Zoloft and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• J_M...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2013

For Depression "Zoloft did not help me at all. I was on it for about 3 months, worked up to 100 mg. I was tired and hungry all the time. I gained 20 lbs and slept all day. I was a complete zombie. Definitely made my depression worse."

• tah...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2023

For Depression "NOTE: I was on this medication for a short period while my doctor was trying to change over my previous medications. I took this medication with an antipsychotic to manage sleep only. In short, this medication did not work for me. After deciding to change my medications, my doctor decided to put me on Zoloft. I only took it for two weeks and was told to have a direct switch with my medications because it just wasn't working the way I needed it to. I had low moods, sadness, and lethargy, was heavily deprived of energy, and had no motivation. However, I did not experience severe depression, which was the reason I was taking medication in the first place. I believe that this occurred because it just didn't do much compared to my previous medications and was probably not strong enough. This medication is not strong at all, so it is a very safe option with minimal side effects, especially if a patient is just beginning to take antidepressants."

• Kri...
• March 2, 2012

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I have general anxiety disorder. I see a therapist weekly. She said I suffer from anxiety and depression. I lost my best friend in January, and it triggered my anxiety and depression. I'm a stay-at-home mom of two kids. Daily activities became a hassle, and I stress and worry so much now. This past week, I've noticed a change for the better, but I felt I was still battling it. I had bad tension headaches and went to my doctor, and he gave me 25 mg to take for a month. I took one almost two and a half hours ago. I started yawning and became tired. I'm laying in bed now and feel awake. So far, it seems to be working. I feel calm and not stressed. I'm hoping it works like it has for everyone else."

• Rob...
• June 28, 2018

For Depression "Good medicine helps anxiety and depression, was on a higher dose but seemed to make me too tired and not care as much. Lowered it to 50-75 mg and had a tad more anxiety, but side effects down and much more like myself. Maybe it’s true less is more."

• Anonymous
• January 17, 2012

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I just started taking Zoloft 3 days ago for general and social anxiety. I have experienced side effects that include headaches, discomfort in my chest, nausea, decrease in appetite, losing weight already. Sometimes it feels like my head is bound up. I used to get really tense while driving, but with the medicine I don't get tense, just alert. I haven't been back to school or work, so I'm not sure how effective it is for my social anxiety. I am now generally happy, and I do not experience worrisome thoughts as much. It makes me tired, and sometimes I just pass out and wake up with insomnia. I used to be very mean to my dog, I think he is seeing a difference in my behavior. I'm hoping the symptoms become less. 50mg then 100mg."

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2015

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I have been prescribed Zoloft (50 mg daily) but have not started taking it yet. I am 62 years old and have been on various medications for depression and anxiety over the years, starting with Prozac, which I took on and off during my 40s. I have read many of the comments here, and they are helpful, but I would like to know how these meds affect older people like me. When I was in my 50s, I tried Prozac again, and it did not affect me the same, I could not take it. I am afraid to take anything. It seems that they all make me sleepy and tired. So, if anyone reads this who is in their late 50s and over, I would like to know how Zoloft works for you. Thank you."

• ben...
• September 13, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Zoloft/Sertraline for only a couple of days, but can instantly feel the effects. I cannot stop tapping my feet/moving my legs, maybe it's energy that I didn't have for a while. I'm not sure. It is affecting my stomach, but I will see how it goes for a couple of weeks. Could do with losing a bit of weight. Could not sleep for love nor money last night, my mind was active, but I actually felt like I could have a laugh with my wife in the evening. She says I have been really horrible to be with (moaning, etc.). At work, I feel like I'm on edge, but hoping once it really kicks in I will feel more 'myself.' Extremely tired and keep yawning and feeling less emotional for a 29-year-old man. I will update after a few weeks to advise how it's going."

• Kri...
• July 4, 2009

For Depression "No suicidal ideation, but I was the most boring, apathetic, and tired person ever. I literally fell asleep standing up. Extreme dreams. This changed me, and everybody noticed. It was only good in the sense that I was no longer sad."

• Im ...
• May 27, 2010

For Anxiety and Stress "I started using this about 5 weeks ago. I noticed the difference in the way I felt within a day or two. I was able to focus and concentrate again! I've gotten even better as the weeks have gone by. I was still feeling very tired after three weeks, so my doctor added Wellbutrin with the Zoloft, and now I feel great! Zoloft works... in some cases, you may need an additional medicine, not always."

