Zoloft?

[Whererunormal_29]

Anyone take zoloft? If so does it help you with anxiety? I'm currently taking fluoxetine and it seems to make my anxiety worse!

[BecR1025]

How long have you been taking fluoxetine? If it is a new medication for you or a new dose, it can take a couple of months for it to starting working. Symptoms can also get worse before they get better as the medication starts to kick in. I am not on either of those meds but I am on Citalopram. It took a good 3 weeks before I started noticing some things getting better. But before that, I felt 100% worse. I would wake up with a racing heart, I would get dizzy all of the time, I felt foggy and like a depressed zombie. I had a heck of a time functioning. If you have been taking this medicine for awhile, make an appointment with your doctor to see about dosage or change. Just don't stop taking it cold turkey.

[Whererunormal_29 in reply to BecR1025]

I've been taking fluoxetine on and off for 3 years now, but recently I have been taking it for 2 months and I am having the same thing waking up in the middle of the night with my heart racing and feeling weak and shaky. I ask about zoloft because my dr. Prescribed me that today. She wants me to just stop taking fluoxetine and start taking the zoloft. Shouldn't I be tapered off the fluoxetine first? I'm just so tired of this anxiety, I thought maybe first I had sleep apnea or something because it's so hard for me to stay asleep I keep waking up with racing heart which leads to me having a panic attack. Leaving me to feel anxious and shaky all day. Just want my life back!

[BecR1025 in reply to Whererunormal_29]

I have heard of switching medications at the same dosage instead of tapering off then starting over on a new one. Since it has been two months, maybe trying a different medication might be best? It's really all about what you feel comfortable doing. The unfortunate part of all of this is that there is no over night fix and no matter what you choose, it will take time and crappy side effects. When I have bad anxiety days/weeks I will wake up with the rapid heart beat, weird tingling feeling at the base of my skull, and the shaking. So if it makes you feel better, I do experience that and I do not have sleep apnea. Have you spoken to your doctor about your possibilities of sleep apnea? Not that I am saying you have it or anything, but to maybe put your mind as ease at least about that?

[Mike7777]

I take zoloft currently been for 2 weeks and a day. No huge improvements yet, ive had some side effects like stomach issues and increased anxiety, i called my doc and they said it takes around 3 weeks for a therapy dose if not longer sometimes. But ive taken zoloft in the past and had great success. You gotta tough out side effects if any until it kicks in. I take ativan to help.

[Whererunormal_29 in reply to Mike7777]

I've been taking fluoxetine on and off for 3 years now, but recently I have been taking it for 2 months and I am having the same thing waking up in the middle of the night with my heart racing and feeling weak and shaky. I ask about zoloft because my dr. Prescribed me that today. She wants me to just stop taking fluoxetine and start taking the zoloft. Shouldn't I be tapered off the fluoxetine first? I'm just so tired of this anxiety, I thought maybe first I had sleep apnea or something because it's so hard for me to stay asleep I keep waking up with racing heart which leads to me having a panic attack. Leaving me to feel anxious and shaky all day. Just want my life back!

[Mike7777 in reply to Whererunormal_29]

Well im not sure, they are both SSRIs so im not too sure about tapering off or switching one to another as i havent had to switch yet. Do you take any benzos? They help with panic attacks.. i know they arent the best because of dependancy but they have helped me greatly when needed to push through those attacks.

[Whererunormal_29 in reply to Mike7777]

I have tried xanax and it just seems to make my anxiety worse once it wears off my anxiety is back 10x worse.

[Mike7777 in reply to Whererunormal_29]

Xanax isnt a good one and very addictive in my opinion. I take ativan it works well, theres also longer acting ones such as klolopin.

[Whererunormal_29 in reply to Mike7777]

Thank you for the info I'll have to bring that up to my dr. I feel like we are just trying everything right now and nothing seems to help!

[amandagray]

ive been on zoloft for a couple years now and its honestly helped me a lot. its good for depression and anxiety. i used to not be able to leave my apartment in fear of what people thought of me but since zoloft i have been so much better. in all honesty my main problem was depression and it really helped me with that but it helped with my anxiety as well. if your current medication is not working well for u i definitely think zoloft can be a good alternative

[SKCW]

Hi, My mom was having these anxiety streaks in the middle of the night, coming out of sleep. This was not typical for her at all. She went on Zoloft and they went away. She sleeps so much better now, as well. The doctor now wants to move her to a different antidepressant, in case there is any interference with dopamine uptake, but now that she's been down 25 mg, her sleep is not as good. I'm very wary of going off it, as it seems to help her so well.