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Does the insomnia go away?

Posted , 5 users are following.

tammy1234
tammy1234

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

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • kat47033
    kat47033 tammy1234

    Posted

    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

     

    • tammy1234
      tammy1234 kat47033

      Posted

      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 smile
    • lawrence71261
      lawrence71261 tammy1234

      Posted

      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.

    • tammy1234
      tammy1234 lawrence71261

      Posted

      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!

    • kerry83144
      kerry83144 tammy1234

      Posted

      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

  • helen18598
    helen18598 tammy1234

    Posted

    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

    • tammy1234
      tammy1234

      Posted

      And Helen, what dosage is recommended ?

      Thanks for your advice smile

  • Hoopz
    Hoopz tammy1234

    Posted

    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

    🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄

  • helen18598
    helen18598 tammy1234

    Posted

    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.
  • helen18598
    helen18598 tammy1234

    Posted

    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

    • tammy1234
      tammy1234 helen18598

      Posted

      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

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