Zoloft isn't working PLZ HELP!! I have OCD, BPD, Situat/General Anxiety, Claustrophob, Depression?

Question

I am new to this support group but not to the? sight, I usually come here to compare meds and do some of my research, however I NEED to reach out and get answers (I just hope there are answers for me). At any rate, this is very long but I would greatly appreciate it if someone or ones can please shed some light for me….

I have OCD, Borderline Personality disorder, Anxiety both situational and general, claustrophobia, and depression. Wow! I just said a mouthful here; I am surprised I am even functioning. I am ran by severe non-stop anxiety and I have been on Generic Zoloft for 4 weeks and 3 days now. I started at 50mg, increased to 75mg a week later and 2 weeks later I increased to 100mg. (been on 100mg for 3 days now).

Z made me feel like a live wire, tossing and turning to the point I felt like I was on a rotisserie, my mind and body would not shut down and when it did start to shut down and I began to drift… I would immediately awake gasping in terror and dread. I had the Shakes’ as if my body was vibrating and my body would occasionally jerk, waking up every 10mins, there was a time I couldn't even go to sleep (I was up for 2 days straight) that was scary and I had to take a klonopin .5mg but even with the Klonopin, I would only sleep for a couple hrs. and wide awake again.

This also happened with each increase 50mg and 75mg, I am knocking on wood that I have yet had this problem with the increase of 100mg (3 days now). BUT, I still don't sleep like I use to. I use to sleep 8-10 hrs. and lovvvvved it! I would only wake up IF I needed to pee. Now I can only sleep 4-6hrs a day and I wake up 2-4x's in-between and I sleep REALLY light.

I still feel restless at times, I still feel the anxiety breaking through daily and a ton more when I am dealing with a stressful situation which I am currently in a stressful crisis and will be for the next few months, I still sweat easily but not as much however, my kids say that my room is cold with my A/C being so looow and I am still warm/hot (my hubby and kids call me a heater). I still get the shakes/trembles and if I do sleep for any longer than 2hrs straight... I wake up feeling a bit dread and my body vibrates so, I will get out of bed and try to shake it off and it does help after 15-30 mins (it's weird).

My mind still carries on and on when I lay down for bed and this goes on into my sleep about my stressful situation and upcoming events… I wish it would just stfu already!

At any rate, if I look back and compare before Z and 4weeks later on Z, I would say that I can see an improvement in many things during the day but it has been subtle and not like a light switch like many people say that they experience and not nearly as I would expect or hope because my anxiety is still there daily/nightly and I am starting to get angry about it.
I saw my General Doc (not my psychiatrist) and talked to her since I had an unrelated apt with her and I feel comfortable with her since she has decent enough knowledge to know if an ssri is working or not on someone based on the info/symptoms that the patient gives her. At any rate, She told me that it should be working by now and that I should not be going through any of this at this point of 4 weeks and that I should call my psychiatrist and ask for a change but I keep thinking maybe I need to give it more time since I just went to 100mg but idk what to think anymore since I have read so many different things on its dosages, it effectiveness for anxiety or shall I say ineffectiveness since it is for depression and not for any type of anxiety and if you only feel slight improvements after 4 weeks then it is not the right SSRI.

My General Doc told me that she swears by Zoloft and Lexapro but their hospital/medical center’s Psychiatrist prescribes a lot of anxiety patients Effexor which is an SSNI's.

I just don’t know any more on what to do or what to expect, I know that everyone is different and all meds work differently for everyone, so no one can tell me what is the best med that is NOT a benzo to personally take but if someone can relate and shed some light on my situation… I would GREATLY appreciate it more than I can express. I am just so tired and frustrated!!

((hugs)) Diana

Answer

I can't sleep on sertraline!! And I usually love my sleep too. SNRIs work SO much better for me - but I was saturated with sweat every day on them. Sertraline has definitely helped with my mood and confidence a little. But my anxiety is worse than when I'm taking venlafaxine.

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You were suffering extreme allergic reactions to Zoloft! And I had a horriying experience with my first Psychotic Episode. I was under enormous stress, traumatic marriage, baby crying due to our screaming about his affairs, and I didn't sleep for three days, and suddenly I would feel someone touch my face while I was trying to get a nap. People were in the closet, breathing heavily as if they were terrified, someone passed by my open window, and whispered, "It's a Conspiracy!" and the days suddenly lost all meaning. I was hospitalized the first time at Trippler Military Medical Center, my doctors wore Army Battle Readiness Fatigues and Combat Boots, it scared me to death! I was convinced they were going to shoot me. The put me on a dose of just 4mlgs of Risperdol, an Anti-Psychotic. I had a violent allergic reaction which caused me to appear to be in advanced sever stages of Parkinson's Disease.

