2 weeks and 3 days in and feel like it is and isn't working for me. I just can't tell since I haven't gave it a full 4-6 weeks to fully start working. Have no doctor as of now.
How do you know if zoloft is working?
Question posted by binkyb on 1 Feb 2012
Last updated on 20 October 2017
8 Answers
hudson17
3 Feb 2012
I was on 25g of Zoloft for about 1 month. Started to have feelings of wanting to jump out of a moving car. I have stopped it by my md. Hope u have good luck with it.
Inactive
3 Feb 2012
Hudson,
Suicidal ideation is a common side effect of starting anti-depressants. My grasp on the whole mind control within yourself is... when in the depths of depression, one tends to feel like a slug. Once one starts with the anti-depressants, you begin to feel a little better and think you have the energy to act on all the bad things you were thinking about doing to yourself. And that is why you need to befollowed closely by a mental health professional until you are stable on the med. Also, Zoloft isn't for everybody. I hate trying all of the different 'flavors' of anti-depressants, takes months or sometimes years (years in my case) to find one for your own personal brain metabolism and symptoms. That's why I go and get shocked (ECT) a couple of times to reboot my system, then I have the time to mess around with the variety of psych meds, trying to find the right on.
As far as the SSRI's SNRI's go, Cymbalta worked on me at 30 mg a day in 2 weeks. Loved that, but alas it no longer suits me. Such is life, so a hunting I will go. A little more information, not all anti-depressants are created equal. As a matter of fact, I hate them and am now in the process, with the help of my muchly trusted Board Certified Psychiatrist (makes a big difference as far as knowledge and care goes) to get offa those dam thangs. I feel like I don't experience life to the fullest and at thi age, it is all I want.
My suicidal thoughts thatsent me into the hospital were not as simple as jumping out of a moving car... probably wouldn't kill you u, my method was lots better... 38 to femoral artery while sitting in the backyard, and watching myself bleed out, well actually spurt out. Ain't an easy way to stop that and I would never aim at my head. At that point all guns in the house were unloaded, just in case. The day after that thought, I put myself in the hospital, on Unit 52, the ECT ward, and let them shock me. It's scary but a whole lot better than dying. If I wasn't here, I can't imagine what my mother, life partner, children, bestest girlfriend since I waas 13 (44years) and all the other people that love me would do. My pain is over, theirs has just begun.
So in closing Hudson, you are not alone... theree are may of us on here battling every day with our freaked out moods. Write when u need to... we will be here.
The Sweetest, Looniest Hippie Dippie,
Laura
Gia727
3 Feb 2012
Hello I personally have experience on Zoloft when I was 18 I took it for 5 years, I am now 32 and what I remember was I all of the sudden stopped have panic attacks, they just stopped, I remember I was counting the days from when I started and that made it worse for me, way worse because that made the time go 10 times slower, I know I started feel a little better 2 weeks in, but it took a awhile to actually work for me, 7 weeks I think it was. But from the 2 weeks until 7 weeks that period of time slowly improved. I have a lot of experience with anxiety and PA and believe me I know you just wanna feel better quickly but with SSRI's or Zoloft the main thing is your body has to get use to the drug before it starts working. So in the mean time keep yourself busy, what got me through the waiting time is a read books...
a awesome and popular book that got me through my anxiety and so many others is called "Hope and Help for your Nerves" It makes you understand why your body hits panic mode and how to handle it, once you know how to change that habit way of thinking the anxiety will dissipate. Reading positive things like that helps tremenoudsly, I hope this helps you, I am currently on a anti-depressant that does wonders for anxiety as well.
Inactive
1 Feb 2012
binky,
It has been my own personal psychiatric expeience that ... everyone is different and every anti-depressant I have ever tried is different. I am 56 years old now, and first developed depressive symptoms when I was 13 years old, really the dark ages as far as psych meds go. I think I have tried several flavors of every type of anti-depressant at on point or another in my life, spending most of my time distressed, stressed, anxious and very moody while waiting for the medication du jour to take effect. Although I have never taken Zoloft, I have taken every other SSRI and found Prozac to work the best for me... AFTER I was taking it for a month at least, maybe a bit longer... I really don't recal, but it certainly took a while (I am a nurse). Since the Prozac worked so well on me, I think I tok it for about 15 years and then I developed what is called "Prozac Poop-Out".
