About 2 months ago I ended up in the ER for what they said was hyperventaltion, I felt cold, dizzy, nausea, really hard time breathing etc... After I left the symptoms of being dizzy would not go away the DR said I have vertigo, and sent me to physical thearpy and the ENT, in the mean time since my problem going to the ER happened from work I was feel a little anxiety going back, so the DR put me on zoloft. I have never had a problem with depression or anxiety. I have been on this a little over 3 weeks. I have horrible jitters, dont feel right in the head. I am only on 20 mg. I am thinking of cutting that dose in half. I am still not depressed I am just frustrated. I went to the ENT and they found a polyp on my voice box, I am thinking this is the reason I hyperventalited at work, because my air ways are restricted not to mention I have asthma. I am finding it really hard to work, I go in get anxious and leave. I really need any advice, has anyone else gone thru this? Oh and when I told the DR about the zoloft giving me anxiety he said we should up the dose. That sounds crazy and I told him no. Please any help.
Been on Zoloft for 3 weeks and I think it is making me worse?
Question posted by Reneeg64 on 25 Nov 2010
Last updated on 29 November 2010
Answers
Reneeg64,
Dazey's advice was right on the money. it does take some time for the Zoloft to get into your system. Also, as she pointed out, if you know you are having an anxiety attack (and most people do) getting your mind to focus on something else is the better than any medicine. I'm not saying you don't need meds for an anxiety attack, only that being able to regroup and focus on something else is a better option. I also wanted to warn you that Zoloft can make some people feel worse (more depressed and more suicidal); so, if you start feeling like this, please let your doctor know ASAP. Hope this helps.
I had a similar experience. I wasn't feeling well I was having a hard time breathing, was nauseas, dizzy & thought I was going to pass out. Went to the doctor and basically she told me I was stressed. This went on for over a month, I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, I lost 30 lbs. Then one day it was so bad I ended up in the ER they told me it sounded like I was having an anxiety attack. They gave me Ambien to help me sleep at night but that didn't help. I went back to my dr and she ended up telling me she thought I was having panic attacks. She gave me Zoloft as well as Xanax for breakthrough anxiety. This all started in June. She put me on 25 mgs of Zoloft in July and when I went on it I absolutely hated it. I felt like my head was in a fog and was always jittery. I went back to the dr and she told me I needed to see a shrink so I went. At that point I would have done anything to feel better I was down 30 lbs and felt like I was losing my mind. The shrink said I needed to have my dose upped. I was not happy however I did it. It took me until about September to start feeling better. My dr wanted me to stay on it for 6-12 months but I'm VERY stubborn. Even though the 50 mgs made me feel better and calmed me down I still felt like I wasn't myself. At the end of October I weaned down to 25 mgs. I felt a bit anxious at times but since I knew what it was I knew how I could handle it. I stayed on the 25 mgs till about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I haven't taken anything since then and feel so fantastic. I feel like I got myself back. I have to go to my dr for my next 3 month visit and I'm sure she will lecture me about going off the meds but in the end I know my own body. My advice to you is to give the upped dose a chance. As I said it did take the Zoloft quite a while to take effect and I was very against upping the dose but after I gave it a shot I was glad I did. I feel like in the end it helped me feel better quicker and get off the meds sooner. Listen to your body. If u up it at least give it a month. If u still feel bad talk to your doctor. There are lots of meds out there that you can try. You may also be having anxiety because your not feeling well. It's a vicious circle. I also suggest getting the polyp removed if that is what's making you have breathing problems then the meds won't have to be an issue. Good luck with everything and if you ever need talk you can always send me a message. I understand your frustrations all too well. Take care!
Thank you so much for the advice. I am getting the polyp removed in a week, although I am having surgery I am a little excited about it. : ) Do you know how long it takes for the zoloft to get in your system? I am hoping to go back to work on the 8th. I have also lost 30 lbs and feel like I am losing my mind. I have really been stressed over all of this lately. I just want to say thank you for your advice. It is so much appericated.
It took a good month or so to get into my system. I also noticed when I was having an anxiety attack (which I was actually diagnosed w/panic disorder) I would get up and do something. If it was nice out I would go for a walk, if I couldn't do that I would just try and distract myself. I would call a friend or listen to music or read a book. Just something to keep my head off the anxiety. It seems like when I was having the attacks they would get worse because that was all I was thinking about and when I wasn't having attacks I was having anxiety cuz I was waiting for the next one to come on. As I said I know how hard it is to go thru this and how it can be very frustrating because people around you that haven't gone thru it just can't understand why you can control your feelings. Please anytime u need to talk you can contact me. Especially when your having anxiety, talking to someone who understands where your coming from can help. Glad to hear your having the surgery, I'm sure it is going to make you feel so much better!
Great advice!
Hey just wanted to talk. I have not been feeling so well, I managed to go to Toys R Us today for Christmas shopping and felt really over whelmed. I had to go outside once to get some fresh air. I managed to make it all the way thru. I called the Dr. and he wants me to up my zoloft to 40mg tonight. So I am going to try it. I have been trying to meditate once a day or so which I do find helpfull. But it seems like I dont really want to leave the house. Is this normal? I am really frustrated, it seems you take 1 step forward and 3 steps back. This is so out of character for me. I have to go back to work soon and dont know how I am going to handle it? I have been trying to stay positive, but thats really hard when you cannot stop thinking about being sick. I was wondering if you are still doing good? I really hope you are and it makes me know I am not alone and it will be over.
I was wondering what do you think happens when you get stressed something to the brain to need the anti depressents? I dont understand how one day you can be normal and the next your not. Thanks for listening. Hope to chat with you soon. Renee
Hi Renee I'm happy to report that I'm doing great. I wish I could hear the same for u. Believe me I know how frustrating it is. Yes it is common to not want to leave the house. I didn't want to do anything. I didn't want to talk to anyone I, or see anyone, couldn't eat, it was awful. I was walking to the train from work this evening and I was thinking about you and was wondering how u were doing. You and I have a very similar experience. One minute I was fine, relaxing watching tv and 10 minutes later I had tightness in my chest, was dizzy, nauseated and sweating. I thought I was having a heart attack. I know it seems like thee is no light at the end of the tunnel but I promise u there is. As I said I reluctantly went up to the 50 mgs per my doctors orders and it did help. You do have to push yourself to do things, try not to be alone too often and always know u can talk to me cuz I get it.
Once you get the meds on track you will notice that you won't think about the anxiety as often. I honestly went from thinking ok I've been off my meds for one day oh now it's 2 when am I going to have an attack & I thought about it a 100 times a day. Now that ive been odd for over 3 weeks I go days without even thinking about it. I know I said it before but I promise things will calm down & will get better. Going back to work also may help because it will keep your mind busy & give u less time to concentrate on anxiety. I was talking to a friend of mine who is a psychologist and I asked her why does your body go into panic and she said our body has a fight or flight mode and that sometimes our subconscious gets the best of us and wants to take flight. She told me when that happens to take deep breaths and count to 10. Not sure if that really worked for me but what I did do is when I had an attack I would think to myself. Ok Jen (which is my name by the way) everything is fine there is nothing physically wrong with me just relax and this will pass. I hope this helps. Remember your not alone, I'm always here to talk. I'm going to send you a private message with my direct email so if you ever need to chat & don't feel like coming to this site you can email me directly.
For some reason I can't private message you. I added you as a friend. Try and add me and I will see if I can then PM you.
Related topics
zoloft, depression, panic disorder, nausea/vomiting, anxiety and stress
Further information
- Zoloft uses and safety info
- Zoloft prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Zoloft (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
