Zoloft for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• Bra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2020

"I started taking Zoloft at 25 mg for my anxiety and PTSD caused by a bad reaction to some NyQuil I took a while back. At first, when I started taking it, I was okay but still was having trouble. At about 1-2 weeks on it, I always felt like my face was melting and could not think ahead. I was in panic mode 24/7, but I could sleep even though when I woke up it didn’t feel like I did. I would wake up, cry, go to school, cry, get on the bus, cry, get home... cry all night until I fell asleep. I was not depressed before I started taking it, but I was during. I had extreme thoughts of suicide. I also could not climax, or when I got close, it felt like I was going to pass out. I have heard that the medication equals out after about 3 weeks, but I couldn’t stand it to happen anymore."

• Jin...
• February 12, 2018

"I am so deeply grateful for Zoloft at this time of my life. Before I started on it, I was having constant intrusive thoughts of sexual assault. I was afraid of going outside. I was afraid of my phone. My anxiety was out of the roof. I was so easily startled all the time and would constantly be trying to suppress emotional flashbacks so that I could go to work, be with my partner, or do menial tasks like wash the damn dishes. Now, I feel like I have mental space—like I have the choice to take care of myself and work through my trauma. Memories that were incredibly scary for me to even think about are now memories that I am able to access (in part, sometimes) and confront. Zoloft has given me my brain back. I used to be so afraid of getting on medication because of the stigmas attached to it, but this has really been a lifesaver."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2013

"I suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, aggression, paranoia. I started with sertraline a few months ago, 100 mg. Before that, I used citalopram for a year, 30 mg, which caused head pressure, so I wanted to stop with it. 100 mg sertraline made me feel zombie-like, low concentration, so after two months, I lowered it to 50 mg a day. My aggression came back, but I had more concentration and was willing to get out of the house. At one stage, I felt like this medicine was not helping, so I decided to quit, and I began to take 1/3 of the 100 mg tablet a day (approx. 35 mg). I've read that one is never to go cold turkey with SSRIs (side effects). My paranoia came back with a vengeance! So I went back to 50 mg, and paranoia went away. I think I will try 100 mg again."

• PTS...
• March 9, 2010

"I started taking Zoloft 8 weeks ago. I was extremely stressed out and was suffering from PTSD due to a bad car accident. After about 1 1/2 weeks, I really noticed a difference. Not stressed anymore, but I do feel a bit zombie-like. I also have a problem with memory and focusing. Also really tired at night. Overall, right now, I guess it is worth the trade-off. Also have intestinal issues, but hope it will go away."

• ari...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 16, 2022

"I have been taking this medication to help with anxiety and flashbacks mostly associated with C-PTSD. Prior to being on this medication, I would suffer from daily flashbacks for about 5 years. Other SSRI medications did not seem to help. Zoloft gave me my life back. I'm on a high dose of 200 mg, which works well. I do feel that it affects my memory, not related to my flashbacks. I do not know if that is the mechanism of how it works, but it is a small price to pay in my opinion, to stop the flashbacks/dissociation/anger/anxiety from C-PTSD. I also have noticed that if I forget to take a dose, I do experience flashbacks on that day, perhaps I am more sensitive than most? Overall, very happy with this drug."

• NoN...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 19, 2017

"I've been taking Zoloft for about half a year now on 200 mg. I'm not taking it for depression, it's being used in conjunction with other things for rage and anger, hypervigilance, as well as dissociation. I've been pretty lucky with this medication because I experience absolutely zero side effects. In fact, I could probably take a higher dose right now, although I'd rather stick with the minimum and use coping techniques. I still feel like 'me' on Zoloft. In fact, I feel more like myself than I have in a long time. I still feel my emotions and everything, although I experience them in a healthy, normal way. I don't experience all of the irrational, exaggerated, awful feelings and sensations I used to, in a good way. I feel normal again."

• CMa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 5, 2017

"I've got severe PTSD, OCD, and social anxiety. I started taking Zoloft to help manage my PTSD symptoms, mainly anger/rage, flashbacks, and dissociation. I'm a small male, I only weigh 125 lbs. I started at 25 mg and then jumped to 100 mg, then 200 mg within 2 months because this stuff's like water for me. I've been on 200 mg for about 7 months now, and it's helped a lot, although not enough. I still feel my symptoms when they hit me, although they're slightly toned down. By the way, I don't feel like a zombie at all, I still feel like myself, just more calm. It feels as though I'm not taking anything at all most of the time. I've basically also never had any side effects except the first day or two I had a slight sore stomach, but nothing close to bad."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2015

