Sertraline and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2024

For Anxiety and Stress "I was extremely against taking medicine for my anxiety, however, after a very severe spell of anxiety and insomnia, I decided I needed to try it as a last resort. I was going back and forth making various doctor’s appointments, scared to take the tablet (as side effects stated insomnia). He prescribed me various different types during this time, eventually, I decided it was time to give sertraline a go, and if I didn’t like it, just stop. I was prescribed 50 mg. I did take this dose for 5 days, but the side effects were too severe, so I lowered it to 25 mg (wish I had just started on this dose). The side effects reduced dramatically, but I still had toilet issues, night sweats, tiredness, and vivid dreams. After 2 months on 25 mg, I decided it was time to up to 37.5 mg (1 week) and now onto 50 mg, which I have now been on for a month. The side effects this time around have not been as bad, and I can say I feel almost myself again. I am now able to do things I couldn’t before and feel so much happier. Give it a go."

• Emm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 25, 2025

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Sertraline has been life-changing for me, and I only wish I’d tried it decades ago. I started on 50 mg after having trauma since childhood that caused what I used to call The Fear and which years of therapy didn’t alleviate. I was very anti-medication. Anyway, I tried it, and after just two days of starting it, the intrusive thoughts, panic, and anxiety completely stopped, and I started to feel a calmness and stability I’ve never felt before. In the first two weeks, I had no appetite and some sleep problems, but all side effects disappeared after two weeks. My experience has been 100% positive apart from this. I’m no longer plagued by a daily sense of crippling dread and the fear of how I might be punished, etc. I can now concentrate on simple things like reading a book, which was impossible before. I’m so grateful for being able to take this medication as it has given me such relief. After 6 months, the 50 mg effect lessened, so I increased to 75 mg, and this worked."

• MFa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2020

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I was having increased anxiety. I tried exercise and meditation, which worked for short periods of time. I was prescribed 50 mg of sertraline. The first few days, side effects were really difficult but lessened a week on. There was sweating, decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, buzzing feeling, pupils larger, dry throat, slight blurriness of vision. All gone now except for the dry throat. I have to say I'm so glad I persisted in taking it. I nearly stopped due to the initial side effects. It's really worked. I didn't realize how anxious I had been until I wasn't. I'm amazed at the difference. This has really worked for me. I've even managed to change jobs without stressing. I'm about 6 weeks in and plan to continue with it. I wrote this review because I hope it helps others. These reviews really helped me stick with it during the first few days."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 8, 2013

Sertraline for Depression "This worked for me better than: Effexor, Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, and Lexapro. The only drawback is it made me gain about 25 lbs when the doctors assured me many people lose weight while taking it. Also, it made my muscles a bit tense for the first few weeks. I felt the need to clench my jaw and flex my ankles, but that got better as time went on. Definitely the best mood elevator. It also changed my sleeping pattern. I would wake up really early feeling ready to go which was nice, no urge to sleep in, but the drawback was sometimes I had trouble sleeping through the night."

• Bri...
• September 29, 2015

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I promised myself I'd come back to this site and share my experience since it has helped me so much. About four months ago, I had my first panic attack, a week after a very serious surgery. My doctor suggested it was from the anesthesia. I went two weeks without another one, then boom, full-blown panic disorder. I thought I was losing my mind. I had to drop out of school and take time off work. I went to see a psychiatrist who gave me Zoloft. I started on 25mg for 2 weeks, then increased to 50mg where I'm at currently. I've been on the full dose for 2 months now, and I finally feel 'that switch' that people talk about go off. The side effects were HORRIBLE. If I didn't need to stick with it, I wouldn't have. I experienced headaches, insomnia, palpitations, and excessive yawning. They eventually went away."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2025

For Depression "This medication really can change/save your life, and I can’t recommend it enough. I was skeptical at first and tried everything I possibly could in order to avoid it, but life tipped me over the edge, and I knew it was time to give the tablets a chance. I’ve been on 50 mg for 5 weeks now and haven’t looked back! As well as suffering from depression and a bit of anxiety, my emotions were out of control, and I couldn’t regulate them, but now, thanks to the tablets, I finally feel calm. No racing or intrusive thoughts. The only side effect I had was insomnia, but that disappeared within a couple of weeks. I started to feel the benefits of sertraline within one week! There’s no shame in needing a bit of help."

