XP: anxiety meds?

MandeeFoFandee

is anyone else going through the awesome (read: sarcasm) transition of one anxiety med to another? 

I was diagnosed with anxiety/panic disorder a couple years ago, and have been successfully taking Lexapro for about 4 years. well now that I'm pregnant, my doctor has requested that I transition to Zoloft, which has proven to be safer for baby. I took Lexapro through the 1st trimester, as it would be safer to have the anxiety under control than to just stop taking it. 

so I'm now taking 100mg of Zoloft and really fighting anxiety on a daily basis. I just switched from 50mg to 100mg last week and I can already tell that I'll need to increase the dosage again. has anyone else experienced this?

MandeeFoFandee

allierhiana1:

I was on Lexapro for 2 years, then Celexa for 2 years, and then when I found out I got pregnant I switched to Zoloft.  I haven't noticed any issues with the switch.

what dosage are you taking? I feel like the 100mg just isn't strong enough.  

pugznploons

I have been on zoloft for several years so I didn't have to switch when I got pregnant.  When I was upped from 50-100mg it took  about 4 weeks for me to notice a difference.  It takes awhile to reach the therapeutic level. 

MandeeFoFandee

pugznploons:

I have been on zoloft for several years so I didn't have to switch when I got pregnant.  When I was upped from 50-100mg it took  about 4 weeks for me to notice a difference.  It takes awhile to reach the therapeutic level. 

ahh good to know. now that you mention it, I do remember having to wait a while for my Lexapro to have the calming effects. thanks!  

pathfindermon

When I first started taking 100mg of zoloft I felt that it wasn't high enough.  My doctor suggested waiting 4-6 weeks before I decided and she was right.  I have slowly felt better and better.  I would say that it took the 4 weeks to feel better.  I'm not perfect but doing well enough that I will stay on this dose until after the baby is born.  Best of Luck and I hope you feel better soon!!  Until then take care of yourself and know that it will pass!

DenaRenee78

I was on Effexor XR 75 mg before getting pregnant. My anxiety was under control before I got pregnant. I didn't find out I was pregnant until around 8-9 weeks so I was still taking it for the beginning of the pregnancy. They tried to switch me to Zoloft and it was AWFUL!!! I had bad bad withdrawls from the Effexor XR and I thought I was only having withdrawls but it turned out I was allergic to the Zoloft. It was the WORST 2-3 weeks of my life going off one and onto the other. They also gave me Buspar for anxiety as well. I am pregnant with twins and since about my 12th week my anxiety has been SKY HIGH! I was having panic attacks daily. Before then I had not had one in about a year or so. I did suffer two prior second trimester losses so I know a lot of my anxiety has to do with that. I know some has got to be from the hormones though! After my bad experience with the Zoloft I ended up in the ER for the reaction and the anxiety. They had to put me back on my Effexor XR and raise the dose. This has helped some. I am not having panic attacks daily anymore so it is helping. My anxiety is still high at times though. The OB doc consulted with other doc's and they all agree it is safer for me and the babies to continue these med's then to struggle with the anxiety and withdrawls. 

If you have ever tried taking Prozac before and it didn't work for you neither will Zoloft. They tried me on Prozac in the past and it made me worse ... and Zoloft is in the same drug family. 

Good luck .. I know how rough it can get!