Zoloft (ssri) - worst before better? Experience?

I was put on small dose of Zoloft for extreme anxiety (12.5mg I know small dose, but that's because another ssri made my anxiety much worse. and I'm new to medicine (less than year), but told I'm very sensitive to them.

Zoloft started helping in 3-4 days (felt like a miracle.) Even with major stress in life.

Then a "major" trigger 5 days later (really messed me up.) I assumed I was getting worse was because of that.

I was suppose to go to 25mg after 1-2 weeks if needed. I tried, but I think things got worse so I went back down to 12.5. Or I figured best to wait until over this trigger.

I've been on Zoloft for almost 4 weeks. Things seem to be getting worse each week. Couple weeks ago I'd get out of bed 2-3 times to start day. Then return (this is not the normal me.) Now it takes so many times it's sickening.

Now I just want to be in bed (which is so unlike me! I didn't even nap before.)

So past few days I started to reduce dosage to get off it, but then I'm reading sometimes you get worse then better with Zoloft? Experience?

I see psychiatrist this week. Trying to decide to go back to 12.5mg, increase, or keep reduction until then.

i was put on zoloft for anxiety but i cant remember if it worked. i remember it gave me bowel problems for a while, but since i am bipolar i should have never taken it as it threw me into the worse mania in my history, even causing auditory and visual hallucinations.

the thing that has worked the best for my anxiety is buspar, 45mg a day. i used to be so anxious when i drove on the highway i would hallucinate nascar wrecks in front of me and actually duck as the firey car parts came flying at me. semi trucks would seem to be toppling over on me and buildings on the side of the road would explode into firey ruins. the buspar stopped all of that. i also never have had any side effects from it and i am the side effect queen. i seem to get them all.

so good luck with pdoc. i hope you find something that works.

I did well on Zoloft with the exception of some GI issues, at least for a while, until it gave out. If it were me, if I did well on the 12.5 mg dose, I'd stay on that, at least until I saw my psychiatrist.

i've been on zoloft a year and a half and it has helped me but it would probably be best to talk with your doc if it makes you feel worse maybe there's a better choice. i didn't experience feeling worse before i felt better

Zoloft saved my life in 1998. It kicked in early (4 days) and was a great course of treatment for 7 months. I did have a lil nausea and IBS, but overall a great drug for me.

Hope you find relief,

moogs

Thanks all. Glad for those it helped.

I'm going to keep tamping dose until I see doctor. I realize my body's anxiety is getting worse, and I'm staying in bed later - later and later. I got up to post that yesterday, then went back to bed until noon. (This is so unlike me to stay in bed! Not to be able to get out, then go right back to bed.... And I do get out and "try." But end up back in bed.)

Plus I've had a bad experience with another ssri.

It's a beautiful sunny day out. I got up earlier today to open my shades and let fresh air in. Yet back to bed so many times since after trying to start day so many times. Normally I'm an early riser.

Only reason up now is nervous energy started, and yet another attempt to start day without ending up in bed. So I'm here posting. Wish me luck.

Good news is my mind felt much clearer this morning, and more like me. I just feel so lethargic, and don't understand why I can't start day.

yes,i got worse before i got better on it. i went up to 200mg for depression, but coincidentally it didn't help that and only helped my anxiety.

Just thought of this, are you taking it at morning or night? It can make some people really lethargic. If you're having problems getting out of bed and taking it in the am, could you try taking it at night? I don't know, might make a difference.

kaliope

You're second person to recommend buspar. I will ask about it for sure.

pinkflower17
I've tried early morning and late morning. Same effect.

Will p-doc tomorrow.

Why aren't quotes working for me?

Ocean5 i posted on your other post, i will post here as well though...

im curious, do you experience depression?
have you heard of Bipolar disorder?

i ask because this is how we found out i have bipolar, the way i reacted to SSRI and SNRI medication

elevatedsoul

Depressed yes.... Once I started Zoloft realized how depressed I'd been. I lost my mom and other tragic events in past year. Anyone would be depressed. Or with my life.

I know of bi-polar. Can I ask how SSRI and SNRI relate?

I did go into last visit with p-doc and had written out what my mind/body go through. I was concerned it was related to a dissociation disorder. She told me it could be many things like bi-polar, psychosis, etc. She asked for lots of more details (and I've been seeing her for almost a year now.) She said it was "extreme anxiety" to the point it is debilitating to some...

But I'm in some usual circumstances to stay the least. Once back in normal environment I feel like I will be able to cope. Just need to get to that point.