Zoloft. - Brighton,CO

Since you're not taking a therapeutic dose it's not doing it's job. When you can take the correct amount you might see different effects.

You should talk to a pharmacist that you trust. They are the ultimate professionals about medication, they are the only ones that I trust when I have a medication question. They have no other stuff going on except how medications can effect us, how they work, what we can expect while we are taking them, and any interactions. I don't trust a doc to prescribe any medication, I talk to my pharmacist about it before I even have any prescription filled.

Why even go to the doctor if you're not going to follow his advice? Talk about your medicine phobia with the doctor instead of just going home and ignoring the prescription amount.

Taking half the dose will not give you the same affect that taking the whole dose will. He prescribed 50 mg for a reason. No amount of reading that you can do will give you the same level of knowledge and expertise that your doctor has.

The other factor that affects the results of taking medicine is the length of time you've taken it. I've taken several different psych meds and the doctor always tells me to not expect to notice a difference for anywhere between 2 and 4 weeks. I don't remember the length of time for zoloft.

I've taken zoloft and it has been effective. I don't remember the dosage. I do know that your doctor prescribed 50 mg and expected you to take that amount. You cannot know if Zoloft is going to help you or not until you take the correct dosage for the length of time needed before it builds up in your system and thus becomes effective.

I urge you to call your doctor and tell him what you've done. He will either tell you to take the 50 mg. or will suggest a different medication. Follow his advice! Give meds a chance.

I, too, have anxiety issues. I've been so seriously anxious I had difficulty driving or taking care of day to day business. So, I know that this is not easy for you. I urge you to make yourself trust the doctor and try what he suggests. The worst that can happen is the medication won't help. Side affects are temporary and short lived once you're off the medication.

It might help for you to make a list of the reasons you are phobic about medicine and discuss those reasons with your doctor.

I also take a half a pill of Zoloft and it has worked wonders-anxiety and panic are gone and depression/moods are completely minor now.. But I have tried other ones and took myslef off immediately b/c I didn't like how they made me feel. Zoloft was the right fit for me-but maybe it isn't for you? As much of a pain it is to try others it is worth it to find one that works.
That being said...it could be that you need more than just the half of a pill you take. I would try to take the whole pill for a bit just to be sure. I say that b/c of how well this particular med seems to work for people with anxiety.

Antidepressants are so personal and individual. They often take time to take effect. There's some question about whether they work at all for people with mild depression and anxiety, and some recent evidence that smaller doses are better than the larger ones. That doesn't mean you should be cutting it in half without consulting your doctor. It doesn't mean it's the right med for you but the only way to know is to try and stick it out. I tried 2 different anti-depressants but I've gotten the most results by adding some nutritional products to my diet (which has helped the depression as well as given me enough energy and stamina to exercise a lot more, which is another way to battle this disease). With my doctor's help, I've weaned off the antidepressants. I also worked with 2 other women who had panic/anxiety and they did the same thing and are now medication-free. So you may have to take a multi-pronged approach. But the results are huge!

I was on zoloft for a year & it was amazing how well it worked, but as the others have posted, it won't do anything if it's not the right dosage. I had extreme anxiety, to the point of paranoia, I had trouble getting out of my house, showering was even a big deal, however w/taking the medication i was able to get passed that & I could actually function again. And I could be around people and not repeat the conversations in my head over & over again, picking apart each & every word that had been said as I once did. I wish you the best of luck..

Are you seeking any type of counseling/coaching along with your medication? The research has become very clear that their truly is a mind/body connection. Our thoughts/beliefs are what effects our body chemistry. I spent most of my life clinically depressed until I learned to express my anger and other emotions and to become aware of and question my unconscious, irrational core beliefs. I tried every medication available and nothing worked. I am now depression free.

We already know that the Placebo Effect is real. In fact, it is so real that all studies must include a placebo control group in every trial. We need to understand that this is the key to healing. As we become aware of our thoughts and we can become curious rather than fearful we will transform our lives. Most of what we do is have a thought and just simply buy-in. We have been taught to never question. However, curiosity is the antidote to fear. And, as we become curious about all our fearful thoughts, they will begin to loose strength and dissolve.

Look up Lissa Rankin, MD on you tube and also www.theCureIs.com. Also the biology of belief by Bruce Lipton. www.thework.com by Byron Katie is a great tool for questioning beliefs.

i am on 50mg of zoloft daily and have been for over a year. i had no side effects other than being really sleepy after i took it so i take it before i go to bed.
i still get aniexty but it is greatly reduced. give it some time and for sure keep in touch with your doctor.
good luck and many blessings

I kind of chuckled at your post...
"Hi. I decided that I need help with aniexty and panic attacks,"

"my dr perscribed zoloft 50mg however I' havesuch a medicine phobia so I am splitting it in half and taking it."

"I feel like its making me worse "

This is why the doctor prescribed the 50mg.. To help you get past your anxiety.. So that you will not have phobias..

It is very good you went to seek help. It sounds like you really need it. So take the whole pill.. That is what the DOCTOR prescribed.. You are not a doctor, you know you need help, quit fighting it, you are half way there..

I have been on Zoloft for years. It has been a god send for me.. But I also followed the doctors orders with all of his suggestions and prescriptions..
You can do this.. I know it is hard, but you and your family deserve the best of you..

It takes awhile for it to build up in your system so it works properly.
By taking half a dose you just prolonged the initial adjustment period (which is typically 2 to 3 weeks at full dose).
Start taking the full dose (it's not a large amount) and give it a few more weeks to get to a plateau.
I was on it for 6 months and it helped me a lot.
I was trying to be super Mom and running myself ragged.
On the Zoloft it felt like the hair on the back of my neck could stop standing on end all the time.

I was on zoloft at one point and do not remember it making my anxiety worse at first... Certainly not after 3 weeks. It's possible it's not the right med for you. I'd check back with your dr. Good luck.

I took Zoloft for several months for depression but had to discontinue because it caused sexual side effects, which I was told is common.
Hope you get to feeling better soon. I'd contact your doctor if you continue to feel worse.

i have tried zoloft, it made me severely suicidal and homicidal, try telling your that to your doctor and keeping your freedom. lol
i also tried paxil.
worked when i was younger but not anymore.
Xanex and valium or clonopin work best. i would think you would be good candidate for any of the three, if you have no history of addiction in your family or self.