I started taking 50mg of zoloft 8 days ago. The first 2 days were fine, just a little spacy feeling but then on day 3, I started feeling anxiety and kind of a speedy feeling. It got worse on day 4 and 5 then it has slowly declined but I still feel very anxious. I am toughing it out at work but finding it hard to concentrate. I take it at night and I take sleep meds to go to sleep so I sleep good but when I wake up I feel anxious. I keep thinking it will go away soon but it keeps hanging on. Has anyone experienced this and if so what was your experience?
How long does it take for the increased anxiety to go away from starting zoloft?
Question posted by jrlundy on 11 Nov 2015
Last updated on 21 December 2022
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
51 Answers Page 2
krdjr7
5 June 2019
Hi all, I'm planning on increasing my dosage from 50 to either 75 or 100mg this week since I'm now at the 6 week mark. My anxiety has picked back up since the beginning of this week. Also started getting the night sweats again and appetite gone again. Sounds like most people go from 50 to 75 and then 100. I'm thinking about going right to 100 this week from 50 and skipping 75mg, but just no sure.
Lulubean
5 June 2019
Hey everyone... I hear exactly what you are saying... it takes such a long time to get adjusted in your system. I stayed on 75mg from 50mg for at least 6 weeks and side effects were a struggle
... then thought I may be fine at 75mg, but panic and anxiety again set in, and was nervous to up dose to 100mg because of side effects... I finally upped to 100mg now and at first was difficult with nausea and feeling lightheaded in evening , but all in all after about 7 weeks or more now on 100mg feel more like myself... I still have anxiety but not as severe and I can manage it better... I also take lorazepam .5mg as needed, and usually take one a day because I still feel edgy... I hate this stress from this struggling constantly with myself and trying to get thru the day like normal... I think my hormones have a big part to play in this also because my gyno said I am in perimenopause and my cycle went from being heavy to hardly anything this month and woke up sweating past 2 nights...
at least we all have each other to vent to and know we are not alone ... good luck and take care!
krdjr7
5 June 2019
Definitely tough going and hard to figure out the correct course of action. I thought there was light at the end of the tunnel last week, that sure changed fast this week.
barbiecorn
25 March 2022
Zoloft was the best for me at 100 Took that dose probably 20 years after stress in my life and my doctor is now upped me to 150 and waiting for it to work I am only on week one I have to take Xanax for panic attacks now Until the increase kicks in
hungarian25
22 May 2019
I am on day 8 but I also have labile hypertension which is really out of control for the last few days. Does Zoloft affect hypertension? I am in the 180's/90's.
krdjr7
21 May 2019
I'm on day 23 and had some improvement the last week or so, but last day or two kind of a setback for some reason. Kind of weird like I was back at square 1 with anxiety, but I'm hoping the medication is just still adjusting in my body. I'm giving it 2-3 more weeks to see how things settle out. I hope everyone is doing well and good luck.
Demeter75
21 May 2019
I'm glad you have seen some improvement. I'm about to go to 150mg as I've been having anxiety come back on 100mg. My steady state at 100mg may not be high enough dose
krdjr7
21 May 2019
How long have you been at 100m?
Demeter75
21 May 2019
4 weeks today. And today I'm going onto 150mg this morning. In fact I just took it, nervous to do that.
krdjr7
21 May 2019
I feel your pain. I’m tempted to up mine next couple days since I don’t have to work next week but not sure. At least I’d have a week to somewhat adjust at home.
Demeter75
21 May 2019
Exactly. I don't know how people manage having to go to work and doing all this. When I went from 75mg to 100mg I was sleeping so well and didn't have much anxiety for about 5 days and then I started to have insomnia and waves of anxiety. So I wasn't sure if it was my anxiety disorder creeping back in because my dose stabilised or it was side effects. I have read a lot of info on studies and it says that 100mg to 200mg is optimal strength for people suffering panic disorder. I'm just winging it lol
krdjr7
3 June 2019
Hi Demeter, how has the increase to 150 been treating you?
krdjr7
15 May 2019
Just an update, I think this is day 17 for me. Not much change, still the heightened anxiety and the sweating. Hopefully things will improve over time. I haven't changed the dosage since end of week 1, still at 50Mg.
Njatich
15 May 2019
It might take 6-8 weeks for the medicine to reach its effectiveness. It took me 7 weeks till I felt like myself again and the side effects went away. . I am on 50mg. Have you been in touch with your doctor?
krdjr7
15 May 2019
Hi there, thanks for the response. Yes, my Dr said stick it out and take xanax if needed. I haven't done that yet but came close a couple times. He also said I should jump up to 100 Mg but I'm really waiting to see how 50 does for me once it levels out. Just brutal with the side effects as you know...
