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Help!

Posted , 3 users are following.

rachael25624
rachael25624

Hi all! I am on my 7th week, it has been hard. Side effects are terrible. I have just gone up to 75mg the last 4 days. I am pretty good in the day but not so good at bed time. Can’t sleep at all without sleeping tablet. Any advice please? Thanks

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • helen18598
    helen18598 rachael25624

    Posted

    Hi Rachel. I really feel for you as I have the same issue after 5 months on 100 - 150mg sertraline. Some people on this forum say it can take months for the insomnia to stop but that it is worth persevering. You may be one of those. I am lucky because the Sertraline lifted my depression after about 3 months on 100mg. I asked my doctor to increase the dose to 150mg in the hope it would improve my restlessness at night. I usually am awake until 4 or 5am. However I feel worse on the higher dose, more anxious, constantly tired, headaches and back ache. I have decided to reduce back to 100 and may go down to 50 or 75mg.

    I get the sense that it is different for everyone. Did you suffer from insomnia before starting on Sertraline? I have had sleep problems all my life but not for the 14 years when I was on Paroxetine. It seems so strange to me that a drug for anxiety and depression commonly causes inability to sleep. Good luck and be aware that increasing the dose may make your insomnia worse along with other side effects.

    Take care.

    • rachael25624
      rachael25624 helen18598

      Posted

      Hi Helen! No I didn’t suffer before. The doctor said sleep that sleep patter may take a while to go back. I don’t know wether I need an increase or do I give it more time on 75. My Dad said it is early days. Sleep is massive I feel terrible the next day if I go without a sleeping tablet. Hope you are ok, it is nice to talk to someone who understands. 
    • helen18598
      helen18598 rachael25624

      Posted

      Hello again, Rachael. I think your dad is probably right to suggest giving more time for the Sertraline to settle in your system. I was started on 50mg and upped to 100 after 6 weeks. Now I think that was too soon. I felt really stressed at night so my doctor agreed to increase my dose up to 150mg. I now think the 150 is far too much and I am feeling so much better even after a week of reducing back to 100mg. I even went to sleep at 1 o'clock last night - the best sleep for months. I am finding people's posts on this forum really helpful. 1. Sertraline affects people in different ways. 2. The drug can take months to stabilise at the most effective dose. 3. Many side effects will disappear if we are patient.

      If you can bear it, I would encourage you to give it at least three months before giving up on Sertraline or upping the dose beyond 100mg. Keep in touch. I'd love to hear how you are getting on.

    • rachael25624
      rachael25624 helen18598

      Posted

      So pleased for you that you managed to sleep. Yes I think your right about giving it time. It seems like it has been ages but only nearly 7 weeks. Anxious to get back to myself. Will keep in touch, hope things keep moving forward for you. X x x
  • jenna324
    jenna324 rachael25624

    Posted

    And I am the opposite. My days and morning are hard and evenings I tend to feel better. I was on 50 for 8 weeks then 75 for 3 and today I increased to 100. I am hoping this is the finally increase. It takes time to adjust and until we find our correct dose. Hang in there as it could take even 10 weeks to feel better. If needed maybe increase to 75 
    • rachael25624
      rachael25624 jenna324

      Posted

      Hi Jenna. How are you on the100? My days are good. Night time comes and I am filled with dread. I don’t know wether I should go up to 100 or give the 75 a bit more time. Scared to death of the side effects. Thanks for replying, good to talk to someone who understands.
    • jenna324
      jenna324 rachael25624

      Posted

      Hi Rachel 

      I was on 75 for 3 weeks and then increased to 100 2 days ago. I would suggest staging on 75 for at least 3 weeks before increasing to 100. So far I don’t really have any horrible side effects. No increased anxiety. My main reason for increasing was because I still had anxiety on 50 and 75. I definitely will stay on 100 for a while though. Some people say it can even take 6 months to get the full effect because with the increasing and adjusting to the meds can take a while. Hang in there and keep posting . 

    • rachael25624
      rachael25624 jenna324

      Posted

      Will do, going to stick with 75 for a bit, see how it goes. Keep in touch. Thanks Jenna. X x x
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