Aa
Zoloft-positives only
Hi. Can you please tell me positive stories of Zoloft. I'd like to know how long it took to 'kick in', how many milligrams per day, the side effects at first, etc. I just started it 2 days ago. Thank you!
Zoloft keeps me sane.
I have extreme anxiety and being on this medication not only calmed down the constant feeling of 'doom' and 'wrongness,' it allowed me to feel happy. It's not for everyone, but if you do try it, remember a few things: It may not hit full helping-speed for 1 to 4 weeks and depending on the dose you take, the first week or so may make you feel sort of wonky and disconnected. A lot of people feel this and stop before it can actually help them. I'm not talking about people who have taken it for a month+ and still feel bad, but wait it out at least a week. If you still feel bad, stop taking it! There are tons of other options out there and zoloft may not work for you where another will.
I have extreme anxiety and being on this medication not only calmed down the constant feeling of 'doom' and 'wrongness,' it allowed me to feel happy. It's not for everyone, but if you do try it, remember a few things: It may not hit full helping-speed for 1 to 4 weeks and depending on the dose you take, the first week or so may make you feel sort of wonky and disconnected. A lot of people feel this and stop before it can actually help them. I'm not talking about people who have taken it for a month+ and still feel bad, but wait it out at least a week. If you still feel bad, stop taking it! There are tons of other options out there and zoloft may not work for you where another will.
I have been on Zoloft for 2 years and would not be the person i am today without it. It saved not only my life but the life in my familie's life. I was a grumpy, worried, Bit**. Now i am happy, nice, and caring. My in laws and i can actully be in the same room now. I also have a Autistic son and without it i dont think i could handle being a caregiver to a disabled child. It took around 3 weeks to get in my system and work good.
The only side effects i have had is a very low sex drive and in stead of panic attacts i just keep busy all day long. I also have trouble sleeping. Im always tired but because i have been on it so long i have trained my self to deal with it. It also helps if you take it at night instead of during the day. But its harder to remember to take it at night for me. For me the side effects are so small compaired to the joy it had brought back to my life.
I would recommed it. Once you have been on it a while, headakes and things will go away. its just your body changing. At least thats what the dr told be before hand. I never had the headakes though.
Good luck and if you would like to comments please email me at ***@****
The only side effects i have had is a very low sex drive and in stead of panic attacts i just keep busy all day long. I also have trouble sleeping. Im always tired but because i have been on it so long i have trained my self to deal with it. It also helps if you take it at night instead of during the day. But its harder to remember to take it at night for me. For me the side effects are so small compaired to the joy it had brought back to my life.
I would recommed it. Once you have been on it a while, headakes and things will go away. its just your body changing. At least thats what the dr told be before hand. I never had the headakes though.
Good luck and if you would like to comments please email me at ***@****
HI again. Well, I have had that nervousness and jitters for about 3 week. That's why I got on this medication. It's like all the things I thoroughly enjoyed are the complete opposite now and the things that bothered me, don't. I think you mentioned the 'alone time' (was that you.......ha) and how you didn't like it when you were with the anxiety--but it got better???. I'm going through that now. It's just driving me crazy, as you can tell. I keep posting here. I actually am only taking 25mg. I was told to do that for 6-8 days then go up to the 50 mg. I had my doctor tell me to take it at night and another doctor I know tell me to take it in the morning, that it is an upper. I personally felt horrible at work today. I was in a daze. I'm thinking about taking it tonight and try the nightime for a bit.
I already exercise every morning, although I hate to now, because I've lost 7 lbs. due to loss of appetite. I don't need to lose weight. I take a B-Comples vitamen, Omega 3 capsules, and started drinking carrot juice just because I heard of its many benefits. I was told by a person online who deals with patients with anxiety to start taking magnesium. He did say to ask the dr. first.
I have tried to watch Oprahs "A New Earth" program online but it's almost too deep.......lol. I thought it might give me insight.
Sorry to babble on & on. I probably should have just emailed you directly. Thanks for listening and take care.
I already exercise every morning, although I hate to now, because I've lost 7 lbs. due to loss of appetite. I don't need to lose weight. I take a B-Comples vitamen, Omega 3 capsules, and started drinking carrot juice just because I heard of its many benefits. I was told by a person online who deals with patients with anxiety to start taking magnesium. He did say to ask the dr. first.
