While Zoloft has helped me get my appetite back and lessened some of my anxiety, after almost ten weeks of treatment I’m wondering if it’s the right medication for anxiety? Anyone have great results from Zoloft that showed up
After ten weeks? Or stories to share of Zoloft working at higher levels over a longer period of time?
Mongea, that's a valid question that you ask if Zoloft is the right medication for anxiety?
10 weeks is usually a good trial period for an SSRI medication. I read where your dosages
were adjusted. It may be possible that either this med is not one that can help or an
additional medication may have to be included. In either case, it is your doctor's call
who can make the safe and wise decision for you.
I hope you can get the answer you need. Good Luck 
x
I agree- I’m also currently weaning off my Ativan so I’m hoping to stay on the Zoloft until I’m done with that process. It’s hard to know what is causing the anxiety and I would hate to stop a medication that potentially could work while still tapering. Any thoughts?
See Mongea, there is always a piece of the puzzle we may not be aware of. I didn't know you were weaning off Ativan. The picture is clearer now since I too came off
Xanax/Ativan about 5 years ago. I was put on Lexapro (also an SSRI) During the weaning process, the symptoms broke through as my brain wanted that fix it was
getting. The thing is to be surrounded by those who understand and can support
you. Work under your doctors care in weaning. Never going back up on a dose but
continuing forward. Eventually your brain will adjust to the dosage reduction and
start making the chemicals on it's own. It's a matter of time. The Zoloft can end up
being your life ring (as Lexapro is for me). Give yourself more time in adjusting to
coming down off Ativan. We will support you through this. You are not alone.
You can and will do this. Be positive that with each day you are getting closer
to being back in feeling like yourself once again. My best to you x
Thank you so much for your reply! It’s what I needed to hear. How long did it take you to wean off the Ativan? What dose did you start out at?
I started out taking .5 three times a day four months ago. I started weaning about a few weeks ago, I’m down half. .25 three times a day.
Mongea, you can't really go by my case since it was different. I was actually weaning of 0.25mg Xanax (once a day) but for 30 years. When that no longer
worked, was put on the highest doses of Ativan while in the hospital. Trial and
error. Ativan didn't do it for me. Sooo, in combination of the years on these
2 benzos, it took me 2 years to wean off completely. My psychiatrist had me on
the Dr. Heather Ashton Method of weaning which introduces Valium into the plan
making it all take longer.
The fact that you have been on a low dose for only 4 months, the best thing you
can do is follow your doctor's orders in reducing the dosage little by little.
Keep focused on going forward. You are going to be okay. You can do this and
you will be happy you did. You will feel a clarity that you had forgotten existed.
I will follow you through the weaning. You are not alone xx
Thank you for your kind words. The past couple days have been difficult because I was doing fabulous for a couple weeks. The more I cut my Ativan, it feels like my anxiety is increasing. I was hopeful that the Zoloft would cover me at 125. I do have the ok from my psychiatrist to go up to 150 which I’m considering during the rest of the weaning process.
Good advice from your psychiatrist to up the dose at this time. It will help you.
That is quite normal to feel more anxiety as you decrease the dose. The difference
is there is a reason for that increase. One day soon as you get towards the end
of your weaned dose, you will hopefully feel a euphoric feeling come over you.
I feeling like something is about to change in your and everything is going to be okay. I called it my "aha" moment. It was a good feeling because I knew I had won.
Thank
You so much for your message, it’s very reassuring. I have five weeks to go! Looking for ways to cope during this time- any suggestions?
Gee Mongea, my last 2 sentences were so garbled lol
I think I had too much Chocolate today
What I had used for coping was doing some relaxation techniques,
deep breathing, Mindfulness, Self Hypnosis, Affirmations etc.
You can find any of them on YouTube. The videos can help you cope
with bad moments. However, the key to doing that is getting into them
daily. Repetition will help immensely. Keeping your mind and body at a
more even keel. xx
So in your opinion, do you think I wait on trying a new med until I’m off the Ativan? That way I can see what the Zoloft is really doing...
Since taking my last Ativan pill on Friday I’ve been super spacey, dizzy and disconnected. I’m having a hard time putting my thoughts into words. It’s a very scary feeling... I want so badly to take an Ativan because I know I’ll feel better but I want to keep moving forward. Are these normal withdrawal symptoms?
Mongea, I'm afraid they were for me as well. They should taper off slowly.
Again, your doctor would be able to advise you better. xx
I called her today and she said no way it’s from the Ativan because I was in such a low dose and tapered so slow...
Hi there it worked wonders for my anxiety at around 3 months after I upped to 100mg , really saved me .
Hang in there a little longer xx
I’m currently at 125mg and had relief for about two weeks. I’ve been given the ok to go up to 150 but was hoping I wouldn’t have to.
Zoloft update 
Zoloft side effects
