https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 11 May 2026 07:14:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-users#post-1929988 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 21:12:38 +0000 IRunForFun 1929988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: Thanks! Kinda sucks that it gets worse before it gets better when it's already bad! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-users#post-1929979 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 21:06:19 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1929979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>when i got on lexapro this time, the first month was horrendous. i wanted to quit! my anxiety, insomnia was so bad. but then just like that it disappeared and i feel much better.</p> <p>hang in there and give it a little more time! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-users#post-1929976 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 21:04:52 +0000 IRunForFun 1929976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: I'm not entirely sure, I think Paxil has a short half-life. Not 100% on that.</p> <p>Thanks for the tips! I was having such a bad one earlier that I couldn't even focus enough to get music going, but I definitely could have run my hands under cold water. Wish I'd thought of that! I'll put it in my arsenal. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-users#post-1929965 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 20:58:20 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1929965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: I could be soooo wrong because it's been a long time since I've weaned, but don't meds stay in your system for several days/weeks?</p> <p>I feel your pain. My anxiety is sky high &amp; my med check isn't until next week. </p> <p>Quick fixes for in the moment panic attacks:<br /> You tube calming music. It actually works.<br /> Breathing exercises.<br /> Running cold water on your hands.<br /> Really loud music. I like Manson. Scandinavian folk rock works too. </p> <p>Try keeping a journal. Is your panic/anxiety situational? Do you have a trigger? (Crowds? Foods? People? Certain activities?). Log your emotions vs your meds dosage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-users#post-1929936 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 20:52:19 +0000 IRunForFun 1929936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: Thanks! Yeah, I'm working with a doctor. I was concerned about the fast wean, too, because when I've tried going off Paxil in the past, I did it much more slowly, it took even longer than a month. 45 days maybe? </p> <p>But he said since I wasn't just going off completely and would be replacing with another SSRI, the tapering quickly and then starting up Zoloft would be OK and help ease withdrawal.</p> <p>The part that's throwing me off is that I felt terrible withdrawing from Paxil, and then did feel a lot better the first week or so on the super low dose of Zoloft. It wasn't until 10 or so days into the Zoloft/off of the Paxil that the anxiety hit. </p> <p>Anyway, I think since it's been over 2 weeks with no Paxil it's too late to go back and do a slower weaning process. I'm stuck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-users#post-1929922 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 20:45:02 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1929922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: my first concern is that you tapered off the meds way, way too quickly. Are you seeing a psychiatrist?</p> <p>I would have to look through my notes. I tapered off meds when we decided to TTC, and it took me closer to a month. I had a check list of symptoms to look for, including increased anxiety, lack of sleep and irritability. A quick remedy was to temporarily increase my dose, then back off slowly again. </p> <p>I would wean off slowly before introducing the new meds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-users#post-1929911 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 20:37:52 +0000 IRunForFun 1929911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: Thanks for chiming in! So, when I first went on Paxil (which I just calculated was 12 years ago, whoa!) it was one of the newer SSRIs and was supposed to be super effective for anxiety. And it worked awesomely for me! But at 18 I wasn't considering how long I'd be on it and future babies. Also, over the past 12 years a lot more studies have been conducted on Paxil and pregnancy, and unfortunately itis the only Category X SSRI. Figures! So definite no-no. I want to give it the week to see if anything changes so I don't suffer transition if I don't have to, but otherwise, yeah, I'm thinking time to switch... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-users#post-1929899 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 20:30:11 +0000 simplyfelicity 1929899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: I have been on zoloft for the better part of ten years. I went off in preparation to TTC (I was also in a really good "place" at the time.) I went back on after a few months because my anxiety was at an all time high after two losses. I am now on a relatively low dosage on Zoloft though I am pregnant again. My doctor gave me the go ahead to be on it for the length of a pregnancy. It's not ideal but it they said it's a priority to take care of the mom to take care of baby.