Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Can anyone say anything good about Zoloft?

I am a mother of 3 younger kids and want my life back. I was diagnosed with Depression/anxiety/ panic disorder within the past month. I was given Zoloft 25mg, and i am scared to take it!! I have read all about the BAD things with Zoloft, is there anything good?? I just cant bring myself to swallow the pill. i cry because i want my life back badly...I go out daily, and have panic attacks/anxiety attacks only to come home and have nausea, and headaches from letting myself suffer it out. I have a problem with red lights, and the sky ( wide open spaces). The distance between us and the sky has been bothering me. Someone help please.
25 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I took it for years and it was wonderful. I was a different person. I am no longer on any meds but I do remember thinking it was good. Prozac is good as well as long as they are prescribed for the right reason and in the right dosage. You have a moderate prescription so if you notice adverse effects they can change your dosage accordingly. Remember that it takes 4-6 weeks to build in your system so you might want to get started soon. It sounds like you have more of an issue with panic/anxiety than depression. You might want to ask your doctor if you can try something specifically for that moreso than depression and go from there, if you are that concerned. But you need to do this yesterday. Call your doc.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I was prescribed Zoloft last week for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and I'm very scared to take it. I've been taking Ativan for about 2 years every morning. It seems to calm me down but my psychiatrist want me to take Zoloft. I just need a little confirmation that it's safe and will really help with my anxiety attacks.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I go back to the doctor tommorrow. I really think they are going to have to up me, or something. Some days i am fine to go places other days its bad still. Summer is here, and i am suffering not being able to go anywhere with my family. If i go by myself, i am usually better. For some reason i feel in control. If my husband is driving i get real nervous because i am waiting on him to drive. It feels like he is driving so slow. The heat makes me feel bad too.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
And one thing I forgot to mention is everyones rite dose is dif. The 25 might nt be enough to chemically balance you. The doctors usually have to adjust a few times to get your dosage right
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been on zoloft ten years started at sixteen. But I still remember it clearly. I had dry mouth felt dazed and just kind of out of it. I was on fifty as well. I promise you if you keep taking this it will get better. I got pregnant at twenty stopped taking during my pregnancy and to my surprise was ok. Then about two weeks before I had my baby I lost it depression hit and bad anxiety with panic attacks. My doctor induced me and I was in very bad shape. They put me back on zoloft one hundred. And I thought it would be forever before I felt like me again. I was so depressed and panicky I could not even get out of the bed. But I kept taking the medicine and just hoped it would help. It took at least three to four weeks before I felt better. But it saved my life. And I have been on it since I am now on the highest dose two hundre. But if I go three or four days and don't take it I am the biggest mess ever. So please for you and your kids give it a chance. Right now it seems like you feel very bad so I know this can't make you feel worse it will make you feel better in time and it seems like the longer your on it the better you feel. I wish you so much luck and I feel your pain. It is one of the hardest things to deal with and people that haven't been through it would not begin to understand it. If you ever need to talk just let me know. Keep your head up
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
yes tommorrow i am beginning the 50mg...the 25mg is taking some of the edge off but not much. I take it in the mornings, and i sleep good at night. I have been on 25mg for 3 weeks now, and the panic is really not getting much better. I have a fear of the sky, the wide open spaces...and its not much better when i go out. Now during the day, the 25mg has taken alot of the anxiety away for me, its just still there when i go out. I am thinking the 25mg is not enough to conquer the extreme panic i have when i go out. I am nervous to take the 50mg but i need to get rid of this i am soo tired of feeling this way.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If the doctor prescribed 50 then go ahead and take it. If you do not notice a difference with the panic after taking it for a couple of weeks, consult your doctor as you may need something specifically for anxiety to take with the zoloft. Hang in there your doing great. You could also take the meds in the early am, if you are not sleeping, or still getting nauseous.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
well the doctor originally prescribed 50mg to start BUT I only took 25mg.....??
Helpful - 0
1032715 tn?1315984234
Only a doctor should up your medication,never self-medicate.

Denise
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am not sure but i dont think that 25mg is enough for me. Today is my 9th pill, and when i go out i still get panic attacks just like i used to. Can i up my own dosage to 50mg or should a doctor? technically both doctors told me to start out on 50mg..but because i was so scared i started on 25mg. I am anxious alot still through the day...i do have more energy now....but its doing nothing with the panic attacks...its really affecting my life. I can hardly go anywhere without panicking...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My pdoc just upped my Zolof by 50mg because of anxiety.  I have taken Zolof for 6 yrs, was on Celexa for 2 yrs then went back.  I also take Welbutrin.
Helpful - 0
1032715 tn?1315984234
P.S. I take it just before I get into bed.
Helpful - 0
1032715 tn?1315984234
I had some of these problems at first but my doctor got me to start taking it at night and now I have no problems.

