Does the insomnia go away?

Treatment and medication
1

Hi there,

Sertraline is helping the anxiety but sure impacts the sleep in a bad way! I’m on 75mg’s for one week after 5 weeks of 50mg’s.

I seem to sleep really lightly - not restful at all  (do have a lot going on so maybe my mind isn’t settling enough).  

Also take 10mg’s amitriptyline and tried 20mgs but I was a zombie the next day.

I’m hoping once I settle on the right Sertraline dosage my sleep will improve.  Maybe a week on 75 isn’t long enough?  

I’d appreciate anyone’s thoughts!  Xx

2

Hi Tammy!

I think things will settle down for you. I did have a few problems with sleep a first on 50 mg but it settled after a few weeks. I do think it takes longer for some people so hang on in there, and I really hope things improve for you soon.

wishing you all the very best ! x

 

3

Hi Tammy. I had the same problem with insomnia and posted a similar discussion to yours a few weeks ago. You can look at the replies. After six months and having reduced from 150 down to 100 my sleep is definitely improving. I make sure I take my sertraline first thing in the morning. I was more jittery on 150 than on 100 and the reduction doesn't seem to have brought the depression back - fingers crossed. One other thing I have tried following a suggestion on this forum, is to take magnesium tablets. I have been taking these at night for the last three weeks and this has coincided with the insomnia decreasing. I still have occasional restless nights but previously I was still awake at 4am and now I am usually asleep before 2am and ofter sleep through.

I also use wax earplugs to minimise external disturbance. All the best. Helen

4

Hi Kat thanks for your reply.  I wonder if the sleep issue is a side effect or part of the condition so that once the right dose is found, the sleep issue resolved too.  That’s my hope anyway, so hanging in there with optimism

5

Thanks Helen,

Was your magnesium low?

6

And Helen, what dosage is recommended ?

Thanks for your advice

7

I'm sleeping better now on 100mg but sometimes I seem to be in a half asleep/ half awake in the early hours. It's definitely improving. I was perscribed pheneghan at first to help me sleep. It's an anti histamine and taken a couple of hours before bed I found it worked. Also not drowsy in the morning. It's worth a try ...others on this forum take it.

Good luck

🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄

8

Hi Tammy. I have not been tested for low magnesium but apparently it is common. I am taking a magnesium with Vitamin B6 supplement. The bottle recommends three tablets a day which adds up to 400mg (107% of Daily Recommended Allowance).  You can check out whether it is suitable for you but I certainly have felt more settled at night since taking it. Apparently people often take it for cramp or restless leg syndrome. I night I just felt completely jittery with my heart pumping loudly. This has now stopped.

9

I have a box, I might start them xx

10

Thanks Hoopz!

11

I will try it and yes it’s also recommended for muscle tension.

Thanks Helen!

12

I tend to wake up early generally rather than not being able to go to sleep. Although a symptom of the original depression, it definitely got worse when starting the meds, along with the other symptoms as we know. I would say once Sertraline is working fully then sleep will be back to normal - I hope! I love my sleep, so I wouldn't feel cured till that was normal.

13

I have been reading about the function of magnesium in our bodies. Deficiency has significant implications for people who suffer from depression, anxiety and insomnia. I found this link useful.

https://draxe.com/magnesium-supplements/

Helen

14

Hi Lawrence,

Yes that’s my issue too!  I fall asleep easily but then wake early and it’s light after that.  I’ve always been a good sleeper before this paralyzingly anxiety.  Like you I hope the sleep issue resolves when we settle into the best dose!

Best of luck!

15

No often wake early, although I have a 6 and 3 year old who wake early so I think I am programmed to wake at 6 Anyway, it's been more like 5 lately though x

16

Thanks Helen!  The article was very helpful.  Interesting that I didn’t know spinach was so high in Magnesium.  I have a smoothie daily with about 2 cups (that’s 100%) spinach so I may be getting adequate supply.  I started taking  a multivitamin too that contains a bit.   

Xx