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I lost all taste for food, I could not hold my head up, but it drooped down on my chest and I couldn't look at anything but my feet. I could not form sentences and mumbled slurred inchoherent things that made no sense. I could not walk but dragged my feet one after the other, not being able to move fast and slowly struggled to get to my room or wherever. My roomate suggested I tell my doctor that I needed less medicine. Even she could see that I was severely deformed in appearance like the huntchback, or the crippled. I told my doctor, "I think I need less medicine." and I slurred that out, not really understanding what I was telling him. He decreased the dose in fact he may have deleted it altogether. I will never forget the exact moment when I became alive again. I went to breakfast, and the food smelled delicious, and tasted like I had never had fresh pancakes and hot butter and syrup! Dinner was even more phenominal! Hot stir fried chinese beef and I even loved the green peppers which I normally hate. I began to walk up and down the ward hallways, with a nurse care giver, and the whole time, we sang gospel songs, and praised God! It was such joy, to be alive again! The room-mate that was in the hospital, for succide attempt, after her child had died, couldn't believe the change in me. In fact, she told me that I had inspired her so much, that she could go on and she checked-out, before I did. Later she came back with the most beatiful Lay (we lived in Hawaii on Army) and it had the sweetest smelling gardinas they smell like Paradise smells in Heaven. And she thanked me, for giving her hope, that if I could change so much for showing such joy and praise of Jesus, she said that I was the one to make her leave the hospital,, and live with joy.

Votes: +1

Answer

Hi Diana, Wow I can Relate ! I have been on so many Anti-depp. I can't name them all !!! I have OCD, Severe Depression and Anxiety.
I am going through a very SAD hard to take situation at the moment and I feel like I cannot handle it ! I am going INSANE, I can't get an appt. with Dr. till June 15th !!!
I have the vibrations, cannot stop Obsessing !!!
I have a problem where I might lose my Grandchild to a TRUE Physcopath that has already given up one child, son never married her and has no rights, she threaten to take her and we will never see her again !!! She is 2 yeras old and is the ONLY thing I LIVE for !!!
I would go to the hospital but you have to say you are Suicidal to get in and that would ruin my chancrs of seeing the baby !!!

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I have taken Zoloft, lexapro, effoexor, Prozac etc... either did not work or too bad of side effects. I have been on Xanax almost 30 years and I am CONVINCED that it has made every condition I have WORSE, I only take it at night and I am told that I CANNOT get off it !!! It could take 2 years to taper and then what would I do for the PNIC AND aNXIETY, i'M A SENIOR SO , i DON'T THINK IT WORTH EVEN TRYING TO GET OFF !!!
i STAY IN A constant STATE OF fear, hEART pOUNDING AND wORRY ABOUT LOSING MY gRANDBABY.
i DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ??? i JUST KNOW MY BODY AND mIND CANNOT HOLD OUT MUCH LONGER !!! My OCD is about my health alot of times and I have 3 places they want to Biopsy, I am too scared to find out the RESULTS !!! That is part of my problem, constant fear that I am going to DIE, I don't think I could handle having it CONFIRMED !!!
I am also AFRAID of taking Meds. that I have never taken !!!
I feel TRAPPED in my own mind !!!

Sorry for th "book" just desperate to "get it out there" !!!

Votes: +2

Answer

Hi Diana, Had exactly all the same reactions to you on zoloft and was just so relieved to get off it after 4 weeks I could take no more. Blessings, Aud s

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Hi Diana,
I too have BPD, Major Depression, PTSD, and anxiety all of which finally are under good control. Zoloft is a very weak medication I am very surprised that they would use something like this for such major issues but it this way Zoloft is so weak that they had me take it during my pregnancy because it was the one that was less potent then the other meds. For my BPD I am on 2 mood stabilizers: Lamictal and Depakote which have saved my life. To me it is OUTRAGEOUS that they would try and push lexapro or zoloft on you for med. management these two meds. are mainly to help depression and anxiety not the cyclic mood/emotional instability that comes with BPD thats just bullshit.

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I strongly urge you to find someone who specializes in personality disorders or even mood disorders you will absolutely get better results so much of the psychiatric community knows very little about BPD that they just throw meds at you and hope it helps I know personally from my years of experience struggling with BPD until I got some great doctors who knew about personality disorders and got me on the right track. I wish you the best of luck and don't give up!

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Hi Diana. I'm sorry you are feeling all this. It's interesting but I felt like you but not being on anything. I had  severe anxiety  and paniac attacks that lead to depression. So it appears it is not working for you. Maybe you should be evaluated for mania. Hang in there!

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Hi Diana,

It is very frustrating to try new meds and to wait in suspense for it to work. I personally have tried Zoloft for 3 months and I literally cried all 3 months and became very suicidal and had to be committed. I have tried everything on the market including Effexor, I personally would not suggest this bc it is habit forming and it is pretty difficult to withdraw from, I had hallucinations, heard voices, had panic attacks, became reclusive and I was NEVER like that b4! I knew someone that took Lithium to try withdraw from alcohol but he mixed the 2 and he was psychotic. If u were on it and monitored very closely it may work for u. I am on low doses of Prozac and it has least amount of side effects for me. I have tried higher dosage but that just numbed all my feelings. 
Be patient when trying new meds, I know its tough bc u want the change immediately, but the normal period is about a month or two for u to see the results. Good luck, my best to u!

