So You've Decided to Increase Your Zoloft!
Nothing like a good antidepressant adjustment! Holy holy...
Oh, we all love a good adjustment to our antidepressants, don’t we?
Like many of my fellow Geriatric Millennials, I’ve tried various SSRIs to help with my anxiety, depression, and OCD. I’ve been like Goldilocks looking for the right porridge. Buspar in 2012 left me feeling like a husk. Paxil in 2014 gave me the spins if I went more than 18 hours without taking it. But Zoloft, Zoloft has been juuuuuust right.
I think part of the reason I’ve had such a good experience with the Zoloft is that it’s been given to me through a system of observed trial and error with an experienced psychiatrist I’ve seen monthly since 2022. The Buspar and Paxil were provided to me willy-nilly by my former PCP in a “I give these to most people with anxiety, just take the low dose and you should be fine” kind of way. The Buspar had me feeling so rotten - I felt like I had no soul + couldn’t sleep at night but could sleep all day - that I just quit cold-turkey, an absolute no-no that I was not aware of because I had no guidance. Paxil-wise, I got sick of having to take it, as noted, every 18 or so hours and self-weaned based on information I Googled. AGAIN, I would not recommend weaning off Paxil without the help of a healthcare professional, but I was cocky and convinced I was doing it right.
(Side note: Read about “Paxil Flu”, because it DOES exist, brain zaps included.)
While working with my psychiatrist, I’ve had some slight adjustments but I’ve always been on the lowest end of dosage, starting at 12.5 mg to get my body ready then increasing to 25 mg, which I was on for three years. Starting this past March, I was up to 50 mg a day starting on Day 20 of my cycle up to Day 1 of my period to deal with my Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder symptoms.
(You’re learning way too much about me, aren’t you? Run, RUN! 😆)
After my mom passed, my depression obviously took a hit + my OCD tendences were getting worse - Zoloft is first-line treatment for clinically-diagnosed OCD. However, my psychiatrist left for parental leave in March and I worked with a temporary psychiatrist through this past November. After much discussion, the temp and I decided it would be best to increase to 50 mg a day daily.
Y’all…I figured I would feel a few effects increasing to 50 mg per day, but the increase damn near gob-smacked me as my body adjusted to the new dosage.
Symptoms included:
Gaining 8 pounds in a month, and I will preface this with the following: Part of my OCD diagnosis is Body Dysmorphic Disorder, son of a…
There were many snotty crying spells about none of my pants fitting properly.
I cancelled plans with friends because I didn’t like my appearance on any given day.
I started wearing my hair down to obscure my puffy face from each side.
I left work early on a few in-office days because I felt physically uncomfortable in my own body and did not like the way I perceived my clothing was fitting me.
Feeling constantly keyed up - not manic, yet my brain just would never take a break.
Apparently, it can be known as Antidepressant-Induced Jitteriness Syndrome, and I’m here for that name!
A temporary paradoxical increase in my intrusive thoughts which led to anxiety attacks that interrupted my work and social life.
A lot of those thoughts were about my dad and his physical well-being at any given time, with me making up scenarios in my head that were quite unpleasant…goodness forbid he doesn’t answer his phone within four rings, I’m convinced the worst has happened! I’ve discussed this concept with other friends that have single / widowed parents that live alone, so I know I’m not alone in these kind of intrusive thoughts…but UGH, they hit hard in my adjustments period!
It took about 3 or so weeks before these symptoms really started to resolve. Suddenly, I felt even-keeled, like my nervous system actually went through a true regulation. Adam commented on my good moods come early-November; he’s always my bellwether, thank goodness.
So what can you do as your body gets use to an increase?
Be aware that it’s part of the process; keep yourself grounded and remind yourself of this. The symptoms will still feel uncomfortable, but remember you have more control than you realize.
Keep your psychiatrist or your prescribing doctor’s contact info on hand for any quick consults, even if it’s a text or MyChart message.
Take it easy, physically! I did take a couple of sick days while I worked through this and I’m grateful I did. (If only sick time were more readily available to everyone in this damn country, hmmmmm…)
Cheers to modern medicine but boo to weird-ass disruptive symptoms. Just give me the serotonin and some sunshine and let’s be on our merry way.
Just know that, if you happen to stumble across this post, you aren’t alone. Cliché, but it rings true. ❤️