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Sertraline (Zoloft) help
This really isn't a question - as I have read countless posts trying to determine if my reactions to the drug were normal. I am posting for those who are struggling for the first 2-3 weeks of it.
I am just starting week 3 on Sertraline. The first 2 1/2 were difficult. The problem when dealing with anxiety, everything is magnified. I found my self anxious over every side effect. But as I read through countless posts regarding Zoloft, I realized it is all part of the drug settling in. My dr gave me clonizepam for times when I was having an anxiety attack, but never really used it because most of my major anxiety was during the day and that stuff makes me sleepy and I can't work. Here are the side effects I had - for the first two weeks, anxious every day, hot flashes, cold chills, fell asleep quickly, but always woke up at 4 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep, bad heartburn and nauseous all the time and a major sinus headache which made my right sinuses and eye hurt. Talked to the pharmacist and took 150 mg Zantac twice a day for the first three weeks - it helped some with the nausea and heartburn. Friday (actually my three week day), I woke up, for the first time, with no nausea - it was wonderful. I feel almost like myself again. There are moments when I get the anxious feeling in my stomach, but it comes and goes. I really think you need to give this drug time. My dr says it takes 2-3 weeks or even a month to really make a difference. I am in such a better place than I was 3 weeks ago.
I am just starting week 3 on Sertraline. The first 2 1/2 were difficult. The problem when dealing with anxiety, everything is magnified. I found my self anxious over every side effect. But as I read through countless posts regarding Zoloft, I realized it is all part of the drug settling in. My dr gave me clonizepam for times when I was having an anxiety attack, but never really used it because most of my major anxiety was during the day and that stuff makes me sleepy and I can't work. Here are the side effects I had - for the first two weeks, anxious every day, hot flashes, cold chills, fell asleep quickly, but always woke up at 4 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep, bad heartburn and nauseous all the time and a major sinus headache which made my right sinuses and eye hurt. Talked to the pharmacist and took 150 mg Zantac twice a day for the first three weeks - it helped some with the nausea and heartburn. Friday (actually my three week day), I woke up, for the first time, with no nausea - it was wonderful. I feel almost like myself again. There are moments when I get the anxious feeling in my stomach, but it comes and goes. I really think you need to give this drug time. My dr says it takes 2-3 weeks or even a month to really make a difference. I am in such a better place than I was 3 weeks ago.
Hi there. Oh gosh, a hysterectomy wreaks havoc on hormones. It's like immediate menopause! Hormones go into a tail spin after that. Yes, very common to suffer different emotional effects from that. I know as my hormones shift, I feel greater anxiety at times for sure! Even if your hormones are within normal, the shift affects our mood.
Hormones are a big factor in our mental health. There are psychiatrists that specialize JUST in woman's psychiatry as it relates to hormones. It's becoming an increasingly popular specialty. Which I, as a woman, am glad for because the issues hormones create are real. Women who have dramatic shifts of hormones with their menstrual cycle now have a DSM 5 categorized diagnosis they can receive and are worthy of due to the toll it takes on their life. And physicians aggressively treat it. Their hormones may test 'normal as well but it is the shifting and changing even within normal range that can create an emotional response.
Know you aren't alone. And know too that there is absolutely NO shame in taking an antidepressant. One in four adults in the US is taking one right along with you.
While drugs do not fix everything, they certainly can help when we need them. I'm glad the Zoloft is helping you. Other things to add--- plenty of rest, exercise and eating right. Those in and of themselves can reduce stress and keep it in check. Keep in touch as you go on this 'journey' of sorts. You should feel the best you can in life. It's hard enough as it is without that, right? good luck
Hormones are a big factor in our mental health. There are psychiatrists that specialize JUST in woman's psychiatry as it relates to hormones. It's becoming an increasingly popular specialty. Which I, as a woman, am glad for because the issues hormones create are real. Women who have dramatic shifts of hormones with their menstrual cycle now have a DSM 5 categorized diagnosis they can receive and are worthy of due to the toll it takes on their life. And physicians aggressively treat it. Their hormones may test 'normal as well but it is the shifting and changing even within normal range that can create an emotional response.
Know you aren't alone. And know too that there is absolutely NO shame in taking an antidepressant. One in four adults in the US is taking one right along with you.
While drugs do not fix everything, they certainly can help when we need them. I'm glad the Zoloft is helping you. Other things to add--- plenty of rest, exercise and eating right. Those in and of themselves can reduce stress and keep it in check. Keep in touch as you go on this 'journey' of sorts. You should feel the best you can in life. It's hard enough as it is without that, right? good luck
Hi there. I'm so very glad that your medication of Zoloft is working for you even at 3 weeks and that you are saying you are already in a better place! That's fantastic. Zoloft like other drugs in its class take up to 6 weeks to really be working. And yes, they have 'transient' or start up side effects that peter out. Those are what you are describing and they should go away. There are some side effects of SSRI's in general but Zoloft seems to have a lower incidence of them. A 'smoother' ride.
I think you are using your short acting anxiolytic appropriately. Those are not to be used regularly as they are addictive. But if you have a panic attack, that's the right time to use them. Most doctors these days use those as 'helpers' rather than a true treatment option. So, you are wise to be prudent and seem to me to be on the right track with that.
Anyway, in answer to your question. Yes, I think those side effects are start up side effects, they should get better and I would give your medication the full trial of 6 weeks to see where you are at at that time. Let us know. Good luck!
I think you are using your short acting anxiolytic appropriately. Those are not to be used regularly as they are addictive. But if you have a panic attack, that's the right time to use them. Most doctors these days use those as 'helpers' rather than a true treatment option. So, you are wise to be prudent and seem to me to be on the right track with that.
Anyway, in answer to your question. Yes, I think those side effects are start up side effects, they should get better and I would give your medication the full trial of 6 weeks to see where you are at at that time. Let us know. Good luck!
It seems the drug is kicking in with a positive effect, so it should get even better as your doc says.
Since you are just getting the anxious feeling occasionally, perhaps you can take comfort at those times reminding yourself that you are taking a powerful drug that is still building strength and working with you toward overcoming the anxiety. Just a positive thinking approach idea like this will also help, because the med can only do so much and in the long run (maybe half a year or so from now?) hopefully you can learn techniques to get along without it, or with reduced dosage.
Meds don't work for everyone, but you seem to be lucky. Capitalize on that break and use your new concentration ability to check out therapy.
Since you are just getting the anxious feeling occasionally, perhaps you can take comfort at those times reminding yourself that you are taking a powerful drug that is still building strength and working with you toward overcoming the anxiety. Just a positive thinking approach idea like this will also help, because the med can only do so much and in the long run (maybe half a year or so from now?) hopefully you can learn techniques to get along without it, or with reduced dosage.
Meds don't work for everyone, but you seem to be lucky. Capitalize on that break and use your new concentration ability to check out therapy.
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I don't plan on being on it long term. Hopefully in a year I can taper off. We will see what the dr says. I have not struggled with anxiety before. This is very new and fresh to me. I had a hysterectomy and I think it really wacked my body out. The Pharmacist says he sees this quite a bit - it takes up to year after major surgery for some people. My hormone levels are fine right now - so that wasn't the issue, just got anxious over everything. It has been crazy - but I agree with you. The drug can't fix everything. When I start obsessing and feeling anxious - I talk myself down. It is usually over something that I have no control over anyway, so it drives me nuts that I am worried about it when I can't do anything about it. Thanks for your input.
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