New member need advice. Zoloft - Anxiety and Depre...

Anxiety and Depression Support

92,641 members86,484 posts

New member need advice. Zoloft

paruxhr profile image
17 Replies

Hello everyone I am 31 years old. Male. I have had anxiety since I was about 20 been on medication called a citalopram and escitalopram For that period of time. My man anxiety was not fully managed I would still have days and weeks more stress than usual. But I was able to make it through.This January out of nowhere my anxiety got out of control I wake up every morning with my heart racing feeling anxious week not able to eat and this last throughout the day. I went to see my doctor and he prescribed me .25 MG of Xanax which barely did anything but was able to slightly relax me. But this has been going on for two months now every single day with no sign of relief. I think my escitalopram maybe just stop working completely after all the years I’ve been taking it so I’m hoping to switch to Zoloft after doing research about it. Is anyone on here taking Zoloft and what dosage and has any feedback on it that would be greatly appreciated. Also my PCP took me off the Xanax and prescribed Klonopin .5 mg because he said it last longer in the body and I’ve been taking it three times a day for the past two weeks but still every day I am anxious and tense all day long so I don’t know if that’s working either. Who has experience with Zoloft please advise thank you

Written by
paruxhr profile image
paruxhr
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
17 Replies
Pugglesworth profile image
Pugglesworth

I'm trying Zoloft after being on Celexa for four years. The Celexa just slowly started making me sick. I also take Klonopin. For me, Klonopin is longer lasting and puts me on an 'even keel' so to speak. I take 0.5 mg around lunch time. Klonopin sticks around about 12 hours for me. Celexa and Lexapro are closely related to each other. I tried Lexapro, but it also made me ill. That sometimes happens with SSRI's (and any med for that matter).

Getting meds that work for you sucks. They take about a month with me to begin working and don't reach their actual potential until almost three months. And sometimes they don't work for me and make things worse. That's why my doctor prescribes the benzos. Benzos have their own drawbacks, but it's better than flailing around on my own.

The only recommendation I have is give it time. You should know within a month if it's going to help. As far as relief is concerned: exercise, drink plenty of water, do something you enjoy, spend time with friends and family. Even if you don't feel like doing any of that.

I've taken off and on for quite some time, just not currently. I'm guessing you want it for anxiety? Ask them about Busar. It takes awhile but actually starts to help. And I take 2mg Xanax a day. So that's how my anxiety is. I haven't been waking up in a panic anyways and I'm able to eat solid foods now. Before it felt like I was going to choke. I take 10mg buspar 3 times a day.

Sprinkle1 profile image
Sprinkle1

I was on Zoloft for 10 years, it worked great, unfortunately I built up a tolerance to it so had to change. It has been a hard time for me, for the new pills did not work and caused me more agro. I was going nuts last year, I went to emergency, it was a Sunday, so I could not get a hold of my Dr. A Dr. there put me on Lorazapam, it worked wonders, used it up and ending up going to emergency again, on a Sunday, sat and waited 5 hours, Dr. gave me an antihistamine, said it would calm me down and help me sleep!!! Finally I got to see my DR. she wrote me a script for Lorazapam 10 mg 3 times a day. It was a god send. It is a controlled substance and I had to sign for it each month. Then in Sept she put me on Cymbalta 20 mg, I got some relief, so we upped it to 50 mg, it helps with depression and anxiety. I was able to come off the Lorazapam, but I keep some by my bed, and carry one with me....so far so good. I am whole again and happy. I hope this is of help for you, a fellow sufferer, who sends love, peace and big hugs......Sprinkle 1....

We cannot here recommend medications. People are all different and medications can sometimes suit one person and not the other. At 10 weeks try and allow more time. Changing medications to often can cause problems especially if you keep trying something else. I have been taking Citalopram now for many years, yes I still suffer depression and anxiety every few days although in general they work for me. However you are different person with your own needs and expectations.

If worried, explain that to your Doctor

BOB

Well I take 30mg of escitalopram and its helping me it gives me an acid reflux but so does the anxiety itself. What dose have you been taking of escitalopram? I only take Clonazepam for epilepsy with another epilepsy medication but at a much lower dose than that. I have heard that benzodiazepines like Clonazepam/Klonopin are not recommended for anxiety and/or anxiety disorders because people can become addicted to them, abuse them or develop a tolerance to them so they depend on them too much, which can result in a similar way to alcohol abuse and/or dependency.

paruxhr profile image
paruxhr in reply to

20 mg of escitalopram

I will be back a bit later to talk properly if thats ok.

paruxhr profile image
paruxhr in reply to

That’s fine yes

Yes, 20mg is the highest recommended dose for anxiety or an anxiety disorder. I was recommended higher only because its best for relapsw prwvention which I am prone to with my profound OCD. I suggest you go back to your doctor to discuss the situation but I must admit wscitalopram is the best one out there 'so an OCD expert told me'. Dont change or stop medications without consulting your dr first is my advice.

paruxhr profile image
paruxhr in reply to

Saw my psychiatrist today he put me on Zoloft starting at 25mg for the one week then up to 50mg for the next week then up to 100 mg after 3 weeks

That's the best way to do it to see if it agrees with you first and then if it's helping you which it usually does help but only from 150mg to 200mg. Did your Paychiatrist inform you about side effects?

paruxhr profile image
paruxhr in reply to

He said there would be little to no side affects. But I read online all the side effects that could happen

Go back to your doctor and doscuss what youve told us with him.

paruxhr profile image
paruxhr in reply to

I did and this was his course of action

Glad you took your doctors advice! 😊 If it's helping ypu then stay on it!What dose are you taking?

paruxhr profile image
paruxhr in reply to

Starting it tonight. 25mg for 7 days then 50mg for 7 days then 100mg for 2 weeks

Best to take it in the mornings as it helps to motivate yo for the day and helps you better its to do with serptonin a neurotransmitter responsible for our mood which usually happens naturally at around dawn /daybreak when the sun rises. These antidepressants help us with that process.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Need medication advice.

Suffering from anxiety for 10 years. On escitalopram all that time. Have flair ups here and there...
paruxhr profile image

I'm new here, need advice

I was diagnosed with anxiety/depression almost a year ago. Recently, I found out that I am...
LS6694 profile image

Paxil side effects or zoloft withdrawal

I've been on Zoloft over 10 years and recently my anxiety and depression has been worse so I...

Xanax question

I’ve been on 1.0 mg of Xanax XR for over a year now, I was taking 2.0 mg but reduced it. My concern...

Anyone else on Sertraline/Zoloft? If so, did it help you with panic attacks /Agoraphobia?

Hello everyone, This is my first post so be gentle with me :-) I have been taking Sertraline/Zoloft...
Platesofmeat profile image

Moderation team

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.