Sertraline 50 mg issues

[Micky21]

Been on sertraline 50mg for over 9 weeks, had sleeping issues all thorought go asleep for two/three hours maximum then I’d wake up, mind during the day seemed all good until about 3/4 days ago my over thinking seems to be weighing on my mind and can’t seem to concentrate on anything, got doctors appointment tomoro was thinking of going up to 75mg does anyone think this is a good ideal can anyone relate to this? Just can’t see no end to this this has all been going on since around February never experienced anything like this in my lifetime until this year sorry for the long paragraph

[Mona53]

Hi Micky. Did you have sleep issues before you started sertraline or as a result of it?I’ve been on sertraline since 2017. Was on 50mg and was doing sort of ok until a month ago, when my anxiety went up and sleep problems returned. My GP told me to increase straight to 100mg. I also consulted a private psychiatrist and she added mirtazapine at a very low dose 7.5mg to help with sleep for a while. That helps me to sleep through the night.

I think increasing to 75mg should be ok but you will need to wait for at least 2 weeks to see if that’s helping. Your doctor might as well tell you to go up to 100 and you might see improvement quicker.

I totally understand what you mean about overthinking and being unable to concentrate. I’m the same and especially now that I had a bit of a wobble again with my anxiety.

[Micky21 in reply to Mona53]

I had no sleep issues until I started sertraline I just find it hard staying asleep all night straight through or even for a long period. And I find myself worrying about it during the day, how have u been since going on too 100 mg? Did u always struggle with sleep while on 50mg or is it only recently? Also do you have more good days then bad and when u do have bad days how do you find yourself to get out of em, sorry for all the questions but I’ve only recently experienced anxiety/depression so would like as much info from other people experiencing the same thing as possible

[Mona53 in reply to Micky21]

Hi. I only really struggle with sleep when my anxiety levels go up. That’s one of the first symptoms that tells me something is not right again. In my case it’s not being able to fall asleep at all during the night, partly due to some pains in my body which I know are caused by anxiety - so it’s a vicious cycle...Can’t really say yet whether 100 sertraline makes a difference for me because I also started mirtazapine before bedtime to help with sleep. I don’t want to be on it for too long and I also find myself thinking and worrying about it too much during the day.

So I understand it’s difficult to concentrate if you focus on what’s happening to you at the moment.

I find that being busy, going to work or doing anything at all helps a bit. Otherwise you will just fixate on your symptoms or think too much about your medication or doses you’re taking, whether they are right or not, whether it’s their side effects or simply symptoms of your illness etc.

Let me know what your doctor has advised.

All the best!

[Micky21 in reply to Mona53]

Hi spoke to my doctor today she says it could possibly be my anxiety causing me not to go asleep so she’s prescribed a low dose of mirtazapine to help me stay asleep all night but don’t know if this is a wise choice or not I don’t know what they make you feel like in the morning physically wise and I can’t really use them if they make u feel like a zombie as im a scaffolder so work quite high up lol how do they make u feel in the morning? She said to me about the bad couple days she just said everyone in life haves. A bad couple days but it’s because these bad days didn’t used to effect me like they do now that’s the reason why im so alarmed with them if they go on for a over a week I need to contact her again, but feel fine today though

[Mona53 in reply to Micky21]

They can make you feel a little bit sleepy and dizzy at first, but it was still ok for me to drive, a bit more difficult to concentrate on office work though. I would probably try on Sat night to see how you feel the next day. Last night I took 15mg for the first time and i must say this morning I felt some improvement, my thinking was clearer I was more energised and even though the morning was quite stressful for me I could hold myself together a bit better today.

So your body just needs to adjust to them over the first 2 weeks or so.

[Micky21 in reply to Mona53]

So are you still taking the sertaline as well as these new tablets? Yeah I’ll give it w try the weekend think anything is better then a broken sleep pattern

[Mona53 in reply to Micky21]

Yes taking both at the moment. It’s ok to do if you have sleep problems as well. When you start feeling better and your sleep gets better your doctor may tell you to come off mirtazapine gradually.

[Micky21 in reply to Mona53]

Yea this is what my doctor suggested to try and get back into a good sleeping routine and then slowly ween myself off them, would you say taking both has improved your overal mental health? Did you have any side effects on them? Only ones I had on sertaline was heightened anxiety first couple weeks no appetite, none since except sleeping pattern, oddly enough since taking sertraline it’s stopped me from smoking cigarettes how I don’t really know

[Rayblade900]

Hi Micky21. I've been on Sertraline (50mg) since Nov 20.I did have sleep issues before but whether it's coincidence my sleep (or lack of) has got worse. I also overthink terribly so not sure if Sertraline has made that worse? I also have trouble concentrating and easily deviate to a distraction. I also am finding I fixate on things for a while then get bored and switch off.

Difficult to explain over a text type message/post.