Zoloft slowly

[srw906]

I was scripted for 25 mg Zoloft with 1/2 tablet first day then whole tablet there after. I did that and my chest pains went thru the roof along with the anxiety and jittery. I have a script for .5 mg Ativan that I half and take. Called psychiatrist and said to go back down to half (12.5) to see if it helps. I take it in the morning as when I took it at night I didn't sleep for 2 days. I have to be at work at 6 am so I take Zoloft 5am. My question is I don't drink any caffeine plus I don't have a good appetite. Does this get better and when I go back up to 25 mg will it start all over.  I am super sensitive to medication and psychiatrist did put me on Doxepin but had bad tremors. I also get indigestion from the Zoloft and take a gas x an hr later has helped with that. I am new to this forum and glad though it is here.  

[ShelloT]

Hello. I know this is an old post but I am surfing and surfing the internet looking for answers and I came upon this post. You had described exactly what I am experiencing. I am 3 days into my Zoloft (25mg) and the first hour I started to feel funny. Like in the back of my head ( brain) and cold sensations through my body. Felt ok other than that. That night I had a big panic attack. The chest pain was crazy!!! Jittery shakey and it seems to happen every night so far. Tonight started the heartburn and gas pain and back pain (could be related)  I have Lorazepam (Ativan)to take if the anxiety gets bad. I only take a half pill though because I am so.afraid of becoming dependent on them

[srw906]

Thanks, I will. The jitters are awful. I can take .5 if needed. Will talk to psychiatrist about how long to be on this dosage of 12.5 of Zoloft.  

[nursegirl6572]

Hello and welcome!

Some people have a rougher time adjusting to Zoloft than others, and what you describe is pretty par for the course as far as start up side effects go.  The most common side effects are an increase in anxiety and feeling very "jittery", as if you drank WAY too much coffee.  Other common side effects include GI disturbances (nausea, lack of appetite, heartburn), sleep disturbances, headaches.

Each time you increase your dose, you can expect a surge in those start up side effects for a little while.  The good news is, usually, after you've been on the Zoloft for a few weeks, the intensity of those side effects should improve.  It's one of those things where you sometimes have to feel a little worse before you feel better.  

Keep talking to your doctor, he may decide to temporarily increase your Ativan to help combat the side effects, that's pretty common.  And, starting out at a low dose and gradually tapering up is the way to go IMO, especially for someone who is admittedly sensitive to medications.  Hang in there...and keep us posted okay?