Upping my dose of Zoloft-And I am scared!

[eronski]

Good Morning everyone,  I am being treated for anxiety/panic and I take 25mg of Zoloft.  I am on my 24th day and still have my anxiety which is in the form of shakes and dizziness.  The one other time I took Zoloft for a bout of anxiety it worked great.  I ended up only needing 25mg and took it for 4-5 months.

This time the 25mg doesn't seem like enough so my Doc said to take 50mg.  I am so nervous, I just took it and I know I may get even more shakey.  

I know it's still not a very high dose....Can anyone tell me what to expect when I raise my dose - will I have the same icky feelings I had when I started taking it?  How long did it take you all to adjust to the change?  Looking forward to hearing from you all, take care.  

[cj29]

First of all you are right, that is not a very high dosage and second, I believe you are doing the right thing by being proactive with what you are taking.  I actually prefer Zoloft.  For me, when I adjusted my dosage I would feel a little more on edge...shaky and had a bit of a headache, but the great thing is that your body usually adjusts nicely in my opinion.  You are following your doctor's instructions, which is a good thing; just be patient...I know it is much easier said than done though!  Feel free to ask as many questions as you like!

[lindee3000]

Hello:

I had a BIG panic attack on 2/14/09 and have not been the same since.  I felt fine before that day, but now my anxiety is still very high everyday.  I have taken 25mg of Zoloft for almost 3 weeks and take Xanax (.50mg) daily to control the anxiety.  So far, I have felt no benefit from the Zoloft and may even be more anxious now.  Each day is a struggle, but I still make it to work and do my thing aound the house.  I see my Doc next week and wonder if he too will up the dose to 50mg.  I am also in CBT treatment a couple of times per month, which I am not sure is doing much.  Any thoughts or suggestions.

[eronski]

Hi, sorry to hear about your struggles.  Is this your first bout with panic attacks?  The Zoloft may take 6-8 weeks to take full effect, see if you can commit yourself to that.  You have come this far.  As far as upping your dose - 50mg is a pretty common dose, 25 is below average so don't be surprised if you need to up it abit.  I am taking 3/4 of a 50mg pill.  I am very, very sensitive so even the tiniest amount I can feel.

It can make you more anxious at first - for many Zoloft is an upper (including me) I need to take it very early in the morning or I cannot sleep at night.  Please don't get discouraged, there are so many more options to help anxiety and panic.  Give it two months if you can and if you don't see an improvement try something else.  That may seem like along time if you are feeling crappy I know.  

How ofter do you take the Xanax?  I too took that for the first 30 days, 1/2 of a 5mg pill.  I stopped though, I was scared to get addicted.  I am really paranoid about that.

I also see a Natural Path - which I know can be expensive though in some states insurance covers it.  She has me working on my diet and has me taking some supplements that I believe have helped me.   I am feeling a ton better now.  Not sure what's to credit the Zoloft, Supplements - or the Weather (which really effects me).  My anxiety is always temporary and only a small part of my life, but when I am in the middle of it it's very challenging!!!  Hang in there - need anything else, just ask.  Erin

[eronski]

I thought of something else.  When I take Zoloft (this is the second time in my life) I absolutely cannot handle any caffine.  I love coffee but I can get very shakey and anxious when I combine it with Zoloft - even pop and chocolate effect me.  See if it does the same for you.