Lots of WWYD questions. Stopping sleep aid while starting SSRI.
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Anonymous
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Hi all. I recently started lexapro (5 days) to help with anxiety regarding chronic insomnia.
For the past few nights, I have been taking my Lunesta as usual before bed, but waking up at 3: 00 or 4:00 am unable to go back to sleep. I think maybe this is a side effect of the lexapro? One reason I want to try the SSRI is that I have been on this sleep aid for three months most nights and it doesn't seem like a long-term solution (I am a chronic insomniac and have already gone through all the natural remedies, benadryl magnesium, CBT-I, hormone checks, etc.) So would you wait until the initial side effects of middle of the night insomnia wear off to wean off the Lunesta, or just do it now? In your experience, does sleep get better after time on an SSRI? If you had insomnia as an initial side effect of an SSRI, did it go away? I have used Lunesta in the past for a few weeks at a time, and never had problems just stopping, but this is the longest I have ever used a sleep aid and really want to just stop, but I also really want to sleep. Thanks in advance for nay experience/advice. |
Anonymous
| I would keep doing what you've been doing - lexapro can take a month or so to kick in. I'd reevaluate in a few weeks, as well as ask your doctor! |
Anonymous
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So keep taking my nightly Lunesta for awhile until the lex kicks in? My doc doesn't seem to think it is a huge deal to stay on it, but it feels crazy to me to be on it for so long...
Did you have any initial insomnia when you started it? Thanks! |
Anonymous
| I haven't heard about the use of SSRIs for insomnia, but have heard quite frequently about use of the older tricyclic anti-depressant, Elavil, for insomnia. I understand it can work quite quickly. |
Anonymous
I take Lexapro for anxiety related insomnia. However, my MD prescribed me Klonopin for sleep issues until the Lexapro fully kicked in (about a month later). Now, I sleep like a baby. I can even nap during the day 
I would keep taking the Lunesta (or ask for a different med) for a few more weeks before giving up. Lexapro helps me SO much. Hope it helps you too! |
Anonymous
PP here, I did not have any initial insomnia (any worse than I was already experiencing) but I have heard that some SSRIs can cause anxiety to peak before it falls. |
Anonymous
Thank you! I think I will keep trying it. I just wish I knew whether this weird stretch past few days is my normal Lunesta waking (combined with switching to a lower dose of lunesta) or a side effect of the lexapro. Just frustrating to not know what to do, but these are both encouraging responses. |
Anonymous
| Oh this brings back memories. I was put on Zoloft for postpartum anxiety and insomnia. It made my insomnia worse. Tried different dosages at different times of day and it made no difference. Up to 30 percent of the population actually have insomnia as a side effect from an ssri. I would stick with the lunesta while you are acclimating and then go off it...then you will know if the 3am waking is from the lunesta or the ssri. Good luck. |
Anonymous
| Hi. Starting an SSRI always made me wake up in the middle of the night for the first few weeks. Just give it a few weeks. |
Anonymous
Thanks for the feedback! |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
| What time of day are you taking the lexapro? |
Anonymous
I take it in the morning, between 8 and 9. I am falling sleep fine with the sleep meds, but the middle of the night wakings are killing me. I can't go back to sleep. Any success in dealing with these until the lex kicks in (and does a few weeks for people means like 2-3 or more like 6-8?!) |