Question posted by Adonees on 13 July 2012
Last updated on 28 November 2023 by JLfromNC
I am on Zoloft 50 mg since 6 months now, a month ago, I started to feel general fatigue and tiredness, now it is extreme, I feel tired after reading one page, and though, I keep laying down all day long, that affected my productivity and ability to study, totally.
What to do?
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Two possibilities: 1) The symptoms indicate depression returning which calls for increase of dose if you found 50mg helpful within the first 2 to 4 weeks. 2) The symptoms indicate too much serotonin in your system and need to taper dose maybe to 37.5 as a start and hold there for at least a couple weeks. I have been tapering from 125 over several weeks and am at 25 due to debilitating sedated feeling. Vigorous exercise definitely helps — but I can’t vigorously exercise 7 days a week!! The 24/7 adverse effect of the sedated sensation was exacerbating helplessness and hopelessness. These are not “side effects” these are adverse effects which need a consult with your provider and dose adjustment. You’re beyond the window of “it should get better soon.” If an ssri is going to work it will show some sign of improvement within the first couple weeks and if so, then remission or significant reductions should occur, if it’s going to, between 6 to 8 weeks.
Hi there! This is a normal side effect of the antidepressant. Try and build your activity up during the day when you can. I know laying down sounds delightful, but if you can overcome that, you'll probably feel better! I would also ask your doctor to see what he/she thinks. Antidepressants slow your nervous system down, so one isn't sensitive to everything. It can make you sleepy and not want to do anything. Once your blood levels adjust, which usually takes a good 30 days, your body will feel better and you have your energy level back. Hang in there and keep us posted!
You have gotten some good advice here. The said that helped me the most is question who you are getting advice from. See your doctor and get advice based on questions that have been researched on the net. I have a problem with sleep deprivation and deal with it by going to bed earlier because I wake at 4:30 AM not matter what time I go to bed. doctors cannot tell me why this is but now that I have clarified the issue I have gain a comfort level in my ability to deal with it. Hope this helps.
I feel the same way I started with 25 mg a month ago and it wasn’t working so my doctor increased it to 50 mg. I and so tiered and weak during the day. I fall asleep at 9:30 or 10. But I feel so exhausted and tired the next day. I have two kids I need to care for I can’t afford to be sleeping during the day.any advice?
The problem is probably adrenals. Not depression. Adrenals cause severe fatique. Antidepressants hurt adrenal problems. Look up symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. Thyroid? If you have thyroid problems you have to have meds for t4 not just t3. I'm figuring out after 8 yrs of in and out of mental hospitals. It's my adrenals making me so depressed.
I have the same reaction to my Zoloft. But it is seemingly starting to work for me so I stay on it. I eat more nuts and fruit for energy, make sure to work out in the morning and do not lay down in the day or sleep in. When you sleep in here and there or nap often or after 3 you disturb your sleep cycle and end up much more tired yet and for me, depressed.
Thank you.
But this reaction to Zoloft, has it started when first you started taking Zoloft? Or it developed later after you have been on it?
Because in my case it was fine for moths and then after being on it for months, I feel now super tired.
How many mg's of Zoloft you are on?
Ive been on it twice now. The first time for 3 years and the tiredness started after a month or so. This time it started right away. Im on 100mg
Celexa worked perfect for me for depression, I was on it for 16 years. Last Oct. (2014) I started getting anxiety really bad. My doc changed me to Zoloft (100mg) for depression and anxiety and I also take Xanax (10mg X 2 per day). I split my xanax up in to smaller doses throughout the day. I stay tired all the time. I don't know which one is causing it.
Hello Adonees. I am answering your last question/statement here, I cannot add it to the one where I answered joey's question. There is a difference in between my answer to joey and yours. Simply you are having a physical reaction. That is why I suggested you seek a doctors opinion. (did not mention a therapist) The question asked by joey was not in the same theme as yours. Two complete different issues. Best of wishes and do have a great weekend, pledge
I am on 100mg of sertraline. And I have been on it a week. Will feeling tied go away? I go back to my Dr in a month.
