Sertraline and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Ano...
• November 26, 2014

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "Did NOT want to take meds, but I am so glad I finally hit rock bottom and decided Zoloft was an option worth considering. Seriously, it has completely changed my life. As long as you have a reputable therapist/doctor giving you the meds, there should be no major issues. Had some problems with sleep at first, but I started taking melatonin at night and now it's all good."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2025

For Anxiety and Stress "I’m now week 6 on 25 of sertraline… been on the medication before. The side effects going on this time were worse, I have felt some relief, but this last week has been pure hell. Trying my very best to keep going, reading all the reviews on here daily is keeping me going. Not sure whether I need to increase my dose, but frightened I’ll get all the side effects again. Really hope I get some relief again soon. I have lost weight, insomnia, headaches, overwhelming thoughts, and ruminating."

• 1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been on sertraline for 10½ weeks now, 2½ weeks at 50 mg and 8 weeks at 100 mg. This drug is amazing, though the initial side effects can be rough (increased anxiety, insomnia, hand tremors, nausea, headaches, bruising more easily). The worst for me were the anxiety uptick and the insomnia, but my G.P. gave me clonazepam (0.25 mg twice daily or as needed). I used the clonazepam for about 6 weeks on and off, and they were a great help. The side effects are only temporary, so please hang in there. Give sertraline time (at least 8 weeks) to build up in your system before deciding whether to continue or not. I am so glad I constantly read and re-read the positive reviews on here when I was battling through the first few weeks. I feel like a different person now. Anxiety is practically non-existent, I am calmer, more able to cope with stress, and generally happier all around. This medication made me realize that God can and does use 'big pharma' to help people with chemical imbalances."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2022

Sertraline for Depression "I suffer from GAD, that triggers depression. I started at 50 mg, then went up to 100 mg after 7 days. Week 1 was a living nightmare - increased anxiety, very suicidal, headaches, and some insomnia. I’d constantly read other people’s experiences on Zoloft for the slightest glimpse of hope, and I’m so happy I can say on day 9, I felt like myself again. I was on this drug for close to a year and thought because I was doing well, I should get off… well, 2 months after I relapsed. And now here I am, back on meds. I hope my experience can give others hope. Do not give up. I promise it gets better and is 100% worth the wait. Zoloft saved my life."

• 4Ka...
• July 19, 2013

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I am male, 53 years old, and have been on Zoloft (Sertraline) 75mg for 1 year. My problem was with anxiety, and I became very sick. I first tried Celexa, but I felt worse. After 3 weeks, I switched to Zoloft and quickly noticed an improvement. It took about 3 to 4 weeks for Zoloft to start working effectively. By the 3rd month, I felt even better and any side effects stopped - they are: trouble sleeping. I took Ativan to relax me and fall asleep. After 3 months, my sleep returned to normal. As for sex, maybe slightly longer to orgasm but no sexual dysfunction. As for alcohol, I still drink and feel fine. There was sweating, but this went away. Zoloft works, good luck!"

• Tif...
• May 12, 2013

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "Anxiety hit following 18 months of anger/grief. I was 36 years old and over a period of just 1 month, anxiety spiraled out of control - developing a fear of driving and being alone - nearing not leaving the house. Shrink prescribed Zoloft, the first week was bad. I remember massive weight loss, insomnia, and excessive yawning. These side effects soon disappeared, and six weeks later, this miracle pill started to kick in. Started on 12.5mg and have slowly increased over nine months to 175mg. Now 1 year later returning back to normal, anxiety did get worse at every increase of dose before getting better. Give it time, it will work. Exercise and CBT also helps heaps."

• lyn...
• May 19, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "This forum was so helpful, I feel obligated to share. Over the last 4 years, I've experienced anxiety due to life pressures (single parenthood, loss of business, demanding job, health issues) that led to daily panic attacks and depression. I'm barely functioning. Therapy helps (also meditation, exercise, CBT). A psychiatrist prescribed 50 mg of sertraline. I've only been on it for 3 days, not long enough for a review, but because so many on this forum describe the first 2+ weeks as horrible and it causes people to quit, I want to share my experience. Day 1, took 50 mg and thought I might die - panic attacks, shaking, insomnia, sweats, racing heart, vomiting, diarrhea. Didn’t know how to continue even though I knew if I pushed through until my body adjusted there could be a huge payoff. Day 2, took half a pill instead and it was radically different. I'm experiencing side effects, but they're very manageable. I’ll increase the dosage in a week. Ease into it, give it some time, and don't give up."

• Cla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2021

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "This medication honestly saved my quality of life. The first two weeks on it were honestly rough! I thought about stopping the medication because I was having such bad side effects. I would get terrible nausea, stomach pains/diarrhea, panic attacks, and insomnia. However, after about the 3rd week, my side effects went away. I went from someone who had almost daily panic attacks to having none at all. My anxiety has pretty much completely gone away. I feel as though I have my life back and can live normally again. Without this medication, I was unable to function properly and enjoy life. Thanks to Zoloft, I am my old self again. The first 2 or so weeks may be rough, but hang in there, I promise it is worth it!"

