Can't sleep - 100mg Sertraline. How long does this last?

Treatment and medication
1

Hi,

I started taking Sertraline seven days ago to treat what my GP says is anxiety and OCD.

From other posts I've been reading I'm on high starting dose of 100mg in comparison.

The major side effect is insomnia. Literally lay awake from 11.00pm last night until 7.00am this morning. Has anyone else experienced this and how long did it last?

2

Hi Doinkbox,

What time of day are you taking your sertraline?

Did you have issues sleeping before you started?

I'm taking mine for depression and anxiety, but am on 50mg currently.Haven't experienced any trouble getting off to sleep but during the first week would wake up around 4am and have trouble getting back to sleep. I take my 50mg first thing in the morning.

3

Think they react to everyone differently.

I'm on 25mg but I don't react very well to medication hence the low dose

I take mine in the evening about 7.30.

I sleep better than I have in along time.

But the down side for me is after being on them for over 8 weeks I'm still getting quiet a few side effects so I think I may have to change to another. Hope things settle down for you.

4

I was told to take mine in the mornings. I'm no expert but 100mg seems a bit high to start with? You could ask if that morning taking time might be better, but as you have read in the 'side effects' then this drug can make you sleep, keep you awake, who knows what the ##### thing will do. If you are working then this insomnia will be hard for you. However I can recommend  BBC World Service or Radio 4 Extra. Use sports type headplugs so you can still lie on the pillow on your side(s). I found that getting laid down and then doing breathing exercises and relaxation stuff when I first went to bed helped get me 'straight'. I also use ear plugs and don't laugh but if I'm having a bad waking up time I sometimes use ordinary earphones over the ear plugs!!!!!!! In a very strange way I find that listening to this stuff seems to centre things into my head and I don't think of other stuff after a while. It is a bit like the radio programme is actually happening in my brain and it isn't an unpleasant experience. I have tried Classic FM but not all night time broadcasts are soft and soothing pieces for some strange reason.

All the best.

5

I take mine first thing in the morning. I've never been a heavy sleeper but this is ridiculous.

Not really felt any positive effect from them yet. I shall persevere though as I've been reading they do take time to do the job they're supposed to.

6

Yes do try and give them 3 to 4 weeks as the effect takes a while to build up.

You haven't said what's keeping you awake - are you ruminating or having other persistent thoughts? Or do you just feel wide awake and unable to sleep? Are there any other factors such as change in diet that could be contributing to this?

7

Persevere. Yup, I'm on day six and this afternoon is the first time I have felt like being able to stand up, stay out of bed and have something to eat since day one!  My sister has had severe depression linked to anxiety and Coeliac 'effects'. I had no idea that being gluten intolerant or full blown Coeliac is so often accompanied by anxiety and depression; I am gluten and oats intolerant so now I know!  Anyway, she, like so many others on here, has said stick to the fortnight 'rule' as it will be horrible for about two to three weeks and then you should notice the difference. I do hope you can get some sleep.......do try the radio!

Good luck. 

8

Hi, this is completely normal and a side effect of the med. Did you go slowly up to 100mg? Or did the doc start you on 25mg and slowly increase your dose? This lasted 2-3 weeks for me and it is one of the worst but common side effects.

Here are a few advices: 1) close your eyes even if you can’t fall asleep, because at least you’re getting rest 2) take Ativan if you really need to get sleep but these are fast-acting benzos that wear off quickly and could be addicting – this drug calms me and knocks me out 3) don’t start fretting about TRYING to fall sleep – sleep is one of those things that the body naturally does – like eat – when you are hungry you will eat and when you get tired enough you will fall asleep. Take care. XX

9

Been on 100mg for around 2 months was on 50mg for around the same time I got insomnia to begin with it's went away now but I just keep waking up randomly during the night just the once at like 3-4am it's crap but not that big a deal the side effects can be crap to begin with but give them time it can take a while to take effect I didn't start feeling anything until around 7-8 weeks

10

Hi.

I'm like I said on the earlier post iv been on them for nearly 9

weeks. When did your side effects go, I'm thinking of changing, but that worries me incase the next ones make me feel worse.

So at the moment I stuck on what to do for the best.

I'm still feeling nauseous, on and off though out the day.

Flushing, rash in my arm pits. dizzy spells and headaches on and off. Don't know if this is the norm??

Anxiety started creeping in but I dare not up my dose because

Of the side effects will get worse, I'm only on 25MG.

11

I couldn't pinpoint exactly what's keeping me awake exactly, probably a combination of all the points you mentioned. I've now ordered some sleeping tablets in the hope that they'll help.

12

I was started on 100mg, as I said quite high in comparison to others.

Thanks for the advice.

13

Glad you mentioned rash armpitsas, guess what.......! Another day another weirdness. I seem to have different things every day and some at night like last night (palpitations.....yuch) and the horrible nausia, clogged up stomach & throaty feeling all the time.  Part of this is Reflux being aggravated by the Sert unfortunately but the GP has told me to take the Sert and the reflux stuff well apart from each other. 

14

Ranger, the waking at 3/4 ish is very common for folk 'like us', but yes, it is annoying at the moment. However, when the summer comes I shall get up and go walking at that time as the sun rises. Think of that as a bonus maybe?

All the best and hang in there.

15

How do you order those sleeping tablets? Are they available over the counter at the Pharmacy? (UK)

16

Well I still get some even now but they don't outweigh how I felt when I wasn't taking them! Stick with them but just be wary that you probably will need to move up at some point if u want to get better! Coming off/Not upping my dose was simply not an option for me these tablets are my last hope

17

Yeah totally , you too

18

I strange what such a little tablet can do regarding side effects.

I picked up a new packet of sertraline last week and they are a

different manufacturer and I looked at the ingredients and they

are different from the first pack. Still took them, had a rough

weekend. Felt really nauseous, vision issues. Dizziness. Felt like I did at the beginning.

But after that iv had two good days.

So if I do stay on sertraline i will ask for teva manufacturer.

I was thinking of trying another A/D because like iv said my side

Effect at 8wks+ was still bad, but if I stay like this I will stick with

them. I'm putting steroid cream what I have for my eczema.

I have reflux too.

Thanks for replying.

19

Hi J. What the #### can we do about this Reflux?

I already take Lansoprazole as my gluten intolerance has affected my stomach and since Sert the reflux has got worse and the GP has said I might have ot change from Sert,,,,,argh!

20

Hi.

i was on lansoprosole for 5 years and in the end it wasn't really dong any good, I'm came off them. so I did a lot of googling on what not to eat and and I stuck to it for about 6 weeks and now I only take gaviscon when needed. I also have manuka honey before I got to bed it helps calm the stomache and soothes the oesophagus. If I have alcohol that is my main trigger.

im not drinking while on the sertraline anyway.  Miss my wine 😭