It no longer was effective and I became extremely depressed (I call the depression situation ' my deep dark, slimey bottomless pit') and required ECT to drag myself out. Believe Me... the whole ECT thing is scary, but it works so fast, when I notice that I'm starting the slide down, I do call for help and request ECT.
The next anti-depressant I tried was Cymbalta. That, to me, was a miracle medication. Within 2 weeks, I felt like a new woman and that life was all happy and sunshine filled... what a relief. And from the time that Cymbalta first came out (can't remember) until now, I take 60 mg every night. But to add another kink to the mess, I am Biplor Type II: depressed. Sometimes I get really manic, not often, but say once every 15 to 20 years. Just is me, but my biggest problem is depression.
My concern with you and your present situation is that you have no psychiatrist to follow you, monitor your progress, tweak your meds, handle anxiety... etc. If you can't afford a doc privately, please get connected with the mental health system in your area. One can get help in just about any county in every state, I have not come across a place that I have lived that I didn't have access to mental health care providers. Some are free, some work on a sliding scale as far as income goes, but THERE IS ALWAYS HELP OUT THERE. Look in the phone book, call HHS, call the police if you have to. I have been taken to many a looney bin via a police car. YIKES! But at least I got the help I needed. I know u can do it. It's time to get your life back. Don't suffer. GO... talk therapy helps a bunch, maybe more than the meds sometimes. I know it gets harder and harder to move... don't let that happen... PLEASE. All of us on this site care about you. Ask anything you need an answer to or just to tell us how u r doing. It is a good thing u reached out for help, that is the first step in getting control of your disease.
Peace, Love, Hugs and Kisses,
The Sweetest Happiest Hippiest Hippie
Laura
binkyb
2 Feb 2012
Thanks for the comment, ill have a doctor soon once I get the money. My depression hasnt got as bad as before and I focus more now that I've been takin.g zoloft, the only thing that gets to me is that I'm not in that zombie mood anymore like I was at first, I feel my emotions threw out the day but I still get panic attacks but not as bad. I guess zoloft is starting to work a little because I'm not like I was before at all. Thanks for your support again I really needed it.
Inactive
2 Feb 2012
TY binky,
in regards to your anxiety / panic attack issues, Amy self-respectind shrink should treat your anxiety along with your depression. They sorta go hand in hand, at least in my case along with many other folks on here. I take Klonopin or clonazepam (same thing) 2 mg twice a day. Some people claim it is addicting, but I have found that even when I decide to go off of ALL my meds at once, the worst thing that ever happened yo me was I would slowly after a couple of months, start recognizing a recurrence of my symptoms. This was caused NY environmental factors which then tell my brain to go back on my meds. I certainly don't recommend that for anyone, by I always think I know what's best for me, no matter what m shrink says. Hence, all the looney bin trips and ECT. I finally decide to take control of my disease rather than letting it control me, and with the help of my TRUSTED shrinks, do it their way. But I always had veto powers if we didn't agree.
So the discussion and reasoning between us would begin until we both agreed on a treatment plan I could live with.
Sorry for spewing all of this stuff atcha, but I thought I'd give u my handle on the mental health system.
God Bless and best of luck,
Sweet Hippie, Laura
Serpenteyes
1 Feb 2012
I was on Zoloft for a couple of months and within a couple of days I started noticing that I had extra energy and was happier. Keep on it till the 6 weeks are up and if you still don't notice any changes then you need to ask a doctor about it. I hope that you can get a doctor soon so you can get on the right medication and be monitored to know which one is the right one for you. All the best.
skipperjones19
22 Sep 2012
I started on 25 mg of zoloft for 2 weeks . Now upped to 50 mg and its been almost 2 more weeks. Still have some anxiety here and there. But today I feel really tired and no energy. Around this time did u feel the same way. I don't wanna continue if I'm always going to be tired and zombie like or if it gets worse.
