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Avatar universal

First days and week on zoloft (generic)

I started zoloft last night at like 9pm. 25mg. I have bad anxiety about being dizzy...huge phobia...so my doc suggested this drug to help. Obviioulsy I am TERRIFIED the drug will cause me to be dizzy. So I finally took it after many times putting it off. So I haven't noticed any side effects yet, and obivously it has only been less than 24 hours, so I am soo worried the bad side effects are coming...(especially dizziness) So I just want to hear some positive feedback about side effects, dizziness, and when can I expect side effects to start?? I am soo worried.
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Avatar universal
Don't worry about that -- or anything.  Quitting meds can be difficult, but the most important factor is the skill level and concern of your psychiatrist.  So make sure you have one who knows how to do it when the time comes.  You're aware of these issues, which is also important because you'll be prepared when that time comes.  The most important decision is whether to go on medication in the first place, and if you've decided you can't live without them and can't get better without them the best you can do is stay aware and keep a close eye on your practitioners, and don't give up trying to solve the underlying problem so you don't have to stay on them a long time.    
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Avatar universal
Yes, I have been in therapy since March and have seen a psychiartist, who prescribed me the meds. I have this main phobia of being dizzy, which occasionally I am but very random and I have been to ENT and balance specialist who found nothing and think nothing is wrong. So therefore I am guessing it is anxiety or neck related. I have GAD as well and have been a health anxiety ever since I can remember. Which is why I wanted to start meds, cause I was not living my life.

So you said you never felt dizzy when starting or on meds, but you did when getting off them? did you cut them out cold turkey or slowly get off them? I have read soo many horror stories about withdrawl and dizziness and it scares me so much, but most people say when you go gradually off them you won't have side effects? I am really worried about that.
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Avatar universal
My first question would be, is it just the one phobia?  Do you suffer other phobias or any generalized anxiety?  I ask because, for one phobia, usually a person would be sent to therapy, most likely cognitive behavioral therapy, rather than start with a medication.  Generally, medication is used when the problem so interferes with your life you just can't live it anymore.  Almost everyone has a phobia, but medication isn't recommended for everyone.  So that's the first question.  The second is, do you get dizzy regularly?  If so, why?  Do you get dizzy because you're anxious or for some other reason that might be treated?  As to side effects, we can't tell you what you'll experience since we all have different experiences.  Personally, no medication has ever made me dizzy, but stopping taking them has.  But I would think any dizziness would go away in either case.  But that's really a side point -- as I say, the first question would be whether medication that you must take regularly is the best place to start with this problem.  A general doc can't help much with this, as they have no expertise in mental problems, and if it's just one phobia I would think most people would recommend therapy before going on any medication just because any medication should be used on a regular basis only when necessary.  You know more about your situation than we do, so I only raise this to see if you've thought this out.  I would have seen a psychologist first to get an evaluation, but that's just me.  Hope it works out whatever you do.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for replying....what sort of side effects did you notice? I am just so worried I will be dizzy. I am glad it worked for you...I constantly read so many horror stories on the internet about how bad the side effects are and stuff.
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Avatar universal
I have been on and off Zoloft for years and it has helped me tremendously.  I remember when I first started taking it...initially, I was terrified about even trying it because I was worried about the side effects.  While I noticed a few when I started, they pretty much went away within a couple of weeks.  I also believe that some of what I was feeling was probably due to my anxiety as well.  I attributed any 'odd' feeling to the medication whether it was relevant or not.

I usually advise people to keep an open mind about it.  SSRIs like Zoloft have a safe and proven track record.  For me, it helped while I recieved counseling to seek long term relief from the anxiety.  Keep us posted!
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Arlington, VA
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