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Have anti-depressants improved your sleep?

Posted , 7 users are following.

David7719
David7719

Hi all.

Around 11 months ago I started suffering from chronic insomnia after a random sleepless night. This led to some severe anxiety and I was in a semi-constant anxious state and taking time off work.

I started taking fluoxetine and amitriptyline at night and in November my sleep settled moreso, even though I wasnt sleeping as much. My anxiety levels dropped and I felt much more like normal. Then in April, I went back to my GP. I find that I get caught in a viscious cycle: when I get stressed at work I sleep less, the stress and tiredness inflames my sinuses which in turn gives me insomnia and make me feel thoroughly depressed too.

Im now taking 15mg of mirtazepine at night and have stopped the other medication. It worked great for the first 4 nights and i slept and felt great. Then i had a stressful day and the whole poor sleep / sinus pain / depression thing kicked in again and the meds dont have the same effect.

Ive just finished a 9 week mindfulness course which has helped apart from when im really tired and stressed.

Can anyone else relate to this horrible cycle? Its really interfering with my quality of life :-( im wondering whether should try anither SSRI like citalopram to settle my anxiety and stress.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Bee70
    Bee70 David7719

    Posted

    Hi David

    I used to take meds many years ago but I found nothing really helped. I have even tried the herbal remedies but I suffer with Fibro and the pains usually interrupt my sleep.  I have had CBT therapy and found that it helps me to relax before going to sleep but I can only manage a couple hours of sleep before my sleep gets disturbed.  Unfortunately STRESS is a major problem in many people's lives but it's something that the individual needs to master themselves. Try to stay calm and positive its one step forward in the right direction.

    I am sure you will find more help on this forum from others.

    Take care wink x

  • linda187
    linda187 David7719

    Posted

    Many years ago as a result of stress in an abusive relationship, I developed a severe sleep problem as well as a depressive illness.  I had difficulty falling asleep, once asleep I had difficulty waking up and I never felt rested no matter how much sleep I got.  I once went to sleep for 48 hours and felt no more rested than when I started.  I saw a psychiatrist who started me on the drug imipramine, which is a tricyclic antidepressant from the 60's or 70's.  From the first evening dose, after dinner I felt sleepy and easily fell asleep.  Woke up once and quickly fell asleep again and in the morning I felt rested for the first time in years.  Have more REM sleep and dreams.  I no longer take a therapeutic dose of this (75 mg) but now only take one 25 mg pill daily to ensure that I get a good quality sleep.
  • jeanette91263
    jeanette91263 David7719

    Posted

    Dear David I can understand how you feel. I had to give up my work after 23 years and it is difficult if you don't get to sleep.                 iam lucky to have a lot of support and a very good doctor. It might help to go back to your doctor and see what he recommends. When I see my doctor I always write down what I want to ask him because for me anyway I come away thinking I should have asked something which I had forgotten. Hope you get good advice and hopefully a better night's sleep
  • DClassic
    DClassic David7719

    Posted

    Hi David,

    I had a very similar case to yours, with chronic insomnia starting after one bad night. After about a year, its improved quite a lot.

    Personally, I found that SSRIs did help - when paired with therapy. For me, it was about "changing the narrative." To avoid being anxious about going to bed and maybe not falling asleep, I stop thinking of my bed as a place to sleep, but rather just a place to relax and be comfortable. Or, if I'm feeling tired at work, I just tell myself this is "practice" for increased concentration for days when I am well rested. Basically, using little lies to myself to make things seem less catastrophic. The SSRIs are then a brace to help with that.

    Also, follow strict sleep hygeine - I'm sure you've been told that already, but it really does help. For my recovery, the therapy and sleep hygeine seemed to be the keys.

    You might also try some sleeping meds. Since you didn't mention them, I'm guessing you and/or your GP are suspicious of them (a healthy attitude). But they can help to break this cycle you identified. And some are really mild (here in the U.S., melotonin is over the counter). Ask your GP.

    Good luck David! I guarantee you, it can get better. 

     

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