Hello,

I went to my medical doctor this week to talk about my history with depression, anxiety and insomnia. I wrote up my own point of view about each of these issues.

For me, depression and anxiety are pretty much gone from me, but insomnia is still a problem.

I also talked about being periomenopausal -- with more symptoms like I got very itchy palms and a kind of flush or rash just before my last period.

My doctor figures that my serotonin is low and with the trauma from the car accident, and I had shoulder surgery in Dec. 2012 from a dislocated shoulder (bankart repair) plus my perio menopause -- has made my serotonin low.

Anyhow, for sleep, he suggested and prescribed a prescription of Zoloft and I was to take half a tablet a night for a week then increase it to a full tablet. I would keep on this for a month.

I knew about the side effects of loose stools and it might cause more anxiety for a little bit, but should go away.

I tried it for one night, but the loose stools where diarreah for me and I really got no better sleep. It helped me get to sleep, but I felt trippy -- drugged, and I don't like that feeling. These side effects felt like full effects.

So, I decided to try increaseing my intake of Gabba (500 mg) and L-theaning (200mg) to taking it at breakfast, lunch and dinner to help increase my seratonin. I've been doing this for 3 days now.

I am trying to be calm and relaxed. I go to acupunture once a week. That helps.

I am trying to be mindful and meditate and let go of stress and anxiety. It's hard when I don't sleep well.

The hard thing is -- my ability to do so much more has suddenly come back. My sense of humor and word play is back. My desire to write and ability to write more is back. I feel more or less like the old me, but a more gentle version.

I know several good days in a row is not a recovery. I do know that. It's important to keep stringing good days together and go forward as I can.

I am sure the car accident has changed my brain chemisty and my hormones are stressed too.


I don't think I should change my diet and try the Zoloft again, but I would do it if I thought it might help with sleep.

I won't see my OBGYN till July 16th. In the mean time, I will start working part time hours for summer school next week M-Thurs. 10-2.

I am looking forward to work and feel it will put some structure in my life.

I appreciate any words of advice or stories of Zoloft you have.

Sincerely,

pm

Just my story, unrelated to PCS. I was prescribed Zoloft for post partum depression, about nine years ago. I was 30.

I found it really adversely affected my memory. I know that bad memory is usually blamed on depression (rightly so) but for me the Zoloft made my memory even worse. I still have total blanks of my child's first year of life.

I did not find it helped with sleep at all.

I weaned off slowly. Next bout of depression five years later, I firmly refused Zoloft.

But like every drug, each experience is different.

Hope things work out for you.

zoloft for sleep? I am not a doctor but here's where my opinion goes:

Amitripyline is pretty good for sleep, so is mirtazapine. Those two are great for sleep, especially mirt. However, since you don't feel really anxious, I am confused as to why they would prescribe you Zoloft, there are better medications out there for sleep. However, I wouldn't go with hypnotics such as Ambien or Lunesta as those tend to increase risk of depression, as they are depressants.

Mirtazapine is also a good AD, and has worked well for me. The start-up of it was frankly easy compared to most AD's. It increases serotonin and was a great mood booster for me.

Just sharing my thoughts and experiences.

I am finding that, so far, increasing the natural supplements I take, and also increasing activity will make me naturally more tired.

I don't understand why insomnia is an effect of PCS for some of us, but I accept that it is and am working with it.

Thanks for the replies.

Boy, is this forum a God send.

Sincerely,

pm