Looking for advice on Zoloft..

[ShelleyBarbara]

Let me begin by saying, I know its a bad idea to search up side effects and other peoples experiences of a drug, but I have anyway..and now Im terrified! I have just been prescribed 50 mg of Zoloft to treat OCD and anxiety, and now I am too anxious to start them! Especially after hearing about "electric brain jolts", and a bunch of other scary side effects. Im basically terrified to take them because of that, but at the same time, tired of dealing with the symptoms of OCD and being so anxious all the time! Please, and advice? What have been your experiences, good or bad?

Thanks!

Shell.

[Lyns1411]

I have started citalopram which is from the same group of ssri’s. I was scared to take tablets too and it’s took me 3years to finally give in. I first got prescribed Zoloft too but never ever took them. Try not read side effects as u will get it in your head that you’ve got every side effect going. Every one is different so u may not even get side effects. All I got with citalopram is tiredness and yawning a lot which is quite easy to deal with. Once u take that first tablet u will be pleased with yourself that you’ve took that initial first step to getting better 😀

[ShelleyBarbara in reply to Lyns1411]

Honestly, taking that first tablet to me, is scary! Just hearing about how hard it seems for some people to get off of it. I have a fear of taking drugs too and is part of the anxiety, which is kind of ironic..take the pill that you're scared of in order to not be scared of taking pills. Thank you for your advice!! I agree with you as well that I could end up thinking I have every symptom out there. I will end up taking them, just not tonight..I need to work up to it, and your advice is helpful

[Lyns1411 in reply to ShelleyBarbara]

My family and friends just couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t take the tablet. I kept saying to them when your an anxious person ya get anxious about taking the actual tablet! I may have to switch to Zoloft if these meds don’t kick in a bit more. I was doing good but had panic attacks again this morning so not sure if I need my dose upped or whether I need to go on Zoloft too. If your worried bout it get someone to sit with u to take your mind off it. I’m a hairdresser so my friend came for her hair done when I took the tablet nd it stopped me thinking bout it so that helps a lot to keep yourself distracted when u first take it

[ShelleyBarbara]

I totally understand that. My people wonder why I am so fearful of these things and I always feel like nobody understands me! I haven't had a panic attack in a while, but a few times I almost went full panic mode, Now its just the constant worry, every day, all day. I think its a great idea to have someone with me when I take it for the first time to distract me. Just having someone there will definitely help.

[Rdiz777]

Would this be your first anxiety med ever?

[ShelleyBarbara in reply to Rdiz777]

I have tried citalopram years ago for a couple weeks, but stopped taking them because I didn't like the way I was feeling..numb, zombie ish, dry mouth.

[Rdiz777 in reply to ShelleyBarbara]

I didn't think Zoloft was that great. Had the brain zaps coming off of it. If you can live without it that's best, but if you can't do it on your own anymore I would try something. I was glad I started doing something about my tension headaches.

[ShelleyBarbara in reply to Rdiz777]

I’m at a point where I need something to get by..the anxiety is causing heart palpitations, chest pains, I’m always thinking I have cancer, that I’m going to have an aneurysm etc. Can you describe the brain zaps? I can deal with other side effects but that’s the one thy scares me. I already think that any little pain in my head is a stroke or something.

[Hidden in reply to ShelleyBarbara]

same issues. those physical aches makes me think I have or going to have something..

[ShelleyBarbara in reply to Hidden]

I hate it. It consumes me some days. Do you take anything for the anxiety?

[Hidden in reply to ShelleyBarbara]

Nope, I try to get them rid off by my power when ever I can. Sometimes I use some CBD oil which ease my anxiety.

[ShelleyBarbara in reply to Hidden]

I really don’t like the thought of being on medication, but I can’t deal with it on my own anymore.

[Mcurls4 in reply to ShelleyBarbara]

Omg I hate the heart palps. I'm hoping they stop the more I get use to the meds or at least where they don't bother me as much!

[ShelleyBarbara in reply to Mcurls4]

Are the heart palms from Zoloft? Have they stopped?

[ShelleyBarbara]

I talked to the doctor about my concerns and how I was having a lot of anxiety about taking Zoloft, and she switched me to Prozac. I’m going to give it a try and see if it will help me. I need something at this point.

[Hidden in reply to ShelleyBarbara]

Did it work??

[ShelleyBarbara in reply to Hidden]

I took the Prozac for 4 days. It was a horrible experience! I felt so spaced out right off the bat, and each night I would have a bad dream. Each dream was a different fear that I have. Then on night 4, I had a night terror. Scariest thing that has ever happened to me. I’ll never take Prozac again!

