[claireunderwood]

Hello,

I started taking 50mg Zoloft / sertraline for anxiety 8.5 weeks ago. Prior to that I was taking 25mg for a month, then increased to 50mg.

While it has had a little bit of positive impact on my anxiety - though there is still definite room for improvement, so I had been contemplating talking to my doctor about increasing the dosage - I think it is causing me to be depressed. Prior to taking it I had struggled with depression sometimes, usually triggered by situational factors, the crippling anxiety and the sleep issues that come with it, but my main issue has always been anxiety. For the last few weeks, though, I find myself wanting to stay in bed all day. As in, I am in bed until 6pm or later some days (not necessarily sleeping, but in bed). I just...cannot find the motivation to do very much of anything most of the time. I also feel incredibly tired and am often sad and teary. I should add that I have had some incredibly stressful things going on in my life, so I probably can't attribute the depression solely to Zoloft but I do think it's contributing heavily because it's been going on for a while now.

I'm going to speak to my doctor, but was wondering if you folks had any thoughts.

Could increasing the dose improve the depressive symptoms (side effects?) along with my anxiety? Or, if the Zoloft is in fact exacerbating / causing my depression would a dose increase just worsen it? Like I said, I'll speak to my doctor but oftentimes these things are trial and error, even in the eyes of the doctor, so I'd be interested in your thoughts and experiences.

Thank you

[LonesomeTonight]

Depression can be a side effect of SSRIs, as can fatigue/drowsiness. It's possible increasing the dose could help, but it could also make it worse. You might just need a different med. So I'd definitely talk to your p-doc.

[claireunderwood]

Originally Posted by LonesomeTonight

Depression can be a side effect of SSRIs, as can fatigue/drowsiness. It's possible increasing the dose could help, but it could also make it worse. You might just need a different med. So I'd definitely talk to your p-doc.

Thanks. I'll definitely talk to my doc next week. I think he will leave it up to me whether I try a dose increase or a new med altogether. What do you think you'd do if presented with either option? Since really either one is a "YMMV" kinda situation...

[claireunderwood]

If anyone else has any input or suggestions I'd greatly, greatly appreciate them! TIA.

[baseline]

Originally Posted by claireunderwood

If anyone else has any input or suggestions I'd greatly, greatly appreciate them! TIA.

Claire, Thanks for posting this. I have recently had the same thoughts. I have been on it for a year with therapy. I am up to 75mg, 100mg made me shake. It has helped my panic attacks tremendously but my depression remains the same. As you described worse sometimes with situations. My family doc prescribed it and I haven't really noticed until recently. I will definitely discuss this with him next visit. thank you

[Sinking Feeling]

While zoloft does wonders for many, others it can be counterproductive. For me it just made me more jumpy, more anxiety, more nervous, and it also gave me a weird feeling I only experienced from pot and LSD without the hallucinations. The weird thing is last year I was able to take it long term with none of these side effects then. So like any thing else, it's going to be a hit or miss.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by claireunderwood

Thanks. I'll definitely talk to my doc next week. I think he will leave it up to me whether I try a dose increase or a new med altogether. What do you think you'd do if presented with either option? Since really either one is a "YMMV" kinda situation...

Have you tried other SSRIs or SNRIs (Effexor, Cymbalta, etc.) in the past? If you haven't or there are some you haven't tried, it might be worth trying a different one. I think Zoloft is one of the easier ones to get off of, too (while Paxil is difficult to get off of--I think it has to do with how long the drug stays in your body). See which one your doc recommends.

[claireunderwood]

Originally Posted by Sinking Feeling

While zoloft does wonders for many, others it can be counterproductive. For me it just made me more jumpy, more anxiety, more nervous, and it also gave me a weird feeling I only experienced from pot and LSD without the hallucinations. The weird thing is last year I was able to take it long term with none of these side effects then. So like any thing else, it's going to be a hit or miss.

Thanks! It seems to help with my anxiety (though not enough yet) but I don't know what's going on depression-wise. It sucks how much this stuff is hit or miss as you said.

Originally Posted by LonesomeTonight

Have you tried other SSRIs or SNRIs (Effexor, Cymbalta, etc.) in the past? If you haven't or there are some you haven't tried, it might be worth trying a different one. I think Zoloft is one of the easier ones to get off of, too (while Paxil is difficult to get off of--I think it has to do with how long the drug stays in your body). See which one your doc recommends.

I've tried Lexapro, but that's the only other one so far. I wish this stuff wasn't so YMMV. I am glad that if I do have to go off Zoloft it isn't supposed to be as difficult as Paxil or Effexor, with their shorter half lives.

[claireunderwood]

Originally Posted by baseline

Claire, Thanks for posting this. I have recently had the same thoughts. I have been on it for a year with therapy. I am up to 75mg, 100mg made me shake. It has helped my panic attacks tremendously but my depression remains the same. As you described worse sometimes with situations. My family doc prescribed it and I haven't really noticed until recently. I will definitely discuss this with him next visit. thank you

No problem! I hope you get some answers / find a solution. I'd be curious to hear what your doctor suggests when you see him, if you don't mind updating us!

This stuff can be so frustrating!