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 3, 2014

Sertraline for Depression "I've dealt with many periods of depression in my life, but I hit an all-time low a year and a half ago culminating in a suicide attempt. This medication helped me get back on my feet. I started with a low dose (25mg/day - I'm small and female) and have slowly increased to the normal dosage my doctor prescribes for adults (50mg/day). I went off of it for two months after five months of taking it and fell back into depression. Went back on it and have been fine since. I don't think I will stop again for a while. Only problems are occasional insomnia and inability to orgasm anymore."

• Joe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "The medicine works well, but you need to be patient. I started 25 mg ten weeks ago, and the first 4 weeks I had side effects (nausea, fatigue, sweating, and sleep issues). At 6 weeks, I noticed my anxiety was greatly reduced and almost completely under control at 8 weeks. So the medicine seems to have worked well for me."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 7, 2019

For Panic Disorder "After having panic attacks, nightmares, lack of sleep, loss of appetite, extreme fears, and feelings of hopelessness, I began taking Zoloft 50 mg. It took one week for panic to go away. I am so thankful for this medicine. It is truly a blessing to have these medications in healing. To anyone who is out there struggling, you need to take the medicine. Even if you're scared, it can help you if you give it time. God bless you."

• Che...
• September 19, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I just started sertraline (50 mg) about 2 days ago, and I am taking it for anxiety, stress, health anxiety, social anxiety, and OCD. I had started it a month ago, and the first day was horrible. I felt like a complete zombie along with nausea, diarrhea, so I didn't take it again. Fast forward, my anxiety(s) and stress got so bad I was having a panic attack all day and was always nervous and didn't eat for almost 3 weeks and lost 10 lbs. My doc recommended that I start the antidepressant, and I did. I was scared, but the side effects were not as bad like before at all. I only suffer with nausea all day, insomnia, anxiety but not as bad, and get hot flashes at night. Even though I have only taken it for 2 days, I can tell a difference. I am a little more calm than I have been in a month. I also have the urge to clench my jaws. Hopefully, I can get back to my old self when I was happy and worried less. Hope it does well for all you who are reading this! Just remember, don't give up, keep going."

• jan...
• October 31, 2020

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "I had an adverse reaction to Zoloft - insomnia, and it was so bad. I had to go to the ward for not sleeping for 8 days. I was also pacing and other bad stuff. I did not have mania. Over a year later and over 20 pills tried on me. Never recovered. I have biochemical brain damage. I only met a tiny few people this exact same thing happened to. (We met in support groups) If this truly happens to others, it may be told that it is something else. I am 37. I slept fine my entire life. My life is a mess now. I never feel sleepy and so on. I am a rare case."

• B10...
• July 3, 2016

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "Before taking this medication, I was experiencing sleepless nights. Sometimes this would happen for three nights in a row. There was no reason for me to feel anxiety or feel as if a panic attack was coming on. My panic and anxiety feelings were in my stomach and my throat. I felt like I could scream, but I could never get it loud enough. I was also experiencing stomach ulcer symptoms. I had no clue what was wrong with me. At work, I started to experience social anxiety. I would feel panicked, my face would get flushed, and my neck and chest would break out in hives. One other extremely annoying symptom was getting up during the night to pee when I really didn't have to. My doctor prescribed 25, then 50, then 75, then 100 mg of Zoloft, and I'm 100% better."

• NAa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 14, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Had crippling anxiety, couldn’t even focus on someone speaking in front of me for longer than 10 seconds without thinking I was going to die. Been on sertraline for 2 months now. The first month was the worst and thought all the progress I had made left me and went back to anxiety-filled days and sleepless nights! Day 40, until about 3 days ago, I was really good 80% and bad 20% and felt very medicated on those 20% days. The last 3 days I have control over my life again and had my first full day in like 10 years I didn’t even think about anxiety, which is baffling."

• anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I started on 50 mg of Sertraline around 6 months ago. The first few weeks were horrible: elevated anxiety, insomnia, constantly feeling like I was in a weird bubble, etc. But if you do suffer from these side effects, please power through. After around week 3, I started feeling much better, and after week 6, all the side effects had gone. I feel amazing now, I have had zero anxiety since. I feel calm, as soon as negative thoughts enter my mind, I can just think about something else. I have just dropped down to 25 mg for the past few days and still feel great."

• Kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 27, 2022

Sertraline "On a vacation, I randomly had a few bad nights of sleep. This quickly snowballed into insomnia after my body went into fight or flight, and the anxiety would not let me sleep or eat for 2 months. It was horrible (especially with kids and a job), and I was desperate for a safe solution. Thank goodness my DR recommended Zoloft. After about 2 weeks on the meds, I was sleeping again. My appetite slowly came back. I still have an off night now and then, but I know that is normal. Very thankful for this medication and sharing my story in case it can help someone else."

