Insomnia

Posted , 3 users are following.

Morning,

Can anybody let me know if they have suffered with insomnia as part of their depression and anxiety?

Mine started 5 weeks ago and I'm still struggling massively.

I've only been taking the sertraline for 5 days so the insomnia actually started before taking this.

Dr gave me zopliclone which I've taken for the last 4 weeks. They do help me get some sleep but it's not a proper sleep and I never feel refreshed. Also the physiatrist only wanted me to take them for one more week last Wednesday and I'm also not keen to continue on them.

I woke up at 4am yesterday and 3am today and simply once I'm awake I can't go back to sleep.

I've tried all the sleep hygiene tips, also listening to relaxing music and a meditation app but nothing is working.

Can anybody please offer me some hope that this will get better?

Thanks

Clare

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    Yea this is normal for depression, and the first couple weeks on sertraline! I never took the zopiclone as I knew I wouldn't feel refreshed.

    Ok what I eventually did was made sure I used as much energy as possible during the day, I would walk a lot, and I mean a lot for 3 to 4 hours just walking, my son also dragged me to the gym each evening and I did as much as I could and the went for a swim, and sauna. When I got home and changed it to my pjs I would sit and watch my favourite comedies , as couldn't watch anything else. I would eventually fall in to

    A natural sleep. SOMTIMES not for more than 4 hours but I then it got longer and longer . Until the sertraline settled.

  • Posted

    Also what helped me was not putting pressure on my self to sleep. Just say to your self , I can't sleep ok I won't sleep, what's the worst that can happen? U will eventually get so so tired that soon enough u will fall a sleep.

    • Posted

      Thank you!

      I've been running 5k every day for the last few weeks and trying to keep myself as active as possible so that I'm tired when I go bed but so far it doesn't seem to be working! Although the exercise is definitely helping in other ways.

      I'm somebody who normally loves my bed and needs at least 8 hours a night so this is a real struggle for me!

      Last night I was shattered after doing my run then going for a long walk round the lake with my family but I got into bed yawning away, closed my eyes and the sprung straight back open again! Soooooo frustrating.

      I'm going to give a yoga class a go tonight and see if that helps!

      Thanks again

      Clare xx

    • Posted

      Hello Clare, sorry to hear you are dealing with this.

      I have just been given a prescription for Sertraline and Diazepam so guessing insomnia is expected, though my GP said only to take the diazepam when bad and stressed only when needed (got 5 tablets). 

      What side effects have you had so far if you don't mind me asking? Going to start in the morning and worrying about managing work etc, especially during the first 2 weeks.

      I love cycling and running, hoping Sertraline calms my body enough to let me enjoy them again without the constant anxiety and tiredness looming! It's great that you are still getting out and about on them, that's reassuring.

      Hope it gets better for you!  

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