u/Expensive_Kitchen_97

I'm a little over a month into my Zoloft journey. I started on 25mg for a week and then went up to 50mg. I didn't really have rough physical side effects, just some jaw clenching and fatigue/brain fog, but the mental and emotional side effects were TOUGH. They only lasted maybe 3-4 days but I am an anxious girly not used to depression and I had passive suicidal thoughts. I'm really glad I stuck it out. My mood has been way more consistent, anxiety reduced, panic hasn't happened once in the past 2+ weeks, fewer intrusive thoughts, more rational conversation going on in my head, and my ability to focus is off the charts?? I feel great. No, life isn't magically better. I just don't hate myself or think it's the end of the world. I'm still early days so we will see if this sticks but I'm feeling optimistic.

Hi! I know there are a handful of posts on tinnitus, but couldn't hurt to have more. I've been on the 'zac for almost 5 weeks (3 weeks at 10mg, almost 2 weeks at 20mg). I have noticed benefits with social anxiety, food noise, and self-esteem. I've also had some startup side effect, many of which began to settle by week 3 of 10mg and some of which have come back with the dose increase.

Yesterday, I got a high-pitched static sound in both ears that has not gone away. I've had bouts of tinnitus over the years; I'm a jaw clencher/grinder. Historically the sounds a tonal and go away pretty quickly. This is the first time the sound has persisted.

I'd say the tinnitus I'm experiencing right now is a 2 or 3 on a 10 scale of irritating.

I'd love to know if anyone here experienced tinnitus as a start-up side effect that ultimately went away, and if so, when did it go away? I'd love to stay on this medication as it has helped my mental health, so the buzzing at present might even be worth tolerating. Would love to hear others' stories.

today’s the day! I’ve been on 10mg just over 3 weeks and it’s been pretty helpful, though not without some side effects. week 1 I was exhausted, jittery with anxiety, and having mood swings. since then the side effects have largely mellowed-out, and I’ve noticed a significant reduction in social anxiety and food noise. I do still have intrusive thoughts and mild-moderate anxiety but it’s easier to redirect and let pass/let go of. I’m increasing to 20mg today and, like many of you, im

scared of the side effects! while this sub has sometimes been hell and NOT what I should be turning to for reassurance, on the whole it’s been supportive to know that this medication works for so many people and that even if it doesn’t, we’re all still here & okay. wish me luck!

I’m about to start week 3 of 10mg. I’ve felt a reduction in my anxiety, for sure. like, I can’t be bothered to stay anxious. the thoughts still arrive but the float in by. however, I’ve been pretty lethargic and it feels like it’s affecting my moods the first few days my mood was great. I’m just wondering- is this part of the ”worse before it gets better?” I’m usually relatively high energy and on the anxious end of the spectrum rather than depressive.

Hey everyone. I am on my 10th day of 10mg. Side effects have been relatively minor, I do feel more "amped," and simultaneously tired, jaw hurts, a bit more anxiety and brain fog. But I can get through my day. Part of me thinks I should try 10mg for a few weeks if not months just to see what it does, because I'm someone who is extremely sensitive to substances and medications etc. Another part of me thinks why delay the "therapeutic dose?" I started taking it for OCD, anxiety, and panic. When did you switch from 10 to 20 or titrate up? Did you feel like it was too soon or not soon enough?

I, 36F, have had many mental health challenges over the span of my life. My first "break" with normal thinking was around age 13, I got on Lexapro for a spell at 16, was a spiraling mess of a baby for much of my late teens when I had a raging eating disorder, panic disorder and severe health anxiety struck at age 23, and I was consumed by ROCD for most of my 20s. I have to hand it to myself, I'm a real trooper. I've been able to secure and maintain jobs, have relationships and a social life, engage in hobbies. On paper my life has looked good, vibrant even. Internally, not every day is complete hell...but I have to work so goddamn hard to feel normal. My bookcase is all self-help, I've been in and out of therapy for 20 years, spend countless dollars on coaching and groups. Some days are fine and I feel happy and free, but my bad days aren't just bad, they're internally catastrophic. I get caught in loops of self-loathing; social anxiety is at best a dull hum in the back of my brain and at worst I become a total shell of myself, barely contributing to conversations because I'm stuck in my own mental ruminative loop of self-loathing.

I have considered medication over the past 6 or so years, on a quarterly basis. Health anxiety often prevents me from actually taking the plunge, plus I have those good days and am relatively functional so it's easy to convince myself it's not necessary. But I'm so tired. I am so exhausted by how much effort I put into trying to get through a day. The slightest introduction of stress (work challenges, relational tension either real or made up in my head) lights up my cognitive distortions of low self-esteem and suddenly no tools or techniques work, they all feel like a bandaid on a bullet wound, a way for me to try to convince myself I'm okay when I'm really not. I want things for my life. I want to no longer be so afraid of life and of being myself. I feel like there is a massive, heavy velvet curtain of doubt, anxiety, and obsession between myself and the world.

I feel excited (and slightly terrified) of starting Prozac. I got my prescription filled yesterday. I know it's not a cure all. I spent the past few weeks talking with friends whose minds work like mine about their experiences with SSRIs. They still have their shit, are going through divorces, getting laid off, raising infants, things annoy them, they have hard days etc. But they feel like themselves in the process. I often feel like a robot version of myself. I am hopeful that medication can clean up some of the noise in my mind so I can be in myself and be in my life. Maybe it won't work. And that would be okay. Not the end of the world. But maybe it also doesn't have to be so fucking hard.