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Looking for positive reviews on Citalopram helping sleep

Posted , 6 users are following.

nigel93673
nigel93673

Hi all,

I suffered a stomach bug in January that would wake me up in the night with pains and stop me from sleeping. This went on for 2-3 weeks and made me worry about my sleep. The stomach bug went but the worry about sleep continued and caused my sleep to get worse to a point where I went for 2 nights with maybe 1 hours sleep. I went to the doctors and they gave me Zopiclone sleeping pills and reffered me to CBT therapy.

The Zopiclone helped me get to sleep for 2-3 hours but then I would wake and struggle to get back to sleep. I went back to the doctors and was given Citalopram 20mg which I have been taking for 19 days now but my sleep has not improved.

I am still on the Zopiclone pills but they only get me 2-3 hours sleep. I am getting worried about being dependent on these so I am going to stop taking them and see how I sleep naturally.

I read so many different reviews, some saying that Citalopram makes sleep worse, others saying that it makes sleep better. Please can you let me know your views on this.

I know it can take 4 weeks plus to feel the effects of the Citalopram and I am going back to the doctors next week to discuss progress and possible dosage changes. I wouldn't say I'm depressed I have just become so worried about sleep, although the lack of sleep is starting to make me feel depressed. I also have had quite a few days off work due to the lack of sleep which is bothering me. I don't know if its worth me just taking 2-3 weeks off work completely to get myself better.

Thanks.

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • cassandra15988
    cassandra15988 nigel93673

    Posted

    hey nigel,

    i think the sleep disturbances are normal once you first start. i would get tired during the day and be up until 11 or 12 at night/morning (not good because i have a 4 year old and a 9 month old to wake up to).

    i was like that for the first 2 weeks and then i started having vivid dreams that i would wake up with anxiety from but that has seemed for settle down.

    i think you should stick with it because your still in the early stages of it getting into your system but next time you go back to the doctors just let them know

    • nigel93673
      nigel93673 cassandra15988

      Posted

      Hi Cassandra,

      Thank you for the help.

      I had sleep distrubances before I started taking Cit so I don't think its the Cit doing it. I just hope the Cit will reduce my anxiety over sleeping and this will help me sleep.

      I have read that Mirtzapine can help with sleep but not really sure about it as it seems the side effects and withdrawals can be worse.

  • doloroso
    doloroso nigel93673

    Posted

    Hi Nigel. I have always used camomile tea before sleeping accompanied by a Valerian Root pill.Both totally harmless and natural. I would have a cup/mug of camomile tea about an hour before going to bed and the valerian root just minutes beforehand. Do try it. It's worked for me for years. Should you awaken during the night you would just turn over and go back to sleep. Simples. Good luck and CHIN up and think POSITIVE! You WILL be fine believe me. x
    • nigel93673
      nigel93673 doloroso

      Posted

      Thank you for the help! I did buy some valerian tea which I took a couple of nights but never really gave it a good go. I will have one of those tonight.
  • doloroso
    doloroso nigel93673

    Posted

    I was prescribed Citalopram for deep depression caused by grief. Took it for 11years and last year was weaned off. You'll get all the best advice here, believe me.

     

    • nigel93673
      nigel93673 doloroso

      Posted

      Glad you have managed to get off of it, well done. Did it help? I guess so if you took it for 11 years? Was your sleep ok whilst on it?
  • doloroso
    doloroso nigel93673

    Posted

    Well so deep was my grief - first my darling only Sister, 12yrs this year she passed,  then Dad 6 yrs and then Mum 5yrs that my sleep pattern was awful but as I said the camomile tea and valerian root REALLY helped. I had to deal with everybody's grief. My brother in law and the boys too. Nasty, nasty business grief. WORSE pain that a human being could ever suffer. Anyway, do try it tonight to see how it goes. x
    • Guest
      Guest doloroso

      Posted

      Oh dear! I am so sorry to hear about the grief of losing a sibling and parents. It truly is terrible. I am glad to hear that valerian and chamomile combination worked for you. I am curious to try valerian in tea form, mixed with chamomile. I am only ever able to find valerian root in capsule form. A previous co worker of mine once said that tea made fresh from the root put her right out, and that the capsule doesn't have the same effect.

      I lost my grandfather, a cousin, and my best friend. Terrible pain. We never fully heal but we learn to cope a little better with time.

  • katecogs
    katecogs nigel93673

    Posted

    Hi Nigel

    For someone who has taken Citalopram for 15 years, I'm quite surprised your doctor has prescribed these for sleep problems.

    This medication is serious stuff, and is usually prescribed for major depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses.  Sleep problems?  Seems such a drastic drug for that.  This medication causes many nasty side effects - one being insomnia!!  The side effects do wear off in time though.

    This also isn't a quick fix either.  They take a long, long time to work for people with depression etc and some people experience nightmares on them.  This medicine can also make depression and anxiety much worse in the early stages before they kick in.

    Just don't expect too much too soon from this drug.  Much patience is needed.

    Lack of sleep I'm sure will make anyone low and unable to cope.  I hope you soon find your sleep returning.

    K X

    • nigel93673
      nigel93673 katecogs

      Posted

      Hi Kate,

      Thanks for the input. Sounds scary, I was hoping others would have experienced the same. The doctor believe my poor sleep is due to my worry, which I am sure it is. I just thought there may be something else I could be put on rather than Cit. I'm 2 1/2 weeks into Cit now so guess its too late to go back.

    • nigel93673
      nigel93673 katecogs

      Posted

      How long does it take for the side effects to ease, I assume if you have been on them 15 years you sleep ok now?
    • katecogs
      katecogs nigel93673

      Posted

      Yes it's worth persevering on this medicine now, and if you are worrying about your sleep, then it will help to stop the worry.  Side effects can last a few weeks - everyone is different.  Side effects can last up to 4-6 weeks, sometimes less.

      I've never had a sleep problem, though I had insomnia only when starting this medicine.  That side effect wore off, and I sleep fine now.

      Maybe once the worrying is under control with this medicine, it'll help you sleep more too.

      I do feel for you.  Part me from my duvet and sleep, and I'm not a happy person ;-)

      K x

       

  • sarah70627
    sarah70627 nigel93673

    Posted

    HI Nigel - I was wondering if you had any luck afterwards ?

    I've had the exact same issue as you - prescribed clit for sleep issues.

    Looking for some good news as I have lost the will to live without sleep.

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