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Anti Depressent & Beta Blocker

Posted , 4 users are following.

MBEH
MBEH

Hi, I'm on 150mg of a Beta Blocker and 100mg of antidepresent and i'm worried this is what may be affecting my sleep.

I've struggled with nightmares for years and I also struggle with stress, anxiety and depression. Over the past few weeks I have been waking up all sorts hours of the night and not being able to fall asleep. I have around four hours sleep a night.

I also have nightmares all night and wake up hot and sweaty and unable to calm down.

What should I do?

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • 1Anonymous1
    1Anonymous1 MBEH

    Posted

    When you can't sleep, have you ever thought of just going for a walk or getting on a treadmill (if you have one)? You'd be surprised how much energy you've probably stored through inactivity. Try a little bit of exercise before bed such as a nice bedtime walk to use up some energy your body has stored. Your body is kind of like a battery if you think of it that way. As for any medications that might be affecting your sleep, you may want to temporarily stop taking them and flush your body with water to get everything out of your system. You can only get away with this if this is not a life saving drug. You want to call your doctor and explain what's going on
  • lily65668
    lily65668 MBEH

    Posted

    Antidepressants normally suppress REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is the phase of sleep in which dreaming arises. However, nightmares and general sleep disturbance can be side-effects of beta-blockers, so the two groups of medication might be cancelling each other out. I'm wondering whether you're taking the beta-blocker for high blood pressure or anxiety. If it's only the latter, you could probably phase it out quite safely. If it's for high BP or to steady your heart rate, there are other drug groups your doctor could prescribe.

    Best to discuss this with your doctor, but don't stop the antidepressant without medical supervision, as withdrawal effects of this class of drug can be quite nasty.

    I hope you soon find a solution.

    • DClassic
      DClassic lily65668

      Posted

      I think it actually depends on the brand of anti-depressant. I've heard that fluoxetine (Prozac) tends to have an activating effect, where escitalopram (Lexapro) does not, despite them both being SSRI types. 

      If you are concerned about an anti-depressant having an effect on your sleep, talk to your prescribing physician. There is almost certainly an alternative medication that can easily be substituted.

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