Back on Sertraline and not sleeping

[Fallula]

Hi everyone

I could just do with a bit of support as I'm really struggling atm. After having my son nearly two years ago I got really bad insomnia which then developed into PND and severe anxiety. I was put on Sertraline, a short course of sleeping pills and I also had a few hypnotherapy sessions. It seemed to sort me out and I stayed on Sertraline for around 18 months before a different doctor suggested I came off it as I felt loads better. BIG MISTAKE. I came off it in May and in August I had a relapse, went back on it, couldn't sleep and felt suicidal so came off it and went on to Mirtazapine. I slept great on this but put on a lot of weight and felt so shattered all the time so I came off it and went back on Sertraline. I am day 19 of Sertraline and I haven't been able to sleep at all. I took sleeping pills for around two weeks and then started worrying that I was becoming addicted to them so the last couple of days I ended up taking a Mirtazapine as well as Sertraline. Now I know this isn't recommended at all but I was getting past myself. Last night I only took Piriton as I was getting worried as to the amount of pills I was taking. I felt like I hardly slept a wink, just tossed and turned all night . I do believe the Sertraline is starting to kick in a bit as I am a lot calmer when trying to get to sleep, it's just that I can't get to sleep or if I do manage to I can't stay asleep. I am seeing my doctor on Tuesday which atm seems a lifetime away. I don't really know whether to stick to the Sertraline in the hope the sleeplessness will disappear shortly, ask to be put back on Mirtazapine (which ultimately made me feel down because of the weight gain and the lack of energy to do anything) or perhaps even ask to be put on a low does of amitriptyline which will help with insomnia (I think) but I'd need a massive dose to help with the depression. Argh. I feel so confused and worried about it all, it's all I think about. I just wondered if anyone has been through a similar experience and could offer me any support/advice. Thanks for listening everyone, sorry for the long post, I just can't seem to stop typing xxx

I'm afraid I can't empathise with your situation any challenges I face are not nearly as severe but can sense how acutely painful this must be for you and I just wanted offer a note of support. That all sounds extremely difficult. It will get sorted out; it must - you will come through this. All the very best wishes.

Oh god, I am on sertraline and have had some terrible nights intermittently, usually when I have forgotten to take them for a couple of days and then take them later in the day/near bedtime. I'm afraid I don't have any advice, just truckloads of empathy and sleepy thoughts until Tuesday! I HATE not being able to sleep, it is such an awful feeling.

Hi, just wanted to add my thoughts to this post - sorry you are going through such an awful time.
It may be worth asking dr if you are able to have the sertraline as a morning dose and then have the mirtazapine at night. This is perfectly safe to do - I work as a dispenser in pharmacy and see many prescriptions for this, inc my husband who takes then for PTSD after serving in the army.
He finds that due to anxiety he isn't able to sleep, the sertraline works best for his daily mood, but mirtazapine really helps the anxiety and he is able to sleep better.
I really hope you get the situation under control soon, don't be afraid to ask the GP for advice/help.
Good luck for your appointment Tuesday x

Oh and if the mirtazapine doesn't work for you, you could ask for GPs thoughts of prescribing dosulepin with sertraline (another combination my husband has tried) x

That sounds horrible for you. I had insomnia when I first went on setraline but it only lasted a few days. When do you take it? It made a massive difference to me when I switched to taking it in the morning not the evening. Hope Tuesday goes ok.

Hi all,

Thanks so much for all your advice and kind comments. It makes life a lot more bearable knowing there's people out there who will listen and offer support.

bekki0504 it's good to know that if I decide to ask for Mirtazapine to go along with Sertraline I'm not asking for the world and other people are prescribed the combination safely. Thank you for your advice.

The last couple of nights haven't been as bad sleepwise in that I've actually got some! I think Sertraline may be kicking in finally, I'm on day 21 now.

Here's hoping anyways xxx

How did your appointment go today Fallula? Hope your GP sorted you out : ) x