So I'm now on day 7 on being "Paxil free" and although the crying spells have stopped, the dizziness is still there (although less than in prior days) and my panic attacks are just as bad as ever. My doc wants me to up my Zoloft to 100mg/day. I'm a little nervous to do this because its only day 7...How long should it take to feel the full effects of Zoloft? Should I wait it out 2 weeks on 50mg before upping? Thanks.
You need a psychiatrist who understands these meds, not a psychologist or a regular doc. You're suffering Paxil withdrawal. Zoloft will not necessarily do anything about this, since all meds act differently in the body. Paxil is a particularly difficult med to quit; it needs to be done slowly and carefully, and switching ot another med won't necessarily help with this. If I were you, I'd go back on the Paxil, which should end this bout you're suffering, and find someone who understands withdrawal and how to properly taper you off Paxil before you switch to another med. Right now you're stuck between what may be side effects of a new med and withdrawal from an old one. Better to complete withdrawal from Paxil first. Read a book called The Antidepressant Solution by Joseph Glanville, and get a psychiatrist who knows about these things. Good luck.
I can tell you from going onto Zoloft twice that the first week *****. The second week gets a little better and by the end of the third week you feel better. Granted everyone is different and will react differently. But,for your piece of mind, yes, what you are feeling is normal but if it doesn't go away after a week or two, you need to talk to your doctor.
Also, everything I heard and was told about zoloft is that you should not increase more than 50mg in 1 week intervals.