Aa
anyone take zoloft for anxiety?
dr just gave me an RX for zoloft but i havent filled it yet.....its for 50mg but he said just take half of a pill so it would be 25mg
the past few days i have had good days but today blows.......im scared to be on meds but i dont want to feel like this anymore
anyone take zoloft?.....any advise?.......stories are a great help
the past few days i have had good days but today blows.......im scared to be on meds but i dont want to feel like this anymore
anyone take zoloft?.....any advise?.......stories are a great help
Best Answer
Kristyn. Read this new thread. Poster smokes pot and SUDDENLY had anxiety attack/dizziness, etc. See, I've been thinking about you and you said your psych mentioned smoking pot could throw you "either" way. Well, you weren't dizzy, what?...2months ago or so?...nor did you have anxiety so I think your time is Here!!! See what I'm saying? You say you don't want to be on meds for the rest of your life and you're right, you don't. So why not stop the pot and see if you feel better? I have followed your posts and journals and I really truly believe with all my heart that the pot is your problem. Even though I've had anxiety since well before I did any pot or recreational drugs when younger, I'm sure now after reading the link I'm giving you, my severe anxious feeling started one day when we were smoking out of a bong -- I was around 17 -- took this big hit and my heart began racing, got really hot and fainted! But, that was in 1977. I never knew pot could do this until reading a hundred posts on the anxiety forum from young people who suddenly, straight out of the blue, have a panic attack after smoking pot.
Here's the link to that post:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Anxiety/Anxiety-problems-after-panic-attack-from-weed/show/1578451
Take care, honey
Here's the link to that post:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Anxiety/Anxiety-problems-after-panic-attack-from-weed/show/1578451
Take care, honey
lol thanks!!!
yea thats why i didnt have a problem taking that xanax today because i thought "hey its been a week, what the hell right, i was just taking them everyday so its deff a step ahead"
so .3mg isnt anything right?....that different the 3mgs.....hmmm maybe i got the wrong kind?......cause people take like 5 mg or atleast 3 from what i read.....is .3 going to do anything??
yea thats why i didnt have a problem taking that xanax today because i thought "hey its been a week, what the hell right, i was just taking them everyday so its deff a step ahead"
so .3mg isnt anything right?....that different the 3mgs.....hmmm maybe i got the wrong kind?......cause people take like 5 mg or atleast 3 from what i read.....is .3 going to do anything??
300 mcg equals 0.3 mg. I think trying the Melatonin is a good idea.
And, yes, it's absolutely fine to still take the Xanax as needed! In a perfect world, you would never need it again, but even with the Zoloft working, you'll still have an anxious moment or bad day from time to time. Someone not prone to anxiety can handle those bad days a lot better, but for us, we tend to go off the deep end at times. It's not a sign of weakness to still need the Xanax occasionally.
Look at how great you're doing! yay!
And, yes, it's absolutely fine to still take the Xanax as needed! In a perfect world, you would never need it again, but even with the Zoloft working, you'll still have an anxious moment or bad day from time to time. Someone not prone to anxiety can handle those bad days a lot better, but for us, we tend to go off the deep end at times. It's not a sign of weakness to still need the Xanax occasionally.
Look at how great you're doing! yay!
well another week with out xanax during the day, but today i feel a lil jumpy so i just took half a xanax, i didnt feel like dealing with it so i just took the pill so it wouldnt get bad. i guess thats ok right? something abou these saturdays that just have me jumpy!!!
i also bought melatonin for sleep which i will try tonight instead of the xanax and hopefully that will work pretty good....but its says 300mcgs?....those are smaller then mgs right?....lol....either way it says take 1-2 before bed.. anyone take it and get good results?
i also bought melatonin for sleep which i will try tonight instead of the xanax and hopefully that will work pretty good....but its says 300mcgs?....those are smaller then mgs right?....lol....either way it says take 1-2 before bed.. anyone take it and get good results?
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Keep in mind that when you ask for input on meds, some of it may be less than favorable. That's fine as everyone has their own experiences, but don't get a preconceived notion about it either way...let yourself have your own unique experience.
I can tell you about MY experience with Zoloft. First, it is actually one of the the most commonly Rx'd SSRI's for anxiety and panic with a great record of success. Zoloft was the first med I ever took for my panic disorder and I'll tell you, it gave me my life back. I went from literally housebound to "back to me" in a matter of months. I am a huge Zoloft supporter. I tolerated it pretty well too, a few initial (mild) side effects, slightly increased anxiety being one for which I took an occasional Ativan while I was waiting for the Zoloft to start working.
Generally speaking, these meds take about 4-6 weeks to really start noticing improvements. Many people report a subtle change for the better after about 2-3 weeks, but the dramatic changes take a little longer. For some, it may take even a bit longer than 6 weeks. That's especially true if your doc is going to gradually increase your dose (ie 25 mg for a few weeks, then up to 50)...which may be necessary. Some people require a higher dose and some do great on the low dose, it just depends. It's very important to take it every day and to allow it ample time before making a determination that it does or doesn't work. People that experience side effects are often inclined to throw in the towel before giving it a fair shake. Which brings me to the side effects....
Zoloft can come with some initial side effects. Again, it varies, some people don't ever have one side effect, and others have an harder time adjusting. One of the most commonly reported side effect is an initial increase in anxiety, which stinks, because that's what the med is Rx'd for! I've had this with other SSRI meds and would describe it more of a "jittery" feeling, like I drank too much coffee. Other common side effects can be GI upset (nausea, diarrhea), sleep disturbances (either insomnia or drowsiness), headaches. When I have experienced side effects with these kinds of meds, they have started improving between the first and second week, and resolving all together by the third or fourth week of treatment. Again, this varies...so don't go into this thinking the worst. If you do have some side effects...work with your doctor...try to stick it out. The benefits are worth it. I cannot stress enough that deciding early on that it either isn;t working or is making you feel worse is not giving it a chance. Also, 25mg is a great starting dose...it will minimize any side effects. Some docs will start people out on 50mg. I feel that less is better, and if dosage adjustments need made later, that's fine.
One day at a time...keep in contact with your doc. If side effects are bothersome, call your doc. There are usually different things you can do to help ease those effects, if you happen to get them...before they start going away. Go into this with an open mind...and be patient.
Of course, we're here for you as well. This is really a great step....I can't say enough good things about Zoloft. I was amazed at how it worked for me. The more positive you feel about you taking your life back, I believe the more successful this will be for you. Don't be scared...be relieved!
All the best!