It does sound like you have GERD (acid reflux). But anytime you start a new medication and have side effects it is best to contact your prescribing doctor to verify if you should continue on the medication. Always work closely with your doctor when it comes to medications. Sometimes when we start a new drug like this we can have side effects as our body adjusts to it, but it's always best to check with your doctor.
The one thing we say on this forum constantly is that everybody reacts to meds differently. Even though you are beginning Zoloft at 25mg LESS than the "normal" starting dose doesn't mean that you can't be affected by side effects.
When you said: "the first night I had insomnia and woke up in the bathroom not vomiting," I got pretty confused, but I see what you mean about not being sure about side effects.
Zoloft can cause insomnia, but most people find it quite sedating, which is why it's often recommended it be taken in the evening. And also why we say everybody is different.
Zoloft can also cause nausea in the beginnning of treatment which is why it is often perscribed with a medication like phenergan. Gas is yet another annoying side effect which also goes away as your body adjusts to it. Cotton mouth is very common for the first week or two, but then that also stops.
Many of your other side effects can be related to the Zoloft, but I also think many of them can be related to the obvious anxiety you have about taking this medication in the first place as you state you begin to get anxious an hour before you take your pill.
Since none of your side effects are alarming, and you've only been on it 5 days, I would normally say give it some more time, wait and see if these bothersome but harmless side effects abate. Since most antidepressants take awhile to reach therapeutic levels and most of us have to deal with some side effects, another thing we sort of preach on this forum is patience. So many people stop taking them before the side effects wear off and the medication actually begins to help them, they then swear antidepressants don't work. As long as the side effects you're experiencing are not "adverse," like making you dizzy or vomiting or uncontrolled diarrhea, then try to stick it out. If you feel you can't, see your doctor and discuss the side effects. Some people do have a hypersensitivity to these meds, but it's my guess you're just having pretty common side effects and your anxiety is making them worse.
Please let us know how you're doing, OK?
Peace
Greenlydia
I think that i may need to go up to 50mg...see 2 doctors told me to start out on 50mg..but because i was SO scared to take the pill..i started off on 25mg. This is day 9 and i am still getting bad panic attacks when i go out. I dont think the 25mg is helping me...i mean it has gave me more energy but thats it. Nothing elce has changed. Is it to early to tell, or can i just start taking the 50mg...or should i see my doctor first. I got to get my life back...its really affecting everything.