Can Zoloft cause anxiety

I've been on 50mg Zoloft for about 6 years now (for depression). It was working pretty well- just mild insomnia (& no sex-drive!). About 6 months ago, I was woken up by my first (ever in my life) panic attack & ended up in the ER. I've managed to keep them at bay with the help of Xanax and thought I had stopped having them after 3 episodes, but now they're coming back. The panic attacks are so much worse than the depression- I feel like I'm dying or losing control of my brain. I can never get a hold of my Doctor and when I talk to her, she doesn't seem like she really knows too much about anti-depressants- she just recommends seeing a psychiatrist. I don't want to go to one, since I have been to one before, and I felt like she was just pushing meds on me (my therapist agrees, by the way).

Has anyone ever heard of someone starting panic attacks while on Zoloft? I thought that was only a possibility when you are changing the dose- and I haven't for 6 years now.

[Jikan]

Despite what you hop, Zoloft has not been shown to cause panic attacks after having taking it for so long. Initially, it can cause some mild anxiety which usually dissipates after taking the medication for awhile.

Face it, you're suffering from panic attacks and they're not going away on their own. This may be a new disorder or one that has been lying dormant, waiting for the right moment to pounce.

Regardless, your doctor is correct and you do need to see a psychiatrist, despite your reservations.

Good luck!

Michael(Jikan)

[cocoahead]

i have found that if the zoloft is not effective any more that having anxiety and  panic and sleep problems set in. Leslie

[duckandcover]

6 years seems a long time to be on an antidepressant without a break.  I would think that after that much time the body/mind would "adjust to it".  It's possible that you need to take a break and or chnge it up once in a while.

All that said you need a specialist like a psychiatrist.

[Royal31]

Im in the same boat! I've been on zoloft for 10 yrs and never had anxiety problems until I was on it. I had my first panic attack 3 yrs into it. Now after 10 yrs on it I'm having severe reactions to it. I've tested it. Within about 30 min of taking the dose I start shaking uncontrollably and my heart races along with cold hands and feet. For whatever reason my body is now rejecting it. :( I hope you find a good dr. that will listen to u. They are out there but hard to find. God bless you!