9th day taking Zoloft 150

[Milliewaterlilly]

Dear community, So it's my 9th day taking Zoloft 150 (instead of 100) which is also combined with 30mg of Mirtazapine at nighttime and Ativan (1.5mg) a day which I've been taking for a really long time and I still won't tapper it off.

I was doing ok, feeling WAY more calm, contained and stronger under this dose (at the expense of feeling less too, but I think I'm willing to pay this price given the circumstances). The only side effect that I noticed over those days is that I get emotional/cry easily (watching a movie for instance). However this afternoon (3h ago) I also started to have a super strong migraine and I'm worried, it doesn't stop,it's like my head is going to explode.

Yesterday I had a very difficult conversation on the phone that made me cry a lot and I also took 2 mg extra of Ativan. I didn't sleep very well well last night either.

Could this migraine be caused by the combination of a higher dose of Zoloft with the benzos?

I actually also woke up very depressed/sad this morning.

Again, can a high dose of benzo, give you some depressed mood the next day?

I look for some constructive feedback and support please 🙏

Thank you ♥️

[Existing]

Hey Millie, are you in touch with your doctor or providers? They should be able to put your fears to rest with solid information about these effects. How about contacting them and letting us know what they said?

[Tealpillow]

Hi Millie - I hope you are feeling a little better today. Did you get some sleep?

I’m on 175 mg of Zoloft and had headaches/ head shocks off and on for the first 6 weeks. After the side effects subsided I felt SO MUCH BETTER. It was well worth the side effects because I can function now.

Hang in there but if you’re in a lot of pain or too miserable to function then absolutely call your Dr.

Sending hugs!

[Pineapple1986]

As a previous commentator, I would seek answers to such questions from your doctor, not an online community. However, from my experience, yes, an increase in doses of Zoloft might cause occasional headaches before the dose levels out. But it should go away. I am not a doctor and can not comment on other meds' interactions. I was on Klonopin with Zoloft, also a benzo, but I had no problem with those two meds interacting . Good luck. I hope you get better.

[PuzzleArt]

You didn't mention if you had migraines before this. That is pretty important. Since you called the headache a migraine, it sounds like you have had experience with it. I am not a doctor so cannot give a definite answer, but if the side effects are worse than the benefit of any medication, it needs to at least be adjusted. If the benefits are greater than the side effects, you can always decide later. I measure all meds by that principle. Some things that I wouldn't ordinarily take have more risk if you don't take it, and then always later can be dropped or modified if it is worth it. If side effects of a ned are so disturbing that it interrupts your life then it would have to be removed . I am thinking of a med that made me so dizzy I was afraid I could have a fall just trying to walk a short distance. That would be a very bad side effect for me as I have osteoporosis. I quit the med and recovered anyway. You know your own body better than anyone else, and also you know your medical history, so you have the information you need to make a good decision🤔😊.

[PuzzleArt in reply to PuzzleArt]

I want to emphasize that I do not try to be my own doctor. But I have learned to be very assertive with asking questions of doctors or nurses.

[Kinlay]

If you have a history of migraines, the difficult conversation/crying could well have been a trigger. Headache is, however, a common side effect of Zoloft/sertraline, but as others have stated, many of those go away after a few weeks. And yes, Benzos can also cause headaches, so the combination could probably have contributed and/or caused... but definitely check in with your doctor on this.

Ironically, I have just started taking sertraline in the am with my own mirtazapine at night. At the moment I am only on 25 mg - and am feeling VERY dizzy and having serious diarrhea. But I am also feeling calmer and less anxious, so I plan to give a few weeks to a month and then go up to 50 mg once the side effects subside. Fingers crossed for both of us!

[carmie16]

Years ago I was on Zoloft 200 mg a day and I had no headaches but my hands did shake.