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Fluoxetine sleep disturbance - does it go away with time?

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violet1975
violet1975

Hi,

Been on Fluoxetine for 3.5 weeks now, up to 30mg now. I think it's slowly helping ovreall but my sleep pattern has become worse, much lighter, frequent waking up at night, toilet trips, difficulty falling asleep etc'. I was always a not-so-good sleeper but I think it's been worse since on Fluoxetine. I also take small doses of Klonopin to try and sleep better but haven't had a good night's sleep since began the med. I wonder if this is something that should go away with time as my body gets more adjusted to the med?

Last night I took a valerian + hop cones combination. Slept really well until 02:20 and then was awake until 05:30 :-(

My doc recommended taking Lorazepam instead of Klonopin for the time being as it is supposed to make you sleepier, but warned that it could possibly make me drowsy during the day. I work full time and have two small kids so difficult to take these risks. Anyone with experience with this med?

Ultimately, my goal is of course to be only on the Fluoxetine and nothing else but for the time being need to cope somehow.

Anyone with experience on this issue - please share :-)

Thanks

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Woo3353
    Woo3353 violet1975

    Posted

    Violet

    Sleep interruption was the last side effect to subside with flouextine, I still wake up after 14 weeks on this medication but I drift off after a few minutes instead of laying awake for an hour or so. Make sure you do as recommended and take medication as soon as you get up. But you are experiencing is exactly the same as me and quite normal with flouextine

    Take care and try not to worry and relax (frequent urinating is normal also as well as bowel movements as flouextine is absorbed though stomachs and serotonin is controlled in gut also)

    • violet1975
      violet1975 Woo3353

      Posted

      Thank you so much, Woo, for your quick reply! Sleep problems have been an issue for me for many, many years. The thing is, until a few weeks ago, every few days I could sleep 5-6 hours and kind of reset. Now, the nights are kind of messy. And, since you mentioned it, when I wake up to urinate I also have a bowel movement so it takes 20-30 minutes instead of 5...I'm glad to hear that it has subsided for you, that is encouraging to hear that it should eventually lessen. Because I tend to obsess and worry over things, I worry that so much poor sleep will affect my health and overall functioning. I hope that I am wrong....

    • Woo3353
      Woo3353 violet1975

      Posted

      That's the key try not to fret or worry easy to say I know but once you notice how much better you feel it becomes easier to relax, I don't worry about anything anymore my motto is 'life can be too short'

  • tonia_2003
    tonia_2003 violet1975

    Posted

    What mg of klonopin do you take and what mg of lorazepam did your doctor want you to take? Prozac made me so anxious I had to stop it.
    • violet1975
      violet1975 tonia_2003

      Posted

      I take up to 0.5 mg of Klonopin. The doc recommended to try 1mg lorazepam.
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