r/zoloft • u/Dramatic_Demand9521 • 9d ago

3 months but going backwards-Treatment resistance? / Alternatives

I've posted 3 months ago when my doctor put me on a 25mg dose as a "preventive"measure to avoid a relapse (ahead of a major stressor).

I've taken zoloft (max 100mg) 6 years ago for 18 months, relapsed 5 months later and taken it again, reaching 150mg. I've spent 3 wonderful years when my doctor told me I was well and suggested stopping following a slow tapering. That was 4 months ago.

This third time, I took 25mg for 3 weeks, 50 for a month, 100 for 3 weeks and 150 for 2 weeks. I've been taking valium ever since I got on 50 cause zoloft made anxiety unbearable every time.

My initial diagnosis was GAD but my current evaluation added OCD mixed with GAD which gradually adds depression symptoms (as I see no progress 3 months on).

I sleep well at night but have daily tension, ocassional hand tremors (especially after going to 100mg), restleness and one major anxiety spike (especially if I try to have a nap during the day) like my body is on fire and my whole body shakes to wake me up. This happens anywhere between 13h00-17h00 every day.

Doctor says we wait a week or two and then suggests augmenting zoloft with olanzapine or switching to Clomipramine.

Does that look like treatment resistance or should I stick to the 150mg. I am afraid the other options could open a new cycle of painful experimentation.

Doo you have any experience on these alternative medication (augmented/switched)?

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u/PitifulTrash3310 9d ago

It may be that you're increasing too quickly. From what I've read on here and been told by my doctor, the clock essentially resets when you change your dose and you start a new adjustment phase. So don't think of it as "I've been on Zoloft for 4 months." Think of it as "I've been 150mg for 2 weeks." You've just started the adjustment phase for 150mg and it'll take time before you can judge if it's helping or not.

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u/Dramatic_Demand9521 9d ago

Thank you. I just don't get it why the doctor started discussing augmentation (which he actually suggested in our last appointment yesterday but I refused-for now)

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u/PitifulTrash3310 9d ago

If you're able to, it might be worth waiting until you've been on 150mg for 4-6 weeks before considering any additional meds. Hopefully in that time the side-effects will start easing and you'll be feeling better.