Taking Antidpressants for 8 Days Now - Still Have Very Bad Anxiety

Zoloft is an antidepressant that also works well for anxiety; however is takes up to six weeks at an adequate dose (100-150 mg for most people) to get the full benefit, though you could start feeling better within a few weeks of the correct dose. There is no reason to take it twice a day, and an evening dose might cause insomnia. For immediate relief of anxiety one can use a benzodiazepine (ativan, xanax, klonipin) although these can be addicting. But if you stop them once the Zoloft is working, there shouldn't be a problem.

A little about me - Psychiatrist in Palo Alto with a husband and two kids 20 and 13.

It takes 2 weeks to even start noticing a change. Don't change the dosage in meantime. Give it 2-3 weeks.

Anti-depressants can take up to 6 weeks before you start feeling the effects.

You're having anxiety because chemicals in your brain are either being taken up by the wrong receptors, not enough chemicals are being made, they're going to the wrong place, or they're not doing what they're supposed to be doing.

Taking the anti-depressant will help get everything going in the brain the way it should be going. The bad part is that it could take a bit of time before they affect the brain and the neurophysiology/neurochemistry in such a way to work for you.

In the meantime, if you are seeing a counselor/therapist that might be another way you can help to deal with what is troubling you. Best wishes!

It takes a few weeks for these kinds of meds to begin having an effect.
Your doctor should have told you that.
You may not even need a higher dose;
you just need to wait until the level of the meds
builds up sufficiently in your system.

See if you can stop watching for the effect and just do your daily routines, whatever they are. And then, after a while, you WILL notice a difference.

Also, see if you can get a referral for talking therapy
and/or a support group w/similar issues.

See if there's a mom's group in your area.
The kind that gets together once/week or so,
and the kids play and the moms talk.

When you start to feel anxious,
see if you can "go to a place in your mind"
that is a non-anxious place . . . . .
the beach, the woods, some sweet memory place.

In order to do this, you may want to think about such places/feelings
when you're NOT feeling anxious and select one that feels good to you.

Then, when little anxious moments come up,
see if you can take yourself to that refuge/calming place.

Good luck.

Hang in there!~Most antidepressants take at least 3 weeks or so to have an effect. I would call your dr and see if they can give you something else in the mean time til you wait for the other meds to kick in.

Good luck!

M

Usually, antidepressants take a full 2 weeks for change to be noted. Just keep taking the double dose and realize it needs time to balance out your chemical systems.

I was always told not to evaluate how any antidepressant was working until at least 4 weeks. Upping the dose prior to that is probably not a good idea. If you are having serious issues now that are very problematic I would talk to your doctor about something shorter acting and for sure some immediate counseling to help you learn some strategies for dealing with the anxiety until the meds have time to work.

Zoloft can takes about 2 weeks before you notice a difference. I do not know if you can take Xanax while breastfeeding, but it does work immediately. Have you talked to you Dr. about Xanax?

It also sounds like you have post partum depression/anxiety, which is what I had. I had extreme anxiety after the birth of my daughter two years ago. I couldn't even let my husband leave the house to take the garbage to the street. With me, the anxiety is what kept me awake at night because my brain just wouldn't stop thinking and worrying.
Eight weeks after her birth, I went to a therapist which helped tremendously. I was always skepical of talk therapy but the therapy was a blessing.

Just, so you know, the anxiety does lessen, but please see a therapist or psychiatrist if you are not aready doing so. There is no reason that you have to suffer like this for longer that you have to. Also see if there is a new mom support group in your area, or even a post partum depression support group. These are groups of moms that are going through the same situation as you are and they are very supportive. Even if you are not diagnosed with PPD or post partum anxiety, the groups are so helpful.

The support groups helped me so much but in a different way from the meds. They helped me realize that other moms feel the same way I do and that I am not alone and that there is help available.

Do not start taking xanex it is horribly addicting!!!!! You think you have anxiety now, try coming off that stuff. Unfortunately some antidepressants can tak 2-3 weeks before getting in your system and actually work. If you need to talk to a counselor to try to get through this time or if you go to church they should have someone, but I wouldn't start taking the other med.

Wow!!! I would change doctors. I have had anti-depressants prescribed to me by two different doctors and they both told me that it takes time for the meds to get in your system and for you to see a change. That's why usually when you are prescribed them they won't up the dose until you are on them for about 2 or 3 weeks. He gave you a higher dose and you might not have even needed it. Good luck!!!

I was always told to give medicine at least 3 weeks to work. I wish you luck.

I've taken paxil and prozac at different extremely stressful times in my life - my understanding is that most anti-anxiety drugs can take 1-2 months to fully start working with your system (although some relief comes much earlier). Every day should get a LITTLE bit better (even if there are 1-2 backwards slides). It will get better - sometimes the change just seems imperceptible and then - bam - a month or two down the line you realize how much less anxious you feel (although perhaps still overworked and tired). Good luck, and hang in there!

First of all, I am sorry you are having such a hard time. Speaking from personal experience, antidepressants can take awhile to work. I am surprised that he would expect a change in just 7 days, or 2 days of an increased dose for that matter. Is the doctor you are seeing a generalist or a psychiatrist? If it's a generalist, please get a referral to a psychiatrist., preferably one who has experience working with women who are experiencing PPD, because it sounds like you might be experiencing some symptoms. They are specialists in prescribing these drugs whereas a generalist just does their best. Also, it is possible that Zoloft is not the right drug for you. I tried 3 different antidepressants before finding the correct one for me. Sometimes it's trial and error. Good luck and I hope you start feeling better soon.

