Having trouble with starting meds (Zoloft)

[Persephone3576]

I am in tears as I write this. I wish I could just be patient and wait it out, but I am a single parent with a stressful job. I have to be able to function.

I started taking Zoloft 11 years ago almost, and I stayed on it nonstop. I just accepted the fact that I needed it. Then this year, I decided I would give a try living without it. Big mistake. So now I am getting back on it.

However, the problem I'm having is that after a week on 12.5 mg and three days at 25 mg, I am having constant waves of panic. I can't eat very well and have lost a few pounds, which on me makes me look like a cancer patient. I have Klonopin, which I take when I need to, but I am afraid of becoming addicted to it. Also it makes me drowsy. I've had to take it 3 times in the past 24 hours, and I'm still having anxiety.

I read on Turkee23's thread that it's normal to have increased anxiety when you start a new med. Is my experience in the realm of "normal?" Do you guys think this will go away soon? I just really need some reassurance. My patience is wearing thin after 2 months of hell.

Thanks so much.

[Persephone3576]

Today wasn't a great day, woke up a bit early feeling a bit anxious. But not enough to need any Xanax. I got my period today, so that probably explains it. I have not increased my dose to 25 mg. yet. Psych didn't think it was time. I am actually going to try and find a new psych, because the past two times I saw him, I left feeling worse than when I went in. Plus he wants me to do therapy with him, and I def. don't want to do that. I already have a therapist who is wonderful. Anyway, just thought I'd check in and record how things are going. I hope this thread can help others who are starting new meds.

[lynn57]

Hats off to you.  You are such a bright light in the darkness.  It's wonderful to have a positive testimonial.  It helps so many people that think they will never see the light at the end of the tunnel.  

[Persephone3576]

Day 25: I actually slept until my alarm woke me this morning. Ahhhhh. I am feeling more and more like myself. It's Friday night, and I would usually be panicking at this point, facing an entire weekend of hours to fill. But I am instead looking forward to relaxing. Relaxing? What a concept.

I still have a ways to go. Only at 19 mg and already feeling such a difference. I will see my psych on Monday and see if he thinks I should go up to 25. But I feel now that I can handle whatever it brings my way: a little extra anxiety? A bit of insomnia? Okay, I can do it.

[nursegirl6572]

Awesome!  I'm so happy for you!!  You, Canuck and Turkee are living proof that sticking it out really DOES bring success.  It also shows that while the initial side effects may not be pleasant, with time and patience, they resolve.

I'm so glad you've all shared your experience step by step!

Keep up the good work!

Hugs!

[Persephone3576]

Day 23: Woke up at 5:30 this morning. Did not need to be up that early! But before that, I think I only woke up once. Today I have felt pretty normal! Even though I'm only at 19 mg, I think the meds are starting to work. I'll see my psych in a few days, and maybe we'll go up to 25. I haven't had any anxiety in a few days. Woo hoo! And I'm eating much better.

[Persephone3576]

Day 22: Slept a little better last night. Had a jittery morning, I think because I was trying to get my friend, daughter, and self out of the house on time. Saw a movie this afternoon and was feeling a bit anxious during. Now I'm fine. Haven't needed Xanax in a couple of days. My friend is here for another day, and I'm hoping I do okay when she leaves. She's been a godsend.

[Useless5]

Ive had panic attacks since 1993..ive quit driving..was atthe point of not being able too leave my house but out of that part thank God..but I still struggle everyday and night..on paxil ativan and a beta blocker..seems like early morninhs r the hardest o can be alone at home when om off work I fet up and go too work with my husband till it starts getting daylight

[Useless5]

Ive had panic attacks since 1993..ive quit driving..was atthe point of not being able too leave my house but out of that part thank God..but I still struggle everyday and night..on paxil ativan and a beta blocker..seems like early morninhs r the hardest o can be alone at home when om off work I fet up and go too work with my husband till it starts getting daylight

[CanuckGuy42]

Maybe try chamomile tea before bed... I tried that and it seemed to help me... I am on Lexapro so need to check if there is any interaction with your med and chamomile tea.. you could ask your pharmacist.... but I would be surprised if there was.

[Persephone3576]

Day 21. 19 mg.

Bad insomnia last night after a great day yesterday. But I think I'm doing okay at the higher dose. It hasn't sparked my anxiety like I was afraid of. I did take a half a Xanax last night at 2 a.m. to try and help myself sleep, but I guess it wasn't anxiety that was keeping me awake cuz it didn't help. I'm hoping tonight will be better.

[turkee23]

lol i agree!

i am on day 18 i think....lol i dont know i need to count again!..... was jittery again today, but wasnt as bad as the past few days but yea i had that feeling of jumping out of my skin too. but havent needed a xanax today so im hoping thats good.

[Persephone3576]

DAY 20! WOO-HOO!

