We are 10 days post partum. I had bad PPA with my first child that resulted in ultimately weaning and going on Ambien to force sleep.
My doctor gave me a script for zoloft and I haven't started it yet but starting to have anxiety related insomnia again.
Did Zoloft help your sleep? I saw a side effect can be insomnia and a few people said it didn't help. Curious if it was effective for anyone for sleep? Thanks
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
Eventually I think it helped my sleep a little- mostly in that it helped the anxiety which eventually led to better sleep. But when I started it definitely did make my insomnia much worse. I started taking it at bedtime but switched to taking it in the morning for a while and it helped. If I was taking it just for sleep it wouldn’t be a great option, but it helps plenty during the day for me so it’s worth it.
cantaloupe / 6131 posts
Same, my insomnia was caused by the nonstop anxiety. I started taking Zoloft in the morning like PP said, took walks 1-2 times a day whenever I felt the anxiety start to ramp up (I noticed about 2 weeks after taking Zoloft that I had two predictable times when it would happen during the day), and then I took melatonin at bedtime. The melatonin was a lifesaver and it was fine for breastfeeding.
pear / 1930 posts
Totally. I can only stay awake for about an hour after taking it so I can only take it at bedtime. I lately have had a hard time staying asleep and falling back asleep if I wake up, but I attribute that to pregnancy hormones. I have been on Zoloft for a little over two years after starting for PPD/PPA and staying on for GAD.
nectarine / 2521 posts
@Foodnerd81: .@gingerbebe: That is what I am hoping, that the anxiety going away would enable me to fall asleep over time.
@Ms. RV: I hope your insomnia improves soon! It sucks when it hits.
kiwi / 526 posts
@gingerbebe: can I ask how much melatonin you took? I am really suffering as well from ppa insomnia. I have trader Joe's 500mcg melatonin but have been taking Xanax at night. Obviously not a long-term solution.
To the OP, I hope the Zoloft works for you. I have been put on Lexapro. Really hope it helps my insomnia. I go back to work Wednesday. 
grapefruit / 4079 posts
@Bibliolove: I was put on Seroquel for insomnia when I was struggling with PPD/PPA. I didn’t breast feed but it’s been amazing.
kiwi / 556 posts
Zoloft/melatonin saved me. Prior to having DD I had an episode of severe insomnia and anxiety. The longest night sleep I had in a 6 week period was 3 hours with a lot of nights with no sleep at all. Having a newborn was markedly easier than that time. Zoloft and melatonin healed me.
After DD was born they put me back on zoloft (no melatonin since breastfeeding). I had no insomnia in the year after her birth, and it has been sporadic and manageable since.
nectarine / 2400 posts
@Bibliolove: 500mcg is really low, generally it’s dosed in mg (3,5,10mg) so you’re only getting 0.5mg. Def try a higher dose!
nectarine / 2521 posts
@Bibliolove: Did lexapro help your insomnia? I'm still struggling on the zoloft...thinking about asking to switch
pomelo / 5084 posts
@Tanjowen: Just jumping in because I started Lexapro about 3 weeks ago - prescribed primarily because of my insomnia. I can't say it has helped yet. It has helped other things (rumination) but I still wake up most nights for about 2 hours. Blah. Maybe over time it will regulate it!
kiwi / 526 posts
@Tanjowen: this past week I've attempted to go off Xanax at night and have done well with being able to fall asleep. There were nights where I'd literally be up all night, previous to the Lexapro. I still sometimes wake up and can't fall back asleep, but I've had that issue previous to having a baby. Lexapro has made a significant difference for my mental health. I still dread nighttime a bit, but I'm doing better! Good luck to you, it's such a challenge.
kiwi / 526 posts
@Tanjowen: is it any better now? I've had some bad nights recently. I wish I could go back to normal.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
@Tanjowen: jumping back in to say my insomnia was getting worse again when I took the Zoloft at bedtime. It’s easier for me to remember it then, but I sleep better when I take it in the morning so that’s what I always do now.
nectarine / 2521 posts
@Bibliolove: Its somewhat better and my appetite had returned. I still take Xanax on bad nights though and have a rough time falling back asleep after night feedings. Try 5htp at bedtime too...my doctor recommended it.
@Foodnerd81: I take it first thing in the morning too. I still felt so restless and anxious up until about a week ago (4 weeks into taking it). I'm doing ok now
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