• Mad...
• May 21, 2016

Sertraline for Depression "My 20-year-old daughter was in a slump of being unmotivated, unhappy, and very negative. She had always been very focused, happy, and loved life. I recommended she go to her family physician and see about taking a low dose of antidepressant. 3 months later, my daughter is back to herself. Zoloft has really helped her, and she is a joy to be around again. She has claimed the only side effect is she had trouble sleeping the first 4 weeks when on Zoloft, but now she's sleeping again."

• Sha...
• October 8, 2016

For Depression "I started 50mg of Sertraline because of depression, racing thoughts, and lots of suicidal urges/thoughts. I've been on the meds for 3 weeks now. I haven't had those major depressed moments like I did. It's like all that crazy head stuff fell away. I'm not super anxious anymore either. I feel calmer and less stressed/angry. I had a lot going on. I decided to get help instead of trying to do this alone. I have had some insomnia but if that's my only side effect, I will take it!! In the past, I always stopped treatment when I started feeling better...this time, I'm going to continue for my own safety. Depression is not a good place to be. Wish all readers the best!"

• Uni...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2016

Sertraline for Depression "Zoloft has given me the last leap I need to heal my mind. I have been struggling with severe anxiety, insomnia, and bouts of depression for 3 years. While I have been off work, in therapy, and trying other means of rehabilitation, for the first time in years, I actually feel calmer most of the time and mostly happy. I'm so grateful. It's been a trial and error and a slow process, but I know my self-care is my main priority now. See more of my story: mental-health-matters-a-womans-story-of-the-struggle. Good luck to all."

• bre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 12, 2014

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been taking Sertraline for 6 months due to anxiety and mild depression. I am a naturally happy and outgoing woman, but due to pressure and high expectations, I guess, I started feeling anxious and sad all the time. I used to feel chest tightness, rapid palpitations, and fear of failing or not doing well in life and eventually becoming a failure. I remember I used to get horrible headaches on a daily basis and even stomach issues. Mind you, I even had a colonoscopy and endoscopy done due to the severity of the digestive problem, although the results were okay. Also, I had insomnia and fatigue. I must confess that all those terrible 'symptoms' went away once I started taking this medicine. My mood has improved, and I've noticed that I am much happier."

• 234...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 7, 2015

Sertraline for Depression "I have been on Zoloft for a bit now and am on a 50mg dose. I find it has made a world of difference. I was taking it after dinner and had real bad insomnia and buzzing, etc. So I told my doctor, and we changed the schedule so I started taking it in the morning, and I sleep great at night. Zoloft has helped with my depression and anxiety. I haven't felt this great since I can't even remember when. If you're having bad side effects like insomnia, talk to your doctor and change the times you take your meds."

• N12...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 22, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "To start with, I was very nervous taking this medication as I had been told it would get worse before it got better. And this was true. For 6 weeks, I had constant nausea, depressive episodes, loss of appetite, vomiting, and go nights without any sleep at all. After those 6 weeks, I woke up one day and instead of feeling extreme anxiety and terror as I had done for 7 months, I woke up feeling surprisingly okay. However, I still had some symptoms during the day. After about 12 weeks, I was honestly a different person. I genuinely felt like it was magic. It was crazy to think how a tablet every night could change your life. Please, if you are struggling with severe anxiety, try this medication. I have been on over 5 different medications, and nothing has helped my anxiety the way this has. It has changed my life completely. I was so close to giving up during the first 6 weeks, but now words can't express how glad I am that I didn't."

