Disheartened

[Mongea]

After over 9 weeks on Zoloft and several dose changes, I’ve had three really tough days in a row. Anxiety is high in the morning again and I find myself having a hard time concentrating. This comes after having two great weeks of virtually no anxiety. I still have the option of going from 125 to 150, but I’m starting to wonder if Zoloft isn’t right for me... which is upsetting because I’ve invested so much time into it. I would add that I’m also currently weaning off of Ativan at a rate of .125 a week, trying to take it slow... I’ve gone from .5 mg three times a day to .25 three times a day. Could the additional anxiety be from the weaning of Ativan? Is ten weeks a good amount of time to give Zoloft a chance? I’ve been on the 125 for close to three weeks.

Any advice and/or support would be appreciated!

[Kkimm]

Hi Mongea.

This is normal and what you would expect. Changing to another antidepressant will probably not help as you will get the same again. As I have said it took me around 6 months to not get bad days and I can still get them now after 20 months. If you start another antidepressant it is very likely to be the same.

I know it is hard but hang on in there. You are doing really well.

Kim

[Mongea in reply to Kkimm]

I always appreciate your feedback. I have a feeling my psychiatrist is going to recommend changing my meds as she was already suggesting it two weeks ago. I’m hopeful that the Zoloft will work for me long term. I don’t want to start over!

[Kkimm in reply to Mongea]

Hi Mongea

I can see your dilemma. Do you know what medication she is recommending?

Kim

[Mongea in reply to Kkimm]

Last time I was there she mentioned lexapro or Prozac.

[Callie67]

You could be having rebound anxiety from weaning off the Ativan. I would think that amount of Zoloft would spare you from it, but idk for sure. 10 weeks might not be long enough for Zoloft if the dose keeps changing but 3 weeks is a decent amount of time. I would give it the full month and see how you feel. Maybe change your Ativan taper to 2 weeks, that’s what I’m doing with mine.

[Mongea in reply to Callie67]

Do you mean give each change on the Ativan two weeks? How much are you cutting your dose? I wonder if going up to 150 on the Zoloft could help with the rebound anxiety?

[Callie67 in reply to Mongea]

Yeah I heard 2 weeks is a good amount of time to let your brain reset after a cut. I just started seeing a psychiatrist, she had me cut .25mg. Right now I take .5 am/pm. I see her again tomorrow and am nervous to cut more. Increasing your Zoloft might also increase the side affects again, which could include anxiety. So basically it’s a giant cluster F, you know? That’s my problem now, not knowing if what I’m feeling is cutting the Ativan or adding more Zoloft. Do you see your dr soon?

[Mongea in reply to Callie67]

Yes, I see her this Friday. I agree with you, it’s so hard to know what is causing the anxiety. Is it the actual anxiety? Side effect of dose increase? Weaning off Ativan? That’s why I’m determined to get off the Ativan so I can asses the Zoloft appropriately. I’m cutting by .125 so that I have less withdrawals- it will take me longer but I’m making progress. Are you on Zoloft aswe? What dose are you currently on?

[Callie67 in reply to Mongea]

Oh good! So you go pretty soon. I am SO glad you get it. I’m also recovering from concussion which throws more into my mix. My husband’s incredibly supportive but he doesn’t always “get”

That what I’m going through could be anything. I’ve thought about cutting by less too but I’ve been at this since mid Jan and I’m so over it. I’ve been on 12mg Zoloft for the past 2 weeks. My dr wanted to start small since I get medicine anxiety. I tried 25 the one day and got really dizzy but wa it nerves? The concussion? Who knows.