Zoloft and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• August 12, 2010

For Depression "I've been on Zoloft (generic) for a few weeks now. I'm on a low dose (25 mg) to get me started. I haven't noticed much of a lift in my mood, in fact, I tend to get sad more easily. But I have fewer headaches, which used to be a big problem for me. Also, I've noticed it makes me really tired, so I take it at night to help me sleep."

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2020

For Postpartum Depression "I’ve been on this for about a month now. It gives me horrible headaches, and I notice if I don’t take it, my depression comes back 10x worse. I’ve been battling PPD for 2 years, and I hate feeling like I’m not doing enough for my kids."

• Ano...
• April 14, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I had depression and anxiety for 2 years. Tried Prozac, and from the 3rd pill, it was terrible! Severe headache! Changed to Zoloft and started increasing the dose gradually from 12.5 to 25, then 50. Noticed improvement in about 1-2 months. I recommend this drug. Tried to stop it 2 months ago, and I relapsed, so I am taking it now again, hoping it could work again. However, my insomnia is killing me!!!!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2018

For Panic Disorder "I took Zoloft for approximately five months. It helped a lot with my anxiety, particularly as it pertained to driving (I have had panic attacks when driving on the interstate). However, I gained 10 pounds and did not change my eating or exercise habits. I cannot tolerate weight gain--then I really would be depressed! My doctor said to half the dose (from 50 mg to 25) for a week, and then I could stop. This worked fine for me, and I only experienced a headache and fuzzy feeling the first day off. I am not going to try another drug of this type unless necessary. I am going to try other ways of dealing with anxiety. I know that is not always an option, and my anxiety is pretty much circumstantial. I hope the weight comes off, as many have said it hangs on!"

• ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2019

"I started Zoloft a little over two weeks ago, my starting dose was 25 mg to test for any negative side effects before going on 50 mg a week later. The first week was pretty rough: insomnia, odd dreams when I finally got to sleep, very depressed, absolutely no motivation. It's been about a week or so on the 50 mg, and I've noticed some pretty weird side effects including: jaw clenching HARD without realizing, headaches, confused when waking up (not being able to remember what was reality and what was a dream), poor vision, and oddly enough, an increased OCD anxiety. Hoping it will wear off by the 3-week mark, seeing as though that's when a lot of people are saying they started to feel better. We'll see."

• koo...
• November 10, 2009

For Depression "Started taking 100 mg one year ago for mild postpartum depression. It really helped me for the first 6 (ish) months, and I definitely felt a change. I started feeling depressed again (several life 'happenings'), so my doctor increased my dose to 150 mg, which I have currently been taking for going on 4 months now. I've been feeling depressed again and am at the point where I either need to increase my dose (again...and I'm already on a high dose) or switch to a different medicine. I think I'm trying the latter. Some of the side effects I have experienced: insomnia, extreme fatigue, slight weight gain (10 lbs over a one-year period...active young mom, so very weird for me), increased depression, headaches."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2018

"I was on Zoloft 2 years ago and thought I no longer needed it. 2 years later, anxiety and panic attacks. To be honest, I forgot how horrid the side effects were. And I got them all again! Nausea, increased anxiety, headaches, no appetite, terrible indigestion, and insomnia. I was losing hope the second time round. But I just wanted to hang in there. I had all these side effects for the first 4 FULL weeks! Finally, one morning I woke up feeling like myself. I'm now on week 8 and I can function like my old self. I still have a bit of insomnia now and then. And a tad bit of anxiety. But the improvement is night and day. I'm glad I stuck it out. 4 weeks can seem like forever being so sick. But I still pushed myself to do household chores and plenty of sunshine outside to keep my brain busy. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! Good luck, everyone. I take 50mg after breakfast every morning."

• Ano...
• February 12, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I'm on day 11 of taking Zoloft 25 mg. Thus far, I hate this drug. Put on it for anxiety and panic attacks. Doc wouldn't prescribe Xanax as I have an addictive personality, so wanted to avoid benzos altogether. I've experienced all the side effects of this drug within the first three days: headaches, dizziness, diarrhea, and anxiety seems worse than before I was put on this. I keep reading that it takes four to six weeks for the drug to take effect and that it gets worse before it gets better. Is this true? I'm supposed to try to stay on it a full month and go from there. I'm 41 and female. And thus far, I hate this drug."

