Need Zoloft advice!

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hamstachick

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I started taking Zoloft (generic) about 4 weeks ago. Meaning, Sunday marks going into my 4th week. I started at like 3mgs. because I wanted to go slow and was petrified of what was to come from another SSRI experiment. So I felt a bit lightheaded 30 minutes after I took it and a slight headache and diarrhea the next day. Could handle that. So I upped the dose slowly over these past few weeks.

Around 15 or so mgs. I started getting shaky and more anxious. The dr. and my counselor says my dose is small and I should take more. I have sorta stayed around 20mgs. give or take 1 probably, since I am eyeing it from a 50mg. pill. The dr. gave me a script for 25mgs. now so I will be able to eye it better soon.

The questions: I am shaky and more anxious and tense. Tense jaw too. In your opinions and experiences should I take more, take less or stay where I am and wait this out? I had to do something because the panic attacks weren't going away and I was in such a high sensitive mode, with no end in sight. I fought going on another SSRI but finally relented.

On a side note, the depressive feelings have lightened a bit and I am not as weepy. But the anxiety is not touched and I REALLY REALLY need that gone, or at least toned way down. I do not like this jittery/speedy feeling, as that is completely against what I am striving for here. I take Xanax and Benedryl when I wake and go to bed, and the corabo relaxes me to sleep. I take Xanax here and there inbetween as needed.

What have you guys found as a theraputic dose and how long did it take for it to kick in? Did the shaking go away? Tension? I just don't know if going up is the answer but tonight I did take another 2 or 3 mgs. to try to work to 25mgs. I am sensitive to meRAB. I keep waiting on that nurabing, mellow feeling I hear people get on this stuff. Course I have also read it makes people jittery and tense. Does that ever stop?

Please give me some positive input here! Thank you!!
 
I was on Zoloft for years for anxiety and OCD. The therapeutic dose is from 50 mgs to 100 mgs. If you have extreme anxiety, you may need to reach a dose of at least 50 mgs and maintain it for at least 4 to 6 weeks before you notice a great deal of difference The side effects that you describe are fairly common with all the SSRI class of antidepressants., but it is also possible that your anxiety is causing some of these effects.
 
Wait it out for a while like ExtremelyWired said.
If there's no progress with your anxiety, then it's probably not the right medication for you.

I personally want to switch to something different than zoloft, but as of now, I'm not taking any medication.

The withdrawal symptoms are TERRIBLE so don't suddenly stop taking it either.
 
Hi Hamstahchick,
I was on Zoloft for several years for Anxiety & Depression. My pdoc started me on a small dosage and gradually increased it, also along with taking the Zoloft I was taking Xanax too.. Also it takes time for the body to adjust to the meRAB, also it takes anywhere from 4-6 weeks for the meRAB to work. Also contact your doctor if you're still feeling anxious, also sometimes our meRAB need to be changed and or adjusted..or a different corabo all together. I hope you feel better soon. Have A Nice Day!

DolphinLuver
 
Thank you for all your suggestions, and your experiences. I went up a few mgs. to 23 or 24 and though it sounRAB like not much, but with past experiences of my own with meRAB, has me so scared. It was hard to take the first pill. I am still open to more information and experiences of everyone. =)
 
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