Started Zoloft - Feel Like I'm Going to Die

[TonyLizz]

Hello - I have been experiencing an elevated level of anxiety, mostly due to a lack of sleep, which is probably the result of anxiety in the first place. So, you know, its a cause-effect-cause situation. Anyhow, I have been taking Zoloft for 5 days now and I feel like I'm going INSANE. Symptoms:

1.) Nervous and jittery - butterflies in stomach starting from about 90 minutes after taking a 25mg pill and it lasts about 4 hours.

2.) Headaches, eye pain and a feeling in the back of my head as if there is a weight on it....head feel like a bowling ball.

3.) Repetitive thoughts and words WILL NOT LEAVE MY MIND! This is driving me insane. There's a few lines from a particular song that I cannot get out of my head at all....it just cycles through my mind day and night. We have all had those days, but this is ridiculous. I feel like I have no control over that.

4.) Sleep is god awful - worse than it was before I started Zoloft. I just cant stay asleep. I can fall asleep out of pure exhaustion but cant stay asleep. Always have racing thoughts, feeling of dizziness and vertigo..unsteadiness.

My biggest concern is sleep...if I can get 6 hours a night, I am OK and wont complain...right now I am getting between 3 and 4.

I have spoken to my doctor and he is a man of few words....he's not too reassuring and he doesn't make me feel as if these complaints are common...maybe that's just how I am reading him...

Can someone please provide some thoughts and tell me of your own experience?

[RubyWitch]

I truly understand and sympathize with your frustration. I think the wisest step at this point would be to see your doctor again and discuss the insomnia. I believe this problem should take precedence over your anxiety until it has been resolved, especially since it was a major issue before you began the Zoloft. Sleep deprivation is not something to take lightly and can exacerbate a great many other problems.....anxiety being one.
You may want to discuss having a sleep study done to rule out other issues such as sleep apnea.
I am NOT a doctor, but my humble advice would be to put AD's on the back burner for now and focus on the insomnia which, as I stated before, COULD be the root of your anxiety.
If this doctor is not willing to discuss alternatives, then I again recommend you find yourself another doctor.
Keep us posted
RW  

[TonyLizz]

Ruby, I think what I need to do is just stop all sleep aids....I think my body has just become accustomed to them....and perhaps more dangerously, mentally dependent on them. I have to get out of the state of mind that says that I wont fall asleep unless I pop a pill. Or that I wont fall back asleep unless I pop a pill.

Right now, as soon as my head hits the pillow and I make an effort to sleep, my heart races and I start sweating - its panic; it's terror that I feel at the expectation that I am going to be lying there not sleeping and obsessing. The bed has become an ugly, scary place. A place that brings anxiety, panic, depression and frustration.

This is a relatively new development in my life. Up until early November, I used to sleep pretty well. Maybe pop a Benadryl to get it going, but within 20 minutes I would put my book down, turnover and feel like Im in lala land. I cant do that anymore. This is why I turned to the AD - because it was my feeling that underlying anxiety and panic were preventing me from letting go and allowing myself to drift off. It seemed like a better approach than popping sleeping pills and taking Benzos, like Klonipin, everyday.

[Paxiled]

I have a suggestion.  But first, GABA supplements generally don't work, as they don't cross the blood/brain barrier.  And if it was to work, you wouldn't probably want to take it while taking a benzo.  Be careful out there.  But my suggestion is to try melatonin 1mg if you haven't already and try a homeopathic remedy called Calm's Forte or one called Sleep, both by Hyland's, or one called Quietude by Boiron.  Homeopathy either works or doesn't, but because there aren't any active ingredients it won't cause side effects or interfere with any meds.  And make sure you exercise as vigorously as you're able without hurting yourself so you get exhausted and look into meditation -- things that might break this cycle.  Good luck to you.

[TonyLizz]

Thanks that makes sense

[Paxiled]

Are you doing this with a doctor or a psychiatrist?  General docs often don't know much about medication.  Some psychiatrists don't either, but as this is all they do, you should have some better luck.  As for side effects, remember that side effects start right away while effects usually take between 4-6 weeks to kick in.  I'm also wondering if your doc is tapering you up on the drug or just started you at a therapeutic dose.  It's as important to taper up so your brain can get used to it as it is to taper down so your brain can get used to not having it.  As already mentioned, if this is just too much for you, you can stop now and try a different med or try a different strategy -- we all react to meds differently.

[TonyLizz]

I'm about to lose my mind. I cant take it anymore...nothing works to put me to sleep...I took 200mg of Gaba AND 15g of Temazepam and got 1 Hour of sleep!! I feel so tired that I am dizzy and feel like vomiting. I don't know whats wrong with me....maybe I am at the end of my rope and this is the end of me..

[RubyWitch]

We all react to AD's differently, so telling you how other people have faired on Zoloft really isn't a good stick to measure with.
Most of the side effects you are experiencing can be very common with Zoloft, especially in the initial first few weeks of therapy.
I'm sorry your doctor is not more reassuring. If he is treating you for anxiety, he isn't doing a very good job of it.
It is also possible that since your symptoms are fairly intense on the lowest dose possible, you may have a hypersensitivity to SSRI's.
My advice? Call your doctor (again) and tell him you want to stop the Zoloft immediately. (WE can not tell you to stop or change any medications) He sounds like the type of doctor who won't care, which will make it all that much easier to find one who DOES!
I realize changing doctors is not always easy, but in this case, I think you would do much better with someone who really has your best interest at heart. After only 5 days on the Zoloft, you will have no problem stopping abruptly.
Have you considered trying CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) instead of AD's? Many people who have problems with AD's find relief through talk therapy alone. This is an option you could discuss if you decide to see another doctor.
Not sure I was much help, but I'm totally unimpressed with your current doctor.
I wish you the best
RubyWitch

[TonyLizz]

Thanks, Ruby. You have been helpful and thoughtful. I will look into what youre saying about getting a new doctor and the CBT...I would much rather not be dependent on drugs....I dont know anything about CBT, though....I will have to investigate.