I have been on Zoloft for about 5 weeks and i have maybe seen a slight improvement in my anxiety but nothing major yet. I’m starting to lose hope. can anyone tell me how long it took for their Zoloft to start properly working? Thanks.
How long does Zoloft take to work?
Question posted by adam123451 on 5 March 2022
Last updated on 12 April 2022
Answers
Eng76
6 March 2022
I started on 50 mg and it took about three weeks before my mood improved. Still didn't feel great so we bumped up to 100 mg. Again, about three to four weeks before I really felt better. I have been on 100 mg for about a year and a half and am doing very well. Hang in there, there were times I wondered if I would every feel "good" again but I do! I know the days drag on when you are not well but there is light at the end of the tunnel!
returnofthemac
9 March 2022
I had been on Citalopram 20mg for general anxiety for years. Anxiety got worse in 2021 following contracting COVID and had a couple of panic attacks. GP decided to taper me off Citalopram and started me on 50mg of Sertraline. First couple of weeks had some mild anxiety, one good week, but by weeks 4 and 5 side effects kicked in. Tingling sensations in feet and hands, headaches, palpitations and head tremors. GP decided to up to 100mg of Sertraline. The same thing happened again. First 2 weeks were OK with the odd anxious day. One day had really bad chest pain and ended up in A&E. They ran lots of tests on my heart, all came back OK. Just told it was the anxiety and keep taking the meds. Week 5 came along and the same again. Tingling sensations in feet and hands, headaches, palpitations and head tremors. Spoke to GP and we decided to up to 150mg as I'd given it 10 weeks and no real improvement.
The first week on 150mg was really good no anxiety at all but diarrhea which lasted for 3 weeks (I can cope with that as I work from home). Now on week 7 and the same has happened again. Feel really anxious, tingling in feet and arms, strange pain in the back of my head and a feeling that my head almost misses a beat now and then. Is this a side effect or something completely different?
I wondering should I stay at 150mg and try and ride it through OR is this medication not for me/not at the right dose?
barbiecorn
12 April 2022
When I started Zoloft 25 mg no side effects and 50 mg no side effects at 100 mg no side effects and taking 100 mg probably for the past 20 years I now feel like it needs to be kicked up a little alarm for some reason afraid even though I never had any side effects before
barbiecorn
12 April 2022
When I started Zoloft 25 mg no side effects and 50 mg no side effects at 100 mg no side effects and taking 100 mg probably for the past 20 years I now feel like it needs to be kicked up a little alarm for some reason afraid even though I never had any side effects before
jakyoga65
5 March 2022
Hey Adam. It can depend on the dose and your body's adjustment to the medication. My doctor said a base therapeutic dose is 50mg then adjusted up as needed as high as 200mg. It can takes several weeks to see a significant change. Be patient and lots of self care. Don't be frustrated if you need to adjust the dose. It can take awhile to determine the best dose for you. Good luck.
adam123451
6 March 2022
i was on 50mg for 4 weeks and i’ve been on 100mg for about 10 days. i’ve not seen much improvement yet from the increased dose. keeping my hopes up
jakyoga65
6 March 2022
I know it's really hard. You should start to see a change soon. It really can take 4 to 6 weeks for the full effect on the new dose. I wish you the best take care.
Related topics
zoloft, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, social anxiety disorder, postpartum depression, sertraline, major depressive disorder
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