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3 weeks on Setraline So anxious and cannot sleep

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Uist
Uist

I have been taking setraline for almost 3 weeks now at 50mg per day for bad anxiety which I developed out of the blue about 5 months ago .  I had some physical side effects  first week or so but they have pretty well passed.  The first week I also felt reasonably positive mentally and not too anxious although that was probably a placebo effect as I know they would not work within a week.  But for the past week and half or so I have been SO anxious and jittery and tense all the time - much worse than I ever was before starting setraline.

BUT my worst problem is my sleep. It was very bad before starting setraline (It was my sleep problems that spurred me on to start medication) but is now even worse - pretty well non existent unless I take a sleeping pill  ( zopiclone ) which I only want to do very occasionally as I am scared of becoming addicted.  It is hard to feel positive when you get so little sleep and I had hoped by 3 weeks it might have started to improve. Before this anxiety hit me a few months ago I had been  was a great sleeper all my life. 

Can anyone tell me if it is normal to have no improvement after 3 weeks -in fact both anxiety and sleep are worse than before I started.  I really need some encouragement that I will eventually get some improvement   - I just don't know how many more nights lying awake and feeling anxious and desperate that I can take. 

Gosh, anxiety is such a hard illness to have as you feel so alone. I have a very supportive partner but he cannot really understand what it is like and I try to not let him know just how bad I feel so that he does not get too down with worrying about me.  Not sleeping is just the worst thing and it is so hard to have to deal with a difficult day filled with anxiety followed by yet another sleepless night also filled with anxiety and restlessness 

Please encouragement only !  I could not deal with any negative stories !

Thanks

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • geoff81810
    geoff81810 Uist

    Posted

    I am on week 5 of setraline now and on am upped dose of 100mg and my sleep is finally settling.

    Hang in there.

    Take one day at a time.

    I have had to be signed off work because of the insomnia but am back amd feeling ok.

    I had a really good doc who kept me going when i was wanting to stop hopefully its starting to help now.

    Good luck

    • Uist
      Uist geoff81810

      Posted

      Thanks Geoff, It's good to hear that and I'm glad your sleep is settling.  Did your sleep not settle until you upped the dose? I worry that an upped dose might make it worse (although hard to imagine that it could be worse!).  Did you also have increased anxiety at 3 weeks?

      I notice you also had a post about maybe changing to mirtazapine -why did you decide against that?

      Thanks

  • geoff81810
    geoff81810 Uist

    Posted

    Its been a battle the last few weeks.

    2 weeks ago i was at my wits end and thats what doc suggested but asked me to wait another week. When that passed i was happy to stay on setraline.

    Mirtazapine has a sedating effect so can be used with patients who are suffering insomnia!!!!

    • Uist
      Uist geoff81810

      Posted

      Thanks, Geoff,  It is very encouraging to hear how your sleep did coma back but it took 4weeks!  I will also wait another week until end of week 4 and hopefully my sleep will improve as well.  It is so hard and easy to get very panicky and even more anxious when you are sleep deprived - and just dreading each night! Did you take sleeping tablest at all  
    • geoff81810
      geoff81810 Uist

      Posted

      Yes i have used. Zopiclone and temazapam. But not a lot. I was on setraline before and i know my sleeep will settle eventually.

  • alexia_08190
    alexia_08190 Uist

    Posted

    Not sleeping is the worst ever. That's why my doctor suggested Setraline - to help with the anxiety that was causing me to not sleep! Ive found it's been working for me - hang in there! Also, try not to fight the anxiety you feel. Just accept it and let go,

    Breath it in. The more you fight it the worse it becomes! I read a book once about anxiety that suggested making up a silly song about your worries and whatever is making you anxious. Say it out loud 20x and it will become less anxiety provoking. Also try to think of the worst possible unrealistic outcome of your worry - when you do that it becomes funny and less intense. Hope this helps. I know how hard not sleeping is - just try to stick it through for a few more weeks and see how you feel.

    • Uist
      Uist alexia_08190

      Posted

      Hi Alexia, Thanks for your encouraging words.  What dose of setraline did you go to in order to feel better and get your sleep sorted?

      I know what you mean about the anxiety and whilst it is awful I can mostly manage to deal with it  during the day -  I also do mindfulness which helps. But it is the sleeping which I need to get sorted but with the encouraging words on the forum I am hopeful the setraline will help that soon.

      Thank you so much

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