severe reaction to zoloft- help please!

[Khuff]

I went to my Dotor last week becasue I was having frequent panic attacks- Nothing severe- but I figured that I should get back on some meds again.  I an currently nursing my daughter and really don't want to quit so he prescribe some Zoloft for me., along with some xanax to take if I needed it.

I took 5 doses of the zoloft- the first 2 were 25mg and the last 3 were 50mg. I had a severe reaction that had pretty much left me unable to function. My sypmtoms are uncontrollable shacking, tremors, dry heaving, nausea,hot/ cold flushes, sweating, cognitive impairment, lack of appetite, and unbelieveable terror!

I haven't taken a dose in almost 4 days and still feel pretty crappy- Ianded in the hospital last night because I was still feeling so terrible and figured I should be better by now. The .5 mg xanax-  didn't help much - but the Doctors at the Er gave me ativan (2 mg when I got there) and a scrip to take 1 mg every 6-8 hours (or sooner if needed). The Ativan takes the edge off and actually makes me feel pretty good- but I am clumsy and disoriented- plus aftet about 5 hours I start to get shaky and nauseus again.
My doctor(and family) all want me to start on my lexapro(which i have been on before with no problems) (10mg) tonight- but I am afraid to when I still feel so sick.

Should I go a head a take it or wait until I feel better again?
Does ativan make you feel all yucky and shaky when it wears off or is that still the effects of the zoloft. I am just miserable right now and my mother had to fly into help- my husband has to take off work for the next 2-3 weeks- I just want to feel like I felt 2 weeks ago- normal , but kinda anxious!

Have you every heard of a reaction to zoloft like this and do you have any idea why it would last so long? I am so sorry this is long I just really need some answers and reassurance that It will get better!

[trouble10]

Wow!! I take Ativan as need, which is about once every two weeks. My philosophy is I need to feel worse then what the medecine makes you feel. I very rarely take pain killers because they give me a hangover, but I've never had anything like you describe, but then again, I don't take nearly that much. For me it's a miracle drug because all the ssri's I've taken make the anxeity worse.  Good luck and I'm glad you have family to help you. Sometimes they are all that keep you together, I know... Love...

[jules2060]

I had a similiar experience with Zoloft and my doctor switched my prescription to Effexor. I started on a low dose and it didn't help especially since I have a panic disorder and also take .5 Xanax.  When I would stop taking the Effexor (thinking that I was okay enough to stop...haha!) I would experience the exact same symptoms you described, shaking, trembling, nausea...the whole bit. It didn't go away until I got back on the Effexor and stayed on for about a week before the symptoms stop. I still suffer of course but I am still working with my doctor on it. My depression is under control to an extent but the panic and anxiety still needs some work. It takes work and a lot of good thoughts so just keep trying and stay with it!!

Julie

[Paul36]

I conquered my acute anxirty by myself with no drugs. When i felt that wave of fear i simply thought to myself 'here we go again but i'll be ok'. It takes a bit of practice but as soon as you belive it you'll be MUCH better. i don't belive in medication, i think it makes a lot of people worse. The only drug i took waspropranolol which simply slows your heart down so you relax. I think i'll always have bad nerves but i'm coping better than when i was in my 20's

Keep optamistic!

regards,
paul.