Zoloft and sleep

I was surprised and enlightened to read the side effects of Zoloft (or its generic) from other users. I took Prozak for years. It didn't seem to be having the same effect so I asked my dr. about changing it. My brother takes Zoloft and it does wonders for him, so I asked to try Zoloft. I am taking a generic form now. Since starting taking Zoloft, I have experienced an almost uncontrollable urge to eat. Not just when I am hungry, but eat until I am miserable. It was comforting at the time, but discouraging to see my weight increase. It was very difficult for me, since I have always been able to control my weight and to lose weight when I tried. My gastroenterologist told me that I should lose some weight, that the extra weight around the middle would cause pressure and add to my acid reflux. I also experience a feeling of "fuzzy" headiness, with difficulty concentrating or remembering things. Some nights, I find it very difficult to sleep.

I thought I was going crazy until I found everyone's comments. I started Zoloft 3 months ago and I'm having vivid dreams. So much that when I wake up, I have to think if a conversation or outting really took place or if it was a dream. I haven't had any nightmares, my sex drive is also down. I have no interest in sex, and I seem to be able to sleep for hours on end if given a the opportunity, such as the weekends, I seem to sleep for 12 hours straight.

I have taking a generic for celexa, until recently I was satisfied with the results, but I had noticed weight gain. I called my doctor and asked to be put on something which would help with the weight gain. What a mistake, she put me on zoloft and now I have not only gained 5 lbs in the week I have taken it, but I cannot sleep, suffer from headaches, suffer from food cravings at night and taking clonazepam is not helping. Under normal circumstances taking 1/2 of a clonazepam would give me great rest. Last night I took, 1 and 3/4 and still could not sleep. Needless to say, I am going back to my other antidepressant. I am small boned and when I gain weight, My blood pressure goes up, which then requires me to take pills for that. I don't want to go on blood pressure meds just because of the weight gain. Hope this helps someone.

18 year old female, first day on Zoloft...in contrast to everyone else, I had TOO much sleep on Zoloft...first night, did have a nightmare, but slept like a baby and kept wanting to sleep...anxiety seemed low after I first took it, but in the morning anxiety levels were the same (high). Don't wish to take it anymore because it seems to put me in such a deep sleep I can't get up...

I started taking zoloft about 2 years ago. I had to change to zoloft from paxil because it stopped working. I was put on it for being irritable and having major mood swings and anxiety.
While on zoloft I have had terrible thoughts about things that could go wrong. I turned into some sort of hypocondriac. I also would get horrible headaches and convinced myself that I had brain cancer. I also had little motivation to do anything. I couldn't last at a job for more than a couple months because I had no motivation to go to work. When i first started taking it I had a hard time falling asleep. After a couple of months my sleeping patterns became normal, and my headaches went away.
Recently I started taking birth control and my old symptoms flaired up again. I now can not sleep at night. I stay awake all night and sleep all day, and have a continuous headache.
Has anyone else had these problems or side effects?

These are not new side effects but a confirmation of some I've read. Two most disturbing are: the inability to cry which all my life has been a major way to release tension; weight gain and an inability to discipline myself to stop eating; addiction to sugar; lack of motivation; can't stick to anything. when I first started taking it my body "vibrated" but that stopped after a couple of months. However, my head sings all the time. It does cause heartburn so I have to take an antacid (but I also take other blood pressure meds which may add to this). I do generally feel better and now after nearly two years on Zoloft, my motivation to take on projects has increased. I exercise every day and it has helped with depression and anxiety but not with sleep. I'm afraid to go off it because of withdrawal symptoms I may have to suffer; so for now I'm going to continue taking it. It does cause weight gain and does lower motivation but since I'm 74 years old, I don't need to worry about sex drive. Hope this helps.

Second day with on 50mg suppose to take it once a day and so far in two short days my anxiety level increased, I feel jittery all over, feels like my heads in a fog and I get these uncontrollable yawns and haven't had a good nights sleep. Has anyone else had this happen to them?

When i STOPPED taking zoloft (i think i skipped a couple nights by accident) i had the most horrible nightmares i've ever had, and they were quite vivid, 4 nights in a row and i had a great deal of trouble sleeping (mainly due to the nightmares). when i awoke, or thought i was awake, i experienced sleep paralysis for the first time in my life. so, ragtopbaby, you are not alone it seems. my doctor wasn't concerned, but she said it generally happens as a side effect of taking it; she said nothing of withdrawal syndrome, but at that point i had not realized i wasn't taking it (i might have been so tired at night i just was forgetting). however, even before i missed a few doses, some noted that i was acting almost too happy, like i was manic. occasionally this also led to difficulty sleeping but for the most part it was just quite clear that the medicine was working very well.