• yve...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2018

For Depression "I had a difficult time on this medication. I was given 25 mg for depression and anxiety. I have bipolar disorder, but due to perimenopause, my depression and anxiety have become extremely horrible. I am sensitive to medication and took only half (12.5 mg) of a pill to start. Within 30 minutes, I was so amped up I could not stop talking or sit still. I had a headache, electric feeling through my whole body, dizziness, muscle cramps, and sweating. About four hours in, after trying to eat, I got hives and was really itchy. When I went to bed, I stayed somewhere between awake and sleeping mixed with anxiety and nightmares. The next day, I felt sore and exhausted and fuzzy-headed. I will say I was not depressed or suicidal, but obviously I had a bad reaction. I won’t be taking another one, which is a shame. It took me a month to try it due to being afraid of taking an antidepressant because of possible side effects. Hopefully, this med can help someone else."

• VPa...
• April 25, 2020

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Started taking Zoloft on September 8. The first month was very tiring with headaches. October: headaches and no appetite that persisted until the third month. Had some hair loss and diarrhea for a month or so in December. Then I had nausea and bad brain zaps around February 9. That was when I was fully off for a week. January: I was taking half dosage the whole month. Now it’s April, and I still have a few dull brain zaps when I’m really tired or if I cried. Plus the sexual side effects did not go away. Decreased libido, and I don’t feel horny anymore. There’s literally not the same feeling as before I started taking the medication. Not as much natural lubrication either. The doctor that gave this to me told me nothing about it but gave me a printout. Always ask what medications your doctor is supposed to be upselling before accepting ANY. ALWAYS look at the warnings. Sadly, this did not work, and it’s taking me a long time to try to get back to a normal libido and mind again."

• Anonymous
• September 30, 2010

For Depression "I am 19 and was prescribed a small (10 mg) dosage to start me off. I took it in the morning before my classes started. After an hour, I began feeling nervous, headaches, upset stomach, dizziness, and I had uncontrollable shaking in my hands and feet. The doctors are starting me on something different, but will try Zoloft again at a later time. If it is your first time using Zoloft, I highly recommend using it after work/school. I would really like to give Zoloft another try since I have seen great reviews."

• Anonymous
• September 26, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I just started taking Zoloft. I am a 16-year-old male suffering from severe social anxiety. I was never like this before a couple of months ago. Anyway, I started taking it about 5 days ago. At first, my anxiety got worse. But today I didn't feel all that bad and just hope it gets better from here. We will see. Also, only side effects: slight headache here and there."

• LVD...
• January 30, 2019

For Social Anxiety Disorder "Zoloft was prescribed to manage my generalized anxiety disorder. I took 50 mg per day for four years. I feel it worked well. I've also been to talk therapy to work on these issues, so I'm not forever dependent on medication. It was my plan to wean myself at some point. I forgot my medication for a week-long vacation recently. I guess you could say I was thrown into an involuntary cold turkey withdrawal. Within a couple of days, I experienced overwhelming nausea. It has been 17 days since I took Zoloft, and the nausea is still pretty strong. Aside from the nausea, I have experienced a low-grade headache and brain fog. Had I known the withdrawal symptoms were challenging, I might have strongly reconsidered this medication. I used to take Clonazepam on an as-needed basis for anxiety and did not experience any withdrawal symptoms. I hope these nausea symptoms improve soon. I rate this medication's effectiveness for me at a 9 but rate it as a 1 for withdrawal."

• Lau...
• November 3, 2016

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I am a 32-year-old female who just started taking Zoloft for my OCD. I have been on it for two days, and right now I'm having the worst headache ever. I rarely ever get headaches, and they're never this bad. Could the Zoloft be causing this? I'm reading all of these wonderful stories about how it helps with OCD, and I just don't know if I can keep taking it if I have this side effect. I'm at my wit's end with all of these drugs, and I just want to live a normal, healthy life without obsessions and compulsions. By the way, I have bipolar disorder as well. I am on mood stabilizers and Neurontin."

