Zoloft and depression

[tyler7178]

    I have been on sertraline (Zoloft) for about 3 1/2 weeks now. I noticed I was just a little depressed before I even thought about starting any kind of medication because I've had anxiety issues in the past and that was about 5 years ago and I was on nortriptyline which cured my anxiety problems. I really wasn't depressed at the time I just had really bad panic attacks all the time.
    In the months leading up to my decision to start Zoloft I noticed that I was a little depressed, but nothing major but I wasn't motivated at all. I went to the doctor and she prescribed me Celexa, and that only lasted 2 days because my anxiety spiked sky high the moment I started taking them. I called her back and she prescribed me Zoloft and she wanted me to start off small 25mg daily for the first 7 days, and then increase it 25mg every 7 days after that till I reach 100 mg daily. I'm currently at 75 mg but I start 100mg tonight. I've noticed that I'm more calm and not as jittery anymore when I first started it and I'm starting to have good days but my depression is really high right now.
    I take a Xanax here and there now just because when I'm depressed I get scared so it kind of calms me. For the second week I took Xanax regularly because my anxiety was all sorts of wacked out. Now it's too the point to where its like I'm having a really good day and I'm full of energy and happiness and then I get tired and all of a sudden I become really depressed and anti-social to the point that it hurts and I have a heavy feeling on myself. I was told it takes 3 to 4 weeks to start seeing results, which I believe, but to be honest I'm getting impatient now because I'm tired of having these really depressing feelings and thoughts go through my head all the time. I was just curious if anyone else has experienced this and can tell me its worth the wait because it's just all part of it. I'm being as patient as I can but it really ***** as many of you know.
Side effects I experienced:
Insomnia (still can't sleep a full night since starting it, but I do manage to get about 4 hours of good sleep here and there), depression, nausea, headaches, nervousness, cold sweats, hot flashes, dizziness, anit-social

[tyler7178]

Thank you remar, I do not plan on giving up, it's just I'm getting so frustrated and mad that I have these scary and ridiculous thoughts go through my head and I want them to go away! I'm being patient as I can.

[remar]

No, you can't give up. It really can take awhile for these meds to start working. Most Drs want to give them at least 6 weeks and sometimes longer.

[tyler7178]

Thanks for your reply. I work out everyday as well and it does help me cope with it like you said. Part of me wants to give up but I really want it to work because everyone is telling me to just be patient, the zoloft will kick in eventually and it will all go away. Well it's week 4 and I'm at full dose for one night so we will see what happens but at this point I'm just really frustrated and getting more impatient and mad that I keep feeling this way.

[wifeandnersingbaby]

I went through all the same feeling. My problem was guilt from things I did in the past. I couldn't get over it. I was put on zoloft and had to start the same way. I started getting suicidal thoughts so I had to stop taking it. Working out and taking walks was more effective anyway. I would even get weak in the knees. I just had to force myself to go to the gym or do some kind of work out at home. After a month I felt so much better.

I just have to stay active, I recently brought a bicycle. When i get really bad I ride my bike or run sprints up and down the street as fast as I can. I not the thin athletic type either, I am 6.5ft anf 310 pounds. So size or weight is not a excuse. I just know I have to do it to feel better.