Sertraline and Zopiclone

[Vanill1]

Please help I’m so desperate. I’ve been taking Sertraline for 5 days and have had little to no sleep. I got zopiclone today but terrified to take it as I don’t want to become dependent on it. Any advice greatly appreciated. I’m taking sertraline to calm the anxiety around sleeping.
thank you

Deal with the moment, if you need help take the tablets.
Then with a clearer mind you can then make decisions. 💐

I also take setreline and zopliclone occasionally. The setreline takes about 4 weeks to work and the GP won’t give you enough zopliclone to become dependent. I understand how terrifying it all is. Take Zopliclone about 30 mins before bed. And hopefully you will enjoy a sleep and feel brighter in the morning. Hope it goes well x

Honestly zopiclone is not that strong and scarey, especially if you've only been given the 3.75mg don't expect much. I've been given 3-4 weeks worth of 7mg at a time and I've managed not to develop any dependency.

Take what your GP has prescribed, they must think you need it as it's very easy to get dependent and they don't tend to over prescribe it these days.

if You’ve been given a short course of zopiclone it’s unlikely you’ll become dependent on it. Sometimes, with insomnia, being so overtired actually prevents you from sleeping, the zopiclone may help reset that cycle. I’ve used it periodically over a number of years and never developed a dependency. I would take it and go to bed within 30 mins, make sure you’re well set up for falling asleep. Just as an FYI, the first time I was given it, I was so exhausted that I experienced some sleep paralysis/hallucination type symptoms, these were short lived (as in probably only a minute or two max) but did frighten me a little at the time because I wasn’t prepared for the possibility. I hope you’re able to get some restful sleep x

Zoplicone didn’t do anything for me. I find phenergan much better! Sertraline has really sorted my sleep, it stops me over-thinking at night. It does a few weeks to start working though.
You can give the Zoplicone a try and see if it helps in the interim period before the Sertraline kicks in?

@Firstawake thank you. This is very true. I’m going to bite the bullet but I have a dog that wakes me up all hours and an 8 year old. I have no help x

@Boobsallgone21 lol this is what I worry about not getting more if I need it. Did you suffer with Insomnia at all? X

@Stressedmum2017 thank you. I was also given 7mg. Guess he really think I need it. Are you on Sertraline too? X

@TwilightSkies Ty, how long were you in Sertraline please and did you suffer increased insomnia? X

@Tallulah28 thank you. Please can I ask if you still suffer with insomnia? X

Sorry to hear you're struggling. Sleep deprivation is hideous & thrives on anxiety.

I have periodically taken zopiclone prior to ADs kicking in. They've been a lifeline for me. I've tried half dose, alternate nights but knowing I have an option psychologically helps me. I've worried about getting addicted but never have.

I've also tried to combine taking meds with other good sleep hygiene habits - hot /bath shower before bed, body moisturiser, milky drink, essential oils. Also breathing techniques. When I'm really anxious it's surprising how hard it is for me to breathe calmly. I keep promising myself I'll learn when I'm well to meditate or practice breathing as I truly believe this would help me as it feels back to basics when the anxiety seeps in.

I would also add in just trying to be kind to yourself and doing whatever you can to minimise stress & expectation on yourself. We are our own worst enemy. I know you'll have responsibilities but accept help, take short cuts be gentle. This will pass allow yourself to heal.

@BSky this means so much thank you. Are you currently on an AD? Sorry if I’m being nosey xxx

I do sometimes, usually in response to other life stressors. Although nowhere near to the degree I used to. When I have prolonged bouts of it , I still sometimes need medication to get me through it. Maybe a max of twice a year at this stage. I had a lot of shame and fear around taking medication for anything mental health related for a long time, I’ve come to realise that medication is often the difference between my children still having their mother alive and functioning vs potentially not.

You will have a terrible first (up to) six weeks. Whilst they settle in your body/brain will think WTF is happening here! You can try to persevere though if its too painful for you ask for a review of them. You could try something like Mirtazapine as it helps people sleep - though it has the effect of making you hungry (increasing risk of weight gain) or something like Amitriptyline (that really does knock you flat though TBH).

