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Starting Zoloft
Hi,
My psychiatrist prescribed me Zoloft for anxiety. I'm supposed to take 25 mg for the first four days, then increase to 50mg. I started it 3 days ago. The first day I felt really nauseous and yesterday and today I've been feeling more anxious than usual. Is this normal when starting?
My psychiatrist prescribed me Zoloft for anxiety. I'm supposed to take 25 mg for the first four days, then increase to 50mg. I started it 3 days ago. The first day I felt really nauseous and yesterday and today I've been feeling more anxious than usual. Is this normal when starting?
I started a new thread on how I have been doing the last 3 weeks. Just thought I would tell you and say thanks for your caring replies.
Hi, there - nursegirl is 100% right, and gives great advice. Welcome to the forums!
I'm on day 67 with Zoloft. What you're experiencing is perfectly normal. I just upped a few days ago, and experienced the side effects again with the increased dosage. But I'm on day 6 now and those are fading more each day. I have WAY more good days than bad now!
I know it's rough when you already feel crummy and the medicine is supposed to help you, and then it makes you feel more crummy. But nursegirl is right - give it time to work - better days are absolutely coming for you.
I also highly recommend a good therapist/counselor/psychologist, etc. It's really helped me ID my triggers and develop good coping techniques.
You're not alone - hang in there!
I'm on day 67 with Zoloft. What you're experiencing is perfectly normal. I just upped a few days ago, and experienced the side effects again with the increased dosage. But I'm on day 6 now and those are fading more each day. I have WAY more good days than bad now!
I know it's rough when you already feel crummy and the medicine is supposed to help you, and then it makes you feel more crummy. But nursegirl is right - give it time to work - better days are absolutely coming for you.
I also highly recommend a good therapist/counselor/psychologist, etc. It's really helped me ID my triggers and develop good coping techniques.
You're not alone - hang in there!
Yes, sleep disturbances are also a common start-up side effect. What time of the day are you taking the Zoloft? You may want to try a different time to see if that makes a difference in some of these side effects. Ask your doctor.
It's also common to experience very vivid dreams, although that's not necessarily a start-up side effect, as a lot of people report that throughout the duration of the regimen. I personally like that side effect, the dreams are very cool, for me anyway. Just a heads' up in case you notice that, it's pretty common.
Keep in touch, let us know how you're doing.
It's also common to experience very vivid dreams, although that's not necessarily a start-up side effect, as a lot of people report that throughout the duration of the regimen. I personally like that side effect, the dreams are very cool, for me anyway. Just a heads' up in case you notice that, it's pretty common.
Keep in touch, let us know how you're doing.
Yes, in some people this happens. It takes Zoloft a few weeks to reach its full potency in your system. If you can handle the side effects until it starts working, then keep taking it. Otherwise, contact your doc.
Thank you for your help. I've also not been able to sleep since starting. Will this go away too?
Hello and welcome!
Yes, that's a very typical and commonly occurring start-up side effect. The good news is, it's pretty short lived. Most people report that the side effects start to really improve after a week or two. My experience with Zoloft has been good, I'm on it again now for the second time, and I experienced the same side effect, feeling very "jittery", "amped up", shaky, as if I drank 12 pots of coffee.
I used it to my advantage and threw myself into things like housework....it sounds silly, but I found I actually benefited from it in the end, I got a lot done. Pick a closet, or room, something you've been wanting to look through and organize, and tackle it! Not only will all of the physical work help to minimize that jittery feeling, but it will keep your mind occupied as well, so that you're not over-thinking how you're feeling. Exercise is very helpful too, if you're able to do that. Even a daily walk will help.
It's great that your doc is starting you out low and having you gradually increase your dosage. I personally think that's the best way to adjust to these meds. That's exactly how I did it (started at 25mg and increased weekly by 25mg until I reached the target dose my doc and I agreed on of 100mg) and I tolerated it very well.
Just a heads' up that you can experience a resurgence of those start-up side effects each time you increase your dose, but in my experience, each time, the side effects become more milder and much more short lived. By the time I got to 75 mg, I would only have a very mild jittery feeling that lasted a day or two, versus a more significant jittery feeling that lasted a week or more when I first started the med all together. I could definitely recognize the improvement in the side effect the longer I was on it.
Also, are you in therapy at all? If not, I strongly recommend asking your doc for a referral, because while meds can be an important part of an anxiety treatment plan, they aren't a "cure all". Therapy is where the REAL progress occurs. That's where you'll learn coping mechanisms and how to change your thinking.
Best of luck...keep us posted on your progress with the Zoloft, okay? It's nice to be able to read about someone's experience.
Yes, that's a very typical and commonly occurring start-up side effect. The good news is, it's pretty short lived. Most people report that the side effects start to really improve after a week or two. My experience with Zoloft has been good, I'm on it again now for the second time, and I experienced the same side effect, feeling very "jittery", "amped up", shaky, as if I drank 12 pots of coffee.
I used it to my advantage and threw myself into things like housework....it sounds silly, but I found I actually benefited from it in the end, I got a lot done. Pick a closet, or room, something you've been wanting to look through and organize, and tackle it! Not only will all of the physical work help to minimize that jittery feeling, but it will keep your mind occupied as well, so that you're not over-thinking how you're feeling. Exercise is very helpful too, if you're able to do that. Even a daily walk will help.
It's great that your doc is starting you out low and having you gradually increase your dosage. I personally think that's the best way to adjust to these meds. That's exactly how I did it (started at 25mg and increased weekly by 25mg until I reached the target dose my doc and I agreed on of 100mg) and I tolerated it very well.
Just a heads' up that you can experience a resurgence of those start-up side effects each time you increase your dose, but in my experience, each time, the side effects become more milder and much more short lived. By the time I got to 75 mg, I would only have a very mild jittery feeling that lasted a day or two, versus a more significant jittery feeling that lasted a week or more when I first started the med all together. I could definitely recognize the improvement in the side effect the longer I was on it.
Also, are you in therapy at all? If not, I strongly recommend asking your doc for a referral, because while meds can be an important part of an anxiety treatment plan, they aren't a "cure all". Therapy is where the REAL progress occurs. That's where you'll learn coping mechanisms and how to change your thinking.
Best of luck...keep us posted on your progress with the Zoloft, okay? It's nice to be able to read about someone's experience.
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