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Insomnia and anxiety

Posted , 5 users are following.

carolyn32091
carolyn32091

Since February 2017, I have been unable to sleep. I was working midnights and I switched over two days because of lack of sleep. Now even with very strict sleep habits, I still cannot go to sleep. I have tried multiple medicines to no avail. My doctor has started me on Zoloft. I am on day three, and I was up all night shaking and freaking out. Is this normal? I had some old Ativan which I took a half a tablet and finally was able to sleep some because it call me down. I do have a call into the doctor, but is this something I should push through or do you think this just isn't working? I am on 25 mg right now, to ramp up to 50 next week. Could I be on to lower dose or could it be too strong? This is causing so much havoc with my family and my job.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • nicola32634
    nicola32634 carolyn32091

    Posted

    Hey Carolyn. I'm sorry to hear you aren't doing so well. Can I ask, did your Dr put you on Zoloft just for your sleep problems?

    • carolyn32091
      carolyn32091 nicola32634

      Posted

      Hello!  We tried multiple other regular sleep meds, all of which I would do ok and then fail.  He then gave me a PHQ-9 test and a GAD-7 test and found I have moderately to severe anxiety with depression.  I think a lot of it has to do with lack fo sleep, worrying about money, job, etc...not to mention I worked midnights for 5 years and then switched to days.  So he felt Zoloft may be a better fit...to try to calm me down so that I can sleep since my mind is on full tilt 24/7.   I think my body fights meds..or I'm treating the wrong symptoms (which is why he felt I should try something like Zoloft, which he felt was safer than other ones out there). 

    • nicola32634
      nicola32634 carolyn32091

      Posted

      Okay, well I've been taking Zoloft/sertraline for 5 months now. I had severe anxiety, horrid nightmares, insomnia, agarophobia, panic disorder and panic attacks. I was hospitalized as I was so Ill. When I first started these tablets I felt worse, even suicidal. This lasted to 8 weeks and after that I became so much better. I now have my own business and have no problem sleeping and no anxiety at all. You should stick with these meds as they really do work. I am on 150mg daily, but I was very I'll so I needed that amount. I hope that helps you

    • tammy39856
      tammy39856 carolyn32091

      Posted

      Carolyn,

      I too am new to Zoloft, its been about 6 weeks for me.  I started on 50mg, dropped to 25mg to lesson the side effects for a few days then went back up to the 50mg, I now just started on the 100mg.  

      Side effects for me were horrible for about 3 weeks, no appetite, no sleep, if I did sleep I woke up with terrible night sweats, nauseau, increased heart rate, all of which made my anxiety worse...I feel like it is finally starting to kick in a bit and the side effects are mostly gone...except for jaw clenching....I am still not sleeping like I need to, but I am slowely sleeping longer... up to 5 hours from 2!

      I started the zoloft because I was waking up every 2-3 hours in a panic attack... what used to happen once in a while started happening everytime I closed my eyes to rest...

      Hopefully you will start feeling better as well.... hang in there.  It will take some time for the side effects to wear off... the ativan is a huge help during this process.

       

  • carolyn32091
    carolyn32091

    Posted

    My apologies.  This does pertain to just starting Sertraline and feeling unsure about it.  3 days in.  Doc did approve some Ativan for the timebeing with the Zoloft. 
    • nicola32634
      nicola32634 carolyn32091

      Posted

      I understand that. I meant why were you given Zoloft? And no need to apologize at all.
  • carolyn32091
    carolyn32091

    Posted

    For those that responded (thank you!!!) when do you take your Sertraline?  I was told it didn't matter when as long as I took it though at first it made me really sleepy (then jittery) so I am torn when to take it. 

    • nicola32634
      nicola32634 carolyn32091

      Posted

      You are very welcome. I take mine in the evening as they can make you drowsy. I also take one sominex tablet to help sleep. I found that way I slept through the horrible side effects you get while you get used to the Zoloft.
  • kerry56645
    kerry56645 carolyn32091

    Posted

    Hi Hun. This was one of my main symptoms of anxiety I often went 2 nights per week with no sleep if the clock hit a certain time then I would say here we go again and I wouldn't sleep. Your medication hasn't had time to work yet stick with it. I started on 50g and after the first few days I've not had one night in 4 months where I have not slept!😀 It will get better I also took propananol until my sertraline started to work properly with helped with the panicky feeling. I also did some meditation on an app they advise when you go to bed is to run over your day from start until you end up at that point in bed, I also found this helpful and it helped me to drop off a few times, hope things get better for you xx

    • dawn0904
      dawn0904 kerry56645

      Posted

      Can I ask you how long you was on 50mg when your sleep improved? I'm on 50mg right now and have been for 3 weeks and I'm still struggling. I started Zoloft for anxiety and insomnia as well. 

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