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Hi Diana, I don't have the exact same diagnoses that you have, but Wellbutrin has a reputation for helping OCD symptoms. I take it along with Luvox, klonopin, and I take Ambien for sleep. These have helped w/depression, anxiety, PTSD. Hope you find what works for you soon!

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Thank you everyone for replying.

I have also set up a sleep study because I am experiencing 3hrs a sleep and I wake up every 45mins. When I wake up, I wake up with my body vibrating and it starts to go away as soon as I fully awake, but it is very alarming.

((Hugs))

Votes: +1

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O.k. Diana - the mind not stopping is something I understand. Its so hard then the stomach starts churning and its a vicious cycle. Zoloft for me was o.k. for  anxiety attacks  but didnt help with the depression or Aropax (Paxil) or Cymbalta or Avinza (Remeron) Effexor has helped with all the symptons. Ive been on it 3 times why ? cause the very first time it was a god send, I felt like life was good my head eased. Then I went off it - I havent had that feeling since. Now I am tyring it again as I havent been on anything for a few weeks & it was an ideal time to go on Effexor agin. Its been abit hard as it can cause nervousness or anxiety - but that eases. And so does the mind and moods and it a joy to live.

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Hello hopelessinMN! I am sorry that you are going through such a terrible time. I know it is even harder being a wife and mother. You said that you thought Zoloft worked a little. It sounds like that you may need an additional medication for your anxiety. Sometimes Zoloft can take more time to work but you should have noticed a change by now. Zoloft can help with anxiety. It works for me. Some people's anxiety level is so high that they need a medication just for the anxiety. My daughter has high anxiety and she takes Paxil and Xanax. As you know it can take several trials of medications before you find the right one. I suggest that you go back to your psychiatrist to discuss this with him. Insomnia is one of the most reported side effect of Zoloft. I have been on Zoloft for years now and I struggle with insomnia every day.

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I understand your frustration, we have all been there! So please see your pscyhe doc asap so that he can evaluate your situation. I hope everything works out for you. Let everyone know how you are doing. Sweetie Pie

Votes: +1

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Hello Diana, i completely understand. I too was on zoloft and i hung in there for about 9 weeks in hopes that it would get better, but at every increase my mind went crazy and i went through major anxiety. Please talk to your dr and let him/her know your symptoms. I recently got switched to lexapro and it to early to say that its working, but i do feel some relif throughout the day. There are so many treatment options nowadays that there is no need to put yourself through this. Hang in there I am sure that you will find the right Antidepressant for you. Keep in touch and let me know if you need anything. xoxo - Nena

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Hi Diana,

Welcome to the support group,you will meet lots of people going through the same issues as you are or can relate to how you're feeling in some way!!
I am so very sorry you are having it tough at the mo and i can understand your frustration and the tired feeling anxiety leaves us with.
I too suffer from anxiety,panic attacks,depression,ocd and a few months back diagnosed with endometriosis,i find anxiety is the worst to try overcome as it comes out of nowhere and the changes in meds can be soooo frustrating,waiting to see will one work,then it does'nt and have to try another!!

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I am currently on valdoxan its a supposed new med that has melatonin to help with sleepless nights also, I have tried Lexapro which is nearly the same as zoloft and among other meds but have'nt found the right combo to help me feel somewhat"normal", i know you said you did'nt want benzo's,but i take xanax and so far after a long list of meds i've been trying,its the only one that calms me,and helps with anxiety,i take it as prescribed,no more-no less and it helps alot. I'm giving the valdoxan a go to see will that work along with the xanax and tapering off seroquel which works wonders for some,for me-it did nothin!!

I would advise you to go back to your pysc about the med you are currently on,its obviously not working for you,i know you dont want to take benzo's but if taken as prescribed and not abused then it the like of xanax can be a very good med for helping deal with panic and anxiety. You should'nt be suffering the side effects that you are at this stage-4weeks,the med should be working for you,my pysc did the same with me when putting me on effexor,i had the same effects as you are having now and he kept uppin the dose,i kept tellin him it was making me worse but he kept uppin til i had a very bad episode and turned violent. Go back to your pysc and explain how you are feeling!
Hope this helps
Best of luck to you with it.

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Hi Diana,
I've been on Wellbutrin for major depression and have found it works well for me. I'm not sure how well it works for anxiety, but have a friend who has general anxiety- she's found Effexor works. I'm not sure if they can be used together but if your doc is open to talking these two might be options.
Take care

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Hi Diana. my name is and welcome to the site. I think that you might well try prozac. I say this because often, users that have a bad reaction to zoloft will do well on prozac. And very often the opposite. I understand your feeliong about  benzos . been there and done it. (not knocking benzos, works wonders for people, just not for me). The prozac will help your anxiety, and ocd. And, work towards your depression. Theres so much out there. and as you said, trial and error. I might suggest prozac and wellbutrin. I myself, would stop the zoloft. No point in your body going through what you're having to put up with. your dr. might swear by this and that, but in the end, its how you react to the medication. I'll be checking in later on see what some of the other members of the site have to suugest and say. best to you Diana, keep up a smile :-0)

Zoloft isn't working PLZ HELP!! I have OCD, BPD, Situat/General Anxiety, Claustrophob, Depression?

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