• Cof...
• October 28, 2021

For Depression "All it took was one dose to completely discombobulate me. Before this, I've been anxious and depressed for weeks, but yesterday I was nearly incapacitated by it, so I decided I would try Zoloft to see if it would help me. This drug, a few hours after I took it, sent me into what I would describe as a mental and physical rock bottom. I felt a wave of deep sadness accompanied by an even stronger feeling of exhaustion. All I could do was sleep and cry. My mornings are normally my best hours of the day, but today, I feel empty. I just want to go back to the nightmare I am familiar with. This is straight-up terrible."

• Hop...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 27, 2021

For Depression "I have a long history with Zoloft, mostly successful, with a couple of self-inflicted bumps in the road. I do have issues with weight, low libido, and lethargy on this drug. I had been doing well on 25 mg since December (after being on mostly 100 mg the previous 20 years). Then some big stressors came my way in late July, and my old major depression came back. Basically feeling paralyzed and unable to enjoy anything. Back in December, my doctor had said I could increase to 50 mg if necessary, so I started doing so on August 9. The depression had not abated by the time I saw the doctor again on September 9. He recommended going up to 100 mg until I felt better from the serotonin stabilizing. I had a breakthrough one week later (September 16) where I finally felt much better. But that lasted only a week, and I started feeling bad again three days ago (September 25). So I’m just waiting for it to kick in again so I can hopefully go back down to 50 mg. Struggling with insomnia as well."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2019

For Depression "I started on Zoloft exactly 3 months ago. 25 mg for two days, then 50 mg for two days, then 75 mg, then 100 mg. I noticed a change immediately, likely due to placebo. My mood leveled out pretty quick once I hit 100 mg to a neutral place without the low low days. At 3 weeks, I was scheduled to go up to 150 mg (and did) and stayed on that dose for a month. Low mood crept back in gradually and then several days in a row. 2 weeks ago, I was upped to 200 mg, and at this point I am still waiting for it to really take effect. My doctor did mention it could take around 2 weeks. -Physical anxiety: (racing heart, trouble slowing breathing) 2.5 weeks, attributed to caffeine consumption - no longer can have more than 1 cup a day (coffee). -Exhaustion: 2 days at each dose increase. -Insomnia: whole time. Trazodone prescribed. -Appetite down: need a protein shake in the morning to start my metabolism."

• trl...
• January 3, 2008

For Depression "I have been taking Zoloft for about six months. I was terribly depressed, anxious, paranoid, and very overweight. I am so much happier and more productive than I was before. At first, the dry mouth and tiredness were really bothersome, and it took about three months before I really noticed it working. It seems that the longer you take it, the more side effects are noticeable."

• Anonymous
• April 9, 2010

For Depression "I have been taking Zoloft for about a month and a half now. I have noticed severe loss of appetite, and I have been vomiting after I take the medication (even with the consumption of food). I have also been dizzy and more tired throughout the day. I also experienced low sex drive, slight memory loss, and lack of motivation. On the upside, I haven't had any panic attacks, thoughts of suicide, and I have not cried since taking the medication."

• Anonymous
• June 14, 2011

For Depression "I hadn't found an anti-depressant that worked until my OB put me on Zoloft towards the end of my pregnancy. All others made me suicidal, and I am already diagnosed as a manic depressive. Zoloft is amazing, with the exception of the yawns and difficulty having an orgasm. But it's all worth it to have a medicine that actually works."

• let...
• December 20, 2016

For Depression "I was recently given this in addition to Wellbutrin to help with anxiety and depression. I was to take 25 mg a day for 4 days, then move up to 50. Right off the bat, I noticed that this made me tired, but when I took the 50 mg dose, my stomach got upset and I threw up about an hour later. Slept a long time. I woke up and felt some of the worst depression I had felt in months. I felt extremely tired, no appetite, angry, no drive, foggy-headed. I've never had any success with basic SSRIs. I was prescribed this medication over 10 years ago. It was a failure then, and it is a failure now. The only AD I can seem to tolerate is Wellbutrin. I don't see the doc for a while, until then, I will be using other tools to combat my depression."

• let...
• December 20, 2016

For Depression "I was recently given this in addition to Wellbutrin to help with anxiety and depression. I was to take 25 mg a day for 4 days, then move up to 50. Right off the bat, I noticed that this made me tired, but when I took the 50 mg dose, my stomach got upset and I threw up about an hour later. Slept a long time. I woke up and felt some of the worst depression I had felt in months. I felt extremely tired, no appetite, angry, no drive, foggy-headed. I've never had any success with basic SSRIs. I was prescribed this medication over 10 years ago. It was a failure then, and it is a failure now. The only AD I can seem to tolerate is Wellbutrin. I don't see the doc for a while, until then, I will be using other tools to combat my depression."

