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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sybill on October 23, 2003, at 10:31:39
I'm on my 4th day of Lexapro, 5 mg/ day with 3 more days to go before upping it to 10 mg/ day. I haven't slept for more than 3 hours a night since taking it and I'm not sure what to do! I started taking it in the AM, which makes me sleepy all day, but bedtime comes and I'm wide awake and staring at the ceiling. When I finally do fall asleep, it's for a few hours and then it's all over for me. I was thinking of taking it at bedtime, with hopes that it'll put me to sleep, but I'm getting nervous that if/ when I up it to 10 mgs, it'll only get worse. This is my first go-round with an AD, so I'm not feeling very confident with it yet. I'm still trying to get over that I feel this is a "crutch" for me and if I were "strong enough", I'd be able to overcome my feelings of panic and anxiety without meds. But, that's another issue... I really just wanted to see what the general consensus has to say. Should I take it in the AM or PM, and will the side effects (including headaches and nausea, along with the insomnia) increase when I increase my dosage? I hope someone out there can help me! My doc seems very confident that this will help, but I'm feeling nervous about this already!
Posted by john1022 on October 23, 2003, at 10:38:37
In reply to HELP! I'm taking Lexapro and I can't sleep!, posted by Sybill on October 23, 2003, at 10:31:39
Maybe try taking it at night time, like you suggested.
If sleep becomes a problem, make sure you let your doctor know. Good sleep is an important part of getting better. A lot of doctors will prescribe Ambien or a benzo like Ativan with people starting an AD because of the insomnia side effects in a lot of people.
If the sleep problems continue, let your doctor know and he/she will probably give you something for your sleep for the first month or so until you get adjusted to the meds. Good luck
Posted by Wildflower on October 23, 2003, at 11:16:11
In reply to HELP! I'm taking Lexapro and I can't sleep!, posted by Sybill on October 23, 2003, at 10:31:39
I've got the same problem but I've been on it for 2.5 months and just uped my dose. Is there something over the counter that would work? I was just at the pharmacy and asked the pharmacist about it and he looked at me like I was a drug addict.
Posted by Sybill on October 23, 2003, at 11:25:09
In reply to Is anything available OTC?, posted by Wildflower on October 23, 2003, at 11:16:11
You mean to tell me that after 2.5 months, you're still not sleeping? You poor thing! I read somewhere else on the site that Melatonin works... maybe that would help? I think I'll try that out tonight and see what happens... I'll keep you posted.
Posted by john1022 on October 23, 2003, at 11:29:32
In reply to Re: Is anything available OTC?, posted by Sybill on October 23, 2003, at 11:25:09
Melatonin, Valerian Root, etc.
If there is a Vitamin World near you, they sell all natural sleep aids that contain numerous herbs that help with sleep like Passion Flower, Valerian and a bunch of others. I am not sure if they work, but I guess they would be worth a shot
You can take a look at them by searching "Vitamin World" on Yahoo and read about the products they sell. Good luck
Posted by Mariposa on October 23, 2003, at 13:11:05
In reply to Re: Is anything available OTC?, posted by john1022 on October 23, 2003, at 11:29:32
I have had good results from Tylenol PM, Motrin, and Unisom. I tried Melatonin and Valerian w/o good results. Have also seen posts about Benadyl working for some.~~~8|8
Posted by caleb462 on October 24, 2003, at 0:08:39
In reply to Re: Is anything available OTC?, posted by Mariposa on October 23, 2003, at 13:11:05
Anti-histamines work, sometimes. Just get some generic diphenhydramine... don't worry whether or not it says sleep aid, allergy med, whatever... it is all the same thing. 25-50 mg can work great... but it can leave a mild short-lasting hangover, though it shouldn't if you get atleast 7 hours sleep. It doesn't always work for severe insomnia, and tolerance can build fairly quick - but I would reccomend trying it out. It *used* to knock me out good.
Posted by galkeepinon on October 24, 2003, at 1:45:14
In reply to HELP! I'm taking Lexapro and I can't sleep!, posted by Sybill on October 23, 2003, at 10:31:39
I hear you!!! It took me a looooooooong time to get over that 'I feel this is a "crutch" for me and if I were "strong enough"'.... Sometimes we just need that 'push' only a medication can give us.
UNISOM SLEEP GELS work great for me. I had insomnia for about the first 4 weeks when starting Lexparo but it passed and hpefully it will for you too:-)
USG's have Diphenhydramine HCI 50mg~kind of like OTC Benadryl, but helps you sleep a lot better.
Just my experience.
Best of luck to you and keep posting:-)
> I'm on my 4th day of Lexapro, 5 mg/ day with 3 more days to go before upping it to 10 mg/ day. I haven't slept for more than 3 hours a night since taking it and I'm not sure what to do! I started taking it in the AM, which makes me sleepy all day, but bedtime comes and I'm wide awake and staring at the ceiling. When I finally do fall asleep, it's for a few hours and then it's all over for me. I was thinking of taking it at bedtime, with hopes that it'll put me to sleep, but I'm getting nervous that if/ when I up it to 10 mgs, it'll only get worse. This is my first go-round with an AD, so I'm not feeling very confident with it yet. I'm still trying to get over that I feel this is a "crutch" for me and if I were "strong enough", I'd be able to overcome my feelings of panic and anxiety without meds. But, that's another issue... I really just wanted to see what the general consensus has to say. Should I take it in the AM or PM, and will the side effects (including headaches and nausea, along with the insomnia) increase when I increase my dosage? I hope someone out there can help me! My doc seems very confident that this will help, but I'm feeling nervous about this already!
Posted by Sybill on October 24, 2003, at 8:22:00
In reply to Is anything available OTC?, posted by Wildflower on October 23, 2003, at 11:16:11
> I've got the same problem but I've been on it for 2.5 months and just uped my dose. Is there something over the counter that would work? I was just at the pharmacy and asked the pharmacist about it and he looked at me like I was a drug addict.
OK, yesterday I went to the pharmacy and bought melatonin (3 mg. tabs). I've also decided to take my Lexapro at bedtime instead of the AM. Last night, I took a melatonin at 9, took my AD at 9:45 and was fast asleep by 10:15... no interrupted sleep, awoke with the alarm at 6:40, fully rested! I don't want to jinx myself, as this was the first full night of sleep since I've started the Lexapro. Now, I'm worried that when I up the AD to 10 mgs, the insomnia will kick back in. I guess I'll have to wait and see... I'll keep you posted! Good luck!
Posted by Wildflower on October 24, 2003, at 8:52:20
In reply to Re: Is anything available OTC?, posted by Sybill on October 24, 2003, at 8:22:00
Wow, that's great news! I tried Benedryl and I think it might have worked if my phone hadn't rung at 11 pm.
I'll try it again and if it doesn't work, I'll try the Lex at night with some Melatonin.
Posted by galkeepinon on October 24, 2003, at 14:30:59
In reply to Re: Is anything available OTC?, posted by Sybill on October 24, 2003, at 8:22:00
Best of luck to you:-)
Sounds like, so far, you've found something that works for you.
Sweet dreams:-)
OK, yesterday I went to the pharmacy and bought melatonin (3 mg. tabs). I've also decided to take my Lexapro at bedtime instead of the AM. Last night, I took a melatonin at 9, took my AD at 9:45 and was fast asleep by 10:15... no interrupted sleep, awoke with the alarm at 6:40, fully rested! I don't want to jinx myself, as this was the first full night of sleep since I've started the Lexapro. Now, I'm worried that when I up the AD to 10 mgs, the insomnia will kick back in. I guess I'll have to wait and see... I'll keep you posted!
This is the end of the thread.
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