Anxiety Disorders Support Group

Hi everyone my name is Johnny and I have been taking SERTRALINE-ZOLOFT for 5 weeks now for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, I took 25mg the first week then upped it to 50mg for the last 4 weeks.

The side effects are horrible to say the least I can’t eat or sleep for nothing, my feet and legs jump all over the bed, I lost 10 pounds and I feel sick to my stomach all the time like I want to vomit! And it seems like I am more depressed and my Anxiety has gotten worse.

I told my doctor these things a week ago and he just told me to tough it out for two more weeks!!!

Before taking the zoloft I was getting panic attacks off and on that put me in the hospital, but this Zoloft is really rough and now am wondering if am going to go through something worse trying to get off it next Friday=6 weeks!!!

I thought the side effects only lasted 2-3 weeks!!! Anyone one else out there experience these things or have the same problems with zoloft?

I’d love to hear your input or feedback on this subject

Thanks and God bless

Johnny

The zoloft made my anxiety worse for a few weeks and I was very sick to my stomach and my vision was really blurry.. My hands and fingers twitched but not my legs. Everyone is different though. What time of the day are you taking your zoloft? I take mine at nite right before I go to sleep, so that the side affects wouldnt affect me that much and I eat a snack right before I take it and that has helped with the feeling sick feeling ALOT!!

The side affects have all but vanished now and I have now been on it 7 weeks going from half of a 25mg to 100mg.

If you still cant sleep I would talk to your doctor about it. There is always Melatonin,it is over the counter sleep aid..all natural. But I would talk to the doctoer or pharmisist before hand. But I am sure it wont be a problem. But the side affect will go away and you might need to up your Zoloft because it could also be your anxiety more than the meds. Just hang in there , it really is helping me and it was worth all the nasty side affects in the begining. If you need to talk we are all here.

Best of Luck! Melinda

I take it about 5PM because it seems to make my Anxiety level higher and I get very restless and can’t sleep! I started out on 25MG for the first week and than upped the dose to 50MG for the past for weeks so all and all I’ve been on it for 5 weeks and 3 days so far.

I was thinking about you said by upping the dose to 75 but I am afraid it will make my Anxiety and restlessness even worse so I was trying to Waite and see if this 50MG would kick in!

I only felt really really good and happy for about 8 hours straight about 4 or 5 nights ago but then it just went away and I felt horrible again also yesterday I felt less Anxiety/Depression and was able to eat a good diner last night but this morning here I am again!

Wow this is rough; I am so happy that it is helping you Sister Praise God, Maybe I just need more time or something I don’t know

Thanks so much

God hold you

Johnny

Another thing I forgot to mention is that when you up your dose it takes about 4 to six weeks to get fully in your system..In most cases

Oh so it may take 4 to 6 weeks for this 50MG to fully kick in, that makes sence thanks so much

God bless

I am trying to stay at a low dose because I have weak immune system due to SLE Lupus and my low weight!!!

I understand. Sorry you are going thru this ! Its very difficult to have Lupus but to deal with the Anxiety to So sorry Hun!!

I am praying for you

Melinda

Thank you so much Sister that means the world to me you have a wonderful heart.

May God richly bless you

Johnny

Johnny, I also experienced huge upset at 50 mg: blurry vision, intense sleep for 5 hours straight followed by near painful alertness that wouldn't allow me to get back to sleep. The trick to the meds is to gradually increase/decrease dosage so that you don't jar your system (if increasing you should consult your doc). It's taken me years and years to learn patterns of good sleep and now I love my sleep too much to continue at 50 mg. So, I knocked it down to 25 mg and will continue on that until I get through a situation I'm involved in currently. I also am devoted to exercise. I hike 4-8 miles/day, am very careful about what I eat (no white flour pastries that's for sure but also lots of veggies and fruit and fiber). And now I'm learning to relax through yoga stretching and maybe I'll even get the knack of meditation. I have been through a lot of crisis and varied experiences but the way my body reacted to 50 mg was way too unnatural for me. Hope this doesn't confuse you more but let you know that the answer for what you need is inside you. Good luck.

Post edited by: sharone, at: 12/14/2009 05:54 PM

Hi sharone

Thanks so much for sharing these things I really appreciate it, can I ask you how long you was on the 50 MG before you went back to the 25. It makes me sick as a dog and like my depression and Anxiety get worse. But sometimes the sickness and depression goes away for like half a day or half the night then comes right back, its horrible

God bless you Sister

Johnny