Anxiety/brain function experiences advice

[Mike7777]

Hey guys, anyone here remember how long they were on zoloft before it fully worked? I just got back on but have been on it before years ago. Im going to be at 2 weeks tomorow. I also take lorazepam and it really helps but dont want to get addicted, ive only taken .25mg at a time. I know zoloft has side effects but thats mainly why my doc prescribed me lorazepam/ativan. Anyone have good or bad experiences with these medications?

[StressedAF72]

Sorry, Mike. I’ve only been on Effexor aka Venlafaxine

[Jamie2018]

It was a good 6 to 8 weeks for me.i was on ativan until the zoloft kicked in. Hang in there it will get better.

[hypercat54]

Hi I have been taking this for years and don't remember any nasty side effects to start with. x

[PushingThru]

For me it took the full 8 weeks! I didn't have any helper meds in the mean time either 😕

[Mike7777 in reply to PushingThru]

Did it mess with your stomach or like make you feel faint when you had to have a bowel movement?

[PushingThru in reply to Mike7777]

I started in April and even now, I will get the sweats and feel faint occasionally with bowel movements. I've noticed most recently that this happens when I am more visibly anxious already, but I had a bunch of side effects (fairly tolerable) when I first started. Now the only consistent one I notice is softer stools.

First couple of weeks I had insomnia and night sweats, dizzy spells, hot rushes, muscle weakness and tremors. None of these would last more than a short period of time though.

[Mike7777 in reply to PushingThru]

Yea i have some dizzy spells but its like depending on what i eat or after i eat certain things mainly spicy or food like that it messed me up. Do you ever get scared when you feel like your going to faint? Does it actually happen or what? Ive never fainted but when i feel like i might my heartrate goes up and i sort of panic.

[PushingThru in reply to Mike7777]

Never fainted on the Zoloft. Felt like I was going to but I either quickly crouch down or bend over and it passes in seconds. Just take deep breaths and let the world fall away until you feel steady again. If you have low blood pressure then you might faint so keep that in mind. Zoloft can lower blood pressure and slow heart rate so you may want to monitor that.

[Mike7777 in reply to PushingThru]

Its really hard. I dont want to rely on taking ativan but it helps calm me down. I dont have low blood pressure or slow heartbeat. If anything my heartrate goes up.

[Mike7777 in reply to PushingThru]

Is it worth it to tough it out?

[PushingThru in reply to Mike7777]

I know it has definitely helped. I still get anxious but it does not ramp up nearly as high as it used to. It doesn't take everything away, nor should it, but I've found it gives me enough of a boost to use my other tools for coping to get through bad situations. I'm recovering from a COMPLETE mental breakdown though, so truly it's taken about 3 months to climb this far but the Zoloft needs to be given a chance. I was ready to give it up after 6 weeks but glad I listened when my Doc said to wait for week 8. Some of us are slower than others. I'd stick with it. It's for long term benefit!