Zoloft and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I am 6 days into Sertraline 50mg for panic disorder and want to reassure anyone who is terrified of starting this drug because they've read about all the terrible side effects, just as I was. I am a 23-year-old female suffering from this for 8 years. Various therapies have helped but I keep relapsing. Last week I gave in and spoke to my Dr about meds. The first night I panicked because I was so scared of the side effects, which turned out to be mild at worst. Insomnia the first night, day 2 mild headache + slight diarrhea, and slight nausea on day 3+4, also loss of appetite. Overall, it felt like a mild hangover. I have felt slight anxiety at times, but it subsides quickly and doesn't develop. I'm feeling calmer already not even a week in!"

• Ano...
• June 13, 2018

For Depression "I wanted to share my experience to give people hope. Four months ago, I started having debilitating panic attacks almost daily, which then turned into a constant anxiety, not wanting to leave the house or do anything anymore, insomnia, and the deepest depression I have ever known. I tried whatever I could to rid myself of it... meditation, therapy, self-help books, diet, supplements. I had been very anti-medication for myself. The first 3 days on Zoloft weren’t easy. I had insomnia, was shaky and felt agitated, zoning out and crying and crying. I am on day 4 now, and I woke up this morning with the clearest mind. I haven’t felt like this in as long as I can remember. I feel so positive. I know it’s only early days, but this gives me enormous hope. I am increasing my dose and pushing through any side effects. Don’t suffer endlessly as I have."

• jlp...
• October 2, 2013

For Depression "I have tried to battle my way through significant anxiety at work and an increase in depressive symptoms for several years. I came to the decision that I was unable to keep the momentum of fighting by myself and saw my GP. This took a lot of courage and fighting feelings of failure as although I work in the Mental health field and recommend this type of medication for clients, I was not transferring this to myself. I have taken it for 5 weeks with very positive results in terms of mood and anxiety levels gradually improving, it's not perfect, but I wouldn't expect that. I am taking 50mg daily. Side effects have been increased insomnia, but without so much anxiety, so it's bearable. I will continue to take it for a considerable period."

• Sea...
• February 25, 2013

For Depression "I have suffered from depression for about six years now. I am a female and about to turn 22. I was put on Zoloft because I recently began to experience severe anxiety over little things. Walking around campus terrified me. I couldn't go through drive-thrus or phone someone I didn't know. My mood swings were becoming ridiculous, and I had been having more obsessive suicidal thoughts. I started Zoloft 50mg, and everything was wonderful for a month, then it wore off. I slipped back into severe depression. I just started taking 100mg and feel so much better! The only side effects I have experienced are a little insomnia, slight loss of appetite, random hand twitching, and some forgetfulness. I finally enjoy life and don't want to just give up."

• bro...
• August 31, 2013

For Depression "I have major depression for several years. It is worse lately with suicidal thoughts. I started out on 25 mg for four weeks and saw little difference other than typical side effects. The fatigue was overwhelming for 10 days but got better after two weeks. I upped the dose to 50 mg and had bad anxiety and trembling inside for about six weeks, but now I am happy to say I'm much better - no trembling, sometimes anxious, but the sertraline has definitely been worth it. I'm still not sleeping as well as I would like, waking up three times a night and getting up at 4 a.m. wide awake. To all of you who are just starting on it, hang in there - it will get better."

• Che...
• July 28, 2015

For Social Anxiety Disorder "About 2 years ago, I started experiencing the worst panic attacks of my life. I thought I was having a pulmonary embolism & went to the emergency room twice. After blood work, ECGs, heart monitors, and chest X-rays, I finally accepted I was suffering from anxiety. I went to see my doctor & I've been on Zoloft 50mg for approximately 10 months. The first 3 months on Zoloft honestly were the worst months of my life. My anxiety was 10 times worse, I was experiencing horrible insomnia, dry mouth, and a permanent yawn. The side effects have subsided, and I'm so thankful to be anxiety-free even though it took almost 4 months. I would definitely recommend Zoloft and tell everyone to just stick out the first few months! Good luck! You are not alone :)"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2017

For Social Anxiety Disorder "After taking Zoloft (50 mg) for only a few days, I feel incredibly lucky to have had such a positive experience with it. For about an hour after I take it I get stomach cramps that resemble menstrual cramps, but after that, I go into a really positive mood and I just want to tell everybody how much I appreciate them. I don't get sick from overthinking minor details anymore, and all of my emotions feel more stable and controllable. I'm experiencing slight restlessness and difficulty falling asleep, but I'm taking that as a positive, as I feel like I got my energy back. I do clench my jaw at night now though. I have no appetite and I'm losing weight, but I used to overeat due to anxiety so I don't mind it. I never thought I could be this happy."

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

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

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."

• Mad...
• May 21, 2016

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."

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

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."

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

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."

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

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!"

• mar...
• August 14, 2015

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."

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

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!"

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

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."

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

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."

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

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!!"

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

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

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."

• Ano...
• November 26, 2014

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 less than 1 month
• December 19, 2022

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

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

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."

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

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!"