Zoloft Questions

[DaniLV]

I stared taking 50mg of Zoloft 4 days ago for anxiety. The Dr. told me to take it in the morning. I was having very bad side effects (very tired, excessive yawning, clenched jaw, headache, loss of appetite, shaky hands, dizzy, and increased anxiety) so I called the Dr. and he said I could start taking it at night. Today is the first time I've taken it at night and it seems like right after I take it I feel all these symptoms. I dread taking it!!! To make it worse I am supposed to up the dose to 100mg after 7 days. Are these symptoms normal? Is the dosage I'm on normal to treat anxiety? It's not that I don't trust my doctor I would just like some advise from other people who have taken it. Thanks for any help you can give me!

[glen224]

I was on a high dose of zoloft for several years.  Mentally I felt great but then I started having the side effect of jaw clenching and tensing neck problems.  I also needed to take deep breaths.  Had to stop which was a big disappointment. Tried others but had different side effects and settled on Wellbutrin with no side effects but didnt feel as good mentally.

This past year I developed side effects from wellbutrin.  Off all antidepressants for 3 months and felt good but gradually went downhill.  Dr. and I decided to try an extremely low dose of zoloft again but 2 days into it, started jaw clenching again.  Calling Dr. tomorrow.  So sad.

[Punkinhead75]

I had similar symptoms when I started zoloft.  Took about 2wks for them to go away.  Afterwards I felt fine.  Stay in touch with doctor to let him know what is happening.

[Irenak]

Definitely do not go up to a higher dose if you can not tolerate the lower one.  I don't know what kind of doctor you are seeing or how severe your anxiety was before you decided to medicate.  I would look very hard at exhausting everything available to you before going on medication unless you just can not function the way you are now.  Try therapy, cognitive therapy, alternatives like acupuncture, homeopathy or energy healing.  Learn to meditate or try yoga or tai chi.  

All medications have side effects.  Many are addicting.  Some can make your problems worse or add new ones.  If medication is still what you want or feel you need to do, realize that you may have to try a few different ones before you hit on the one that works for you.  It is trial and error.  If you take the medication route, you may be better off with a psychiatrists rather that a PCP.  Trust yourself and speak up if a medication is not right for you.  You know yourself better than anyone. If a doctor won't listen to you, find a better one.