I started taking Zoloft in Aug 2007 because I could not get sleep at night...tossing and turning - thinking about all the stuff I had to do the next day. Within a few weeks - that was so much better - my moods were better - and my performance at my profession was better because I could actually relax at night. I had lost all the anxiety that I have had all my life - and couldn't believe that there was something out there that could help me so much. I, at the time, would never in a million years think about stopping this medication. HOWEVER, fast forward to Nov 2008 - the zoloft is still working great - but my sex life with my husband is so bad that it is more like work for both of us...and reaching orgasm was almost nearly impossible. I just didn't desire sex...which is highly unusual for me. These affects of the med increased over time - and I was willing to deal with them - but the thing that changed my mind about it all was my weight gain. I chose to take Zoloft because it had the least chance of weight gain...or so I thought. I had gained 30 pounds since I started taking it. I wasn't working out as much - and so I thought that was it...but when the scale hit 200 - and then 210...on a frame that should be no more than 140 (I was a bit overweight when I started it) I freaked out. I had been working out and eating really well for three months, no alcohol - no extra hidden calories - to the 210 mark - and I had gained weight during that time. I was talking to my doctor one day and out of the blue complained that I had gained so much weight and it was really starting to bother me. He said, "oh yeah, that can happen on ssri's - in some people they can pretty much almost shut down your metabolism". I was in shock...he knew my struggle with weight to begin with - and here - now a year and some later told me this. Needless to say - I felt betrayed, but was then determined to get off zoloft. And so I have been with his help..and it has been one of the hardest things I have ever done...and I am still working on it. It has been two months and I am slowly weening off. I was on 100mg per day - and dropped to 50mg, and now I am taking 25...I get dizzy, the mood swings are awful...AWFUL - but I am doing it...and I will not ever take zoloft again. I never realized how addictive this med was - and just how much it affected me until getting off of it. However, the one thing that I have found to help with the withdrawal symptoms - even the dizziness is working out. It has been my saviour.
Just thought I would pass this along. The honeymoon period is great with Zoloft - it is when you see your body out of control that puts it all into perspective. Every person's body is different, but if you notice that you are gaining weight for no reason - and can't seem to lose it - tell your doctor. There are other drugs out there to help with symptoms that zoloft relieves that do not cause all these side effects...the ssri's just tend to work more efficiently. For all those with decreased sex drive - wellbutrin does not affect this or weight...but isn't as good about sleep.

I started Zoloft 50 mg about two months ago. I must say i have absolutely no complaints! I was prescribed the medication due to mood swings and depression before and while i was on my period..I take my zoloft and night and within a few days i noticed my mood swings started to go away! I felt more patient and less anxious and pissy all the time. Not to mention before zoloft i was tossing and turning all night long thinking about stuff that was stressing me out..Now, i sleep like a baby! the occasional nightmare every now and then but nothing i cannot handle. The only thing i have to say is when i take it at night i have to have water with it. At least 5 sips if not the heartburn is unbelievable!! So if you are thinking about it make sure you take it with something to drink..I have had no weight gain,no headaches,no suicidal thoughts and no nausea! Also, the sex drive has gone down a little bit, but not much. I would recommend this medicine to anyone! It dosent make you like a zombie or out of your mind. It is amazing!!

I have been on Zoloft for 20 years now for depression and anxiety. The only thing I have really found is that if i skip a dose i have nightmares that are so real I actually yell out in my sleep. My doctor told me that was a little strange because it usually happens from taking the medication and not from missing a dose. But he didn't seem concerned at all.

I'm having a LOT of trouble sleeping! I can go to sleep, but I don't stay asleep, and when I wake up, I just feel like my muscles are all tensed up and I need to stretch out all the time. I toss and turn and can't get rid of that feeling like I want to jump out my own skin. I'm tired all the time because I can't sleep...I've tried taking it at different times throughout the day, and nothing works.

female age 40 started zoloft 9mths ago ,after I found out my husband was having an affair for a year and he left me and our 3 kids for her and her 2 kids.I was so depressed and physically sick.I started at 50 mg and after 6 months the doc upped the dose to 100 mg.It does help me on the every day stress of going through a divorce and im not as depressed,but I find every thing is such a chore,my energy level is zapped and that some times can get me down.My favorite time of day is bed time ,because all I want to do is sleep!!!! I am wondering if I should ask my doc about switching to some thing else.

im 17 yrs old an on these tablets for depression. although it has cured my depression iv started gaining weight my appetite has changed all i want to do is eat. i don't sleep properly. i haven't had a good night sleep yet im tired all day my legs shake at times . i have some anxiety an i seem 2 be really loud all the time. i am also a kickboxer an the medication seems 2 make me really agitated and angry an im really worried someone is going to piss me off an im gonna do something really stupid and im scared of myself. my uncontoled rage makes me hit walls all the time an my knuckles r all scared im scared of hurting people an the look on there face when i get angry. i get thoughts in my head to kill at times.

Makes my stomach hurt like a gas feeling and burning really bad.
Night sweats are horrible. I have to change my PJs about 5 times a night and the bed is soaking wet. It really messes up my sleep. It is helping with my anxiety I think. I'm just not sure if it's worth it with all these bad side effects.
Now I am getting tingling on the tops of my feet and tops of my toes.
It's all so strange. I also have depression and this is helping a little.
I feel unmotivated lately and tired...oh did I mention weight gain because it makes me eat more? What a mess I am.