Denise
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't know how our symptoms compare but I have alot of trust issues, guilt and fear.  I have tried most of the SSRIs on the market and had never felt different until I tried Zoloft.  At the beginning the side effects were much worse but as I kept on plugging with it they eased up.  I get loose stools, some days I have to go to the bathroom 8 times in 45 minutes and I have been known to get nauseated and vomit but only on rare occasions now.  I feel the benefits outweight the downside of the drug.  I take 100 mg a day.  I could not function before taking it.  The noise in my head would never stop.  I also take Geodon which is an anti-psychotic but am not typical schizo, more BPD.  Good luck with it.  Maybe when we're dead and gone they'll come up with something better but for now we have to deal with the side effects.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am not sure about this Zoloft. I started taking it on Sunday morning at 10:05am. Today is my 5th pill. I have had what seems like alot of side effects but i am not sure. The first night i had insomnia, and woke up in the bathroom ( d) not vomiting. Then i was nauseated, lost my appetite ( still dont have much of one) I drink lots of water, i mean alot. I have this gagging sensation that comes and goes but could be associated with acid reflux because i have seem to have that every time i eat. ( thought even before i took Zoloft i might have Acid reflux) my mouth is dry, my throat feels like there is a lump in it, and feels sensitive. That has been for about 2 days....but i really dont think that thats the zoloft itself, i do think its causing me heartburn. I burp alot and my stomache makes noises. In the mornings before i have to take my pill about an hour before i get real anxious.about 9:00am. My ears where feeling full for 2 days, and i called the pharmacy they said its not the zoloft. I dont know but i dont feel dizzy or wierd or anything just these problems. Will they go away soon??
Helpful - 0
1032715 tn?1315984234
I have been on Zoloft for 5 years for depression,anxiety and panic disorder I take 200mg a day,I find it helps me lead a normal life as far as being able to do day to day activities.

Denise
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I almost stopped it today, only on my second day. Then i decided to hang in there. I woke up feeling badly. I didnt sleep last night, and i spent the morning in the bathroom. I have no appetite, anxiety is kinda odd now....but i have been smiling alot more. I just sometimes dont feel right....but i am going to keep taking it, to see how it does. No major symptoms that i cant handle. Yes i am doing that. I started it yesterday. I will keep everyone posted. Thanks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Good for you for getting started. It will take a little bit of time to build in your system before you notice major improvements so keep that in mind. You might also keep a log of how it affects you, like it did today?  Keep these records to log any improvements, when, in what way and to monitor your anxiety on a daily basis. This will help the doctor determine if your dosage needs monitored, changed, or possibly even an additional med to take with it. It will also help you see in black and white where you are today as opposed to where you are in say 8 weeks. Keep us posted.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Its so nice to hear good things about it. I took my first pill today as you can read above. I only got sleepiness, and relaxed a little. I still have some anxiety....but to be expected.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I finally took my first pill today...this morning.I was SO sick of hearing all of the negative things..and was trying to find some positive ones.My dad sat on the phone with me when i took it, and for about an hour afterward. That really helped.It relaxed me, and i felt sleepy. Thats about it. I however still feel anxious a little.I know its not going to cure me overnight and it takes awhile. My husband and i dont get along real well, so he came for for lunch and the anxiety came back a little bit.I am able to function well, and things seem to be okay for me. It was swallowing the pill that was the worse. Thats now over, now its the road to recovery.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
yes it is good.  i was on it.  sometimes a certain med. may stop working so you can increase or try a new one.  i am a mother of 2 and have been suffereing from anxiety and depression from many years.  when the meds work well, life is great!!! i do feel down at times and then i speak to my dr. about switching or increasing.  there are very minimal side effects to even think about.  being happy outweighs other smaller issues.   best of luck to you.  take your life back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful - 0
1244499 tn?1397545523
Zoloft is one of the safer SSRI's, plus 25mg is a really low dose. I took it for about 2 years, eventually getting up to 200mg, and the only problems I had were sedation at 150-200mg and it just didn't work for me. You probably won't notice any changes in your mood or anxiety for 2 weeks or more since it has to build up in your system.

The only way you're going to get better is if you try the medications your doctor gives you. He / she wouldn't have given it to you if they thought it would be harmful to you to begin with.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am not sure what to do, i know 2 doctors told me to take this zoloft. I got all of my friends and family telling me to try it. I really wont know if it will help until i take it. I know that i dont want to feel this way, i have 3 kids that want to go to the parks etc...and i cant give them a mother that doesnt want to help herself. By not taking the pill, i havent given my kids or myself the fair chance. ITs like giving up. I want to be the mother for them, that i used to be. Both doctors want me on Zoloft. Urgent care and family....so maybe this is worth a shot. If it doesnt help theres always others out there for me to try. My anxiety is whats not allowing me to take the pill. The fear. i have so many fears right now, that i dont have to have...and its not going to go away until i help myself.
Helpful - 0
1118884 tn?1338592850
Hey,
I have seen the thread of your concerns and responses in the anxiety or agoraphobia forum.  Forget which at the moment.  Good for you to ask for more support here.  So often, whatever we call it, the symptoms fall into a basket which included depression.

From my 30 yrs of experience with depression/anxiety, I feel your primary problem is anxiety.  Years ago, after many antidepressants, and several hospitalizations, I was correctly diagnosed with anxiety disorder or what my doctor now calls agoraphobia.

I don't know if Zoloft is the answer to your problem.  I've tried it twice over the past 10 or so years.  It never helped with panic when I was working: can remember having to leave meetings I was getting so dizzy and faint.  Holding onto a chair to stay upright.  Now, one tablet causes severe diarrhea.  I am a survivor of anal cancer and most antidepressants now affect me this way.  Clonazapam is all I take.

All systems are different.  I was hoping Zoloft might work as I believe you said you mom took it.   Paxil was one antidepressant I remember that seemed to have a calming effect.

A psychiatrist told me once that anxiety is the root problem..severe or chronic, depression follows.   I believe this is how it is.  I read the post about a doctor saying the opposite, so maybe it is up for debate.

Haven't answered your question I know.......but hope you feel better soon.  You have alot of responsibility, and know you want to get your energy back.
Helpful - 0
2
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Depression Community

Top Mood Disorders Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
15 signs that it’s more than just the blues
Discover the common symptoms of and treatment options for depression.
We've got five strategies to foster happiness in your everyday life.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.