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

Eating a banana half an hour before bed is supposed to help sleep too, something about tryptophans??

I actually had CBT for sleep anxiety, and it still helps me to this day. The therapist really helped me to break down my actual fears around not sleeping, and it changed my whole perspective.

Now if I have a sleepless night, I think 'ok, I'm not asleep. But it's quiet and dark, and my body is resting. I'm comfortable, and no one is asking me to do anything. This is my time'.

In a broader sense, sertraline helped, but the first few days were tough, and I definitely felt worse initially.

I also feel that having zopiclone in the house helps me psychologically. I don't use it, but I know it's there if all else fails, and that alone soothes my mind.

Maybe take the sertraline in the morning for a couple days see if that helps if you want to avoid the sleeping tablets. But lack of sleep is awful and you have my sympathy

@bellalou1234 think I’ll do just that thank you just worried I won’t wake up for my 8 year old x

@merlotlover yes doc suggested that too so I will take it in the morning now and see where that goes. Thank you xxx

@opalescent thank you. I would love CBT actually so will ask. Are you still on Sertraline and did you ever take the zopiclone? X

Hiya, I suffered with insomnia for a couple of years resulting in a bit of an anxiety meltdown during Covid times. I've had zopiclone off / on for a week at a time and it's fine, helped me to sleep but didn't 'knock me out' so to speak.
I was referred to an online course called sleep station and that helped my sleeping no end although it was difficult to follow I'll not lie.
I now use OTC sleep medication called Sominex, it was recommended by the doctor and I was sceptical as other prescription meds didn't work for me so I was very surprised to find they work well - I always keep some in now and have one every now and then if my sleep goes a little haywire so as to avoid getting into a non-sleeping pattern.
Hope you get sorted.

@NuckingFightmare so helpful thank you so much. How do u manage to get hold of that much zopiclone though when docs are so reluctant to prescribe it x

You'll wake up for your kids no problem. Drs would not prescribe this medication otherwise. For me it gave respite from not sleeping but it doesn't replace a natural peaceful sleep. It just helps you through a rough patch.

They prescribed it a week at a time to start with. I've done talking therapy and wellbeing courses in the meantime. I came off the Zopiclone and tried a different one as they were worried it would stop working if I took it every night. I have quite a traumatic history that drs know about and they finally accepted that the Zopiclone helped me so now prescribed monthly

Hi yes I did suffer with insomnia and high level anxiety when I started both. My 23 year old son with diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and I couldn’t cope. Setreline and Zopliclone and occasional diazepam got me through life. Am still on setreline and son is well 🙏🏻. @Burgoo has some very good advice. Hope all works out and please take care of yourself xxxx

Hi, I did take the zopiclone and got 4.5 hours sleep which is remarkable considering I was getting zero. I start a new job on Tuesday and not really sure if I can do it 😩

@Vanill1 Hi so glad you managed some sleep. Keep going and hopefully you will get into a sleep cycle. Good luck with the new job x

Sertraline gave me horrible insomnia and nausea when I first started it I switched from taking it in the morning to taking it a night right before bed, that seemed to work for me I've now switched back to mornings as it's settled down

@Boobsallgone21 thank you! Do u think I should give zopiclone a miss tonight then take the night before new job? X

@WonkasBooboofixer hiya, I was taking mine at night switched to morning today and see how that goes. How long have you been on it please? X

@Vanill1 if I was me I would take zopliclone tonight as well x

Hey,
I started back on citalopram 3 weeks ago after I experienced horrendous panic attacks, I was waking every hour and some nights not sleeping at all, my doctor prescribed phenergan and propanalol, the propanalol takes away the physical symptoms of anxiety, eg racing heart, jitters etc.. the phenergan allows me to have a more natural sleep, as it's just an antihistamine, both these have done wonders for me, whilst adjusting to the Ad's.

It's completely fine! Take the sertraline in the morning as soon as you wake, and the zopiclone before bed. They are just sticky plasters though OP. You'd be better in the long run addressing the causes of your low mood and poor sleep (trauma?, hectic lifestyle? Both?) and working on finding non medical alternatives to help you reduce your negative thoughts, worry and help u sleep 💐

So I tried to fall asleep without a zopiclone and could not. Caved in at about 1am and took one then slept til 4.30am. I’m so very worried now. Don’t want to get addicted and start new job in 2 days. Hellllpppp

Hey take the zoplicone as you've been prescribed. Get the rest you need. Lots of us/people take it to get back on track & don't get addicted. I was worried I would be reliant and for a while it was the only way I got some sleep. But I didn't get addicted. You are so conscious of getting addicted it won't happen. You won't let it & you will need to talk to your GP about sensible use.

Once the Sertraline starts to work you won't need the zopiclone in the same way.

One step at a time. For now you need to sleep. Just allow yourself to take the zopiclone as it has been prescribed. You can build in good sleep hygiene habits in time and the ADs will help.

@BSky thank you. I’ve had to take it for the past 3 nights now. Managing 3 hours with it at the moment. Actually can’t go to my new job tomorrow as drained so don’t know what will happen there 😩 honestly this feels never ending x

Sleep deprivation is hideous. I'm so sorry for you're suffering like this. Can you negotiate a new start date for your job or do you think starting the job may actually help reduce your anxiety so you'll know what you're facing. I appreciate this must all feel very overwhelming.

Can you also try and build in a bedtime routine - shower/bath, hot milky drink/herbal tea, read or listening to light hearted podcast or use a relaxation/calm app ? Try and create opportunities for your mind/body to rejax even if you're not sleeping for the length of time or quality you need. You will get through this. You just need a few props to support you on the way.

Little update on day 9. Still massive insomnia issues. Not really eating yet but doc has put me on a longer stretch of zopiclone for the time being whilst the Sertraline hopefully kicks in. Honestly can’t wait for that to happen x

Update mainly for myself really, day 16 I believe now and still can’t sleep without a zopiclone but it is what it is. Haven’t started new job yet but have a meeting with occupational health tomorrow and really feel like I’ll lose my job before even starting. Feeling a bit hopeless now. Hoping the black cloud lifts soon xxx