Question posted by Azulaa on 9 June 2018
Last updated on 9 September 2020
I missed 2-3 weeks of my 100mg dose of Zoloft. I take it nightly. I fell back into a depression, and stopped taking it entirely. I am WELL aware of how dumb this is. I don't need to be scolded. I know.
My question is, in order to get back on it, should take it slow (i.e. 50mg for a week, 75mg for another, etc. ) [ and what/how long of dosages should I follow ] or jump back into it at 100mg?
Thank you X
Did you end up going back to how you were feeling on the regular dose? How long did it take before you felt the same way? What happened?
First, NO SCOLDING, all humans are guilty of doing this with a psychotropic or some other kind of medication; if they deny this, I cannot be convinced that they are giving FALSE ANSWER (S) INFORMATION. What comes to mind, for myself, I have gone to the dentist for a certain tooth, which kept me up all nite with unbearable pain. The dentist says the tooth, he believes has an abscess & gives me high -powered antibiotic. After taking the antibiotic for 8 days, no more pain, feel like a new person. But, the antibiotic was ordered for two weeks. Several weeks later, similar but more intense flare up; He scolded me, of course, got an injection of powerful (and expensive) antibiotic with another round of stronger antibiotic regimen X3 weeks.
Did you just decide you felt okay & stopped the med? Or not want to take any longer? Whatever the reason, which is valid, because this is your care and treatment, not the neighbors; peripheral laypersons love to give "free," most often useful or dangerous advice. ANNOYING! Put in a quick phone call to your prescribing clinician, just be honest about your situation-Emphasizing, you want and intend to get back on the medication, safely. Is there a re-start regimen the clinician wants you to utilize? Or, ask if the following regimen to restart the clinician wants you to follow.
What initial dose were you started on when you first began the Zoloft? Zoloft is, most usually, started low and moved upward in steps. You could follow that. The importance of not just jumping back to the 100mg dose is that the zoloft i, most likely completely out of your system. On the average, Zoloft clears from the average human in 5.5 to 6 days after stopping. And can be dangerous or pose to people without professional medical direction.
Please do not be ashamed or anything similar; honestly, you demonstrate courage and high level of intellect and asking for help/input!!!
Respectfully,
Cindy
Hi Cindy!
Thank you for understanding. I got into a very weird/deep depression and just stopped taking them ( I needed them more than ever at the time though, eek! ). I appreciate your kindness!
My initial dose was at 25mg, but it was bumped up to 50, then 75 within a few weeks. 100mg came a couple months later. We upped the dose relatively fast because I didn't have any side effects ( phew! ).
Hi Clm,
I'm not sure if you answered question about stopping Zoloft. I'm a Oral surgical/ dental assistant.. Its good u went straight in with a tooth ache. Did he just drain the abscess put you on antibiotics and tell you the tooth can be saved or needed a root canal? Sorry to be nosy just curious. Were u taking antibiotic as ordered or stopped it when u felt better? Wasit just wasn't strong enough? If so glad he changed it. If you let that go to far you can get septic, infection can spread to other teeth also it could cause a major infection threw body and u can wind up in ER. Just want to let you know even if u take the full course of antibiotics it's just bringing down the infection and feel better but if you needed to have tooth worked on and leave it. Infection will come back until u decide what u want to do with tooth. Curious as to what happen let me know.
LEAF GIRL NHL, I appreciate your reflection and comment on the antibiotic scenario; I intended for this to be only an example.
I have been a advanced practice psychiatric nurse clinician for over 20 years. I should have just stuck to the second part of my opinion, about, consulting the clinician she is working with, tell he/she circumstances, and it is decided she will restart, then, she should follow the restart directions of the clinician, not any well-meaning friends, or anyone offering their version of how and what should occur.
Thank you for your observation and feedback. I try to learn and assimilate clinicians and non, any idea to improve care of my patients. All feedback and ideas are important as the goal is to provide the safest and most proficient care to those we serve. Individuals, such as yourself, even in a different field, taking time to share your observation, has caused me to re-think in certain situations, the type of analogy I use to help the client to understand; more concisely, attempt to use, if needed, an example or analogy, closer to the situation, client is experiencing (same discipline) to make less confusing!
Thank you with much appreciation, Cindy
I just started Zoloft & have tried many other antidepressants. You may want to start at what your beginning dose was for a few days or even a week & increase every few days. I’m only taking a 25mg plus 1/2 of another 25mg mid afternoon. I noticed you take it at night. I am soooo tired during the day, wondering if this is why you took at night? Although not everyone has this side effect. I’m on a very low dose because I’m very sensitive to all meds I’ve tried. But I’m sure my dose will be increased at next appointment.
Hi Crazygirl66! Thanks for your response! I take it at night because I can never keep to a proper sleep schedule in the morning (I take my medication around 2am each night because I am ALWAYS awake during that time. Although I wake up anywhere from 6am-4pm so I can't be consistent in the morning ;) )
I experienced no side effects on Zoloft whatsoever.
For some people, taking it at night keeps them up, and for others, taking it in the morning makes them sleepy. I'd say talk to your Doc and try it at night to see if it works better for you!
I tried taking at 7pm last night but felt hungover this morning :/. With my work schedule I’m just going to have to take it at lunch and hope the sleepiness goes away! I see my doc in another 3 weeks. I’m afraid if I take it at night I won’t wake up! I’m glad you don’t have any side effects! This sucks!
Hi, Azulaa! No scolding from me! I would recommend that you start at a lower dose and titer back up slowly to the dose you were taking, especially if you had side effects when you first started taking your medication. It's been long enough that you're basically starting over and this will help minimize side effects as your metabolism re-adjusts to the drug.
Best regards and I hope all goes well and you're feeling better soon!
Thank you Wildcat! I'm going to start back up again tonight at 50, and increase back to 100 within a few days ( I had virtually no side effects when I first started taking it, so hopefully I'll be ok! ).
zoloft, depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, sertraline, major depressive disorder, dosage, anxiety and stress
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