Returning to Zoloft - How Long Does it Take?

[jpchelsea]

I had taken 100 mg of Zoloft daily for about 7 years - and it seemed to cure the depression and anxiety I had always battled. In the last two years my life has changed significantly - for the better - and I decided to try to come off of the Zoloft. Partly to see if I really needed to be on it, partly to see if I would lose weight and / or increase my sex drive. I was off for about 7 weeks and went through the various forms of withdrawal and eventually into depression. I spoke to my doctor and we decided to put me back on. I took 50 mg for 5 days, and then went back to my 100 mg dose. I went back to that dose 8 days ago and almost immediately my anxiety spiked. My doctor is on vacation until next week, and working with his nurse hasn't been fun for me. She has me taking lorazapam to help with the anxiety. Zoloft I am fine to take, Lorazapam I have a problem admitting I need. But I am taking it, even though I feel like a complete failure every time I take it and it makes me cry. So my questions are: 1. how long should it take to level out on the zoloft? The nurse said a week or more on the full dose and I should start to feel better. Well it was a week yesterday! 2. Did my doctor ramp my dosage too quickly?  3. Is the anxiety I'm feeling a result of going back onto the Zoloft? I don't remember that from the first time around, but that was seven years ago. I'm in the middle of planning a wedding, and 8 weeks ago when i decided to come off this medication I was happy, excited, looking forward to the future. Over the last 8 weeks to varying degrees - and especially the last two, it's about all I can do to get out of bed and drag myself to work. I know it's hard when you don't know the circumstances or the person, but generally, do you find that people return to their 'normal' self when they stop, and then re-start the medication, and how long does that generally take?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

The time to restart is usually the same as starting initially, and you probably don't remember that from 7 years ago, so count on three weeks to level off, maybe a week sooner or later, depending on your neuro metabolism.

[sparkeler]

Relax.  Your expecting to feel better right away.  It has been studied that Zoloft can take a week to work but can also take up to eight weeks to feel the full benefits.  I know I have been on anti depressants for half my life.  Since you are re starting the Zoloft it is common for anxiety to increase and that is why the nurse gave you the Lorazapam.  Don't tell me that doesn't help the anxiety? Do not feel like a failure because you need it for now.  Depression and anxiety is a disease.  Would you feel like a failure if you had to start chemo for cancer?  Consider yourself lucky that the medicine is there if you need it.  It's great that your cautious about it, so only take it if your on the verge of an anxiety attack. I still have to take xanax sometimes because my lexapro causes me insomnia.  And I still have some slight anxiety.  I know this may not be helpful but I friggin love xanax and if it weren't addicting I'd be on it all the time.  That's the only time when my mind can really relax.  At any rate, give the zoloft time and if your not completely better by 2 months, then think about swithching.  Medications can be funny and may not work as well as they once did.  It can be a process, long or short.  I've been on so many before I finally got "right."  But a week's time is almost as good as wishful thinking.  Congrads on your upcomming wedding!  I know you will be feeling better eventually.  Hopefully sooner than later

[jpchelsea]

thanks. it helps to get some validation. but i want it better NOW! :) I feel like i paid my dues the seven weeks i was off the drug, hoping to stabilize. Now that I'm back on, I just want it to be better faster. It's nice to hear that others go through this. I mean, I know that they do, but sometimes it feels like you're the only one.

[sparkeler]

I know.  I've paid my dues a million times.  Unfortunately, we all have our crosses to bear.  Hang in there! It may be easier said then done, but talking about it like your doing or going for a jog or watching a funny movie might help you take your mind off of it, or even planning your wedding.  For now pretend to be happy.  Hey, fake it til you make it.  It may make the time go by faster.  But your on the right track.

[Jimmy1965]

Hello,

Hang in there. I've been on Zoloft now for 2.5 months and I'm now just starting to feel the effect of the medication. I'm still not 100% there. My doctor started me off on 50mg and worked up 25mg at a time and now I'm on 125mg. I've been at 125 for about a week and my Doctor tells me that everytime they raise the dose up it usually takes about 2 weeks to start feeling the full affect. Please dont feel bad about the Lorazapam. Like you, I take it myself. 2.5mg per day to keep the anxiety level down. My ultimate plan (or at least my Doctors plan) is to get me regulated on Zoloft. Probably 150mg before it's all over and then start slowly tappering me off the Lorazapam. Good luck and hope you feel better. I think it would be a good idea for you to ask your doctor when he is back from vacation what the long term game plan is for you.

[jpchelsea]

I appreciate everyone's kind words. I've been on this stuff before, and I just don't remember it being this bad. Yesterday I felt pretty ok, and then last night I was panic stricken as I was trying to go to sleep - and this is on the adavan and a sleeping pill.

I was sort of hoping that posting a question up here (and paying $5 for the priveledge) would prompt a doctor to respond, in lieu of mine being on vacation.

[jpchelsea]

I don't remember having this surge of anxiety last time - is that normal? And I do remember last time I went on it was 25 to 50 to 100. Not 50 to 100 in just a couple days. Does that make a difference?