Zoloft increasing anxiety

[ah1234]

I have been on Zoloft for years (on and off). I had to go back on it in January after a 6 month break. My anxiety got so bad I was having severe panic attacks. This time when I went on the Zoloft it had the opposite effect....it was more stimulating that calming for me and I'm not sure why. Neither is my doctor. I also have OCD and it increased my OCD by 10x almost immediately. I'm at 100 mg now (for almost 7 weeks) and it hasn't gotten much better. I aslo take .5 mg of lorazapam twice a day. Some days I feel so anxious I want to crawl out of my skin. Has anyone ever had this experience before with Zoloft? Does it get better if the dosage is increased, or should I just ask my doctor to go off it. I would hate to start another medication (especially since she's recommending Paxil next and I don't want to take that). Thanks for any help and advice you can offer. I'm at my wits end with this. Oh, I am also in CBT for my OCD.

[ah1234]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I do see a physchiatrist for the anxiety and we're working on my OCD as well. He seems concerned about the effect Zoloft is having. The PA in his office prescribes the medicine and she's the one that made the rude comment, although for her it's the norm. All she does is prescribe the medicine and adjust doses. I'll talk to her about giving it another month at 100 and see what she says. I'll also talk to her about adjusting the activan - which she'll probably do. You have been such a great help. It's good to actually get an answer than to hear "Hmmm, I've never heard of that happening with Zoloft before." Have a great evening!

[nursegirl6572]

Well, anxiety IS pretty much all in our heads, but that's okay!  LOL!  Have you tried any therapy along with meds?  If not, I highly recommend that.

I personally think you were bumped up dosage wise a little fast.  It's not unheard of to jump up in 2 week intervals, but considering you weren't tolerating the med as it was, I think the increases may have made your side effects worse.  Did you have side effects immediately after starting back on the Zoloft, or after dosage increases?

As for the dose, when I was on Zoloft, my ending dose was 200 mg, so yes, 150 mg is not uncommon.  75 mg would be considered an average typical dose for chronic anxiety/panic disorders.  My opinion would be to allow yourself a little longer to adjust to this dose before bumping up again.  You may even end up requiring a slightly higher dose of the Ativan as you try to adjust.  I applaud you for not throwing in the towel, these things DO take time, and chances are, your side effects will eventually resolve and the Zoloft will be effective for you.  It's too soon to tell.

Talk with your doc about perhaps staying at the 100mg for 2-4 more weeks before considering another increase, with maybe a slightly higher dose of the Ativan, if needed (you can take less if you are doing better).  I also think you would greatly benefit from therapy, ask your doctor for a referral.  

If after giving the Zoloft another month or so, you don't notice obvious improvements, then I would say it would be time to discuss another medication.  While we're not allowed to recommend specific medications, if that time comes, ask your doc about Lexapro.  It tends to be pretty well tolerated, and many people who have been on both Zoloft and Lexapro at different times in their lives report very similar outcomes.  Myself included.

Lastly, if your doc isn't a psychiatrist, I recommend you asking for a referral to one.  Really, p-docs are better equipped to handle these kinds of meds, and therapy...especially for people who may need a medication more long term.  They tend to be more understanding and not as dismissive either, which you are coming up against with your current doctor.  ANY doctor that tells someone, about anxiety, that it is "all in their head" really honks me off.  Of course it is...but that doesn't mean it doesn't warrant as much attention as diabetes or a heart condition!  Anxiety requires treatment, and hearing those kinds or words from a doctor doesn't sit well with me.  That's why I suspect your doc is not a specialist.  If she is, I would honestly tell her that her words are hurtful to you, that you are trying your best.  You ARE allowed to speak your mind to a doctor, lol.  If she doesn't improve still, find a new one.

Hang in there hon!!

[ah1234]

Thanks for the information. I should have been more specific on dosage. I started at 50 for 4 weeks then went to 75 for 2 weeks and then to 100 where I have been for the last 7 weeks. I see the doctor next week to see if I should discontinue the Zoloft. But I see you bring up an interesting point on the increased side effects happening with subsequent treatments. I wonder if I should try going to 150 to see if that helps. Did you ever go that high? Did it help lessen the anxiety for you. Last year when I was on Zoloft (before I went off) I was up to 150 mg.

I am taking an anti-anxiety pill as well daily (1 mg total of the generic activan - lorazepam) and that helps somewhat but I never had to take these before with Zoloft.

Thanks for all your help. This has been a huge struggle and my husband (and my doctor) just think it's all in my head and I'm making myself this anxious.

[ah1234]

Thanks. I take lorazepam, which is similar to zanax. I did talk to my doctor about just using that. We'll see what she says in 2 weeks when I see her. Have a great day!

[Nitsuj242]

Hey hang in there. Sounds like the Zoloft is of little to no help. I'm on beta blockers and they help my anxiety some. I agree I've heard bad stuff about Paxil. Have you thought about zanax? I heard it helps considerably with anxiety plus to help sleep but have heard it makes you a zombie and it's addictive. I'm thinking it's still better then having extreme anxiety though. Good luck and hope you get things situated.