Has anyone ever tried Zoloft ?

I just recently had my first appointment with a therapist and after telling her about my anxiety and how bad it is she prescribed me Zoloft. I'm really scared to take it as I've heard negative things about SSRI medicines. The only medicine I have is Xanax for my panic attacks but I only take a very low dose as needed and it helps fine and doesn't give any side effects however I know it's a completely different medicine than Zoloft.

She told me taking an anti anxiety medicine is probably the only thing that would help me since my anxiety hasn't been getting better and is long term. I'm just so scared to start taking the medicine I'm scared it might make me feel suicidal or make my anxiety worse or cause depression. Has anyone experienced these symptoms with Zoloft ?

Hello,

I have some experience with Zoloft. I tried it twice and both times the side effects were too much. I was so tired I could sleep at any time, I was nervous to drive.

That being said I have friends who swear by it. Everyone is different. It's up to you to try it, you never know it may be the one for you.

I took Zoloft (150mg) for about 3 years for Generalized Anxiety Disorder about six years ago. I never experienced any side effects and it worked amazingly well. I also participated in therapy with a psychologist. I got off of it for 2.5 years and have recently started it again. I haven't noticed any side effects from it this time either. SSRI's are really the safest anti-depressants, especially when compared to the MAOIs and tricyclics.

I have been on zoloft, and I had side effects that made me feel like I was on a lot of caffeine at random times. What I did (ask you dr if it's ok) was started wth the smallest dose - even splitting the doses if it makes you feel more comfortable. That way you if you have any side effects, you will not feel them as much as if you took a higher dose.

I never had any sort of issues other than that, but everyone is different and I would think that depression symptoms would come from those that had extreme depression and if you've had those thoughts before.

Talk to your dr more abt side effects and let them know youre worried. Might be worth a call just to ease your mind.

I used to work in a dr office and we got calls for advice abt side effects from meds ALL the time. Save a copay and never be afraid to call the office or doctor on call for any questions. Thats what theyre paid for! It seems to have helped a lot of people though!

Post Edited (sunnyday009) : 1/2/2016 10:14:33 AM (GMT-7)

I find it odd that your therapist would prescribe it after your first session because your anxiety "hasn't been getting better." Have you been through other therapy and treatments that brought her to that conclusion?

Some background, I do dislike when doctors are quick to prescribe medications. I don't believe they are necessary in all cases (not just mood disorders, but all medications - we prescribe too many antibiotics and pain killers. But that's another story.). I wish more doctors would get to know their patents' situations a bit better before medicating.

That being said, I was on Zoloft a few years ago. I did gain a little weight, but no other side effects that I can recall. The reason I stopped is because although I no longer broke down crying randomly anymore like I did pre-medication, I also didn't feel good, either. Before medication I had highs and lows - not like bipolar, but normal happiness and then periods of depression. On Zoloft, I no longer felt normal periods of happiness. I felt nothing at all. It got to the point where something depressing happened, and I wanted to cry, and I was physically incapable of doing so. This scared me, and I stopped taking the medication cold turkey. I did have side effects from that, with waves of brief dizziness for 2-3 weeks. I wouldn't recommend stopping without weaning first, according to your doctor's instructions.

You won't know what side effects you'll have, or what the medication can do for you, until you try it. If you've already been through other treatments with no success, then this could be a step in the right direction. If not, you can stop taking it. Work with your therapist about your concerns, side effects, and progress.