"I suffer from PTSD and panic disorder. I have given Zoloft a good 3 months. I started at 25 mg and worked up to 150 mg. Although it did seem like it took the edge off my suffering temporarily, my body seemed to be fighting the medication the whole time. At 50 mg, I suffered panic attacks that were much more severe than the ones I had prior to the medication. I found some tranquility at 100 mg for a week, then my PCP put me at 150 mg to see if things improved. They did not improve. I experienced increased agitation, tremors, shaking like my body was in fear, yet I was not, sweating, then hot flashes. My blood pressure skyrocketed. My PCP referred me to a psychiatrist who put me back at 100 mg. Symptoms subsided, but after a week, it became clear my body was rejecting the medication altogether. Yesterday, I was on Zoloft, having hot flashes, sweating, severe panic attacks, racing heartbeat, and high blood pressure. Today, I am on 10 mg of Lexapro, and my blood pressure is fantastic. I have not had a panic attack all day. Sure, it's only been a day and my body may react differently after taking it for a while, but it has been a welcome change from Zoloft. I wished I had asked for a change sooner, but I have never been on antidepressants before."

• Str...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 1, 2022

"I have seriously terrible anxiety and depression - though anxiety is the main issue. This medication has changed my life. I still experience anxiety, but it's no longer overwhelming and not over the smallest little things. I don't ruminate as much - and it allows me to function. It doesn't make me high in any way. The only side effect was having the Hershey squirts for about a week when I first went on it, but that cleared up."

• Joe...
• May 30, 2018

"One of the worst drugs to give anyone. The side effects are out of control. The fact that a medicine that has been approved to treat PTSD can make you harm yourself is beyond me. Took for 3 months before the active duty Navy doctors finally changed the medicine. Not only did it make everything worse (not able to sleep, depression, and feelings of hopelessness, among others). On a weekly basis, my spouse was concerned for my well-being, requiring her to call the ambulance about 1 to 2 times a month. After being taken off the medicine, I was able to get away from the awful feelings. A new up-to-date study needs to be done because I am not the only one that has had these effects."

• sto...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2020

"Zoloft made me feel completely disconnected from my surroundings - numb. I told my doctor I felt as though someone could commit some awful assault on another person, and I would stand there emotionless and then walk away. I wanted to not have the hyper alertness connected with the PTSD, but this was way too far to the opposite end of the scale."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2020

"Never felt worse in my entire life. Within the first couple of hours after taking Zoloft for the first time, I passed out, was vomiting, had cold sweats, hot flashes, headache, and extreme fatigue. Two days after I stopped taking it, I still have no appetite and zero energy. I would describe it as the worst I ever felt in my life, and I’ve had mono before."

• Thi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2015

"I was on this for 2.5 weeks. I was on a 50 mg dosage, and I don't know if it was too much for my body (I weigh under 110), but the severity of my panic and anxiety worsened. At first, it made me have insomnia, and then after a week, it was the complete opposite - uncontrollably falling asleep immediately about 30 minutes after taking the dose, and it became incredibly hard to wake up in the morning. It would feel like lifting 400 lbs to make my legs move in the morning, and I would still feel tired after 14 hours of sleep. My fearful thoughts became worse and completely clouded my head, and I had this overwhelming feeling of impending doom resulting in panic attacks. Also, loss of appetite from a combination of the extreme dry/cracked mouth and nausea."

• pop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2012

"I have been on this medicine for 3 months for my PTSD, and I find it has helped somewhat, I can think straight, calm, centered. It's wonderful in combination with Lyrica for my GAD, in which I'm in the 4% that gets euphoria from it."

• Rac...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 28, 2021

"I have been on sertraline/Zoloft for 5 years. It has saved my life. I have experienced a lot of trauma growing up, especially through my teens. It wasn’t until my 20s that I was finally diagnosed with PTSD, and after being misdiagnosed with depression for years and treated with many other meds which never helped me, sertraline was a saving grace. I no longer go from 0-100 with my mood and episodes. I no longer have panic attacks. I no longer have suicidal ideation or attempts. It saved my relationship, and I have been a better mother. I am wanting to see my doctor to slowly decrease from 100 mg a day (I started on 200 mg) and eventually come off them completely. The only negative I have had is slight weight gain. I’m still healthy, but I have gained around 7 kg - I exercise and eat well. I’m not overweight, but I do struggle to shift the excess weight I’d rather not have!"

• MDA...
• October 5, 2014

"I started taking it after my husband passed away; he had a cardiac problem, and I tried to unsuccessfully help him. I did call the emergency services; they tried but were unable to help him. After that, I could not get thoughts about the incident out of my mind, and I lost in excess of 50 lbs the next month. I was given Zoloft by my doctor, which did interrupt my 'panic'; however, I only took the medicine for less than one month as I couldn't think properly. I rely on my mind, my thoughts to process how I relate to the 'world' - I decided that being sad about the situation was appropriate and a normal response. In the eighteen years since then, I have not needed medication for depression - other things, yes, but not mood disorders. Thank you."