Blessed99
16 May 2019
Oh no. My anxiety is getting better, and just like you said in the evenings and night I feel much better. That’s when my appetite picks up too. I just have no energy now, in the mornings I wake up feeling so blah and takes me forever to get out of bed. No motivation to do anything. My sleep is pretty good at night now so I am happy about that because I wasn’t sleeping at all the first 2 weeks without Xanax. I up my dose to 50mg 12 days ago so hopefully it will all even out soon. I don’t want to up my dose again without seeing what this one can do for me. That way when and if I need to wean off it will be easier.
krdjr7
16 May 2019
Glad to hear it Blessed, sounds like it's at least improving for you. I'm riding it out, but seems like the last couple days got worse on all fronts. Even the last couple evenings were not good, and my sleep last night was terrible. I still get that burning in my chest too. Hoping for improvement!
krdjr7
18 May 2019
I’ve been feeling a little bit better yesterday and today. Anxiety not as bad so hopefully a sign things are improving. Still not a great appetite until late day, but I think that’s just my body being stressed and need to get back on track
Blessed99
2 June 2019
How are you feeling? I had good almost 2 weeks. Even went on vacation and had a great time. Was sleeping well and all. Almost thought I was back to my old
Self. 2 nights ago anxiety suddenly came in in the middle of the night and today was a full day of anxiety, and could barely eat. So frustrating, to feel better than kinda go back. And tomorrow will be my first day back to work. I don’t even know if I will be able
To.
krdjr7
2 June 2019
Hi there!
Funny you should say that. I had a pretty decent couple weeks too, but I was off work last week so that helped. Today has been a bad day for me anxiety wise and same for me, lost appetite today so I can relate with you. Perhaps because I have to go back to work tomorrow, is that what triggered you maybe? I really don’t want to increase my dosage, I get frustrated but I know that doesn’t help.
krdjr7
3 June 2019
Hi Blessed, hopefully you're doing okay with going back to work. It's been a rough day for me so far and I was only off a week, so I can only imagine. I took a .25 of xanax this morning to help calm me down and ease me back into work a bit. Good luck.
Blessed99
3 June 2019
I couldn’t go. I woke up anxious. Had to take a Xanax in the morning, threw up and was crying. I think it’s horrible how things can go good for days then be back to this. I need to hit a steady mood soon.
krdjr7
3 June 2019
So sorry to hear that, but I understand and can relate. If I didn't have to work I feel like I could improve and get to where I need to be over time but that's not an option for me unfortunately. I may have to increase my dosage soon if things stay the same.
krdjr7
4 June 2019
Hi Blessed, hope you're doing better today. I'm thinking about researching medical leave options to try and deal with this. I don't feel so bad at night but the stress/anxiety throughout the day is very bad.
Blessed99
5 June 2019
Yes that’s what I had to do. I need to go to work but going to work isn’t an option right now. Like you, mornings are hard for me. And I sure don’t need any stress added to my anxiety. My husband has been very supportive. I slept well last night sort of but In the morning as soon as I wake up I’m soaked and very anxious, had to take a Xanax.
krdjr7
5 June 2019
Yep, your comments mirror my situation and how I feel. Did you up to 75mg or 100?
Blessed99
5 June 2019
No I’m still on 50. Little over 4 weeks on 50. I don’t want to up my dose yet. As Idk if I’m anxious because it’s too much or too little. I’m seeing a psychiatrist tomorrow too. When this happens some days I just want to say forget it don’t want to take this anymore :(
krdjr7
5 June 2019
Same here, hard to tell how much the Zoloft is helping or hurting the whole situation.
krdjr7
13 June 2019
Hi Blessed, how are things going? Are you seeing any improvement? I'm still at 50 and I actually had an 'ok' day Tuesday and Wed, but back to not so good today. I'm still working but it's a real struggle for sure.
krdjr7
10 May 2019
I have to admit I'm getting a little discouraged that Zoloft is going to work for me. This is day 12 for me and my anxiety has been heightened since taking it, but even worse the last couple days. Maybe this is normal with the process but very frustrating.
Blessed99
10 May 2019
I am also on day 12 and today I just feel like crap. No energy. Tired. I don’t eat.
krdjr7
10 May 2019
Same here with the eating. I force myself to eat but no appetite. I lost about 10 pounds over the last couple months or so from this. I know it will improve once my body settles down but it's a waiting game. My appetite is a little bit better in the evenings when i feel a little better, but terrible rest of day.