Inactive
1 Feb 2012
My husband is on zoloft, & it did take at least 4 weeks for it to start to show benefits. This is very normal & sometimes it takes a little bit longer. My question to you is if you don't have a doctor, how are you going to continue getting your prescriptions... Mary
binkyb
2 Feb 2012
Can you please explain or maybe try to explain maybe how he felt when it worked? And ill have a doctor to go too once I start getting paid more from work, I feel comfortable taking my meds on my own for now because I've been told by my family that it has shown some improvement for my self but when I reach my 4th week mark which is in 1 week and 5 days ill go see a doctor before I fill my meds again. Thanks for the comment I've had a hard time getting help for my gad, panic and depression.
Inactive
2 Feb 2012
Well, my husband is bipolar & has OCD so it might be a bit different, but he said he just felt more relaxed, & worried less about little things. In his case like when the bed got made or dishes done etc... It does take awhile to work so give it time. You didn't say waht your dose was either. My husband is on 200mg. If you are on a low dose, you may have to have it increased, but again, your doctor has to do this. Best of luck to you... Mary
binkyb
2 Feb 2012
Yeah were taking it for different things, I'm also on 50 mg. But thanks for the answer.
Inactive
3 Feb 2012
That is a pretty low dose too. You may have to have it increased. Just a thought... Mary
alfaragalli
16 July 2012
binkyb, just wondered how things have turned out? Im on Zoloft at 100mg for the same stuff as you. Ive been on it for about 2 months. I know things have improved quite a bit however, I still get depression daily and anxiety symptoms like tight chest often. Wondering if & hoping it will continue to get better yet? Any comments? Thanks so much.
LaurieShay
1 Feb 2012
Give it time. Like you said it may take upto 4 weeks to reach maximum benefit though some experience benefit sooner. If you notice your mood elevated, your anxiety decreasing then this may well be due to the medication. It is recommended to be under the supervision of a doctor while taking this medication. With your input, they are trained to assess your response to the medication and further prescribe.
binkyb
2 Feb 2012
Yes I have noticed my depression and anxiety has decreased and now each day I feel happier and have a little more energy everyday, I do feel like I'm forgetting things but I know I'm not. I have a hard time takin.g zoloft because its the first and only med I've took for my anxiety,panic and depression. Everyone I live with and family has said it has helped me a lot I just haven't really noticed it I guess but I kinda see it, its really hard to explai. Thanks for your support.
Mblunsford
20 Oct 2017
You will find as time goes by you do begin to forget things and procrastinate
Inactive
1 Feb 2012
Hello binkyb. Simply put, you'll be feeling a better. Sometimes a lot. good health and wishes to you,pledge
clm1970
1 Feb 2012
It is true that the literature and the "talking heads," are adamant that an individual will not feel the benefit from such an ssri until the individual has been taking the medication consistently for, at least, four to six weeks. Well, the prior statement is partly true, but there is not any empirical data which I am aware which states an individual that has been taking such medication consistently for even two weeks, still may notice subtle changes in how they feel and perform in daily roles, tasks, relationships, self-control, etc. This not to say that the aforementioned said "full beneficial effects," but it is realistic to notice subtle changes as spoken of above. One of my clients told me after taking a similar medication for 2 1/2 weeks, she was noticing only small subtle changes with the most notable being her highs were not as high and she noticed her lows were not as low.
Also, although she had plenty of symptoms, which were very vegetating to her in her ability to function, she also noted that it was more simple to brush off unwanted opinions and give these no heed. When she used to feed into this drama all the time; this is not to say that the periods of drama were over, they were and are not, but became more manageable. She said that these subtle notations she was experiencing, lifted the intensity of her vegetative existence and she felt as each day passed she was in control of her emotions, not the other way around. So, the answer to your question is it may be producing or giving you some or such subtle improvements, they are not tangible by you yet or that as the literature says, they just are not there, yet. And for you, this may not be the medication. I do not know what your story is about being without a prescriber, but there should be a local mental health center where you can go for assistance, reassessment, adjustment if necessary. Please do not regulate or attempt to regulate your own medications, it is dangerous, you truly need an objective practitioner who has been trained in this field to assist you so that the time you must spend in this area or on this topic, is noted, assistance provided, and you may go on living your life; as you know, life is very, very short! Best wishes to you, Cindy.
Related topics
zoloft, depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder
Further information
- Zoloft uses and safety info
- Zoloft prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Zoloft (detailed)
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