• Cra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 6, 2020

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I started taking Zoloft for social anxiety, and it did help that aspect of my life a lot. But at higher doses, I became very lethargic, tired, and lazy. I ended up lying in bed all the time, gaining 30 lbs, and falling into a nighttime eating habit. I was weaned off of it for about 6 months but ended up having bad anxiety again, so I started it back up again, this time at a lower dose. It’s great for treating anxiety, but I don’t enjoy what it turns me into."

• Cra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 6, 2020

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I started taking Zoloft for social anxiety, and it did help that aspect of my life a lot. But at higher doses, I became very lethargic, tired, and lazy. I ended up lying in bed all the time, gaining 30 lbs, and falling into a nighttime eating habit. I was weaned off of it for about 6 months but ended up having bad anxiety again, so I started it back up again, this time at a lower dose. It’s great for treating anxiety, but I don’t enjoy what it turns me into."

• Lex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2018

For Panic Disorder "Started this drug for anxiety, stress, and panic attacks. Within 4 hours of my first pill (25 mg), I felt dizzy, shaky, nervous, tired, and scared. I continued to take it for the next 4 weeks, and symptoms did not improve, only worsened. I developed intrusive thoughts and was scared to be alone. I was sleeping over 10 hours a night and could hardly get through the day. My vision was blurry. I didn’t feel like myself, I felt crazy and began snapping at those around me. Mood swings. Almost quit my job. The whole lot. I’m tapering down right now and thankfully starting to feel like myself again. Would not try it again in the future, will take a more natural approach. I have taken other SSRIs and never had this bad of a reaction to them. I couldn’t bother giving it another 2 weeks to see if I would get better."

• HBN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2021

For Depression "I have always struggled with depression and anxiety, but I had a bit of depression that had left me in my bed for six months. I decided to go to my doctor. I had previously (2 years prior) taken Citalopram, I didn’t like the sexual dysfunction symptoms. I was given 50 mg Sertraline (Zoloft). I felt awfully fatigued and tired the first time I took it, as well as dizzy and spaced out (would recommend not driving!). This continued over the next few weeks, I constantly felt sick and didn’t want to eat, felt out with my body. I stuck with it, and by the 5th week, I was feeling fewer side effects but still felt it wasn’t touching my depression. I went to the doctor and got 100 mg. After about 2 months, I felt happy for the first time ever. It was a strange feeling, and my thoughts drifted to moments of almost ‘euphoria’ to be experienced for a few minutes. Would recommend starting on the lowest dose and building up. Still sexual dysfunction side effects, but worth it."

• hal...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 20, 2013

For Panic Disorder "I have panic disorder along with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Zoloft did help me for a while, but over time I noticed weight gain, emotional numbness, night sweats, and just general laziness. I didn't care for anything! After much research, I discovered that all anti-anxiety meds begin to lose their effect over time. But it did help me for the first 4 years I took it."

• Jes...
• May 11, 2012

For Depression "Started taking Zoloft after weaning off Tramadol for a torn ACL in the left knee. Zoloft saved my life! I have tried coming off Tramadol several times with no success. I had to keep getting back on it because the withdrawal symptoms were so severe, that's even with my doctor weaning me over 4 weeks down to 1 - 50 mg tab a day! Zoloft kept me from having suicidal thoughts and anxiety along with the hot flashes and made it to where I could function and live a life again. The best advice is to start the Zoloft while you wean, then it will be in your system when you completely go off the Trams. The side effects are less noticeable as your body gets adjusted. The only side effect that was annoying was yawning all the time, but after a couple of days, that went away."

• Coo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2015

For Depression "Zoloft has been a complete hell for two months and a half. I've tried to up the dose to 75 as I was taking 50. With no results, but it made me dizzy to the point I couldn't drive, nauseous, and exhausted. Also, this medication has increased my social phobia. A complete hell. To those thinking on taking Zoloft, please consider other options. I've never felt so bad in my entire life. Now changing to Prozac."

• Anonymous
• January 17, 2011

For Panic Disorder "I have been taking Zoloft 50 mg for panic attacks for 7 years. I feel great, and I have not noticed any side effects other than yawning right after I take the pill. It works so well for me that I never want to go off of it, however, no studies have been done on long-term side effects. I also don't want to go off of it because of all the scary things I hear about withdrawal symptoms."