• Dea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2019

"I'm on day 5 of taking Zoloft. I have been sober for 8 months and recently diagnosed with PTSD for trauma that happened in my childhood. 4 months ago, my brother, whom I loved deeply, committed suicide, and it sent me spiraling into insufferable anxiety and depression. I have not been able to work, my social anxiety is so bad, and I am constantly afraid I'm going to die, especially at night when it's time to go to sleep. Driving gives me panic attacks, my throat closes, and my heart beats so hard and fast I can't speak or breathe right. So far, the medicine has not changed anything. In fact, my anxiety is way worse, I constantly have a knot in my chest, elevated heartbeat, and tight throat. The nausea is debilitating, I've been in bed most of these 5 days. I am starting to lose all hope, I was really hoping an antidepressant would help me."

• Pac...
• May 9, 2017

"I'm a combat veteran with PTSD. My dose was 25 mg daily for 2 weeks, then 50 mg daily. I started out with severe headaches and diarrhea for the first 2 weeks. After that, the headaches went away. However, I started vomiting every night and morning. Not just minor vomiting, but exorcist-looking vomiting. Sometimes about a gallon. I would fill up my toilet pretty well. The diarrhea never went away. I was constantly dehydrated. After a few months, I couldn't take the side effects. Tapering off made my PTSD 1000% worse. I would have been better off not taking it at all. Before you start SSRIs, look up other people's horror stories. These things are worse than hardcore illegal drugs."

• Eli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2022

"I switched to Zoloft after many failed years of Lexapro. Last week I started Zoloft at 50 mg, this week I’m on 100 mg. I have severe PTSD that has gotten to the point where I literally can’t stop panicking no matter what, and I also have extreme mood swings. Even the short amount of time I’ve been on Zoloft, I’ve felt a noticeable difference in my mood. My panic is getting better, I’m not swinging from guns blazing to a depressed void. I have some side effects right now while I’m adjusting: been sweating and have a fluttery feeling in my chest (anxiety probably). But I’m really looking forward to next weeks and months on Zoloft!"

• Fre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2017

"Only day three, but the physical stress symptoms are totally gone. To be honest, though, the physical tremors and the weird yawning are rather unnerving, but I am sure they will die down. I will comment each week for four weeks to update."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2021

"Zoloft did not go well for me. I was taking 25 mg for only two days and couldn't keep going due to side effects. The side effects started with extreme nausea on day one, then diarrhea, heart racing. Day two was horrific, I fell asleep and woke up with heart racing, sweating, shaking, and dry heaving. I considered going to the hospital. I took a Xanax and a shower, and luckily it calmed down. I only had that one episode but continued to have the extreme nausea and heart racing into day three. I stopped taking it after the second dose, and the nausea has gone down significantly and I could eat a little. Definitely couldn't brave through the side effects. It truly scared me."

• Cri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2017

"I was put on Zoloft for PTSD. I took 25 mg daily for just over 3 months. It really did help my anxiety and allowed me to finish the school year. With Zoloft, I have been a lot calmer, and it really helped me with day-to-day activities. If you just started this medication and are experiencing side effects, hang in there! My first week made me very nauseous and gave me insomnia. The nausea lasted only a week for me. Even though it did wonders for my mental health, it gave me a lot of physical health issues, so I had to stop taking the medication. It caused me to gain a lot of weight in a short amount of time. Furthermore, it caused a slight bedwetting issue and very elevated liver enzymes. Good for anxiety, but my body didn't like it."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2019

"The worst experience I've ever had. Zoloft made me so sick it was unbelievable. I had gastric disturbances, headaches, and severe ringing in the ears. I was only one tablet from 25 mg to 50 mg, and I became so sick. I had weird dreams, had to come off the medication. I had hair loss, chunks of hair loss, vivid, weird, extremely strange dreams. With all the other reviews that I've seen on it, why was I losing my hair? Why did I have every adverse effect, and my symptoms got worse? There was no benefit to this drug for me, only sickness and the worst dream experiences. And again, why were chunks of hair coming out of my head? I will never take it again and do not suggest anyone to take it, especially since I'm the size of a child. But once again, the prescriber only saw my age. Size needs to be taken into consideration when it comes to this drug, just like every other drug."

• Jef...
• March 7, 2017

"Tinnitus that is constant. Loud all the time and gets louder occasionally. It drives me crazy to the point of wanting to get off Zoloft. I ask every doctor I see if anything can be done for tinnitus. The answer is always no. Is it this medication? Anyone with tinnitus will understand. I also have various problems urinating and sexual issues. Thank you for giving me this forum."

• pts...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2017

"MIGRAINE SUFFERERS BEWARE: this medication took my migraine condition to another level of pain and frequency. The worst part is that my doctor did not share with me that Zoloft can make migraines worse before I started the medication. I had at least 2-3 days every week that not only was I completely incapacitated by the pain of them (something typical with migraines) to the point that I could not go to class, but the vomiting and nausea were relentless. I lost 15 pounds on this medication after taking it for just 6 weeks because of the vomiting from migraines. I went to the hospital toward the end of trying Zoloft because of dehydration and the worst pain I've felt in my life from the migraines this caused. Be careful if you have migraines."