[Sallysue22]

I've taken this a few times and it was the easiest to start and stop. I've tried others that had lots of side effects but Zoloft was not bad. No brain zaps. I would just take them every day and try not to think about them. Let them do their job. Don't look up side effects. If you feel things that may be a side effect try to ignore them. It takes atleast a month to start working so just give it time and try not to over analyze it. Zoloft helped me a couple times in my life :). Good luck💗

[ShelleyBarbara in reply to Sallysue22]

I just gave the Zoloft back to the pharmacy and got the Prozac. I appreciate your advice!!! I will start on them tomorrow and hope that it helps. Thank you 💛

[Hidden]

Did you ever start them?

[ShelleyBarbara in reply to Hidden]

I started the Prozac, I’m on day 4. I just had a full on anxiety attack. I was asleep and thought I was

Dying and shot out of bed panicking. Taking me a while to come down from that.

[Hidden in reply to ShelleyBarbara]

That stinks... this is so hard

[ShelleyBarbara in reply to Hidden]

😞 yes

[ShelleyBarbara]

It’s been 6 mo the since I had the night terror on Prozac. I got a new prescription for Zoloft, so I am going to finally give it a try. Fingers crossed I don’t get the dreams again. I hate this. Drugs are so scary to me. The doctor thinks I need to give them a try because I shouldn’t have to live with anxiety. She’s right.

[DVISION in reply to ShelleyBarbara]

How’s the Zoloft working for you?

[ShelleyBarbara in reply to DVISION]

Hello. It’s been almost a month and a half, I FINALLY started the Zoloft, 25 mg for a month and I didn’t feel any different so they just prescribed 50 mg and it’s been almost two weeks on that. I’m still pretty anxious and sometimes I feel spaced out but not any better than before. I hope I see some improvement but I have a feeling they will increase the dose again.

[Hidden in reply to ShelleyBarbara]

Feel free to check out my posts — I definitely think everyone responds differently but I felt very spaced out on it.

[DVISION]

Hi Shelley,

Normally your anxiety will increase the first 2 weeks or so. Especially when increasing dosage. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks before you start to fully benefit from Zoloft. Try to hang in there.

[ShelleyBarbara in reply to DVISION]

Yes it has definitely increased the anxiety with the new dosage but hopefully I see an improvement soon. Thank you

[Nervousgirl0714]

hello ShelleyBarbara, i thought i was the only one out there who was afraid of medication. afraid of something that may actually end my suffering from anxiety. I was prescribed zoloft two years ago and am yet to take the first tablet and just try to get thru the panic myself. the one thing that hurts me really bad is i have nobody to talk to, sit with me or understand me. are you still taking zoloft and has it helped you?

[Brightfuture22 in reply to Nervousgirl0714]

I am the same exact way. I fear the medication. Even though i desire to take it so that I can get out of this vicious anxiety downward spiral I am in. I am even afraid to take multivitamins and such. I just get worried that I am going to have a severely bad reaction to whatever medicine I am prescribed. I don't even take Tylenol or ibuprofen unless forced. I just want to say that you are not alone, I am right there with you! 💜

[Nervousgirl0714 in reply to Brightfuture22]

could you please stay in touch with me? i believe we could really help each other out alot. thank you for replying to my post. i never knew others were afraid of meds, but its a little more comforting to know this.

[Brightfuture22 in reply to Nervousgirl0714]

I sent you a message on here so we can stay in touch.

[Nervousgirl0714 in reply to Brightfuture22]

I was so happy to see u had messaged me. I am exactly like shelly Barbara in that I was prescribed zoloft.but never taken it. I will immediately panic after I take an unknown drug, but am so tired of having this control my life. It's just too hard to deal with on my own

[Brightfuture22]

Hi Shelly, I am curious, how is the Zoloft working out for you? I hope it is helping! 💜

[ShelleyBarbara in reply to Brightfuture22]

Hey! I am on 100 mg of Zoloft now, and it’s going good. My anxiety is not as bad as it was, which is good, but the OCD is still the same. I’ll take the lower anxiety levels though.

[Hidden]

How’s it going ??

[ShelleyBarbara in reply to Hidden]

It’s been going good! Been on 100 mg of Zoloft for a few months, and lower anxiety levels. I still hate taking them, but it’s helping so I will keep at it! Medication combined with counselling and exercise has been helping!