I have been on Zoloft for 5+ years. I started to feel like it was not working. Not sure if it was the dark long winter days or just that I built up a tolerance. My Dr increased my dose from 50 to 75 mg. Day 1-6 no noticeable change but the last 5 days I have been anxious, shakey and not sleeping great. I feel like I should just drop back to the 50?? I can't imagine going another week feeling this way. Today is day 12. Any advice on how to relax? Or do I just have to tough it out.
I just changed my Zoloft dosage and feeling anxious does a 25 mg increase make this happen?
Question posted by Star71 on 1 Jan 2018
Last updated on 1 May 2019
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4 Answers
Kevlintunk
4 Jan 2019
I am in the exact situation! Went from 50mg Zoloft to 75mg Zoloft after 5 years of being on 50mg, the side effects kicked in around day 7, I felt so awful that after day 10 I went back down to 50mg. I don't remember this when I started 50mg 5 years ago!
Star71
4 Jan 2019
I am glad I stayed on the 75mg and pushed on. After a month I felt way better. Go out and walk, pray, read a good book, ride a bike or learn something new. When you are in it feeling so anxious and bad you think it will never end. Take one day at a time. You can get thru it!
Kevlintunk
30 April 2019
Are you still doing well on 75
Star71
1 May 2019
Yes doing well.
lululemonsquare
30 Jan 2018
Hi Star - I've been on Zoloft for 15+ years and recently had some breakthrough anxiety so my doctor upped my dosage to 75mg (from 50mg) and I am on Day 11 today. The first week and a half was AWFUL - no appetite, tummy trouble, and heightened anxiety. But yesterday and today was better. I am calmer and more focused. I have done this once before about four years ago (it took a bit longer to feel the benefits) and it does take time for the new dosage to kick in and do its thing. I had a lot going on at Christmas so I think my anxiety went into overdrive and my 50mg wasn't cutting it. Good luck to you!
Star71
30 Jan 2018
Thank you, I have been taking to 75mg for 2 1/2 weeks now and feeling much better. I still have a bit of anxiousness but I am able to deal with it much better. I really did not think I was going to have the side effects so bad because I have been taking zoloft for so long. I thought I was losing my mind. Thanks for reaching out it is so nice to hear other people have gone threw the same thing.
SweetMomTo2
24 Oct 2018
I know this was posted back in January but I am hoping to get a response! I have been on Zoloft for quite a while now ... 4-5 years now at 50mg. I didn’t really feel like it was doing much for me so my psychiatrist switched me to Cymbalta. After 6 weeks I still felt just blah. Then I tried Viibryd for about 5 days and I was NOT happy with that. SO, I’ve been back on my 50mg Zoloft for about 6 weeks now and about two weeks ago was increased to 100mg. For the last two weeks I have been waking up with the most insane anxiety. Like I cannot even go to work and I don’t want to do much social activity. Xanax is helping get through my day but waking up with instant anxiety and worry is insane to me. Do I keep giving the 100mg Zoloft more time or should I consider switching?
geokar
2 Jan 2018
Hi Star Wild cat vet is right everything I have read about dosage increases report the same things as when they started. If possible I would hang in there another week or so if it haven't subsided talk to your doctor he may change the drug.
Star71
2 Jan 2018
Spoke to my Dr today and she said I should drop down to the 50mg. I have an appointment next week to try something else. Thank you for your support.
WildcatVet
1 Jan 2018
Hi, Star! It's not uncommon for an antidepressant to start to "wear off" with long term use plus, as you say, you may be experiencing a bit of Seasonal Affective Disorder. After five years it would also not be uncommon to experience side effects when increasing your dosage. Did you have side effects when you first started taking your Zoloft? Insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, mood swings, and the "jitters" are reported frequently.
You could go back to your original dose although it's not going to be as effective or you could try to stick it out for a short while longer. Side effects generally resolve within a few days to a week or so and rarely cause significant problems.
Best regards and I hope you're feeling better soon. Happy New Year!
Star71
1 Jan 2018
I can't remember how I felt because it was so long ago. Haha I am going to give it few more days and call my Dr. If it does not get better. I have been reading a lot of comments and it seems normal to feel this way. Thank you for the support
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a-25, zoloft, anxiety, dosage, tolerance
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