Lulubean
10 May 2019
Hi... I can only tell you that going from 50mg to 75mg... I was EXHAUSTED, and very heightened anxiety... didn't subside truly until about week 6. Then I had to up it too 100mg, but didn't want to go thru all these side effects but pushed myself bc only way to know if was going to work at that dose is to try... Again, I suffered from increase sweating and awful nausea, and very light headedness especially at night when it was time to take the pill. Again, I suffered through these side effects for at least 4 weeks before I FINALLY got some relief from side effects and anxiety started to lessen... been since middle of January with all of this and transitioning from 50mg to 100mg finally almost back to "me".
krdjr7
10 May 2019
Thanks LuLu Bean, that's reassuring to hear that you're feeling better. I know I need to ride this out but man oh man, last couple days have been bad. I almost took a xanax today but held off, I really don't like taking those unless i'm desperate. Once the 50mg leveled out for you after several weeks, were you not feeling any better or just not 100% at that point so you decided to up the dosage?
Demeter75
10 May 2019
Mine got worse around the 12 day mark as well
Kav927
5 June 2020
Hi! Wondering how everything turned out for you? I’m on day 13 and feel so much anxiety. Not sure if I should continue med.
krdjr7
14 Oct 2020
Just wanted to update on my experience with Zoloft. I honestly don’t think it helped me at all, just my opinion. I took it for over a year and I swear it made my anxiety even worse. I am now off all meds and anxiety free and back to my old self. I felt a lot better when I finally tapered 100% off. I found strategies to get rid of anxiety, it didn’t happen over night but over many months it worked. Good luck to all of you, I know how terrible and lonely it can be dealing with hard core anxiety and depression.
barbiecorn
25 March 2022
Take Xanax it will help with the side effects when you start feeling better you could stop taking the Xanax put me in yourself slowly off of Xanax that’s what worked for me
krdjr7
9 May 2019
Does anyone have any suggestions on when to increase the dosage? I'm at 50Mg and will only be a full week this Sunday. I'm wondering if I should let this dosage ride for 6-8 weeks or if I should increase it next week. My dr said I should go to 100 next week, but I'm thinking if I increase it at all I will only go to 75 first. Thoughts or experiences? My side effects are not bad right now, but still have the increased anxiety daily.
Frankgrimes
9 May 2019
I always think to be patient. I never am - and that’s my OCD. I often wonder what dosages I’d be on if I had waited. That’s just my experience.
krdjr7
8 May 2019
Day 10 update, doing this for my own sanity as well :)
This is day 4 at 50Mg (6 days at 25mg). Anxiety is still bad today, also notice that I am sweating more than usual and sometimes for no reason it seems. Looking forward to the day when this anxiety settles!
Lulubean
8 May 2019
Hey... I hear ya with the sweating... I had an episode of sweating the other day at work and it thru me into a panic bc it came out of nowhere. I too have definitely had increased sweating being on zoloft, especially with increase in dosage
Demeter75
8 May 2019
I see that the side effects happen to a lot of people when increasing. I just went from 75mg to 100mg 2 weeks ago and still riding the wave.
Frankgrimes
8 May 2019
I identify with all of you! I went from 25 zoloft to 12.5 after 16 years (on other stuff too). Then the withdrawal kicked in with electric shocks and crying. Now I reinstated to 25. First night total insomnia. The crying stopped after two days and the electric shocks have been easing up. I have some anxiety and agitation and restlessness. It’s probably from the reinstatement. Hopefully it just takes some time to level out as it’s only been 3 nights on the increased dose!
Anyone else have experience with this kind of reinstatement?
krdjr7
8 May 2019
I can't speak to the reinstatement, but I'm guessing it's going to take time to normalize again. I'm just starting out (10 days in). Best of luck to you
Lulubean
8 May 2019
Yes... either upping dosage or decreasing dose causes a variety of unwanted side effects until dose equalizes itself in bloodstream. In my experience, I am keeping a daily log of dose and symptoms, and have seen that btwn the 4 and 6 week mark, things seem to even out somewhat... I just keep monitoring myself day to day and checking in with these websites and seeing other people's responses to our similar struggle.
krdjr7
8 May 2019
Thanks lulubean! I'm staying positive, but it's kind of a cruel joke when an anxious person has to have patience :)
Blessed99
7 May 2019
Feels so good to know I’m not alone in this. I started taking Sertraline 9 days ago for anxiety/depression. The first 5 days I was on 25mg and the first day I thought I was having the flu. I had some good days with some anxiety and suddenly on day 6 I was a mess! Anxiety to the roof and felt so depressed. My doctor switched me to 50mg and the moment I did that same, anxiety to the roof and just weird feeling like nervous, my upper body felt hot. I haven’t been able to sleep on my own so I have to take a Xanax every night which I hate. Today on day 9 I didn’t have as much anxiety but I still feel some sadness and some anxiety creeping up here and there. I can’t wait to wake up and be myself again. I can’t even function so I haven’t been to work this whole time. I’m going to hang on, as most say it takes time for it to work. I also do therapy once a week.
krdjr7
7 May 2019
Hi Blessed99,
I can definitely relate. I am working but I don’t really have a choice, it’s very tough going. I take a lot of walk breaks and actually meditate at lunch to get by. I also have that upper body burning feeling, I wasn’t sure if that was the Zoloft or just an anxiety symptom. When your body gets over stressed, you can have a lot of weird physical symptoms with it. I’m supposed to bump up to 100mg next week but not sure I want to do it that soon, I may stay at 50 to see how it goes once fully working. I’m also seeing a therapist and that’s also helpful, but not so much with the short term suffering. I’ve avoided Xanax so far but it’s not easy, that said I am sleeping somewhat ok considering. I also haven’t had an appetite for several weeks, that’s no fun either!
