Zoloft Experience Continued...

Just starting a new thread to continue to document this experience and get support for my HW family as I try to stick it out on Zoloft.

Thanks again to everyone who has continued to encourage me. Today feels a little better. Yoga this morning helped calm me down a lot.



Edited to add the original thread link of Parks Journey.

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=3402715

Post Edited By Moderator (AngelLisa) : 5/28/2015 9:52:33 AM (GMT-6)

Thanks, Lisa.

I think I've been trying too hard to let go of the xanax too quickly as I start up the Zoloft. I'm going to take the advice of someone on my other thread and utilize my xanax until the Zoloft levels out in my system. Then I'll sit down with my doctor and discuss weaning and going back to using Xanax as needed as opposed to regularly.

Mama,

I'm definitely noticing changes. There is definitely less panic and anxiety. I think because of my health anxiety, I'm really drawn to noticing the negative physical feelings in my body and letting my imagination get carried away.

I also think the past few days I've been extra upset because my cycle started today, so the anxiety has been higher. However, this should be a good example of the zoloft working because I was much calmer this month around cycle time than I normally am.

WTBN,

I hope you're right. I'm just afraid that if I keep taking my xanax, I'll never know if the zoloft is really working. I definitely feel different, so something must be changing. I'm sure I need to give it more time.

Time is the trick! Zoloft has been a tremendous help for me and my health anxiety. I think once it kicks in it'll do wonders for you.

Oh wow. I had that side-effect on Cymbalta. I couldn't cry for months on end. I even had a very sad thing happen within my family, and couldn't cry. It hurt so bad to not be able to let it out. I eventually stopped Cymbalta due to this and other side-effects I believe I've mentioned in other threads.

I don't mention this to discourage you. All meds have side-effects, and it's all about what you can live with.

Park12 ~ I think that's "normal" (if there is such a thing). I was on zoloft for 4-5 years and cried maybe 3-5 times at most. For me that was okay because, prior to starting the zoloft, I'd been crying every day for well over a year. So, it was a nice break from the constant tears. Now, I've become allergic to zoloft just a couple days ago and have had to quit the med cold turkey. Tonight is the first time I've been teary eyed in years, after having been off the med for only 24 hours.

Sknight, the nice thing is that I definitely feel like I can still laugh and smile. Maybe I really was crying more than I needed to. I know crying is a good release, but my tears would come at the drop of a pin and it was actually something I didn't love about myself. I suppose I'd call this an improvement so far. I also just wanted to say that I hope you're doing ok with your cold turkey quit. My fingers are crossed for you!!

Hibee, thanks. I think yoga is a huge help. I've found a few poses that genuinely make a difference in my anxiety, so maybe I'll post some of those for others to have a look at!

Thanks, Lisa! That's how I'm trying to look at it. A lot of the things I could cry about before didn't really deserve tears, so I think this will be a nice change. Maybe I'll start feeling a nice release from a good laugh I stead of a good cry!

Yep, that's kind of how I'm feeling, Jennings. It's weird because I feel like there are positives and negatives.

Today I'm having more trouble with the jaw clenching so I'm trying what S.C. suggested and chewing gum. It's may be helping a little, but I can't do this all day. I took a .25 xanax this morning and I just took my second dose. It's not as helpful as .5, but I'm trying to cut back, otherwise I'll never know if I can tolerate the Zoloft.

I can tell the medicine is helping, but I'm so hyper focused on the clenching, that I'm not sure I can get past it. I have therapy today and am going to discuss it with my therapist and see what she thinks. It's been 3 weeks on zoloft this Saturday, but only one week on the 25mg dose, so I should probably give it at least another week to see if this side effect goes away. I just feel frustrated.

Larry, I'm thinking you're right and this is just a version of myself that I haven't seen in a long time. I've always been sensitive but wasn't such a teary girl and then turned into a person who bawled regularly. This is not bad. :)

I'll be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts your way, sknight! I'm sure this is a pretty stressful thing to go through, but we're all here to support you!

"Animated".... :) that's a great description.