Waking through the night on anti depressants, should I give them up?

[Lovemygirls]

I started taking sertraline 50mg just over a month ago for PMT, before that I was sleeping soundly but I got bad pmt and was anxious at times with some ocd traits so the tablets have helped me feel better but then just having a break over christmas could have helped too but the waking through the night is getting to me now, I went to the doctors last week and she said it was unusual to sleep less, normally people sleep better with the tablets, she changed the tablets to 20 mg of citrolpram (sp?) and I'm still not sleeping well but it could be too early days I've only been on them for 5 days.

So tired.......has anyone experienced this? What should I do?

aw bless you lovemygirls
i take citalopram and was fine first week or two..havent sleep through the night since.gp only advice was sleeping pills but as i have early waking kids i declined.ive been on and off them for 4years now and am "better" taking them and tired than not take and sleep.lesser of two evils for me.
occasionally i get chance sneak in a daytime nap,often fall akip sofa watching tv early eve.is there a possibility you could nap?
i definately dont agree stop taking them-your gp doesnt hand them out for the fun of it
its unfortunate these type pills affect individuals differently and if you arent happy you could try rejig to another type
assume youve tried all the usual drink warm milk(bleurgh),warm bath,wind down before bed etc
sorry dont have the answers but sending shedloads sympathy

Thanks liveinazoo - no chance of a nap, my life is pretty hectic but I love it just wish I could sleep properly at night, maybe it will calm down soon - I hope!

Took a kalms herbal sleep aid last night and still woke 6 times from 2-3am was the worst I was waking every 20 mins My lovely DH has been to the chemists and got me some nytol for tonight, failing that I'm going to have a few hours off my busy and hectic life and have a nap but I will try not to do that because I have loads I need to do and it's only a few more days until I can have a huge lie in on Sunday.

Things to help you sleep at night:

Passiflora
Valerian
Hops - try to obtain the buds and soak in hot water - tastes unpleasant, but does work.

Valerian might help. Maybe the awful stench of the tablets inspires a placebo effect, I don't know, but they helped when I couldn't sleep well on citalopram. :)

It really can be a rough medication, especially as one of the first the GPs will offer. Do try and stick with it for the six weeks, the symptoms do lessen. If they are still too much then ask for an alternative. Or, counter-intuitively, ask if the dose can be raised. For me, the side effects were of the same intensity no matter the dose, but the positive effects increased as the dose did. Might be something to think about? Best wishes

Following this with interest- and worry- as I have just taken my first ever sertraline for severe PMT today.....

By the way OP, did you find it OK to have a drink or 2 on Sertraline? The leaflet says "avoid alcohol", but I don't know how seriously to take it.

It’s actually quite common to notice changes in your sleep when starting or switching antidepressants, so I wouldn’t give up just yet. Sometimes your body just needs more time to adjust, and 5 days on citalopram is definitely still early. I’d suggest keeping a consistent bedtime routine, limiting caffeine later in the day, and giving it at least a few more weeks before deciding if it’s the right fit. If things don’t improve, you could check back with your doctor about dosage or other options that might be better suited to you.

From my own experience, I’ve been on Zoloft (sertraline) for quite a while, and honestly it’s helped me tremendously. I used to struggle with anxiety and low mood, but since being on Zoloft I feel much more stable, calmer, and overall like myself again. Side effects were only in the very beginning and faded quickly, and the positive effects stayed.

By the way, just in case it’s useful for someone here, I’ve been ordering high-quality Zoloft recently from this pharmacy: vitacourier.net/categories/Depression/Zoloft - very satisfied with both the effect and the reliability.