<br /> That said, I have never had zoloft increase my anxiety. I have tried a couple others (Celexa and Buspar and found zoloft to work the best with me.) I agree that you should probably give it more time but also don't suffer needlessly. I know certain SSRIs work best for certain people and it's all about what works for you. Is your doctor against you being on your previous meds while pregnant? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-users#post-1929871 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 19:59:52 +0000 IRunForFun 1929871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: Thanks for weighing in! Lexapro or Cipralex are our next options. We discussed all the options before deciding on Zoloft but I'm open to Lexapro, just dread another transition period! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-users#post-1929826 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 19:16:24 +0000 sorrycharlie 1929826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know someone who started zoloft and due to the same experience had to switch to lexapro. anxiety went away within the week and she continued to improve!</p> <p>eta: also, I don't know about TTC, but I've been on lexapro with this pregnancy since around 14 weeks. they're totally okay with me being on it (low dose) and also while nursing. they said the side effects can't be linked strictly to lexapro versus being pregnant (i.e., anxious patient A on lexapro had symptom B, but so did anxious patient B not on lexapro). they said that the constant influx of stress hormones on baby (among other physical things) coupled with side effects of anxiety and depression on ME were more of a concern than negligible med side effects on baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-users#post-1929816 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 19:09:36 +0000 IRunForFun 1929816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bump! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-users#post-1929652 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 17:05:21 +0000 IRunForFun 1929652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkcupcake: Thanks! That does give me some hope that maybe it's just the transition and not that the Zoloft won't work. You pretty much just described what I am going through with the crying and panic attacks. I have thought so many times that I just want to go back to Paxil because it's what I know, but it's just not an option if we want to TTC. </p> <p>I'm going to give it at least another week, and I appreciate your feedback! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-users#post-1929639 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 16:54:39 +0000 pinkcupcake 1929639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been on Zoloft for a few years now. I didn't notice any anxiety when starting it (it actually helped with my anxiety almost immediately), BUT switching meds is really hard on my body. A few months ago, my DR tried switching me to Lexapro b/c the Zoloft wasn't as effective as it used to be. I had a horrible time switching. It was the worst 2 weeks ever - I was constantly crying, having panic/anxiety attacks, so depressed, just crazy. I couldn't take it anymore so we went back to Zoloft and increased the dosage. I think sometimes changing meds can wreak havoc on your body. I do think if you hang in there, your body could get used to it and get over it, but I just couldn't deal w/it anymore. </p> <p>Hoping you feel better soon!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-users#post-1929615 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 16:40:37 +0000 IRunForFun 1929615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you take or have ever taken Zoloft or the generic - particularly for anxiety - what was your start up experience like? </p> <p>I was taking Paxil on and off for 10 years (mostly on) for health anxiety and panic attacks and recently switched to Zoloft in preparation for TTC soon. I made the switch under the guidance of my doctor, so I tapered off the Paxil for 10 days, then started on a super low dose of Zoloft for 2 weeks, and bumped up to what should be my permanent dose of Zoloft on Thursday.</p> <p>The first couple days of the low dose of Zoloft were fine, aside from some mild physical side effects like insomnia and stomach upset, but then anxiety came roaring in. I held out hope that starting the higher dose would help, and maybe it will, it's only been 5 days, but it seems like the anxiety is getting worse. :sad: On top of stomach upset I'm having a lot of panic attacks, which are getting debilitating. </p> <p>I am wondering if anyone noticed an increase in anxiety when starting that went away after a length of time? My doctor did mention that Zoloft could sometimes be a stimulant for people with anxiety, but he said it was rare and it is pretty effective at treating anxiety. I want to hold out and hope it gets better, because switching meds again would suck, but it's getting hard...</p> <p>ETA: I did speak to my doctor about it on Friday and he said to give it another full week at least, and then the increased anxiety could diminish as my body gets used to the med. I guess I'm just looking for reassurance from people who have been there, done that! </p>