Going from 75 mg zoloft back to 50 mg

[RCRA]

I was doing pretty good on 50 mg of zoloft after 6 weeks but had a small amount of anxiety still there.  Doc said let's try 75 mg and if side effects too bad I can go back to 50 mg and he would expect some more improvement on the 50, plus I am using CBT.

The side effects have been pretty crummy this second week - tremors on and off all day -- a very drugged drowsy feeling -- I felt lots better on the 50 mg.

Will I have withdrawal symptoms dropping back to the 50 mg after only 2 weeks on the 75 mg.

[RCRA]

Thanks!!  

[coh123]

I know all the years I was on it, I had very few panic attacks in the 12 years with some anxiety still. I don't think it would not be normal to have some anxiety that is just life!! Glad to hear you are creeping up on the zoloft, I do believe it will help you, just stay positive....Just try not to read too much into it and enjoy life, it does sound like you are!!

[RCRA]

Questions for those with more experience with using zoloft for anxiety:

Does the zoloft eliminate all anxiety or does it just give you a foot hold so you can use CBT and other tools to overcome the rest of the anxiety.  That is the guidance I have been given by my therapist.

How do you know if the remaining anxiety is caused by a side effect of the zoloft or is the original anxiety that is still there?

Is it part of the process to go up and down with the anxiety?  Some days I feel like I am close to 100% -- then the next day the anxiety could be back.  Could be hormonal changes I guess??

[RCRA]

I am doing pretty good -- but would like to be doing better :)

For some reason I thought I was doing really good on the 50 mg -- just a little anxiety here and there.  Then when I tried the 75 mg to see if I could get rid of the rest of the anxiety --- panic like surges, hand tremors and a zoned out feeling came the second week.  Doc says okay go back to the 50 mg and I would use my CBT skills to deal with the remaining anxiety.  But after a couple weeks, it seemed like the anxiety was still stirred up --- panic attacks back that I had gotten rid of!!!

The zoloft has been effective in improving my energy level, my mood so I can handle the anxiety, and I sleep really good now.  So I think it has worked for me to some degree.  But I still have the darn anxiety.

I don't let the anxiety keep me from doing anything -- but it takes a lot of positive self-talk and determination to keep it from dragging me down.

So I am trying to creep up the level of zoloft -- have been taking 67.5 mg for the past four days.  

Anyone have any suggestionis, opinions, comments :)  I love to learn what has worked for others.  

Am I on the right path???

[coh123]

How are you doing?
That is what I think is part of my problem is the whole pmmd or perimenopause, yipeee for me!!

[RCRA]

Thanks --- I talked to my doc and some of my "issues" such as the hot flashes and racing heart may in fact be menopause symptoms.  So it is a toss up on which dose to take -  50 is good ---- but I hope a little more would be better.  I am going to try creeping up to the 75 mg slowly --- try 67.5 at first to see what happens.  AND have patience with the side effects :)

[birdie0907]

Recommend you talk this over with doc or your pharmacist to make sure 1 week was long enough trial to be on 75. Or did doc say side effects at 75 should last less than 1 week?

[RCRA]

Need expert opinions!!

Went back to the 50 mg and the shakiness and increased anxiety that started with the 75 mg is still hanging on but at a lower level.

I keep getting panic flushes for no reason and have a tense stomach and shoulders.  This has been going on for about 2 weeks.  I am still doing everything -- even went on a flight for work the last two days.

But I feel like I have really gone down hill with my anxiety progress.  I want sooooo bad to figure this out.

The zoloft helped so much with my mood and energy and for awhile I thought I had the anxiety under control at about 95% :)

Now I am all discabobolated :)  

Do I try the 75 mg again and see if the side effects go away --- last time I waited two weeks and it did not get better.

Do I really have to give up on the zoloft -- I hate to start over on something else.

What do you guys recommend????