Zoloft and memory loss/brain fog?

I just started taking 25mg of Zoloft for anxiety also. I had been taking 1mg of Ativan but it stopped working and I refused to increase the dosage. At first, Dr. prescribed the Zoloft and .5mg of Ativan IF NEEDED. The first week I had to take the Ativan a few times to calm the anxiety. As weeks went on I totally forgot about the Ativan. The anxiety just began to disappear. I am stunned. I resisted the Zoloft as I had a bad experience with antidepressants many years ago. But Dr. was right, it has help so much. I still do not want to have to take it but until I can find the reason for my fainting spells (which is the cause of the high anxiety) I will. I can't say I experience any brain fog from it. At least not yet. But if so I will keep your experience in mind for reference. I too have memory problems, have for couple of years now, but it hasn't gotten worse. Could it be interacting with another of your medicines to cause this? I will be interested in reading other's responses. I too will never increase my dosage of this. If it stops working at the 25mg, I will stop taking it.

@cherawgirl
I was prescribed Zolot not long ago (one month) but really didn't want it. But, I did do as instructed in starting this medication. Half dose for the first week ( 12.5 mg) then go to full strength after that so my body could adjust to it. 12 days into taking Zoloft I had a major episode. I completely lost my memory forv2 whole days. Completely. I was told by my cousin that I drove to the ER because of a severe headache during this memory loss. I checked the records at the hospital and I did do that. No memory of it at all. VERY SCARY!! How was I even able to drive? TWO whole days of memory GONE! Needless to say, I'm not taking this mind altering drug anymore more. I have no recall of those 2 days whatsoever. I will have a SERIOUS discussion with the doctor that prescribed this mind altering drug on our next visit. If I ever go back. And, no, I do not/ am not taking any other type of drug for anxiety or mood issues so there was no interaction with another one of these type drugs.

@happyquilter - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm sorry to hear about this side effect with starting on the sertraline (Zoloft). It would be completely legitimate to let this doctor know by phone call or portal message now that you've had this experience and that you need a different medication.

Here's some information from Mayo Clinic on this medication, which may be useful:

- Sertraline (oral route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/sertraline-oral-route/description/

I do know from my personal experience trying out different antidepressants that it's hard to know if a prescribed medication will work for you till you try, and some will even have challenging side effects at first and then things will calm. It's a tough road trying to find the med that will work the best for you and your body chemistry. However, it was worth it when I found (and got through the first few months of emotional bumps) with the antidepressant that ended up working for me, buproprion (Wellbutrin).

Is your doctor aware of the memory loss you experienced? If so, what did he or she say about that?