming of my mind and the reduction of intrusive thoughts. It has really helped me a lot. I am going up to 50mg for the next refill, as I feel better, but think there is still room for more improvement. So if after 4-6 weeks you don't feel like you've made much progress, you may want to consider going up in dosage. 25 is the very lowest starter dose, and my psychiatrist said most people seem to need 50mg (or more). If an increase doesn't help, there are other medications that you can try.

As far as side effects - I personally had very few. I had a light headache for just a couple of days. Nothing bad. I had some yawning spells, but that went away within a week. And the only lasting side effect is that it makes me remember my dreams much better - every night! I used to only remember dreams once in a while, but I remember them every single night now. They're not nightmares or anything, I just remember them.

Anyway, I wish you much luck and strength on your journey! Other things that have helped me are exercise, meditation/relaxation techniques, self help books, mindfulness, and therapy.

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