Hi everyone.

I started Zoloft 9 days ago for my health anxiety. At first I didn't notice anything different, but over the past few days I have been feelings SO strange.

I feel light-headed whenever I'm standing up...I have a constant dull headache and a ringing in my ears.

Mentally, I am being really forgetful and feeling kind of aloof. I feel as though my emotions are somewhat dulled.

Are these side-effects? They are new symptoms.

And my anxiety is worse if anything! I have been looking up my symptoms and they all point to brain cancer. I have been worried for days...I am debating over whether to see a neurosurgeon or going to my family doctor. I'm embarassed she's going to think I'm crazy. I have even thought of going to the ER but I don't want them to think I'm stupid and i also have a $75 copay with my insurance for an ER visit.

I don't know what to do! I don't even want to take the Zoloft...my health anxiety comes and goes....I can go for months without worrying and then worry for a few weeks until i get it taken care of, then go months without worrying. I guess my problem is once i have a disease in my head I can't stop thinking about it and am convinced i have it.

Thanks for any advice.

Hello,
What dosage of Zoloft are you taking? Maybe cut back and let your body adjust. I have been on 6.5 mg for a few weeks and will up it to 12.5 this week............I have more anxiety on Zoloft but my mood is much better. I take Klonopin for the anxiety but it is always there a little. I used to have all the health worries, but I don't get that anymore. I think it changes direction every now and again:confused:
I hope you adjust, but do know that I felt off the first week and my daughter takes it as well and the first week she was on 12.5 and was so dizzy, nauseaus, sweaty ect.........so we cut it back for 2 weeks then went back up and she is doing well .....still some anxiety but overall better.

Keep me updated on how you are doing!:wave:

Hi, thanks for replying.

I was taking 25mg for the first 7 days, I felt a little off, but nothing like now. The past three days I have been taking 50mg as directed by my doctor and I feel soooooooo out of it. Constant lightheadedness and a headache.

I think I will cut back to 25mg tonight and continue that until I can get to a doctor. I think I might try to see a new one as this one just kind of prescribed the meds and didn't really talk to me about what was going on.

My moods are more or less fine....its ony the anxiety I need to go away...the funny thing was I wasn't having any health anxiety when I went to the doctor. I went with something else wrong and told her about my past health anxieties (of which there are many).She told me to take Zoloft. And now that I have the Zoloft I am back to health anxiety (brain cancer). Who knows?

So sorry to hear that you are not doing well..........I would think that if it got worse when you upped it to drop the dosage back down and see if that helps. I know it takes about a week to drop the level down. let me know how you are after you drop it back to 25. I have very sensitive and I get suicidal if the dosage is to high ......like 5mg of Prozac..........

Hang in there and you will find the right mix.:wave:

FusionQueen

Thanks. Just last night I started with the 25mg again. It might just be in my head (haha) but I feel less lightheaded already.

What side effects have other people had while on Zoloft? I feel like my list is a mile long and half of them arent even listed on the official drug warning label.

It also sucks that my anxiety is worse than before!

Well, I went to a different doctor today and I am going to go off of Zoloft. We talked about my anxiety and a few things were decided:

1) I have situational anxiety (health,flying) and not GAD or dedpression so maybe an "as needed" drug would be better than SSRI

2) What was described as obsessive tendencies by the other doctor two weeks ago are more than likely personality traits since I have had them since I was a kid. No seretonin leveling off is going to help me,but perhaps therapy will.

3) I am OFF the Zoloft (thank GOD) because I was having awful side-effects like horrible headaches

4) I am going to see a counseller and try that BEFORE trying any more drugs.

I am sooooooooooooooo happy with this. :) I dont' need to taper off because I have only been taking 25mg the past few days and have only been on it 2 weeks. Maybe I will do 12.5 for a few days just to be super sure I don't get any withdrawal. The doc said I wouldn't get any withdrawal but from what I read on here I might.

Good For You Fiona!! I am trying to ween myself off Zoloft too, I find It makes me more anxious then ever and my doctor gave me permission if I wanted to, been on for about 12 weeks or so, the meds. also makes me feel ill sometimes I am down to abot 8- 10 milligrams, I do not dare go cold turkey, on it I feel yucky cannot imagine just stopping, probably to dangerous with all the stuff I heard about it and read, you know! I only:) took 25 milligrams anyway, tried 50 and I felt like I was zoned, I think doctors are to quick to give medicine anyway, I see a therapist and she helps imensley, GOOD LUCKTO YOU AND GOD BLESS!! Amy J.:wave: