Increased Zoloft

[KP919]

Okay I need some reassurance here. I have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks a long time. Fortunately, for awhile I’ve been doing well on Zoloft daily and Xanax as needed for stressful situation like flying. Well shit hit the fan and now I’m a huge mess. I’m in a constant state of anxiety waiting for the next panic attack. I’ve lost weight because I can barely eat. I’m a mess. My doctor just increased my Zoloft from 50 to 100 mg and I’m taking Xanax daily to calm myself down basically. How long do you think the new Zoloft dose will start working? I have this fear that I’ll never get better. Anyone else out there had to increase their Zoloft and it worked? I guess I’m just looking for some hope since I’m feeling super defeated and hopeless. I want to be back to myself again. Any personal experiences would be great. Take care everyone.

[Pugglesworth]

Zoloft didn't work for me; however, my wife has been taking it for years. It does help her. I can say that from experience. Any SSRI can take weeks to begin to work and even longer to reach a therapeutic level. Unfortunate, but true. This also applies for changes in dosages. The Xanax is a benzo and those generally act quickly. They are addictive and should only be taken for a limited time. Again, unfortunately, that is not always the case. I took Klonopin years ago to help me stabilize while the Celexa I was taking kicked in. I gradually reduced the Klonopin after that. That is how benzos are generally utilized. I find myself using Klonopin again and, a year later, gradually coming off it. A year is too long for me.

I am not a doctor, so I would suggest you talk to him/her about your current issues.

[TexasTechMom]

Zoloft has worked for me combined with Clonazepam at bedtime. Going on 30 years and the combination has kept me balanced abs I’ve been able to avoid previous panic attacks.

[katyee8]

Dear KP919,

I'm sorry you're going through so much anxiety. I totally get it.

I was on a low dosage of 50 mg. of zoloft for over 10-15 years and along with weekly therapy with a good psychiatrist, I felt great and was very productive. Last fall I had a stressful renovation and in early Dec. needed help with anxiety, loss of weight and I was not sleeping well. I had tapered the zoloft to nrly nothing in 2020. My MD and I tried 50 mg again of Zoloft but it didn't help. So, I went off of it. Mirtazepine then but it was very constipating. So not on any anti-depressant now. We focused on anxiety and sleeping better and she gave me clonazepam .5 mg in the evening to relax. Wonderful drug. It helped me relax and sleep and the anti-anxiety qualities continued into the next day. You might ask your MD about clonazepam. In terms of the zoloft, after years of it helping, this time it didn't. I felt it added to my anxiety somehow. I hope you get help and start feeling much better. Try clonazepam at least temporarily.

All my best to you and I hope and expect you will feel better very soon.

Annette

[upawall]

Hang in there. You sound EXACTLY like me--sorry to say. I have been on Zoloft for years--maybe close to 16 and it has been a godsend. I started off on 50mg and that took a while to kick in. I was diagnosed with agitated depression and it was awful when my daughter left for college in 2004. I got worse and my doctor increased my Zoloft to 100 mg. It took several weeks for the Zoloft to work, but eventually my nightly panic attacks went away. I was taking Valium for the panic attacks while the Zoloft took time to work. Now skip to 2020 and Covid. I really thought I was handling everything well but then I started having stomach issues. Had tons of tests done--all came back negative. The stomach issues resolved and then a new symptom took its place. Inside jitteriness and monoclinic jerks. Once again, I had several tests--saw a neurologist--and once agin, all was normal. It's incredible what your brain is capable of. Do you see a psychiatrist or have a good therapist? My psychiatrist told me that it usually takes longer for the Zoloft to start working for panic than it does for depression. I am now on 200 mg daily and it did take several weeks for it to help. I still take the occasional Valium because I notice that even though the shakiness is better, it does get worse when any little thing bothers me. I hope this helps and you will be fine.

[KP919 in reply to upawall]

I have a good psych and I just started seeing a therapist so I hope those will work. It’s the waiting for improvement that is so hard for me.

[Vinnie77]

Go to a natropath if you haven't already. I was put on xanax and lexapro years ago and I was only kinda better. Long story short I went to my wonderful natropath and she drew up extensive blood work. Found out I have a genetic mutation that doesn't allow my body to absorb b vitamins properly. So low b12,low D,low iron,cronic Epstein barr virus, hashimoto's hypothyroidism and serotonin so low they could not get an accurate reading. I'm almost at my second year since my diagnosis and I'm just starting to feel good good. There can be something deeper going on and western medicine Doctors only do standard bloodwork. There are like 5 thyroid tests. They were only checking tsh levels and not my T3 t4 or checking for antibodies. I still need meds to support my brain but I didn't feel better until those other things were found and addressed. I'm sorry you are stuck in fight or flight,that's a horrible place to be. Constant adrenaline rushes and extreme fear. You are not alone. I had a panic attack today and I got through it had to take xanax. That stuff is a God send.Dunk your head in ice water if you can for as long as you can stand it,it's supposed to reset your brain. I take 100 mg of welbutrin with 20 mg of lexapro and 300mg 5htp.. Best combination for me. Lexapro worked almost instantly. Zoloft,prozac or busbar didn't work for me at all! Best of luck to you. Please keep the faith that things will get better. I suffered for most of my life with depression and I'm 43. I just started living and I am happy. Its possible but you have to hang on. Rest and be kind to yourself.

[Anxious11]

I am so sorry you are experiencing this. I was on Zoloft for 13 years and then it just stopped working for me. I was switched to Prozac and also given Ativan to use as needed. I continue to struggle with my anxiety but only when some big change is happening, otherwise it is fairly well controlled. I am also doing my best to meditate a couple of times a day and have even tried accupuncture. When I’m in this fight or flight mode I can’t stand myself, can’t eat, feel like I can’t breathe. I just want you to know that you are never alone.