I ve just started (day 4) of 25mg in the morning Sertraline for panic and anxiety, but since taking them I have had insomnia ALL night every night. Yesterday morning I only had a half of a half (around 15mg) in the hope I would get to sleep but still did not sleep. Prior to Sertraline, i would instantly go to sleep for about 4 hours, and off and on for the remaining night, but Sert has serious insomnia effects on me.
The problem that creates is that lying in bed awake hour after hour, I think about all my problems and makes things worse. Any more sleepless nights and I will be a zombie soon running on empty.
Should I ask the doc for Zopiclone sleeping tabs (which could take another week to get, if at all) or ask if I should stop Sert now ?
Comments welcome, Thanks
l can relate to this. Tried zopiclone but l am very sensitive to meds and wasn’t good. Take the occasional phenergan which you can buy over the counter, check with your pharmacist. Started on 25 sertraline, after 2 weeks went to 50. Now on week 6. Struggling but being encouraged to keep going as supporters say it takes time.
I had exactly the same problem when I started and it lasted a couple of months. Once it started working though (at the right dose), I slept normally again. It’s very painful at the beginning, but stick with it and rest during the day. It will improve. It might be a sign that the drug will work well for you.
Sertraline is a drug where it is slow to see the beneficial effects but has severe side-effects at the beginning; stick with it and you will see massive improvements.
I had this problem too I had to be put on temazapam in the beginning then I switched to trazadone and then I was able to get off.
You may need sleep aids until your body can adjust, but your body will adjust and you will sleep again.
I got myself in such a state this morning I stopped taking my 25mg Sert as I could not handle the insomnia, but have just now taken it at 4pm as my anxiety ramped up to the point of shaking, pacing, wringing hands etc knowing that I should stick with it, but missed my opportunity to get some Zopiclone from the docs. Now I am faced with another night of non sleep and will be a zombie tomorrow. I will get some Zop tomorrow.
I am having a horrible rollercoaster of emotions and over thinking everything.
Yesterday, I remember singing in the kitchen, but today has been increasingly dreadful as the hours go by.
Thanks avril,
As you will read in my post below, its been a BAD day.
I got to stick at it.
Hi Nito. My doctor prescribed phenergan to help with sleep. You can buy it over the counter, ask the pharmacist. It is very early days, l was really struggling when l started sertraline. The doctor gave me some diazapam, they help but you must keep to a low dose as they can become addictive. l have been glad of support from this website and although not right l feel there is some improvement. Everyone says to stick with it, it takes time.