I took 19 mg again this morning. Feeling pretty positive. A little jittery, for sure, but not anxious. Please, please, please let this go smoothly, oh ye gods of psychopharmacology! :-)

[JGF25]

You are on a much higher dose than the others and jumped right from 25 to 50 so that is the most likely reason you have a bit more of the side affects.  I went from 150 mg Wellbutrin to 300...also a double and I really did feel like I was going to jump out of my skin for a while.  So just hang in there and take the Xanax or Klonopin, which ever you havel, whenever you need it just like Persephone3576 is doing.  CanuckGuy has gotten past the point of needed it which is a good positive sign for everyone to take to heart.  

[CanuckGuy42]

Im in the process of upping my Lexapro dose from 10mg to 15mg and did a taper up to 12.5 the past couple days (cutting pills into 4 *****)... anyway increased jitteryness even going up an addtl 2.5 mg but been going to the gym to work it off and haven't needed a Klonopin in a week and a half - I am on Day 26 by the way so a bit ahead of you guys....still sticking it out.... i think its getting better so hang in there....

[Persephone3576]

I had to take half a Xanax at dinner - was really wigging out and could hardly eat. Now I am feeling much better. Probably was a combination of my friend getting here, coming back to my apartment to stay, and upping my dose this morning. Maybe I'll take 12.5 again in the morning, and then 19 on Monday. We'll see how I feel when I wake up.

[turkee23]

yea we are in the same boat. im on day 17 (i believe lol) and i just upped my dose from 25 to 50mgs 3 days ago and in the past 3 days i have been real jittery, likemy insides are shaking. this shyt blows!.  why we gotta go thru all this stuff just to get better?

im hoping the jittery feeling and fnervousness will go away from you, canuckguy and I VERY soon. im glad we are all in touch and can do this together.

[Persephone3576]

Actually, it's day 19, not 18.

[Persephone3576]

Okay, I just took the 3/4 pill of 25 mg. So, 19-ish mg? I really didn't want to do it. But I forced myself. I am really shaky and anxious this morning. I think it's because I'm picking my friend up from the airport tonight and going back to stay at my place. Transitions aggravate my anxiety. I had to take half a Xanax at 4 a.m. so I could settle back down.

Day 18.

[Persephone3576]

Thanks for the encouraging words! I was able to sleep until 6:20 this morning. That's the latest I've slept in I don't even know how long. I was also able to eat well today. I'm afraid I'm going to mess up my progress by upping my dose tomorrow, but it has to be done. I have to get my life back. Sleeping at my ex's house, missing vacations, losing weight... I'm just done with all this. It's time to get back to being me!

[CanuckGuy42]

I also get up at 5:00 am everyday ( but i did that before the meds ) the morning can be a great time to just relax, and feel like you have the whole world to yourself before everyone else gets up....remember these meds take time... i am on day 24 and because I have not reached my target dose of 15 mg a day yet i am still in the ramping up stage myself.... patience is definitely required to benefit from this (something I found real hard to understand in the beginning).. good luck and have a great weekend!

[Persephone3576]

Day 16, still at 12.5 mg. I took .25 mg Xanax last night to see if I could sleep through the night. The answer was no. But I talked to my therapist today, and I am trying to change my attitude about the sleep issue. I've been totally freaking out about not getting enough sleep, because I usually wake up around 5:30 and can't go back to sleep. She was like, I get up at 5:30. She suggested that when I wake up, I just accept that I'm awake and get up and start doing stuff! Read, watch t.v., go for a walk, whatever. Just don't lay in bed and fret. Which is what I've been doing in the hopes that I'll go back to sleep. I'm actually looking forward to waking up in the morning now, so I can finish reading the last Harry Potter (for the second time).

Most of today I was an anxious zombie, but tonight I am feeling relatively normal. It's been such a roller coaster. And I did call my psych, and he gave me permission to up my dose to 18 mg. while my friend is in town. I'll post what happens!

[Persephone3576]

Day 15 of being on 12.5 mg of Zoloft. I am still experiencing insomnia, but Xanax has at least taken away the panic I used to feel when I would wake/doze/wake/doze. My psychiatrist is on vacation and wants me to wait until he gets back to increase my dose. Just found out that my best friend from college is going to be here Saturday to stay with me and help me out. I've let work know that I'll be in and out next week. I'm going to call my psych and ask him if I can go up just a little bit while my friend is in town, I'm seeing my old therapist every day, and I have permission to miss work if I need to.

[CanuckGuy42]

Of course you are the best judge of your situation but I think your logic in wanting to be somewhere where you have some support should the side effects increase when you go up is probably not a bad idea.... having that support is important through this adjustment period.... another thing I might suggest.. if you are not doing it already.. is a bit a light exercise... that can really help improve your mood....

[Persephone3576]

I see my doc tomorrow. He's kind of leaving it up to me. Now that I have given myself permission to cancel my Bahamas trip, I am feeling much calmer. And I asked my mom if I could come home to stay at her house for a couple of weeks (she lives out of state) while I get back on my feet, and she said of course. That just sounds so much more inviting. So I may change my plane tickets. I'll make a decision one way or another in the next few days. I'm just afraid it's going to get worse when I go up to 25 mg. and I'd like to be somewhere I can sort of be taken care of - and my daughter too - if that happens.