I would think that your dose could be increased, that's for sure. Depression causes decrease in energy and drive. If you can't see a dr readily you've got a real problem. How are you getting the zoloft? The dosing on zoloft is 50-200mg/day. If you try an increase I would just go up 50 mg at a time until you're used to the increased dose and see how that works. Before you moved, were you seen by a doctor to be sure you didn't have a physical problem causing the exhaustion?
I did see a doctor for physical problems, I did many tests. Some of the results like vitamin D and vitamin B12 were in the lowest part of the normal range, but yet not in the deficient range.
I visited a psychiatrist few times two years ago, and let me start with Cymbalta for one month, then feverine.
Then I moved to this area with lack of qualified professionals, and I did some research and found that Zoloft has really good reviews. So I started to take it, and it worked well for the past months, I buy as OTC from any pharmacy as any other medicine.
You told me that increasing the dose to 100 mg a day is good, but what if what I am having right now is revers reaction to the med? As Pledge noted (Commented also on this question) can develop later...
That's the problem when you don't have a doc to take charge of it. I truly can't imagine not having doctors available and being able to buy prescription drugs over the counter. There is a way to see if its the med. Don't take it in the am and see how you feel. Take it a little later then usual that day. Its a choice you have to make if you can't get to a reputable doctor. What you do is up to you.
I definately agree with everyone who has commented. Usually it takes about a month for the medication to start working in your system. If you had been taking this medication under a doctor they would slowly adjust your dosage up each month until the symptoms are under control. So it is not abnormal for you to have this drug work somewhat until just recently. It sounds like you have two options here... You can try and slowly increase your dosage of the Zoloft up ( increase the dosage monthly) . If you meet the maximum dosage or you just do not think it is working. Then STOP the Zoloft and if there is another drug like it you can buy OTC try one of them.
But I will say the same as everyone else you Really need to get into a Dr. to be seen to get the correct diagnosis. There are many reasons for the extreme fatigue you are having. I know you said that your B12 levels were low but not deficient... I know personally just because you are not deficient according to the Lab does not mean you do not need to worry about it.
As you will find Every Lab has it own set of limits they are usually close to the same but rarely are the completely accurate.
I assume that you can buy B12 supplements OTC and it will not hurt to start taking that supplement & see if that does not help you. As if your body is low on B12 it definately makes you extremely fatigued & tired.
But it is definately your call on your options but I did want to mention if it is hard to find a physicatrist usually just primary or family doctors can help you with depression. Good luck .
Hello Adonees. I suggest you tell/see your doctor. Your dose is low for Zoloft and you should not be feeling this tired. Extreme fatique is a adverse effect to taking the drug. Regards and be well, pledge
Thank you Pledge, I also believe that this can't be a side effect of Zoloft anymore, because I am on Zoloft for 6 months now and I didn't feel this before.
Since one month or more, it is worsening, now it is extreme fatigue and tiredness. and I sleep more than before. I am unable to study or work. I can just lay down for around 30 minutes, many times a day.
I would love to see a doctor, but I stopped that, because I am now in a third world country, and I didn't find luck with the very few I came across here.
That's why I wish you help me with this.
Reminder...
Hello Adonees. I answered your question. I believe that you Are having a bad/adverse reaction to the Zoloft. I am not a doctor so I recommend you seek medical help/advice.
Sorry to bother you, I will try best to find a good psychiatrist, as I mentioned it is not easy where I live.
But I have a question, does an adverse reaction to Zoloft can develop later (coupe of months) of starting on the med?
Yes it can. That was my answer to your question from the on set. It happens frequently. I hope that others who read your question will offer you thier opinion/answer to your question.
I know all my answers are going to be to go see my doctor but, I have recently been taken off of Celexa for Depression and put on Zoloft 9100mg) and Xanax (10mg) for Severe Anxiety and Depression. I feel drained ALL the time. I have no desire to do anything. I don't know if it's the Zoloft or the Xanax. I split up my xanax into smaller doses more often instead of taking it in larger doses. (My doc said that was fine) I take 5mg about every 4 hours which he has prescribed for me 10mg twice a day. I know that xanax relaxes a person but is that what is making me lose all my will to do anything or could it be the Zoloft. I go back to the doctor in a month. Just need an opinion from someone that has been through this before.
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