• stu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Started sertraline 50 mg Dec 9th, 2019, as long-term stressful events brought on anxiety. The first week, terrible racing thoughts, insomnia, night sweats, off food, sexual dysfunction is very concerning. Second week, nausea and tremors. Third week, no racing thoughts, starting to sleep, still got tremors though. End of week four, starting to feel normal. Week five, still feeling normal. Week six, will try to trim a quarter off my tablet to see if it has any effects, will keep an eye on my condition with a daily diary. I will see the doctor next week with my review. Good luck to all just starting on it, as the first two weeks are tough."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2022

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I was once just like many of you when it came to taking medication for my anxiety and panic disorder. I was scared and put it off for about a year! I finally started, and I’m on week 2, and it has helped me so much! The first week definitely was rough because, of course, it does increase your anxiety. I only had diarrhea, headache, fatigue, and insomnia for the side effects. Day 8 is when I saw the change! I was happy and doing things again! I’m happy I looked at all the positive reviews instead of the negative reviews. Zoloft has really been helping me a lot, and I feel like I got my life back! Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for taking care of your mental health. It’s okay to take medication that will help you! You got this!"

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I started sertraline following the traumatic birth/near-death experience I had whilst having my son. I suffered with extreme PTSD, which would cause me to have panic attacks continuously all day long, I couldn’t sleep, wouldn’t eat, and couldn’t function properly. I also developed health anxiety and would convince myself that I’d be dying. I started off with 50 mg and now I am on 100 mg. Please, please, please stick it out, the first few weeks of taking it are HORRENDOUS! I suffered with insomnia, and my anxiety and panic attacks worsened. I was a complete mess, the doctor prescribed me diazepam to take alongside it to help ease my anxiety in the beginning weeks. I had many days where I thought I’d give up taking it, but I persisted, and honestly, it’s the best decision I have made: it took me about 3 months to feel the full benefits, but now I am a completely different person. I haven’t had a panic attack in 3 months, and my mind is finally calm. Give it time, and it works wonders!"

• mar...
• August 14, 2015

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I started Zoloft 4 years ago (at age 22) for GAD/panic. The first 3-5 weeks, I wanted to die from the side effects - extreme nausea, lack of appetite (lost 15 lbs on my 125 lb frame), cold sweats, anxiety increase, insomnia, and feeling overall hopeless! I started on 50 mg and increased to a therapeutic level of 100 mg. Over the last 4 years, I have been on top of the world - traveling, camping, building a home - and have slowly decreased my Zoloft to 12.5 mg a day for the past year. Three weeks ago, I got lazy about taking my medicine and didn't take it for 3 or 4 days in a row. Then I remembered and started taking it again. Two days later, it was like I was starting from square one (all the same effects). Don't fix what isn't broken - don't stop Zoloft."

• twi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 19, 2013

Sertraline for Depression "I have been on antidepressants since I was 23. I started on Paxil which made me a zombie and felt suicidal. Then switched to Effexor which worked for a while but made me have unconscious behaviors a lot. I have now been on Zoloft for almost a year and I feel clear-headed, not as reactive or erratic. I do have headaches and trouble sleeping, and a low sex drive. Overall, a better life on a daily basis. I feel happier."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2022

Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder "Please don’t give up on Zoloft! It took almost 10 weeks for 37 mg of Zoloft to help me with my major suicidal depression! I had bad side effects at first (little sleep, paranoia, anxiety, couldn’t think straight, brain zaps, chest pain). I stuck through because I had read that it can take a while to get in your system and work. Then, by around 10 weeks, I felt like a new person! I was genuinely happy (wanting to be social, singing, laughing, cracking jokes) for the first time in a year and a half! I had tried tons of different antidepressants (Remeron, Lexapro, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin… the list goes on… nothing would work without really bad side effects! Zoloft has helped tremendously, plus I’m taking 2 mg of lorazepam a day if needed! So the combination, plus I walk every day for at least ½ an hour, has changed my outlook, and I have tons of energy too! I’m 52 and feel like I’m in my 20s once again! Give Zoloft a chance to work!"

