Anxiety and zoloft

Hello I'm new here, just wanted to share my experience with anxiety and see if anyone has had a similar experience. Sorry if this is so long...
My son was born almost 2 years ago and ever since then I have been dealing with anxiety/panic attacks and obsessive thoughts. It actually comes and goes though, some days its good and some days really bad.
I recently after all this time decided it was time to see a psychiatrist because it was getting out of hand, and she diagnosed me with panic disorder/OCD. She gave me a prescription for Ativan as needed and Zoloft.
I am terrified to take the Zoloft because of all the horrible withdrawal symptoms I have been hearing when you come off it. Not to mention the side effects of weight gain, and loss of interest in sex.
Today was a good day, so I feel like I can do this without drugs, but then I know soon enough another bad day will happen and then what do I do?
I eventually would like to have another child, and after all of this happening I am really really scared because I don't know if I can go through all of this again.
Anyone out there have any experience with Zoloft, good or bad? Any input much appreciated! TIA

Re: Anxiety and zoloft

Zoloft never gave me any side effects.

I know a lot of doctors write scripts for Lexapro for anxiety because it's known to have the least amount of side effects and generally agrees with most patients.

Honestly, the ativan/xanax as needed is more of a danger than Zoloft would be, IMO. It can come addictive.

I truly believe the best way to beat anxiety/panic disorder is a combination of medication and therapy, along with lifestyle modifications (eat well, work out)

hope u feel better soon!

Re: Anxiety and zoloft

i took zoloft and the only bad thing was hot flashes coming off it.

i take lexapro for anxiety disorder nowadays.

i really believe in both meds AND counseling at the same time feel better!

Re: Anxiety and zoloft

I took zoloft for several months and it worked, but it made me feel so exhausted that I didn't want to take it anymore.

I went off of it very slowly and did have some withdrawal symptoms, but they weren't that bad.

Re: Anxiety and zoloft

Thank you for all of your responses!

Re: Anxiety and zoloft

I think Zoloft saved my life.

Ativan is actually a stronger anti anxiety med.

Lexapro is great too. You don't think it can really change things for you but it does.

I also was in therapy.

Good luck and I hope you feel better.

Re: Anxiety and zoloft

I always had anxiety and obsessive thoughts. Zoloft never helped me. The only thing that ever made me feel better was cognitive behavioral therapy based on The Feel Good Book by David Burns. As for panic attacks, I wonder if you have a hormonal imbalance, maybe low progesterone. I developed panic disorder when I took birth control pills. This was 6 years ago and it still haunts me, but overall I just have normal anxiety now.

Re: Anxiety and zoloft

I took it for OCD. I did make me feel better. I am now on Celexa. I like it better and you can take it during pregnancy. It helps with anxiety and I never gained and weight. You kind of have to take different things when it comes to this and take what works best for you. I have been on medication for 10 years and I feel if it helps I don't think I want to stop taking them. But, if you do decide to stop taking any kind of medication like zoloft do not do it without the care of a physician. They will ween you off of it.

Re: Anxiety and zoloft

I was a little fuzzy coming off of Zoloft for my anxiety, but nothing unmanageable. I gained a LOT of weight on it though.

I was put on Cymbalta a few years later and the withdrawal symptoms coming off of that were HORRIBLE. Everyone's body reacts differently to things.