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Sertraline back to Paroxetine. .?

Posted , 5 users are following.

helen18598
helen18598

Hello. I wonder if people could share their experiences of Sertraline especially back pain and terrible insomnia.

I was on 30 mg of Paroxetine for fourteen years and, apart from significant weight gain, my depression and anxiety disappeared completely. I used to be pretty impulsive and a bit manic at times on Paroxetine and eventually the depression started creeping back.

I weaned myself off Paroxetine to see if I could manage without medication. After 6 months of hell I went back to doctor who put me on Sertraline which has been gradually increased from 50 to 150 mg over the past 5 months. My depression has completely lifted, the anxiety is less but I am really struggling to sleep. I am literally awake until 4 or 5 o'clock most nights. It is becoming unbearable - I feel exhausted and have headaches and lower back pain all the time. I take Sertraline 100 gm in the morning and 50 gm before bedtime.

I am thinking of going back to the doctor to ask to go back onto Paroxetine as I slept really well whilst taking that.

The other option could be to stay on Sertraline but ask for some other medication to help me sleep. However, I am wondering if the Sertraline just doesn't suit me and whether the headaches, insomnia and pain are side effects which outweigh the benefits.

I am hoping that some of you may have had similar experiences. Have other people found that inability to fall asleep has meant that Sertraline is not suited to them? If so, how has it been to withdraw from Sertraline and how long have people been advised to wait before starting on an alternative? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated to help me decide which route to take. Many thanks. Helen

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Uzzy
    Uzzy helen18598

    Posted

    HI Helen

    IVE been on sertraline 100mg for about 12 months now I did had insomnia but after couple of months I was ok maybe you need to go back to your GP and get advice. You can also go for holistic treatments , excersize , herbs medication etc hope that will help

    Good luck !

  • Hoopz
    Hoopz helen18598

    Posted

    Doc perscribed me pheneghan to sleep. It is an anti histamine. I am on 100mg sert now for about one and a half weeks and my sleep has improved but found pheneghan helpful in the early days

    I would stick it out with the sert as it sounds like it's begining to work.

    I also find drinking chamomile tea from after tea time and water helps.

    Good luck

    🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄

    • richard1977
      richard1977 Hoopz

      Posted

      Hi,

      I've been taking phenergan to help me sleep. It has helped but how long can you take it for? I've been taking for about 2 weeks. Heard at least that it is non addictive too so hopefully that is a bonus. I wa switched from Mirtazapine as it stopped working and have been on Sert now 100 for 3 weeks. It's certainly up and down.

    • Hoopz
      Hoopz richard1977

      Posted

      Hi Richard..I found pheneghan to be good. I am however sleeping better now ...my problem was waking in the early hours and then not being able to get back to sleep. I don't think pheneghan is addictive. I too am up to 100mg and it's a rocky road.

      🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄

    • richard1977
      richard1977 Hoopz

      Posted

      Hi,

      Thanks for the reply. How long have you been on Sert if you don't mind me asking? I also take 1 80mg propanolol sr a day just just help with the anxiety. Do you know how long we have to stick with Sert? I've only been on 100mg for 3 weeks, heard it can take around 6-8 weeks to settle in the system.

      Thanks 

    • Hoopz
      Hoopz richard1977

      Posted

      I've been on sert since mid December..25mg to 50mg to 75mg and now 100mg for the last couple of weeks. My side effects were nasty at first but not as bad when I went to 100mg. My sleep has improved without pheneghan and my panic attacks have stopped. I went out for petrol this morning which is a breakthrough although the thought of walking anywhere is daunting. I would be housebound if it wasn't for my car. I still can't go into shops. I think this is because I had full blown panic attacks in shops. I don't know how long we can stay on sertraline but some people on here have been on it for years. They way I see it is if you had something like diabetes and had to be on meds permanently then having a chemical unbalance in your brain is on a parr. I personally will stay on sert for as long as i can if it works ..im not better yet but definitely getting there

      I hope you feel better soon. Keep taking the pheneghan cos you need to sleep.

      Good luck and keep

      posting

      🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄

  • monna93589
    monna93589 helen18598

    Posted

    Hi Helen,

    Two things: 

    1. Take your dose of Sertraline in the morning.

    2. Consider combining it with Mirtazapine 15 or 30 mg at night. Works wonders.

     

  • helen18598
    helen18598

    Posted

    Just an update on my sleep problems on 150mg Sertraline. I have tried all your suggestions and my insomnia has definitely improved.

    1. I'm taking sertraline only first thing in the morning.

    2. I've started taking magnesium tablets before I go to bed.

    3. I've reduced the Sertraline back to 100mg and feel less jittery at night. So far my depression has not returned.

    Many thanks for your support. Helen

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