I have tried to watch Oprahs "A New Earth" program online but it's almost too deep.......lol. I thought it might give me insight.
Sorry to babble on & on. I probably should have just emailed you directly. Thanks for listening and take care.
Yes I did, in the beginning - like I said it's an "upper" for me. Maybe you don't need to be taking the 50mg, maybe only 25 would work OK for you too. I know I would be jittery on the 50 - would be scared to double it. I agree to give it a couple more weeks, you've come this far - No medication is perfect and like my sister says " you have to pick your poison" I mean when you are struggleing with anxiety or depression relief at any cost is what you need, you know what I mean? I do have some side effects that I'm not crazy about but for now the relief I feel is more important.
My plan, and I am working hard at it, is to change my diet and eat nourishing foods, take important supplements, get on an exercise routine and nurture myself. I have begun doing what makes me feel the best and that is to paint. Anything that allows you to "meditate" or focus I think helps us to calm down. I am also teaching myself Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - and breathing techniques etc.... I want to be strong on my own like I have been for most my life. For me it also got bad in January - the winters here in Minnesota are very difficult. It's nice to be on meds right now because I feel so much less anxious and I can focus and learn other techniques for when I go off of them.
It's a journey - allot of us are on it together. If ya want to talk more let me know. Take Care Erin
My plan, and I am working hard at it, is to change my diet and eat nourishing foods, take important supplements, get on an exercise routine and nurture myself. I have begun doing what makes me feel the best and that is to paint. Anything that allows you to "meditate" or focus I think helps us to calm down. I am also teaching myself Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - and breathing techniques etc.... I want to be strong on my own like I have been for most my life. For me it also got bad in January - the winters here in Minnesota are very difficult. It's nice to be on meds right now because I feel so much less anxious and I can focus and learn other techniques for when I go off of them.
It's a journey - allot of us are on it together. If ya want to talk more let me know. Take Care Erin
Thank you all very much! Eronski, so you had the nervousness and tingling also? I do think you had said that in another posting of mine. I just feel so silly having this nervousness about me. It's hard to focus at work. I think if I knew you or someone else did what I'm doing and overcame it, I'd have a better outlook.
kcdem: I have been nervous and jittery for about 3 weeks now........it's miserable. I will give the Zoloft another couple of weeks probably before I call the doctor again.
JSGeare: Thanks for your post again. I will be looking into therapy also. Summer is coming up and I want to enjoy it!!!
kcdem: I have been nervous and jittery for about 3 weeks now........it's miserable. I will give the Zoloft another couple of weeks probably before I call the doctor again.
JSGeare: Thanks for your post again. I will be looking into therapy also. Summer is coming up and I want to enjoy it!!!
First, Jane, I was teasing you a bit about looking for trouble -and you will note I then said it wasn't so -you were just finding it here and there -and wished you were not. I have no reason whatsoever to imagine that you are really "symptom shopping." In fact, you are doing a whale of a job of parsing things down to the bare essentials -nice eye, gal. That said, I'll hold out to you, most enthusiastically, that no matter what the benefits of any med might be -the THERAPY is what can get you past the whole miserable thing. Please at least get an evaluation to run it by a psychiatrist.
Now, I've been asked about "no side effects." I'm going to take a 2 pronged approach to the answer. First of all, I think I remember a piece by Ryan in which he discussed the "non-selective" action of the so-called "Selective" Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors -the SSRI's- of which Zoloft is one. What he was getting at was that the selectivity is effective to a certain level, but after that, the med hits several chemical components -it is not selective among those several. Therefore the effect of the drug will be determined in great part by how the patient reacts to ALL those components getting whacked by the Z or other SSRI, even though it may be only ONE of them were really interested in. In my case, the impact on my anxiety or other areas which might show up in feeling sick, edgy -or whatever- was minimal. And the impact on whatever made me do my "engage brain before opening mouth" behavior was very positive. And so, the "mechanics" of the drug and my particular chemistry produced very few side-effects, and none that made me uncomfortable. But that's just ME.