Today is my firs day on Zoloft and I have had the most dreadful headache and stiff neck all day. I also feel exhausted but unable to sleep. I don't know how I will get through the night. Please someone tell me this head/neck pain will go away. I can't take much more.

Ive recently started taking zoloft for anxiety..just started on the 50 mg today after 4 days of 25 mg. The first two days were awful for me...intense headaches, feeling sick, nausea, tired, constant yawning, jaw ache from clenching and grinding my teeth. This is my 5th day and i am restless, i cant focus on study and keep putting it off. I am so tired i feel i could sleep through the entire week. my vision is slightly blurry...but not so bad i cant see the computer screen, however my typing is really bad...that may be due to the restlessness and agitation.
I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow, even if it's only been 5 days im not too sure why zoloft was prescribed for me when its more for depression and social anxiety. Today in the car i felt really panicky, and i thought i could just fall asleep at the wheel or have a heart attack because my heart beat has felt even faster than before. If these side effects go away in a few weeks and i can be reassured i will start to feel better and happier and less anxious then i will continue them. However my university assignments are going to be really poor.

Im a 33 yr old stay at home housewifey. Ive been taking zoloft for 1 week and 1 day. It is a miracle drug! I feel so relaxed and nothing in the world bothers me. I however i did get a couple brain pains and couldnt sleep for about 5 days. I was taking zoloft in the afternoon but was told to take it first thing in the morning so it can help you sleep at night. I started taking it the the am and the past 3 days my sleeping has gotten better, i toss and turn a couple times. I do still feel very fatiqued but only in the mornings and then it disapears by like 10 am. Loss of appetite whitch is good because i can now lose the 25 pounds i have gained over the holidays haha! I feel was feeling depression the first few days of taking zoloft but now its gone. My stress level isnt that bad like it was. I do feel like im in a dream but in a good way. I feel like im on a happy cloud. I love taking my happy pill (zoloft) it is helping me ALOT!
I am a quiet person by nature and now i find myself taking up a storm!
I was terrified of the carpenter bees outside whitch we have a ton of. It took me 1/2 hr to get to my car to pick my son up from school just about everyday. And i sat in the car for almost an hour trying to get back in the house. Now i find myself getting into the car with no problem and no fear of them. I actually stood on the porch with the bee in front of my face talking to it haha, they do not sting but are extremly nosey insects!
Sex drive is still good so far.
Zoloft is working wonders with me. Its not for everyone as i read all the experiences from people , BUT ITS WORKING FOR ME!
Zoloft is working wonders!

anxiety. weight gain, voices telling me to end it all it;s not worth living, severe panic attacks, can't sleep, shaking all the time, break out in a sweat, then chills, nightmares, and on, and on..........

First day on 25 mg. I feel like I could sleep the rest of my life. Also I had diarrhoeaea 3 times as well as a very uneasy first night of sleep. Woke up sweating and very anxious like I was having an anxiety attack. I don't think my mild symptoms are intense enough for this drug. I'm stopping. Or should I give it a chance? My symptoms are just mild anxiety in social and work situations. I can deal but I wanted to feel better as in absolutely no anxiety. Oh and also I have absolutely no appetite but I did manage to have sex today with no problems. lucky I guess. Please respond with your thoughts...thanks

I have been on Zoloft (150mg) as well as Wellbutrin (300mg) for the last year. I have been on Zoloft for nearly 6 years (for postpartum depression and then ongoing depression) and the wellbutrin was added in by my doctor 2 years ago when the depression symptoms seem to be returning. However, during the last year, I am tired ALL THE TIME - really tired. The kind of tired in which I feel like I can not function. I nap any chance I get (which is difficult because I have four children) and still have no problem falling asleep at night. I have been to the doctor and have had blood tests to see if my exhaustion can be attributed to anything but my test always come back normal. So I am now wondering if my tiredness is a possible Zoloft side-effect... And is it possible for it to be a side effect that surfaced several years into using this drug? I did not feel like this when I first began either of the medications. I also wake up nightly completely soaked with night sweats... another Zoloft side effect. If anyone has any similar experience or advice, I'd love to hear!

I can't believe how easily they hand out this medication!
I have been under extreme stress recently and have physically been suffering from the anxiety. Went to the ER when my doctor wouldnt see me and they gave me this medication. I took one pill(50mg) at 4pm, felt slightly off, hardly enough to really notice though. However the next morning I was waken up at 5am heaving and wretching, that continued for about an hour. Then the symptoms progressed to rapid heart rate and profuse sweating during the wretching. Continued to worsen, my head felt as though I had drank 3 bottles of wine the night before(hadn't drank at all). I was dizzy and the last thing to happen was my arms and hands began to tingle and go numb. Eventually(4hours later) all symptoms had worn off and only the nausea remained. Have not touched the stuff again. I'll take the anxiety thanks.

I'm on 200mg a day of Zoloft. For depression and anxiety. Started January 2006 (25 - 50 - 100 - 125 - 200mg)- and it has helped a lot. BUT,,..........2 weeks ago I started with this "buzzing" feeling all over my body. (feel jittery) 24/7 - it doesn't stop.
Is this a side effect that anyone has had????