... started taking it in the morning. I was fine for a few days but now 2 days ago I started having major anxiety & panic attacks. I had anxiety before i started taking the meds but not even close to what I'm experiencing now!! The side effects are horrible and I keep reading that I have to give it like a month to really work. I'm willing to ride it out if thats really the case but if not I'd rather stop. Does the anxiety and panic attacks go away over time? and usually how long? and why is it worse ever since I started taking zoloft? I took 1/2 (0.5) of Klonopin last night because the anxiety was that bad and it put me to sleep. I hate how i feel and dont know what to do??? I told my psych and his response was that I have 2 choices, either I stick it out and stay on it or get off. Not much help :o( -can someone please help!!
Hi I started Zoloft 25mg like 8 days ago. the first 2 days I took it at night & couldnt sleep so i?
Question posted by ELLDELL on 13 Jan 2012
Last updated on 17 April 2017
6 Answers
So far your doing well just remember to try and take it about the same time each morning. Also, the worst part for most is just the first week or two then it starts getting better as it goes, So see how you're doing after a couple weeks and if it is just too much talk with your doctor so they may be able to give you something to help settle this down for you. keep at it for now.
I just started 25 mg yesterday and now feeling a little worried after reading some of the responses to the what side effects everyone is having. I work night shift and I am worried how taking this medication will impact doing my night shift? Anyone else doing the same. Thank you!
I guess everyone's different, so the side-effects and their solutions might be different too. But here is my experience, for what it's worth, and I hope it helps. My doctor said Zoloft (25mg) would take "about two weeks to kick in." He was right on! It kicked in almost exactly two weeks later. Worked very nicely with the depression for quite awhile, but then, as mentioned by one of the 2012 writers above, I began experiencing panicky anxiety. My doctor was surprised, because Zoloft is "supposed to combat anxiety too" (supposed to help you stay "all-around rounded"). But okay, so he had me start taking HALF OF a 0.25 Xanax anti-anxiety pill, along with the Zoloft. That worked miracles. After about two months I was able to stop the Xanax. It's been seven months now, and hope to stop the Zoloft soon too. If you get a few other little physical problems in your first two weeks -- minor sleep disturbance, minor headaches or tinnitus -- don't worry, they will go away. You will be fine.
Hey ELLDELL,
This is my 3rd time trying to answer, google chrome is eating my responses and I am about fed up with them. OK, I'm not a professional - but I've run the gamut of anti-depressents. With all due respect to the previous answers, I disagree. I had a super bad reaction to Prozac, it was during Hurricane Katrina, and I developed OCD (not one of my issues) about those poor people, what they were going through, I had nightmares about it, by the end of the week I couldn't even really form a sentence. I was talking to one of my oldest friends, and she said, "stop taking it & call your dr." DUH, my dr. didn't say I had only 2 choices, that's crap.
You have 100 choices, I'd change dr.'s for one, there are so many other meds - I had to try 3 before I found one (Paxil, which although worked, can make you gain weight and is notoriously hard to get off of) I had to switch to Zoloft to get off Paxil, so I think they're very similar, there are so many other choices, why doesn't he just try something different? What if your reaction was: "I'm having trouble breathing" Would he say, Well, you have 2 choices, take the medicine like a good girl, and don't breathe as much, or quit the meds and you can breathe all day. My experience with Prozac got worse not better, they gave me Effexor when it first came out & I loved it because I had just had twins (they were premie's due to pre-eclampsia, and one didn't make it - she only lived 5 days and 6 months in Texas Childrens Hospital) that's why the anti-depressant's. I didn't gain much weight while pregnant, but Effexor - when it first came out was like speed - which I loved, but I was so nervous. Anyway, I digress, they've altered it now. But there are a bunch of new ones, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, you don't have to suffer. I'd find another Dr. asap, no-one said anything like that to me - not my Ob-Gyn, not my Primary Care, Not Pshyc. He has no empathy, it is no biggie for people to have to try a couple, before they find what fits. And the 30 day thing, I was told is how long it takes to get the full effect. Call your Primary Care if you have a good rapport with her/him or even your GYN, tell them you're going to switch dr.'s (if that's what you chose) also, check your blood pressure, I have anxiety issues too, and my blood pressure would shoot sky high. I hate to disagree with the others - they've been on this forum a lot longer than me, but I've been dealing with anxiety & depression forever. I just didn't take anti-depressants, until 1995. Weigh everybody's response, but also listen to your body & do you really want a dr. like that? I'm lola1022 - let me know what happens, but if your blood pressure's way up - maybe that will change his mind. One more thing... shouldn't phsyc (opaths?) have a tad more empathy? Good luck.
thank you all for your responses. Everyones yelling at me to stay away from the internet cause it can drive you insane reading everything, but I find myself more at ease. I apprecate all the answers. I almost gave up at least 4 times in just a lousy 9 days, lol. I'm sticking it through. I dont like the side effects but i'm also not a big fan of meds so the thought made me alittle edgy. I do see a change in my mood more and more everyday so I do see it helping me. You know what they say "patience is a virtue". Nothing happens over night. So I'm trying real hard to stick it out. Everyone around me see's a big change so I guess thats good. Hopefully I wont have to be on for more then 6 months. With changing my diet and eating healthy, excersize, yoga, massages ... I'll be able to get off in due time. Like I said I'm not a big med person. I believe in naturally doing things. thank you again, I realy appreciate the responses
Hey ELLDELL,
I recently started taking Zoloft, and came across the question you posted last Jan. I am a few weeks into taking Zoloft and seem to be having the same kind of side effects you were having. Just curious if the side effects ever got better in time? I don't know if you're even using this site anymore, but I thought it would be worth a try.
Thanks!
So sorry that you are going through this, but my DC friends are right. You have to give it time atleast 4 - 8 weeks, but if the side effects are unbearable talk to your PDR to change you. zoloft had the same effect on me my anxiety was through the roof, but for others it works wonders. Give it a chance and if you see its not right for you switch. Good luck and God Bless - Nena
Hello ELLDWELL. Welcome to the site. I'm afraid in my point of view is that your psychiatrist is correct. He might have added a bit more in as much as your concern about the side effects, how and what will happen, when they'll ease up, abate. Anxiety should ease up some what, as will the panic attacks, the drug is made to help in those areas. If you're taking Zoloft for anxiety, I don't see why you're taking Klonopin or vice versa. Why take Zoloft if you're taking Klonopin. Unless your doctor is weaning you off of the Klonopin, and its been replaced by the Zoloft. The starting dose for treating panic disorder with Zoloft is 25mg. So your doctor has started you out on the correct dose. I'm afraid you'll have to be a bit more patient, if it gets to the point where you say, thats it, I want out, then do so (just don't stop taking it without your doctors knowledge) for you'll go through some nasty side effects if you do.
He could replace it with another SSRI while you're still taking the Zoloft. Best wishes along with good health to you,pledge
Hi ELLDELL
You made the right choice taking the Zoloft in the morning. Antidepressants causes insomnia so its usually not a good idea to take them at night. Antidepressant can make anxiety and panic worst while its trying to build up in your system and while your body is trying to get use to it. I know side effects are hell the first couple of weeks. My first antidepressant took 6 to 8 weeks to start working and I thank God I hung in there but I almost gave up twice on taking them. Try your best to hang in there and give the medication a chance to work. These on online support groups and depression and anxiety forums got me through it.
I hope start to feel better,
Dream
Related topics
zoloft, anxiety, panic disorder, sleep disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, sleep
Further information
- Zoloft uses and safety info
- Zoloft prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Zoloft (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