Otherwise, let me have a lash at the whole idea of "side effects" itself. To me, there are NO side effects -there are only effects. Often the effects we don't like or don't want, are labeled as "side" because they simply are not the target outcome we wanted. But side effects are not necessarily bad things. Some, in fact, have been so positive that the medication's primary use is changed accordingly. Viagra (I think) originally was developed for heart problems (I think) but when little tents began appearing over male patients in the ICU, folks realized that the "side effect" might really be the "main effect" to be targeted. And as a glance at NASCAR vehicles will confirm, Viagra is now deployed when the situation does not arise, as it were. Point being, everything we ingest, apply, insert or otherwise expose ourselves to, from food to perfume to meds, has multiple effects, and disclosure of all those effects and the frequency with which they occur should simply be a part of the whole process of understanding what to expect. And of course, YOUR mileage will vary.
Zoloft did have one "side effect," or at least, there was a phenomenon which occurred while I was on it. Whether it had to do with the Z, I really don't know. My libido. Effect: very positive.
Now, I've been asked about "no side effects." I'm going to take a 2 pronged approach to the answer. First of all, I think I remember a piece by Ryan in which he discussed the "non-selective" action of the so-called "Selective" Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors -the SSRI's- of which Zoloft is one. What he was getting at was that the selectivity is effective to a certain level, but after that, the med hits several chemical components -it is not selective among those several. Therefore the effect of the drug will be determined in great part by how the patient reacts to ALL those components getting whacked by the Z or other SSRI, even though it may be only ONE of them were really interested in. In my case, the impact on my anxiety or other areas which might show up in feeling sick, edgy -or whatever- was minimal. And the impact on whatever made me do my "engage brain before opening mouth" behavior was very positive. And so, the "mechanics" of the drug and my particular chemistry produced very few side-effects, and none that made me uncomfortable. But that's just ME.
Otherwise, let me have a lash at the whole idea of "side effects" itself. To me, there are NO side effects -there are only effects. Often the effects we don't like or don't want, are labeled as "side" because they simply are not the target outcome we wanted. But side effects are not necessarily bad things. Some, in fact, have been so positive that the medication's primary use is changed accordingly. Viagra (I think) originally was developed for heart problems (I think) but when little tents began appearing over male patients in the ICU, folks realized that the "side effect" might really be the "main effect" to be targeted. And as a glance at NASCAR vehicles will confirm, Viagra is now deployed when the situation does not arise, as it were. Point being, everything we ingest, apply, insert or otherwise expose ourselves to, from food to perfume to meds, has multiple effects, and disclosure of all those effects and the frequency with which they occur should simply be a part of the whole process of understanding what to expect. And of course, YOUR mileage will vary.
Zoloft did have one "side effect," or at least, there was a phenomenon which occurred while I was on it. Whether it had to do with the Z, I really don't know. My libido. Effect: very positive.
I liked your post - sometimes it's so hard to explain these subtle changes and you did it so well - I enjoyed reading it. It's the little things that can have the biggest impact isn't it. Erin
Hello - I have been on Zoloft for over 3 months - I had some nasty side effects the first week - I was hyper and agitated along with other things. Gradually after 2 weeks, I felt pretty good. I had a very difficult time sleeping for at least a month. I wasn't anxious anymore but I would just lie there wide awake and if I fell asleep I would wake up 15 mins. later. It was strange - I almost quit taking it but kept going.... I tried a few sleep aids including Xanax but didn't want to depend on anything. Eventually I was sleeping fine without any help.
The lingering side effects now are a low sex drive (I know it's personal-but something to consider) - and a little trouble focusing. I feel very happy and content yet I have difficulty making decisions, it's kind of weird. I haven't gained any weight - maybe a couple pounds at first but now that's gone. I have been told by my family that I am much more relaxed, my husband says maybe a little too relaxed.
It helped my anxiety allot - It took a couple weeks and maybe a month to get the full effect. The important things I have learned on my little journey is - I didn't need to double my dose to 50mg - the 25mg worked just fine for me. It's very typical for the doctors to get you to 50 or 100mg but I figured if I felt OK, why take a higher dose.... The other thing I learned is Zoloft is an upper for me and I need to take it in the morning or I will not sleep.
