After being really depressed for about 2 years I finally went to the doctor and now I've been on 50mg of Zoloft for 11 days. Yesterday, I think was the worst I've ever felt...and so far today is going the same way. I know it can take time for SSRIs to work, but shouldn't I feel a little better by now? I have noticed a definate decrease in my sex drive, but other than that no side effects. It also hasn't helped my social anxiety, but that's not why I was prescribed it.

I have to go back to the doc in about two weeks, so I'll stay on it until then, but I don't think it's going to work. What do I do now? Higher dose? A different SSRI? Something else? If one SSRI doesn't work for someone, does that mean other SSRIs probably won't either? Also, if I get a higher dose, is that going to make the sexual side effects even worse?

it can take up to a good few weeks before the med start working. If you are not xperiencing any horribel side effects then I would stick with it until you next meet your doctor, in the mean, don't upper the dosage yourself, and just carry on taking as much as you have been told. I know it's annoying, I have been on a different type SSRI for almost 3 weeks now, and I have not felt anything positive yet, but rather, I have been feeling mush worse some days. I know it's really annoying, but just give it more time...

I agree with Extra... Sometimes it takes a month to notice the effects... And if it's not bothering you and creating icky side effects, I'd stay on it. It just might work. GOOD luck to you ~ Sly :)

Give it more time. The sexual side effects are probably here to stay. Typical of SSRI's.

i took zoloft for 3 weeks. HAD to stop taking it. i was so anxious on that stuff just looking at that little pill. AD's do take soem time to work. typically 6-8 weeks. and alot of the time the first one ya try isnt' the one for you. i tried a couple before going on generic prozac. its great for me.

So what am I supposed to do in the mean time? It was a beautiful day today...but I spent the whole day crying in a dark room. I don't think I can take another day of this. :(

Hi BigBlock, are you in therapy?

You might want to talk with your doctor about changing the dose. I had some real highs and lows in the early stages with Zoloft. Even a small change could make a big difference.

No, I'm not in therapy, but I don't see how that would help me either. Isn't there anything else they can give me to make me feel better right now, even if it's only temporary? What if I go to the emergency room? I thought I couldn't possibly feel any worse than I did yesterday, but I do today. I can't stop thinking about killing myself. I just feel so worthless. :(

call your doctor!!! sometimes anti depressant make depression worse. if they cant' get you in then tell them you are worse....to the point of self harm.

No, I'm not in therapy, but I don't see how that would help me either. Isn't there anything else they can give me to make me feel better right now, even if it's only temporary? What if I go to the emergency room? I thought I couldn't possibly feel any worse than I did yesterday, but I do today. I can't stop thinking about killing myself. I just feel so worthless. :(

50 mg. is a starting dose. If it's not making you feel anxious or keeping you awake AND it's not helping you feel better, call and tell your doctor. Actually, since the doc has you on it without a check in for a whole month, you may want to see another doc or a psychiatrist, if you aren't already.

Oh, wait, you are stuck on thoughts of killing yourself, or are you feeling so hopeless....? Call 1-800-suicide and/or go to the ER.

edit to add: how old are you?

Thanks for your concern everyone. I have another appointment tomarrow afternoon. I still don't know how it's going to help though, if everything takes so many weeks to work. I just don't think I can wait that long. :(

I'm 21 BTW.

No, I'm not in therapy, but I don't see how that would help me either.

BigBlock, therapy can teach you how to work on your social anxiety. People have social anxiety because of the thoughts that they have in their head about how they feel about themselves and others, etc.

Alright, he upped the Zoloft from 50 to 150mg daily, and also put me on amitriptyline. Am I supposed to just start taking 150mg now, or do I need to up the dose slowly? Nobody explained it to me....I think it's time for a new doctor. :rolleyes:

Call the doc asap.

"he upped the Zoloft from 50 to 150mg daily, and also put me on amitriptyline. Am I supposed to just start taking 150mg now, or do I need to up the dose slowly? Nobody explained it to me....I think it's time for a new doctor"

hi there,
he prob wants you to add the 100mg to the 50 you're already taking, because of the severity of the situation, but i agree with survivor3!!!!! call him and ask him first before you do anything!!!

and, yeah, if he keeps not explaining things to you (you have to remember to ask too, and DON"T leave the office until your questions are all answered!!--write them on a piece of paper ahead of time), he's too vague, etc., look for one who is a bit more personal...

best of luck, and God bless,
dakota

Hi BigBlock--
Yep--CAll the doc--although he probably did mean to start taking the full 150 mgs right now you need to be sure. And it does take several weeks for the effect to be felt with SSRI's--that's the pits, I know. Been right where you are. The amitryptiline should help you sleep--but if you are super anxious your doc can give you some bezodiazepenes--you have to ask for them specifically--they can really help take the edge off while you're waiting for the Zoloft to relieve the anxiety. I personally found Klonipin to work best for me--it was very gentle, worked fast and didn't leave me with a sudden let down feeling like Xanax or Valium. If you are working with a GP they are much less likely to give you those kinds of drugs than a psychiatrist--my GP just refused after a while, but my p-doc is a believer in keeping me comfortable! So while I was adjusting to the Zoloft but still climbing the walls with anxiety I took a lot of Klonipin--still have to take it now--11 years later and probably will as long as I have this same family......oh, that was just bad.....it's all me & my crazies.
Good luck & hang in there, ok??