Sertraline and benzodiazepines or Mirtazapine
Posted , 4 users are following.
Has anyone had an experience of Sertraline and benzodiazepines?
Can't sleep from a combination of anxiety and Sertraline. Ive heared people have been given diazepam to help to counteract the side effects of Sertraline.
Also id heard someone mention Mirtazapine with Sertraline helped.
Any experiences?
Currently really struggling with insomnia and need something to help me to sleep.
0 likes, 17 replies
SerotoninSurfer Seashell1984
Posted
I take Mirtazapine combined with Sertraline. Mirtazapine has been the only thing that ever helped with my insomnia. However, a lot of people on this forum have a lot of bad things to say about Mirtazapine and it does appear to be difficult to withdraw from for some people. You could try Diazepam if you speak to your GP but you can build up a tolerance within only a few weeks if you take every day. Benzo's are normally a short term fix. I tried all the natural remedies, CBT, relaxation, tiring yourself with exercise, yoga, meditation, Headspace app etc before Psy prescribed Mirtazapine.
Do you take Sertraline in the morning. It is adviseable as this might be causing insomnia if you take it in the evening or before bed.
Seashell1984 SerotoninSurfer
Posted
Thank you for your response! I have also been trying all natural remedies with no luck. I also take Sertraline at 6am.
My Dr thinks I just need to get to the right dose of Sertraline to squash the anxiety then ill sleep.
I've been on Sertraline for 12 days (5 on 75mg) Im worried that going up to 100mg might make me feel too out of it.
When I went to the Drs on day 5 tearing my hair out from lack of sleep he said he did not want to give me diazepam as he said it would mess with my mind too much.
In the 12 days on Sertraline 10 have been completley without sleep.
Im seeing the Dr on Tuesday so wanted to discuss some options.
Guest Seashell1984
Posted
For anxiety, I found mirtazapine to be too activating and I felt shaky and on edge. I tried it on its own and with low dose of venlafaxine, which I had taken successfully for 10 years, neither were good. Mirtazapine helped with sleep but that is because it has an antihistamine effect and therefore is similar in that regard to many over the counter sleeping tablets.
I have taken benzos before but found that xanex was better than valium. They are fine if you don't have coexisting depression, but if you have depression they can lower your mood.
Guest Seashell1984
Posted
I should have said that I have been taking Sertraline for 5 weeks (2 weeks at 100mg) and the insomnia is starting to improve.
I should have also said that despite only being on a low dose of mirtazapine for 3 months the withdrawal was difficult compared to other antidepressants I have taken.
Seashell1984 Guest
Posted
thank you for your response. Its such a difficult decision to know what to do.
Maybe benzo's wouldnt be for me as I've had depression before. This time im on Sertraline for anxiety.
How have you found 100mg sertraline? Did you go from 50mg or did you do 75mg?
Did you find either the Xanex or Mirtazapine made you feel drowsy the next day?
Guest Seashell1984
Posted
Hi Seashell,
You could get some benzos and see if they help you or not. Unlike antidepressants you don't need to take them for weeks to find out if they work, just one dose should tell you if they work for you. There are several types, so if one doesn't work you might be able to try another.
I have only been on 100mg of Sertraline for about two weeks but I am slowly starting to get better. My appetite has come back (I lost 7kg when I started sertraline), I have more energy and have less negative thoughts.
The low dose of Mirtazapine (15mg) made me drowsy the next day. The higher dose (30mg) was too activating for my anxiety.
If you take a benzo at night, you may feel a little groggy when you wake up, a bit like a sleeping tablet. Some last longer than others. Valium, which is the NHS benzo of choice takes the longest to kick in but last the longest, therefore, slightly lower risk of dependency.
Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll do my best to answer them
Guest Seashell1984
Posted
Magnesium can help you sleep too. It is a natural muscle relaxant. Deficiency can cause anxiety issues. Don't overdose though, as that is dangerous too.
Seashell1984 Guest
Posted
thank you so much for your advice! Oh yes the weight loss is terrible. I wasnt eating well from the anxiety anyway but have lost 10lb in 3 weeks and am only 7st 5lb now.
Ive also started taking magnesium supplements.
Just so desperatley want to feel like myself again. I cant believe how quickly down hill ive spiralled, or maybe thats the increased anxiety from the sertraline talking!
mrs_susan74280 Guest
Posted
HI I have the option of going on zoloft, low dose but frightened of the side effects, sweating , bad dreams weight gain, do you have any
Guest mrs_susan74280
Posted
Hi Susan, the main side effects I have experienced have been nausea and gastric issues. These are common with sertraline. I have also had trouble sleeping but I am not sure if that is down to the sertraline or the underlying condition. Not had any bad dreams, sweating or weight gain. I did lose quite a bit of weight when I first started treatment, but I am not sure if that is down to the medication or the underlying condition. Hope you feel better soon!
Guest Seashell1984
Posted
I am sure you will feel like yourself again soon. Keep fighting!
Seashell1984 Guest
Posted
thank you! actually slept Thursday night but not friday night. Feel really depressed because of the lack of sleep. Now also developed a jerk motion when i do start to nod off. Feel like giving up on everything. Life is awful.
SerotoninSurfer Seashell1984
Posted
Thinking of you and wishing you better. Do not give up hope. This is just a period in your life you will get through and come out stronger.
Guest Seashell1984
Posted
I always feel worse after a bad night's sleep too. Don’t give up... you will get better!
Seashell1984 Guest
Posted
Had an hours sleep last night. Seriously thinking about stopping the Sertraline.
im scared to go up to 100mg as i think it will make me feel groggy in the morning when i take it.
I slept so much better before the Sertraline.
currently weighing up the lack of sleep against the calm feeling from Sertraline.
Scared of taking sleeping aids incase I become reliant.
Guest Seashell1984
Posted
I definitely slept better before Sertraline too but it is still early days so I am going to try it for a few more weeks. I didn’t dons much difference between the side effects of 50mg and 100mg
Seashell1984 Guest
Posted
i wish i had the stamina to try and see it out but the lack of sleep is killing me.
going see the dr on Tuesday