It has been fine for me. I am not sure how long I will take it because I would prefer not to take anything and to feel more affectionate, so we shall see. If I do quit at least I know I have one more powerful tool to battle my anxiety issues.
So there's my two cents - hope it helps. When I first started I did the exact same thing as you & posted the same question - the people here are a gift. Take Care, Erin
The lingering side effects now are a low sex drive (I know it's personal-but something to consider) - and a little trouble focusing. I feel very happy and content yet I have difficulty making decisions, it's kind of weird. I haven't gained any weight - maybe a couple pounds at first but now that's gone. I have been told by my family that I am much more relaxed, my husband says maybe a little too relaxed.
It helped my anxiety allot - It took a couple weeks and maybe a month to get the full effect. The important things I have learned on my little journey is - I didn't need to double my dose to 50mg - the 25mg worked just fine for me. It's very typical for the doctors to get you to 50 or 100mg but I figured if I felt OK, why take a higher dose.... The other thing I learned is Zoloft is an upper for me and I need to take it in the morning or I will not sleep.
It has been fine for me. I am not sure how long I will take it because I would prefer not to take anything and to feel more affectionate, so we shall see. If I do quit at least I know I have one more powerful tool to battle my anxiety issues.
So there's my two cents - hope it helps. When I first started I did the exact same thing as you & posted the same question - the people here are a gift. Take Care, Erin
Here's a good positive... It saved my life. I fought it for a long time. After 1 month, I started to feel like a functional human being again. I started on 12.5 mg., I know, hardly anything. But It worked for me and still does. I can't imagine where I would of been without it.
I know you said positive but.........if you start to feel more nervous and jittery get off the Zoloft. Tell your Doc. The Doc may say thats normal but I think I have made my case in earlier posts.
I am only replying this way because of your answer saying you are nervous and tingly and that it is wearing you out. I would not give it more than a couple more days.
kcdem
I am only replying this way because of your answer saying you are nervous and tingly and that it is wearing you out. I would not give it more than a couple more days.
kcdem
JSGeare,
It seems that you are saying that you had NO side effects from Zoloft, and it gradually reduced your anger, resentment and doom feelings. (Iknow I am dramatic) Are you stating that you felt NO side effects and then felt better?
Sounds VERY suttle! I think that is the way to know if the ssri is correct for your chemistry. I will never again put up with side effects from an ssri unless I absolutely had to. Jane I wish you the best and hope you feel NOTHING (or at least hardly anything) then gradually feel better.Best of luck to you.
kcdem
It seems that you are saying that you had NO side effects from Zoloft, and it gradually reduced your anger, resentment and doom feelings. (Iknow I am dramatic) Are you stating that you felt NO side effects and then felt better?
Sounds VERY suttle! I think that is the way to know if the ssri is correct for your chemistry. I will never again put up with side effects from an ssri unless I absolutely had to. Jane I wish you the best and hope you feel NOTHING (or at least hardly anything) then gradually feel better.Best of luck to you.
kcdem
How long before you got to that 'relaxed' state after starting Zoloft? As for how I'm feeling, not good. I am nervous and tingly all day long. It's just wearing me out. JSGeare remembers all my postings.......ha. He knows I've been in this state for a while now. Thanks for posting.
You do remember me...ha. Not sure what you mean about me finding trouble?? Can you explain that please? I'm sure it's me being on these forums posting and asking so many questions. My husband made me make a deal that I wouldn't get on the internet anymore looking up things. It lasted 3 days.
So the Zoloft got you off to the right track.
I am considering therapy myself just to get this going and 'ending'.
Thank you for what all you said. I just hope that I can come out of this as you did. Things seem so distraught right now. I just want my old self back--like I was in January---not too long ago!
Take care JSGeare.
So the Zoloft got you off to the right track.
I am considering therapy myself just to get this going and 'ending'.
Thank you for what all you said. I just hope that I can come out of this as you did. Things seem so distraught right now. I just want my old self back--like I was in January---not too long ago!
Take care JSGeare.
It all started with that "eye" thing last month, yes?
If I didn't know better -from reading your many posts- I'd almost think you were looking for trouble. But the truth seems to be more that you are FINDING trouble -and wish you weren't. In that case, lady, I've got good news for you!