• Jum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2021

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I started out on 25 mg of sertraline, and I was met with the expected heightened anxiety, jitters, and a feeling of pressure in my head. The pressure faded after about 3-4 days, and I was left with the anxiousness for the next 3 weeks. I attempted twice to up my dose to 50 mg (my prescribing physician wanted me to eventually graduate to 100 mg), but each time I did, I experienced massive panic attacks that would wake me from my sleep (took sertraline in the morning). I did experience some improvement in my anxiety around that time, but not enough to warrant remaining at 25 mg, so I've now switched to escitalopram. My experience might be a one-off, but I'd exercise caution when starting sertraline, especially if you are already prone to panic attacks, it certainly was a frightening experience for me, and not one I'd be keen to do over again."

• blu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2018

"My doctor prescribed me this for help with symptoms caused by IBS. After taking this for a week, I did my own research and did not find that anyone had found this effective for IBS. This medication gave me the worst cramping and sore stomachs that I have ever experienced. I lost 4 kg over the week because it made me feel so sick, so I couldn't eat. I had a constant headache and constant diarrhea. Would not recommend this to anyone with IBS."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2018

For Depression "Terrible. Took it for a couple of days at night, instantly felt disoriented, dizzy, kind of like a drunk feeling. Started having vivid dreams. My mouth was super dry. Woke up the next day still feeling groggy, had headaches. Can't say this medication is for me."

• Pho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 13, 2018

For Panic Disorder "I used Zoloft 100 mg for extreme anxiety that involved panic attacks and depression. The side effects that occurred for me were feelings of tiredness and mild nausea. This medication worked for about 2 months. I had an improved mood and less anxiety. After that 2 months, this medication stopped working completely. It caused anxiety, mood swings, and really dark thoughts associated with the depressive episodes of the mood swings. I am not trying to say that you or a loved one shouldn’t try Zoloft. This is how it reacted with me, but it doesn’t mean that it would do the same to you or a loved one. Just be watchful for any adverse signs. The withdrawal symptoms are slightly uncomfortable. I personally tend to not get severe side effects from starting or stopping a medication. I currently have withdrawal symptoms that involve off-and-on headaches throughout the day and brain/body zaps. I stopped taking Zoloft about a week ago. Withdrawal symptoms for me were noticeable after about 4 days."

• Eri...
• December 12, 2020

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "This is my first time ever with an SSRI. I am a therapist myself and working with severe trauma in my clients, so I got burned out. I had about 8 negative side effects: inability to reach orgasm, extreme appetite, permanent jaw clenching and pain on the side of my tongue, diarrhea, headaches at night, exhaustion to the point of going to bed at 7 pm, muscle twitching, restless legs. I had my birthday, and I was having all these symptoms and couldn’t even enjoy! I wish I could just stop them in this second, but I know it’s not wise, and it could be dangerous. Never again. I just couldn’t believe it took away the most important thing in my life: my orgasms!!! I normally reach one in one minute with porn or my toys, and I also experience multiple. The pill took this joy away completely. I see reviews that say decreased libido, but I don’t see any story like mine. I would rather suffer all my life than have the best thing in life removed. What a shame!"

• Jan...
• February 24, 2015

For Social Anxiety Disorder "No terrible side effects aside from severe headaches when I miss a dose. Completely regulated my anxiety and mood."

• Sop...
• September 4, 2016

For Depression "I think this medication really could have worked for me, but I just cannot get through the headache side effect."

• Pri...
• January 25, 2017

For Depression "I've been all over the place in my head. It calms me down some, but not a lot. Plus, I've been gaining weight, I've been sick, headaches, itchy, and so much other stuff."

• Anonymous
• January 10, 2012

For Social Anxiety Disorder "Wish it worked for me but gave up after 8 weeks of headaches and nausea. I know it's popular, but it did nothing for me."