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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JaneB on September 19, 2002, at 14:13:50
I am watching the Lexapro threads and have a technical (I think) question. I have been on celexa for a couple of years and keep the dose down to 10 mg to avoid tiredness but have to take Klonopin to sleep. How can an AD cause both insomnia and sleepiness? If you have had a similar reaction to Celexa and Lexapro helps I sure am interested. Thanks
JaneB
Posted by Bill L on September 19, 2002, at 14:50:51
In reply to Lexapro/insomnia fatigue, posted by JaneB on September 19, 2002, at 14:13:50
Jane - That's a good question. When I was on Prozac, I also had the paradoxical effects of both daytime tiredness and insomnia. Lots of people have that effect. I just switched to Lexapro (20 mg) last week after being on Celexa (60 mg) for 3 years.
With Celexa, I had some daytime tiredness, but not as much as Prozac gave me. I did not have insomnia with Celexa and I don't have it with Lexapro. I do feel less daytime tiredness with Lexapro and more mental alertness.
My guess is that switching to Lexapro will probably not lessen your insomnia, but I could be wrong. I do think that it will help with your tiredness. If you do decide to switch, you might want to start with 5 mg of Lexapro. See what your doc thinks.
> I am watching the Lexapro threads and have a technical (I think) question. I have been on celexa for a couple of years and keep the dose down to 10 mg to avoid tiredness but have to take Klonopin to sleep. How can an AD cause both insomnia and sleepiness? If you have had a similar reaction to Celexa and Lexapro helps I sure am interested. Thanks
> JaneB
Posted by Mystia on September 19, 2002, at 22:43:03
In reply to Lexapro/insomnia fatigue, posted by JaneB on September 19, 2002, at 14:13:50
I just started 10 mg/day Lexapro on 9-13-02. I noticed a MAJOR change in my sleeping habits at first. I'd toss and turn at night, then I'd be sleepy in the mornings when I had to get up! I always tried not to take naps during the day so that maybe I would be sleepy at bedtime, but no such luck. I went through the days like a zombie, and insomnia at night. It has lessened a lot, just like the other s/e. It seems to me that the first few days on Lexapro are rough, but it gets better. I am feeling so much happier and less irritable. Also, my anxiety is lessened.
Myst
Posted by anxiousgrrrl on September 20, 2002, at 0:36:02
In reply to Lexapro/insomnia fatigue, posted by JaneB on September 19, 2002, at 14:13:50
It's common to be both tired and suffer from insomnia. The two almost always go tother, I think. Lack of sleep makes you tired, but tiredness doesn't help you sleep or put you to sleep.
You shouldn't use klonopin as a sleep aid, according to my pdoc. It "collapses your sleep architecture," whatever that means. But I like the metaphor of sleep having an architecture... It results in less fulfilling and refreshing sleep.
There are much better things to take for sleep, such as shorter-acting benzodiazepines, Sonora (no, not Snora)... ask your pdoc. Probably even benadryl and chlorphenaramine are better sleep aids...
Posted by sjb on September 20, 2002, at 8:41:44
In reply to Re: Lexapro/insomnia fatigue » JaneB, posted by anxiousgrrrl on September 20, 2002, at 0:36:02
My experience has been most similar to Myst's. I had tossing and turning the first few nights but it has lessened and am sleeping fairly well now. My dreams seem quite intense. Considering the major insomnia I've had with some meds, I will happily except a some tossing and turning and interuption in sleep.
This is the end of the thread.
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