Zoloft And Nightmares?

[Grace511]

I have been on Zoloft now for two weeks. I was wondering if anyone else who has been on this has experiences nightmares? I have had some really scary and disturbing dreams. It is making me think of getting off of it but it has helped me sleep better and has helped with my anxiety a little

 

[circe47]

I've had nightmares with various types of meds. Remeron was THE WORST ever for nightmares. Coming off of it even WORSE. I Can't recall if Zoloft ever caused nightmares tho. I am having them on a fairly frequent basis now. At first, they used to sort of scare me and were really, really graphically violent. Now, while still violent, they have an element of empowerment on my part- kind of like I am destroying demons and predatory people. I the content and how much they disturb me depend on what's going on in my life at any given time.

Have you tried asking for an anti-anxiety medication to go along with the Zoloft? I have found a lot of difficulty with getting therapists to treat my core problem of anxiety. Sure, I get depressed, but PTSD is an ANXIETY disorder, not a mood disorder- yet they all wanna prescribe anti-depressents which do very little as far as insomnia and stuff. They work at first, but then taper off on the lethargic effects once the body gets used to them. At least that's what happens with me.

I finally just got really mad and insistent with my last shrink about all the really bad symptoms.....anxiety....paranoia......psychosis.....are manifestations of my core disorder NOT being treated- The PTSD. By the end of that session, I had a Rx for Xanax and it helps tremendously.

 

[kahlan]

I think some antidepressants actually have vivid dreams and nightmares as a side effect. I was on paxil for a time for a depression disorder and had some very vivid crazy dreams that were very disruptive. Talk to your dr. and see if there's something that can be added to help or maybe another that maybe has less factor on your sleep. :)

 

[ButterflyBean]

I have been on every med in the book. I'm on Cymbalta for depression and anxiety right now, but nothing for the actual PTSD yet. Anyway, I was on 75mg of Zoloft at my highest dose before I stopped because of vivid dreams. (can't recall if they were actual nightmares as this was a number of years ago)

What dose are you on, and for how long? Minor side effects (headache, nausea, dizziness, etc), will go away within two weeks. By the same token, major, disturbing ones like the nightmares, will appear and increase during this time if they're going to be present. Also, the full effect of antidepressants isn't seen for 4-6 weeks, so I would try changing when you take it, take it with food, or even skip a dose or two and see if you feel any better/different. If you do, then tell your doctor to switch the med because of side effects.

I hope this helps and that you feel better soon! Good luck!

 

[HëllaBubz]

Hi, I've been on Zoloft for about 2 years, and in January this year I swapped to Pristiq which is a newer, somewhat similar drug.
I was on 150mg daily, and had to do some experimenting before I found the right time to take it.

TSD is an ANXIETY disorder, not a mood disorder- yet they all wanna prescribe anti-depressents which do very little as far as insomnia and stuff.

1. Now, antidepressants 'take the edge off' when it comes to anxiety, because it helps rebalance the seratonin levels in your body, which allow you to remain in a level mood, rather than swinging.

2. When you are anxious, the negative "I'm not coping" thoughts can interact with the depressive side that can come with PTSD, which is why they prescribe it.

3. It also works as a sedative by keeping your mood level, rather than your body swinging high-low, which exacerbates your anxiety.

4. 2 weeks is not enough to figure out how a medication is working for you, give it at least a month, as you are likely to increase your dose until you find an equilibrium where they are assisting you without 'doping' you too much.

Please see the below link for an idea of side effects, I may have missed it, but I'm pretty sure nightmares are NOT a side effect of this drug.
[DLMURL]http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-8095-SERTRALINE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=35&drugname=zoloft+oral&pagenumber=6[/DLMURL]

5. GP's may assist in prescribing medication to assist, but your BEST option by FAR is to speak to psychiatrist, I used to be quite cynical about them, but mine have assisted me greatly, and have a better idea of interactions, and what may be behind your nightmares.

By the same token, major, disturbing ones like the nightmares, will appear and increase during this time if they're going to be present.

This is very true, so don't give up yet, medications require a fair amount of time to see the effect.

6. Have a look at when you are taking the medication. If worse comes to worse, with the blessing of your GP, split your dose up into twice daily, so that you are not experiencing a high-low in medication levels, one early in the morning and one a few hours before you go to bed is the best way to go.

Do NOT take your medication before bedtime, your medication level will drop over the day, and it will take several hours for it to be reabsorbed, this can lead to nightmares because of the seratonin level dropping then rising sharply while you sleep, if you don't want to take 2 doses or split your tablet, take it around midday, and see if that helps.

Good Luck.

 

[Grace511]

Hey guys, I take 50MG a day. I started Zoloft toward the end of May. I have been having serious family problems the past 2 weeks and my anxiety is getting really bad, especially at night. Im like an animal on alert at night I cannot sleep. Every little noise I hear causes my heart to race. I see the psychiatrist on Aug 1. Not sure what to do.....

 

[Spiderallis]

With your family situation being so tense, it's hard to say what's the cause. It's okay to call the doctor between appointments though, especially if your anxiety is bothering you so much. Zoloft had a bad effect on me, my anxiety went off the charts a few weeks into trying it. Seems like it works great for other people, but there's no way of knowing without trying.

 

[Grace511]

I am going to talk to him on Thursda. I notice i am always clenching my fists. Sometimes my jaw hurts when i wake up in the morning so i guess im clenching it at night. Maybe the zoloft is increasing my anxiety. I think i need something more for anxiety than depression. I feel like if i say that though he will be.like well you have major depressive disorder too

 

[Kittiquel]

i was in Zoloft while getting over my ptsd (with the help of Ativan from time to time). I would have horrifically vivid and gore filled nightmares whenever there was a dosage change for about 2 weeks. They would eventually stop, but it was quite unpleasant.

 

[Justin321]

Ive been on Zoloft for about 6 weeks, the past 2 weeks my dreams are random events that start normal and turn violent like being shot, mass confusion, hurry up pressure to do something, and being separated from family in frantic situations. I was prescribed Proasion for the dreams, the Dr. Said its a good thing I am processing my dreams but waking up in fear every few hours sucks but I'm going to stick with the doctors plan and hope for the best. I feel your pain PTSD people just hang in there, stay on mess, counseling may help, and going to God through Jesus and prayers can help heal the heart and mind too.

 

[Born to Run]

For at least a decade I have taken Zoloft, but for depression only. It did not do anything for anxiety. I usually was on 50mg and in bad periods on 100mg. It never had any side effects.

 

[Anonymous12345]

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