Blessed99
9 May 2019
Wow you are brave. I had to use Xanax up to 2 days ago to cope with the side effects. Yesterday was a really good day, I felt a lot like myself. Last night while I was asleep the anxiety started to creep up. I think I’m also afraid to be on this medication. I keep seeing how hard it is to get off of it, but it was so scary to feel what I was feeling a few weeks ago.
krdjr7
9 May 2019
Hi Blessed99,
Glad to hear, sounds like it's starting to work for you. Do you take the med at night or in the morning? I take mine in the morning, it sounds like our symptoms and anxiety are similar but you have it at night and I have it during the day. I actually feel somewhat like myself in the evening and at night but fighting the anxiety throughout the day (especially at work). I hear you about not wanting to take the medication, I'm with you on that. But if this med helps get you back on track, I would think it's worth it.
Blessed99
9 May 2019
I take it in the morning as well. When I first started taking it at night it wouldn’t let me sleep and I felt very nervous. Yes I always had anxiety that I could manage. But 2 weeks ago I just had this dark cloud over me, so much anxiety I was crying non stop and it was a horrible feeling. My husband says the same, that if it’s helping me feel better focus on that first. And then later on if I want to try to wean off when I have all the right tools do it.
krdjr7
9 May 2019
Yes, I can relate. I always could manage my anxiety as well, was just in certain situations it popped up that I considered kind of normal. That all changed recently, my counselor is telling me my body and brain are 'hyper-stimulated' (basically meaning my stress cup filled up and ran over for too long) and when that happens you're stress response and anxiety is on a hair trigger. It takes time to calm that down and reverse it.
krdjr7
3 May 2019
Just an update. I've been on Zoloft 25 Mg 5 days now. I'm supposed to up it to 50 Mg after a week, but may do it a day or so early. So far not too many side effects that I'm seeing, some weird twitching here and there but not even sure that's the med. Also, the anxiety hasn't really changed any yet but I'm really hoping it flattens these anxious feelings/pit in the stomach that hit for no reason. I've been able to avoid taking xanax so far but there are days I want to just to feel normal. I sure hope it gets better soon!
Lulubean
8 May 2019
Hey krdjr7... glad to hear you are getting some or little improvement... it just literally takes time... it is a slow process unfortunately to get back to feeling "normal" on Zoloft.
I know exactly what your talking about.
Glad to hear this is some improvement with you.
krdjr7
1 May 2019
Lulubean,
Thanks, yes I do meditate daily and it helps but the anxiety is just high flying most of day when not meditating. Very tough to work that’s for sure, anxiety just hits in waves out of nowhere
krdjr7
30 April 2019
I get worried about my blood pressure being up during these day long Zoloft anxiety bouts until things normalize. Anyone else?
Lulubean
1 May 2019
Yes ... definitely... felt the same way about my BP... because of the constant anxiety... u feel revved up all the time and it's scary because you just want to calm down... but you can't... people have suggested YouTube and searching "calming anxiety and meditation "... it is soothing and actually really helps in a subconscious way
krdjr7
30 April 2019
On day 2 of 25 mg Zoloft. Was on Buspar for a few months that did little to nothing for me. I used to only have situational anxiety but had a breakdown over a few weeks and it really messed me up physically and mentally. This anxiety was really high today on Zoloft and there most of day, seems to be a common theme on this thread.
Mariop11
25 March 2019
I’m on Zoloft for 5 months now 100mg and I’m feeling amazing this feeling of anxiety passed after 2 weeks good luck to whom it may concern. Feel free to contact me if you need more information.
Lulubean
25 March 2019
Hi... I have just increased my zoloft to 100mg the past 15 days... prior to this I was on 50 mg for years and then upped it to 75mg for 6 weeks and then to the now 100mg. I saw a therapist for extreme anxiety and panic and this is what she recommends. With the 1st increase I had stomach upset and feeling off with my head and shaking and increase anxiety... now with 2nd increase I have had extreme nausea and lightheaded feelings... this makes me nervous and anxious and then I get a racing pounding heart... does anyone else experience this... I know it takes time to get in your system and it's only been 2 weeks on new dose... but this is draining... any input would be appreciated.
Related topics
zoloft, depression, anxiety, social anxiety disorder
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.