Starting Zoloft - will I feel the same as on Paxil?

I was diagnosed in October with panic disorder and the psychiatrist I saw had given me Paxil CR to take, starting at 12.5 MG.  I took one, and within a few hours I was going absolutely mental.  I had to leave work early, came home and laid on the couch the rest of the night, hardly able to move because I was so terrified and anxious.  It was the worst anxiety I had ever felt.  I ended up not taking it again, and he gave me xanax (.25mg as needed), which I've been using since then, lately only once a day on average.

So now it's January, and I saw a new psychiatrist yesterday.  She felt that an SSRI would help me balance out my anxiety, and gave me some zoloft to try.  She also said that I could continue to take the xanax as needed while I waited for the zoloft to take effect.  My question is this: Is it likely that zoloft will make me feel like I did on Paxil CR?  I realize that they are both SSRIs, but are they similar enough in composition that I will probably experience the same side effects on both of them?  I can't even bear the thought of another day like that!

Rion

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

It is not likely you will have the same response, but you can be even more careful about it by cutting the initial dose in half for the first few times.

Often if Paxil is too stimulating, people tend to have a more slow down effect by Zoloft, so think about taking it at night.

[moozie]

The exact same thing happened to with Paxil. My doctor also gave me zoloft 25.mg, but I am so scared that the same thing will happen to me that I haven't taken it.

I too take a small amount of Ativan 1mg a day.  I would really like to know as well, if I would feel the same way on zoloft as I did with the Paxil. If I do, I will never take an SSRI's ever again in my life, the paxil made me feel worse, it was awful.



Moozie

[Rion]

Well, there we have it. :)  Maybe I will try breaking the 25mg in half and taking that at lunch... I've already warned my boss about it. lol  Glad we are close like that.  Oh well, I'll let you know how it goes if I don't chicken out!

Rion

[moozie]

How is the Zoloft working for you ?

Let me know how you are feeling




Moozie

[Rion]

Hey I finally got up the nerve to try the Zoloft today.  I've been so moody and anxious lately that I figured I had nothing to loose.  I did as the Dr. suggested and broke one of the 25mg tablets in half, and took the smaller half, of course! lol  So, as you can imagine, as soon as I was washing it down with a glass of water, I had a huge wave of panic because I didn't know what would happen... but I had someone with me to talk with, so that passed and then I waited to see what was REALLY going to happen.  Well, here it is: I got very tired for about 30 minutes, as well as continued to have a lot of anticipatory anxiety.  Right now, it is about an hour later and I feel absolutely fine.  I'm not even tired any more.  All the anxiety and tiredness passed so quickly that I didn't even need to take my xanax with it.  Soooooo, my advice to you Moozie is to just take the 12.5mg, have your brief panic attack, and then be done with it.  Just do it when you can lay on the couch for half an hour, and I bet you will be fine just like me! ;)  Please let me know how it goes - I hope you are still reading this thread!

Rion

[moozie]

Hey Rion,

I've been looking for your post !! In canada zoloft comes in capsule for so I can't cut it in half.  I'm still suffering immensely with the axiety, and came to this board this morning to see if you had replied :).  Are you planning on taking the 25mg at one point. That's what my prescription of for 25mg.

I'm so scared of taking it Rion, but my anxiety symptoms are getting worse.  I too am desperate to get better, I can't take this anymore.

Please email me at ***@****

Thanks Rion, hope to hear form you soon.


Moozie

[Kelp]

Be carefull of Zoloft. Many people have severe side effects from it. Xanex is very good temporarily

[NSE]

I was on Zoloft for a few months but because of serious insomnia I asked and the doctor agreed to try Paxil. Terrible side effects with paxil , anxiety, fear, very emotional. I asked to go back back to Zoloft but he says no, that I can't be going back and forth, and that I should stick with it for a while. It only a few days since I started, if I cut in now will I experience same withdrawal symptoms
as i will in say a few months?
I had no withdrawal with Zoloft.
I also have 2-3 cups of coffee a day

Thanks