Day 3 of Zoloft, I don't feel anything?

[Scarface94]

I am new to antidepressants and am taking 50 mg Zoloft. I take it in the morning and this was my third day on it and I don't feel a thing, not even any side effects. Every story I read about zoloft the person said they either had side effects, it made them feel happy/hyper, or they had both side effects and happy feelings. Since I don't feel anything does that mean it's not being absorbed in my body properly?

[nursegirl6572]

I'm so glad you commented, it's such an important clarification, and when I re-posted the reply, I wasn't really paying attention to that aspect of the post, just the part about sticking with it, and giving it time.

[Paxiled]

Just again, please everyone, note that these drugs do not release more serotonin in your system.  It's important to know what they do and don't do because that helps explain also a lot of the problems we have on them.  They concentrate the serotonin you have on selected receptors and prevent the breakdown of used serotonin, washing it around in the selected receptors for a longer period of time.  This causes other receptors to shut down because the brain decided they're no longer needed, and it interferes with the whole natural process the brain uses to make and break down serotonin.  It is this artificiality and change in normal function that makes for the side effects, the time it takes to notice if it's working, and the problems quitting.  Knowing this helps us to not let doctors do stupid things to us and helps us to know to do this slowly, take our time, let things work in their own time before giving up, and stopping slowly and safely no matter what doctors tell us.  

[nursegirl6572]

The vivid dreams are normal.  I have them on Zoloft too.

It's still too soon to make a call.  It's not uncommon for it to take 4-6 weeks, sometimes even a bit longer.  Also, you may end up needing a higher dosage, if after 4-6 weeks you're not getting the desired symptom relief.

My opinion is to hang in there...you've already been on it 3 weeks....ride it out.  I feel that one should always exhaust all possibilities with one medication before throwing in the towel and trying another.

I'm copying the great reply you received above, because it really is spot on:

t won't just happen over night. I am on Zoloft and my doctor said it would take anywhere from 1 1/2 - 3 months for it to officially kick in. After about 2-3 weeks it made me feel terrible, I had headaches, and I cried everyday. It was the way my body reacted to the extra serotonin being released into my brain, although I started out at a higher level than that. It is different for everyone but on average it will take 1 1/2 -3 months before you will truly see/feel a difference. I've been on Zoloft for going on 3 years now. After all the side effects went away it was well worth it.    

I agree completely that adjusting to a new medication is a several month commitment.  Definitely too soon to tell.  Give it time.

[Scarface94]

I don't feel*

[Scarface94]

*******UPDATE******


I have now been taking zoloft for 3 weeks and I don't it's fixing my depression or OCD. However, since week 2 of taking it I have been having vivid dreams, which probably means I'm getting deeper sleep.

My Doctor said to contact him if it's not working in 4 weeks. Should I give it more time? I don't want him to take me off it in 1 week if there is still a chance it will take effect soon.

[Paxiled]

I would say in a way, yes -- the two antidepressants that did anything for me just did -- it was kind of overnight.  I took them for phobias, and the side effects came first, but I just stopped getting new ones, though I still had all the old ones.  So it isn't overnight really but it will feel like it.

[moody_me6gwfnq2r]

It won't just happen over night. I am on Zoloft and my doctor said it would take anywhere from 1 1/2 - 3 months for it to officially kick in. After about 2-3 weeks it made me feel terrible, I had headaches, and I cried everyday. It was the way my body reacted to the extra serotonin being released into my brain, although I started out at a higher level than that. It is different for everyone but on average it will take 1 1/2 -3 months before you will truly see/feel a difference. I've been on Zoloft for going on 3 years now. After all the side effects went away it was well worth it.    

[Scarface94]

Will I just wake up one morning and start feeling it?

[nursegirl6572]

I concur with Paxiled, it's way too early to make any kind of call.  You may just end up being one of the lucky ones who doesn't experience any side effects.  That doesn't mean it won't be effective.  To be fair, you should give it at least 4-6 weeks, if not longer.

[Paxiled]

Could be.  That happened to me many years ago.  Both Prozac and Zoloft were like drinking water, no effects, no side effects.  But it's too early to tell for you.