I did take Zoloft for about 6 months. The context is this: I was in therapy for panic and anxiety -and those problems had been solved. I was no longer on any meds for them. But my shrink and I both thought that I might be dealing with OTHER issues -especially in the area of relationships, which were sort of "hounding me" psychologically. So one day, I said to the shrink, whose shall name remain secret (It was Phil), "Phil, I wonder of I am depressed. I don't mean "sad" so much as I mean literally depressed, as in a push botton held in the "down" position. I'm really not all I can be."
And Phil said, "Hmmmmmmm."
And then he said, "You know, you may be on to something. Why not try some Zoloft, and see what it does?" And then he went on to explain the pharmacology -how it works, what it is supposed to do. So I said, "OK, let's give it a shot." And I did.
About 3 weeks later, he asked me how it was going. And I said, "Phil, this is kind of strange. I honestly notice nothing different about me, the way I feel, the way I act. But you know what? Everyone ELSE seems to be getting better."
And Phil said, "Hmmmmmmm."
About two weeks after that, I was able to articulate the situation better. And what I noticed about me was that -especially in moments of conflict- my brain sort of "paused" a bit before engaging my mouth. And in that brief moment, I was able to consider other alternatives to what I was about to say, including keeping my yap shut and just continuing to listen. That was a teeny, tiny change -but the consequences were HUGE. Everyone else was better -because I was better. To this day, what I remember most about this was that I had a sense of "remembering" how to be with people. "I know how to do this," I would say to myself. My concern in relationships changed from what people said (the words) to what they really MEANT. And if I REMEMBERED, that could only mean that it was something I once KNEW -but had forgotten. It was like getting back on a bike after 40 years (which I also did). And so, I concluded that I didn't even need the Z anymore.
And Phil said, "Hmmmmmmmmm."
And then he said, "You're probably right. Stop taking it. Let's see what happens."
Well, long story short, I continue to "remember," to this VERY day. And things are good.
I very much hope the same for you.
If I didn't know better -from reading your many posts- I'd almost think you were looking for trouble. But the truth seems to be more that you are FINDING trouble -and wish you weren't. In that case, lady, I've got good news for you!
I did take Zoloft for about 6 months. The context is this: I was in therapy for panic and anxiety -and those problems had been solved. I was no longer on any meds for them. But my shrink and I both thought that I might be dealing with OTHER issues -especially in the area of relationships, which were sort of "hounding me" psychologically. So one day, I said to the shrink, whose shall name remain secret (It was Phil), "Phil, I wonder of I am depressed. I don't mean "sad" so much as I mean literally depressed, as in a push botton held in the "down" position. I'm really not all I can be."
And Phil said, "Hmmmmmmm."
And then he said, "You know, you may be on to something. Why not try some Zoloft, and see what it does?" And then he went on to explain the pharmacology -how it works, what it is supposed to do. So I said, "OK, let's give it a shot." And I did.
About 3 weeks later, he asked me how it was going. And I said, "Phil, this is kind of strange. I honestly notice nothing different about me, the way I feel, the way I act. But you know what? Everyone ELSE seems to be getting better."
And Phil said, "Hmmmmmmm."
About two weeks after that, I was able to articulate the situation better. And what I noticed about me was that -especially in moments of conflict- my brain sort of "paused" a bit before engaging my mouth. And in that brief moment, I was able to consider other alternatives to what I was about to say, including keeping my yap shut and just continuing to listen. That was a teeny, tiny change -but the consequences were HUGE. Everyone else was better -because I was better. To this day, what I remember most about this was that I had a sense of "remembering" how to be with people. "I know how to do this," I would say to myself. My concern in relationships changed from what people said (the words) to what they really MEANT. And if I REMEMBERED, that could only mean that it was something I once KNEW -but had forgotten. It was like getting back on a bike after 40 years (which I also did). And so, I concluded that I didn't even need the Z anymore.
And Phil said, "Hmmmmmmmmm."
And then he said, "You're probably right. Stop taking it. Let's see what happens."
Well, long story short, I continue to "remember," to this VERY day. And things are good.
I very much hope the same for you.
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