I was on a variety of the years, sertraline working better than the others. With citalopram I was wired and wanting to jump out of my skin.

As someone else said Phenagan (Promethazine Hydrochloride) works wonders for sleep and isn't addictive, though you get a fuzzy semi-drunk hangover feeling on waking (minus the headache) and I tend to get a bit irritable the next day.

Zopiclone is less about addiction and more the fact that after a week or so they begin to have less and less effect. She you end up taking more to get the same effect. Though it is prescribed so you can't just do that randomly.

I do hope that they have either referred you to a sleep specialist or for CBT/psychology for this as a first line treatment.

@Tallulah28 couldn’t agree more. Thank you very much for helping me. On Zopiclone were u able to wake up for your children? X

Sertraline can make you feel awful at first. Stick with it for a few weeks. For many people it is amazingly good.

Thats good, hopefully should do what you need it to then! I have been on Sertraline but didn't react very well at all to it x

Take it you'll feel better after a good night sleep

@Burgoo afraid doc didn’t mention anything about CBT but once I’m feeling strong enough (had some sleep) I will enquire. Thank you very much xxx

Exactly this.

Firstly, please know that you will adjust to the sertraline, and it will help.

Secondly, take the zopiclone, and don't not feel stressed about doing. Read a cosy and familiar book, and then enjoy some sleep.

It is absolutely fine to use it to get through a blip. I have been where you are, and I empathise fully 💐. But you've done the right thing in seeing the doctor and getting some help. In just a short few days things will feel so much clearer and easier,

I think the Sleepio app uses some CBT for sleep principles.

Its pretty common for sertraline and similar meds to cause initial worsening of anxiety so Valium or zopiclone etc might be used for a couple of weeks safely without risk of dependence.

I may be giving stupid advice here though I do think that it is really important to get these things right:

• Don't eat anything heavy after 9pm. At the same time if you wake in the night it may be your blood glucose has dropped so I tend to have a snack pre-bed - very light though.
• No screen time after 10pm - at all. It over-stimulates your brain and simply put the human brain isn't designed for that pre-bed.
• Meditation/body scans are good for dampening down anxiety and tension ( this guy is wonderful - ).
• No caffeine from 3pm. You don't need any stimulants after that time, including pepsi etc.
• If you are worrying then write down your thoughts, have a pad next to the bed so you can write it down. Much of the worry thoughts occur and then stick because we get caught up in remembering them.
• If you can't sleep DON'T lay in bed tossing and turning. Get up, do some breathing exercises (5 seconds in, 7 seconds out and go SLOW on the out-breath) and then go back.
• Read something ultra boring in bed! Nothing that has a good storyline or intrigue. I tend to go for Cranford by Gaskell or anything by George Elliot! Bland, bland, bland! It needs to be fairly monotonous and slightly tricky to read, you want to bore your mind! No audio-books, the process of reading is hypnotic if its dull enough.
• Remember that if you don't sleep, you don't sleep. Accept that you may have a rubbish following day and just treat yourself kindly. Nobody can physically not sleep for weeks so you will sleep eventually. The problem is if we worry about not sleeping then we (ironically) don't sleep.

Good luck! Those are well researched suggestions

I've been on Sertraline for many years, it really helps me. I take 3.75 Zopiclone a night with 15mg mirtazipine. On nights when I'm on a sleep in shift (24 hour shifts support worker) I take the mirtazipine and 7mg Zopiclone. Can still wake up very quickly if I'm needed so don't worry about your little one and the dog, you'll be fine

Not currently. I fought medication for a long time but it has undeniably helped me through some tough times. I feel so trite but I believe learning to be gentle & compassionate to myself has really helped. It didn't come easy. I was full of what I should be able to cope with/get over. Accepting I hadn't was significant. I would never give a friend or a loved one the hard time I gave myself or judge them for taking meds or making lifestyle changes.

Once you can sleep or even rest/sleep a bit better you can tackle what you need to. Sleep is everything. Take small steps, sometimes that's just the basics - simple foods, gentle exercise, being around people you love and make you feel good.