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2017

Sertraline for Depression "I was prescribed this a couple of months ago for severe anxiety and postpartum depression after an ectopic pregnancy. I felt euphoric for the first few days and was literally awake for over 48 hours straight. But after the initial side effects wore off, I was so thankful for this medication. I was always against antidepressants and believed I could just 'get over it' with my mind... but after losing the baby, my anxiety was through the roof and I couldn't function like a normal person. I'd come home from work and hide in my room away from my family. I avoided leaving the house unless I absolutely had to, and I'd spend all day exhausting myself. I now feel more like myself than I have in years."

• Top...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been suffering from generalized anxiety but especially at work for around two years. Previously taking citalopram, I stopped due to side effects. Initially wary that these would be the same or worse. But 4 weeks into treatment, I really am back to my old self. Happy to enjoy life rather than being anxious all of the time. What's more, my work performance has improved, relationships are much more fulfilling for me and them. I exercise more, eat healthily, and generally my cognition is calm and clear. Few side effects. Slight sleep disturbances, jaw clenching, and thirst, all now reduced and are easy to live with considering the benefits."

• Typ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2016

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "This medication has changed my life over the past 5 wks I've been on it. I take Zoloft for severe anxiety. I have always been a high-stress, high functioning overachiever. I started having all kinds of odd stomach issues, heart palpitations, I hardly slept, etc. With this medicine, I feel MUCH less stress and anxiety with everyday things. I am more patient and relaxed. I started on 50mg for 2 wks and asked to increase to 100mg and been on that for 2 wks too. I take Ativan and hydroxyzine as needed. This medication has changed my life!! I have lost about 10 lbs on it. I think some of my appetite was anxiety-driven. But I love this med, and this has made me a better person!!"

• Fif...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Game changer med for me. I struggle with random, unprovoked panic attacks and anxiety. I tried lots of natural remedies that just didn't cut it. I'm sensitive to meds, so my doc started me at 12.5 mg for a week, then to 25 mg for a week, and then to 50 mg, where I'm happy with the dose. It took about 2 weeks to kick in, and I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders when it did. Side effects for me were a little nausea that was annoying and some insomnia the first few days I started. I knew it was normal, so I pushed through, and I'm glad I did. I'm still a perfectly functioning working mom on this and would definitely recommend it to anyone struggling with anxiety, depression, or panic attacks."

• Ari...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I was dealing with really bad anxiety all of a sudden 2 months ago. I started having sleep apnea. My doctor put me on 50 mg. The first two weeks were the worst two weeks of my life. The symptoms were worse, and it was very hard for me to sleep from insomnia. After the first two weeks, the third week it got better, but there was still some anxiety. The fourth week I felt so much better, right now I’m on my fifth week, and I almost feel as normal as I used to feel. So stick to it because it works. The first two weeks and a half might be the worst, but after that, everything gets better."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2015

Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder "I was started on 25 mg Zoloft about 3 1/2 weeks ago for long-term anxiety and depression, and it has made a huge positive impact on my life already. For the first two weeks, my side effects included decreased appetite, shaking hands, head fogginess, insomnia, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and clenching or grinding my teeth when I slept. Except for the decreased appetite (which I am happy about), all of the side effects are gone, and it was well worth waiting them out, I promise. I did have to play around with the time I took it and found that morning works the best for me. Not having those crippling feelings of anxiety and not being so miserable all the time-I should have done this a long time ago. I'm finally getting my life back."

• Fhd...
• October 1, 2018

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "Be careful while taking this medication! You should start with a small dosage (25 mg) for a couple of weeks, then you can increase it slowly by 25 mg every 2-3 weeks. The side effects can be severe! The first week might be the worst week of your life, but you have to be patient because once your body adjusts to it, you will see the gains. Side effects were severe pressure in my eyes, headache, insomnia, high blood pressure, dizziness, stomach pain, severe nausea, anxiety, and passing out. But remember, although it has very severe side effects, it is worth your patience because once your body adjusts to it, it will change your life for the better and forever. I had anxiety and panic attacks for 7 years and tried dozens of medications (Cipralex, Seroxat, Pristiq, Effexor, Cymbalta, etc.), and this is the most effective medicine I've tried. Now I'm on 225 mg daily and will reduce it to 100 mg. Huge side effects in the first days... and huge gains forever. You decide."