• Lar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2013

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "When I first started taking it, I had a lot of side effects, like nausea, sleepiness, insomnia, muscle twitching, decreased sexual interest, headache, nightmares, a need to move my legs, and others I can't remember, but I was desperate to get rid of the anxiety, so I persisted. Most of the side effects went away after several days. I still have the leg movement and insomnia, but it's manageable. It took about 5 ½ weeks before I noticed any effect when I feel happier, like I can't even think in a depressed way, and I can talk to people online with ease. I still panic about being outside with strangers everywhere, and conversing one-on-one is still hard. But now, after 6 weeks, my doctor has increased my dosage from 50 mg to 100 mg, so I'll see how that goes."

• Aoi...
• December 7, 2011

Sertraline for Depression "I have been taking Zoloft 50mg for a month now, and I find this med wonderful. It was my first time taking antidepressants, so I was a little nervous. The side effects I experienced were upset stomach, shaky hands, decrease in appetite, and trouble sleeping, but after a week or two, these side effects disappeared, and I'm feeling great! :) I found this medication gave me lots of energy, my body doesn't feel so sluggish and drained anymore. Regarding the weight gain, I haven't gained a pound, I've actually lost weight. My mood has lifted, and I find myself thinking a lot more positively. Simple daily tasks are not so hard to do anymore, and I can gradually feel myself going back to the girl I was before my depression kicked in. Thank God for Zoloft :)"

• noi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Sertraline can make you feel on top of the world, or want to hide in the darkest depths of your mind. I struggled with OCD for 8 years (early signs at 11, bad at 15, now 19), and along with anorexia and high-functioning autism, I hid in my brain and let it demonize everything that made me happy. I was losing myself. Been on it for 2 months. 50 mg was numbing to begin with and felt distant. Had the nausea and insomnia. 100 mg was the worst. I felt so irritable and annoyed and hot and stressed. 150 mg was amazing, I felt so much better about myself and my OCD thoughts were massively reduced. 200 mg reduced thoughts further, but the insomnia is bad. Without sleeping tablets, I can't sleep, with them, I'm lucky to get more than 4 hours a night. My advice is to push through it, don't focus on how sh*t it makes you feel in the moment, think about your life free from OCD, make that your goal, your motivation. Hope this helped and that you all find peace one day :)"

• Dep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder, mainly due to the fact that my daughter has BPD. I had constant catastrophic thoughts, a bit of OCD, and extreme sensitivity to sounds (dogs barking, people talking during movies, etc.). I also hated my job. I went to see a psychiatrist, and she prescribed 100 mg of sertraline a day because I am very tall (6 ft 7). The first three weeks were hard. I was very silent all the time and somewhat apathetic. Now I feel great, period. I like my job again, and even my piano playing improved. At the moment, the only side effect is mild insomnia and a bit less libido."

• McP...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 30, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Since my twenties, I would have anxiety from time to time. In 2003, my mother passed away, and my anxiety came on to the extent that I thought about suicide. My doctor put me on sertraline, a packet to start 12.5 mg, 25 mg, and then 50 mg. While the first 2 or 3 weeks I still had some anxiety, and for maybe a month or so my emotions were flat, eventually I felt normal again. I can even drive on the interstate without fear after years of struggle. I have been on sertraline for 14 years now, and although I still have some issues with sleep, I feel normal most of the time. It takes a few weeks for your body to adjust, so hang in there if you can."

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "The first few weeks were rough. Nausea, feeling strange...unsure when to take it. Started at 25 mg for the first week, then up to 50 mg. I found for me I had some insomnia if I took it at night when I first started. So I took it in the am for the first couple of weeks. I tried again to take it at night and had no issues. I take it at 8-9 pm. Still on 50 mg. I've been taking it for 3 months now, and sertraline WORKS for anxiety, depression, and OCD. I had major social anxiety and OCD. Push through the first few weeks, they aren't great. Headache, nausea, some insomnia is what I felt. Feeling okay now! Sleeping great, feel much more stable. Not constantly 'checking' things. Feel a lot more comfortable in certain social situations too. I plan on staying at 50 mg."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2018

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I am so glad I stuck to this medication! I was initially worried about taking meds, I didn't know how my body would respond. But my anxiety got to the point where it was unbearable. I could not eat for weeks, that's how bad it got. I finally got prescribed Zoloft 25 mg for a week and increased to 50 mg. The first week I got some nasty side effects like nausea and insomnia, but that all cleared up after 2-3 weeks. All I can say is give this medication some time to work because it actually works! This is my 7th week on Zoloft, and the improvements I see in myself are amazing. The anxiety isn't completely gone, but I am able to feel excited about life again and feel much calmer."

• M56...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "This is a most bizarre drug. Spent two weeks on it, could not bear it anymore, and tapered off. Severe side effects (and I only took 50 mg), the worst of which is increased anxiety. This was really bad, with paranoia being almost clinical and accompanied by awful physical symptoms, including rapid heartbeat, diarrhea, poor sleep, and loss of libido. I feel so much happier once I have stopped being terrified of leaving the house (another side effect), speaking to anyone, or catastrophizing every tiny thought. So it kind of worked, but not the way it was supposed to: being on this drug felt so horrible that not having it in your system feels like bliss. I am full of energy and hope now."