Be patient - I know that is easier said than done, but it takes a few weeks to a month for the meds to truly begin working. I have been on antidepressants on & off for a few years & one thing my counselor has said is that you don't tend to notice any REAL change until at least a month. She said to keep taking them & even keeping track of how you are feeling every few days. Make sure you take them every day (like birth control) for them to work effectively. Also, if you are involved in church or are religious, prayer &/or a prayer group aid in the effects of those antidepressants. Good luck!

it takes time for the meds to build up in your system give it a little more time and you might notice the effects better

I'm surprised that your doctor increased the dosage without waiting a while. Most antidepressants reach peak effectiveness around six weeks. There is no quick cure. Be patient.

A.,
Have you ever thought about trying fish oil? It's full of Omega-3's. It's very good for panic attacks, and you should give it at least 3 weeks. It has helped many people when all else has failed. If you take the supplements (pills), you will have to take many of them compared to one tsp. of oil. I know it sounds gross, but there are some out there that have a lemon or orange taste. Prescription drugs pretty much cover up what the underlying issue is along with side affects. I'm pretty much a healthnut and have been studying health for years. The better brands out there are Nordic Naturals and Carlson's Fish Oil. I hope this helps. P.S. If you ask your regular doctor about this, they will just poo-hoo what you say since they learn nothing about nutrition in medical school. Most medical schools are supported by yes....you guessed it.........pharmaceutical companies.

Yes it may take a little longer to take effect, BUT antidepressants aren't a magic pill, you have to do some more work to feel normal again. In the meantime there are some things to add to taking your antidepressant that I gaurantee will make you feel a ton better, I promise!!:
Take a fish oil twice a day
Take Vitamin C twice a day
Take a "vitamin B complex" atleast once a day (may have vitamin C already in it)
and when you have a sleepless night or a bad anxiety attack take 1 GABA, if not better after 30 minutes take 1 more
Walk OUTSIDE 30 minutes EVERY day (great for baby too to get fresh air! and she'll sleep better too!)
Just go to a health food store (hopefully you have something other than GNC)and they can help you with the right bottles and dosages.
All these are SAFE while breastfeeding along with Zoloft, and that is the only antidepressant that is safe for BF.
Going out around other people, inviting people to come visit, getting out of your house to run errands or go the zoo/library/mall/mom's group/therapist, turing off the TV, opening your curtains all good good things that will help.
When I was in your boat my doctor finally said I needed to stop breasfeeding and take stronger stuff and sleeping pills...I was at the store buying formula when my mom called with all these answers she had researched all night...found an awesome health store where I told the cashier what was going on and what I needed and they walked me through everything, like a schedule of what pills to take when. It was all a godsend, I was feeling better in almost no time at all - and I got to keep breastfeeding! Now that I look back on it I am so glad I did it...
Email me if you need some help or more support

My experience is that taking medicine only masks the problem. The doctors wanted to put me on medicine 11 years ago and I started looking at a solution to help me sleep better and drink better water and just changing those two I changed my health dramatically with no drugs. I was depressed, sleep deprived since I was a young girl and had back pains for 5 years. I am normal now and feel better today then I did 30 years ago.

I would look for natural solutions that will make a difference down the road not just for you but your little one.

Good luck.

N. Marie

I just was prescribed Zoloft for my anxiety and the doctor said it would take 4-6 weeks to kick in. I also took this after the birth of my first son and I remember it taking about a few weeks to work. You might want to try Bach's Rescue Remedy and Hyland's Calms Forte. Both are safe during breastfeeding and you may find enough relief so you can get some sleep. Both of those have really helped me. I know how hard this is and I am sorry you have to deal with this. I had it really bad with my first son and although it is less intense this time around it is still very hard to handle. I also second seeing a therapist. I did the first time and it really helped and I am also seeing one this time and it is very helpful.

A.,
I had PPD after my son was born, tons of anxiety, I was a mess. I was put on zoloft but was told NOT to expect a change immediatly it would take anywhere from 3-6 weeks to notice anything. In the meantime I was given xanex for my anxiety and told to take it in the case of a panic attack. I read someone said it is very addicting. I think it depends on your peronality. I still have my prescription for it, but I haven't taken it in months. Sometimes I take it at night, when my mind won't stop spinning. I am local (in Sacramento) so if you want to talk more about it feel free to send me a message. Best of luck to you!

Hi A., Years ago I took Zoloft (forget the dose). It was VERY helpful to me, but it took a good month before it took full effect.

Less than a year later, I went off it with no problems at all, and still felt healthy.

I'd say give it a least a month before you switch to something else.

Good Luck
Feel better!
:)

One of the reasons I started taking Welbutrin was because it starts to take effect in a few days, I was told EVERY OTHER antidepressant takes anywhere from 2-6 weeks to feel the effects.
Anti-anxiety meds should work immediately, since that's what they are for, to quell the strong reactions, mental and physical, we have to stressful situations. I take Visteril for anxiety and it kicks in within 5 minutes and doesn't make me sleepy.