I started zoloft yesterday, are these side effects normal? Has anyone else had this problem?

Question

My doctor started me on 100 mg of zoloft yesterday and in 2 weeks i am supposed to increase to 200 mg a day. I am supposed to take it before bed so I took the pill with dinner last night. I stayed awake for about another 3 hours and went to sleep. I woke up in the middle of the night and I could barely pick up my head and move my leg bc I was so out of it, and I remember thinking, is this real? I dont know what time that was at. Then later I woke up at 2:45 feeling nauseas but too out of it to do anything about it and I went back to sleep. This morning my pupils were very dialated and I still felt very doped up even after I got to work (im an admin asst) and as people were talking to me it was very hard for me to understand their problem and figure out how to fix it. Now its almost lunch time and I feel more "with it" but im a little bit concerned on whats going to happen with i up the dosage to 200 mg, has anyone else had this problem? Will i get used to the medication and wont have these side effects anymore? Im not on any other medication and never have take anything on a regular basis

Answer 1

I agree with CJ. I had the same experience with zoloft. It kept me awake all night. I would be laying in bed with my eyes closed in the dark and they would feel like they were wide open. I was so jittery but i was always yawning like i was tired. I had to stop taking it also. If its not working for you then ask to be put on something else. Your chemical levels are different than other people that take that medication so it may effect you different. Also other medication have differnt chemical levels so maybe you should switch med to something that fit you better. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

I hate Zoloft.  Years ago I was prescribed it for panic disorder.  I only took it for a month and than I just stopped taking it because it was that bad.  It made me all jittery and it made me feel like I was on the verge of having a panic attack all the time.  I know they say you shouldn't quit a drug like that cold turkey, but I did, and as soon as I did, I felt 100 times better.  They say that it can take a month for it to start working correctly, so maybe your body just isn't used to it yet.  If you're concerned, just talk to your doctor.

Answer 3

Call your doctor, you may need to start at a lower dose or try a different medication.  Some side effects are to be expected, but they should be mild and go away within a few days.  What you describe is more than a mild side effect.

Hang in there, things get better and a lot of us have to try different meds before we find the one that works best for us.

Answer 4

You are experiencing side effects from Zoloft. Most people do take is at night because of the drowsiness that it can cause. I agree with others that you should call you doctor and ask if you can start at a lower dose. Zoloft does come in 50mg pills so you could start there. I do think that 100mg is a high starting dose, I actually have not heard of anyone starting at 100mg or higher.

Side effects usually do ease up after time. I know that when I started Zoloft I had several side effects that I had to deal with, drowsiness, stomach problems, dry mouth, etc.

Here is what zoloft.com has for the side effect to help ease your mind. . .

Zoloft side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

seizure (convulsions);

tremors, shivering, muscle stiffness or twitching;

problems with balance or coordination; or

agitation, confusion, sweating, fast heartbeat.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

drowsiness, dizziness, weakness;

nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight; or

decreased s*x drive, impotence, or difficulty having an o****m.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

So, I think that to answer your question it to call your doctor. If the side effects are making it so you can not function, get in immediatly, if you are able to handle them get an appointment. I know that my doctor prescribed Zoloft to me and then the next week I had to go back to check in. I went every week until I was at the desired mg.

Answer 5

Medication normaly takes a good few days to start showing effects (neg inc.), you may just being experiencing the placebo effect?

I would still go to your doc thoguh to see if there is an alt med with less side affects