Feeling at a loss 😪

[Karinnn]

Hi there . I’m new on here and it looks as though we all have similar cases . I have been fighting with anxiety and depression for years . This past 6 months has been my absolute worst . My dr has put me on Zoloft now I was taking cipralex but it stopped working . I’ve been on Zoloft for 5 weeks now . Started at 50 mg and now this past week has increased to 100 mg . I’m not noticing any improvement at all 😭😭😭.

If anything my anxiety is worse and I’m having intrusive thoughts . I find I’m forcing myself to do anything even as small as brushing teeth .

I do work everyday but it’s such a struggle . Has anyone else experienced heightened anxiety with ssri ?

Thank you

[FearIsALiar]

Hi Karinnn

I have experienced heightened anxiety with anxiety medications! My doctor said to wait it out 6 weeks for them to get in my system and to actually start working. You’re not alone. You have to give the medication time! Especially with an increase in the dosage. I know it’s hard being patient with something that is supposed to help. Give it up to 6 weeks and if there’s no improvement I would speak to your doctor.

[Karinnn in reply to FearIsALiar]

Thanks for the reply 💙

I’m going to stick it out just so frustrating 😭

[FearIsALiar in reply to Karinnn]

I understand. It was like that for me too until the medication started working! What have you been up to lately? I know keeping yourself busy does help a fair bit.

[Karinnn in reply to FearIsALiar]

Hi there thanks for the reply . I work full time and other than that just been hiding at home 😫.

I don’t feel up to seeing anyone or doing anything . It’s like the life has been sucked out of me .

[FearIsALiar in reply to Karinnn]

Of course! Oh wow, full time seems like a lot of work! Do you live on your own? I was maybe thinking you could try part time and pick up a hobby so you can enjoy something! Unless you enjoy work 😁

[Karinnn in reply to FearIsALiar]

Hi . Yes I live in my own with my daughter . It’s my own business so if I don’t work I don’t get payed 😭 I find when I’m off I’m just trying to sleep because I don’t want to think so much .

I wake up with anxiety and it lasts all day long 😪

I really hope these pills kick in because I miss my old self .

Are you taking ssri ? Am I allowed to ask that ? Lol this is my first day on this site .

Thanks for your replies .

[mollykay70]

Give it a little more time. But if it doesn’t start getting better call your doctor. I’ve been many of the SSRIs and have had varying results. Everyone is different and it might take some trial and error to find the right one or combination and dosage.

Hang in there. You are making progress even if it doesn’t feel like it today.

[Karinnn in reply to mollykay70]

Thank you so much 💙

[TheEmptyNest]

I've been exactly where you are... but thankfully I'm feeling a bit better now. After suffering from panic attacks after an increase in my ssri, my doctor added abilify and that seemed to help. (Until it WASN'T helping as much, and then he increased the dose and it's helping again.) Try to hang in there! I hope that just knowing that you aren't alone helps!

[Want2BHappy3]

Medications don’t work for everyone. You have to keep changing them till you find one that works? I’ve been struggling with anxiety and depression off and on for about 40 years. I’m in therapy, I’m afraid to tell him that I’ve been having suicidal thoughts because where I live if they know that ? They can commit you for 72 hours. How can doctors help if we can’t tell them what’s Really going on? I’m getting a new psychiatrist November 12 hopefully he can help me? Are You in counseling ? 🙏

[Karinnn in reply to Want2BHappy3]

Thank you for your reply 💙

No I’m not seeing anyone as yet just my family dr . This is the third med she’s trying . I’ve had her for over 30 years . I have horrible thoughts also 😪😪😪 and same as you I’ve been suffering with anxiety and now depression for over 35 years .

[Want2BHappy3 in reply to Karinnn]

WOW 30 years The same doctor? Maybe change doctors? I’ve change doctors several times till I finally found a GOOD ONE. Think about it? You shouldn’t be suffering Still? You deserve Better 🙏😷

[CSymth]

You are not alone in this. Many of us are suffering with newly increased depression due to COVID. Please take it day by day and contact your doctor with your concerns. I know it is hard. It is hard for me.

[jjyankee]

He started you on 50mg and then went to 100? My doctor started me on 12.5 mg and then increased 12.5 every 2 weeks. I'm currently on 75mg. Granted I am very sensitive to many medications and my doc knows this, but I do know that most docs start with 25mg and increase by 25mg. Doing these slow increases has negated most side effects for me and I am feeling sooooo much better in terms of depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. It has taken about 2 months to feel the best since my increases were small. I wish you the very best. Also- I see a psychiatrist and you should consider the same- I would not see my family doctor for mental health medications.