Sleep Trouble because of Antidepressants

[FifthVoice]

Hi,
I've always been prone to sleep disorders and usually know how to manage them pretty well. However, I've been put on Paxil (40mg) in addition to my usual Wellbutrin (300mg) and have found that it consistently makes it difficult for me to get to sleep.
I take it early in the day, I don't sleep in and I don't take naps! (I know that Wellburtin does not affect my sleep). This has been going on for a few months now.
Any suggestions appreciated!  

[FifthVoice]

Thank you for responding.

I don't have any physical sleep disorders, it has always been associated with anxiety, depression and sometimes injury.
I suffered a severe whiplash in May. Everything I'm experiencing now is the culmination of factors from that accident. I am seeing a psychologist for the OCD and anxiety, and my GP is managing my prescriptions. I take trazodone some nights to get to sleep but often still lie awake. Have tried other prescriptions with even less success. It is often anxiety that prevents proper sleep, sometimes pain.
I am good about following suggestions for proper sleep hygiene, but find that when i am falling asleep at 4am and getting up at 9am, about every 6 days or so I sleep for sometimes up to 17 hours. It is then difficult to get back on schedule.
Now that the Paxil is finally helping my OCD symptoms, a change in prescription and waiting another 3 months for them to work would be unbearable.
With this specific information, do any additional ideas to help regulate my sleep cycle come to mind?
(I bought a new mattress shortly before the injury).

Thank you for your thoughts and your time.

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, welcome the forum, sleep maintenance problems tend to be associated with stress, anxiety, or circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Insomnia may also be associated with sleep disorders (e.g., sleep apnea, periodic limb movements), medical conditions that cause pain, psychiatric diseases (e.g., anxiety, depression), or the use or withdrawal of alcohol, nicotine, or other substances.

If you have some tension you need to discuss with some one close like friends, parents etc The therapy for this condition includes retaining of normal circadian rhythm by non-pharmacological therapy which includes; Photo therapy, maintenance of sleep hygiene, short course of appropriate sedatives and Hypnotics against prescription.

Regular exercise, relaxation methods, stress managements techniques, good comfortable bed, warm bath before sleep, mild music, fragrance in room will help you. Even you can discuss change in prescription. Consult psychiatrist for further evaluation. Take care and regards.

[FifthVoice]

Thanks for the thoughts on this!
I actually work at a herbal store and the natural route is always my first choice. But nothing, even in combination (safe ones of course) was having any affect.
I started on the Paxil for OCD. It's really slow to work for that unfortunately (around 12 weeks), so I've only just noticed the positive affects. And my anxiety has gone down, I just feel wired all the time, like too much coffee - but i don't drink caffeine.
If you have any further ideas or comments I'd love to hear. Thanks again! :)

[BeeFree]

It is probably the combination of the two. I suffered from insomnia and anxiety issues as well and I think the only reason I'd sleep better was because of the dampening effect they had on my stress levels, and the peace of mind from knowing I was being helped.
If Paxil is causing sleeplessness (which is common) then it is not going to help you any with anxiety or depression. Why did you decide to go on another antidepressant?
That's the things with prescription meds-- they might cure one problem but cause a whole load of others!
Neither experiences were fun for me and in the end I didn't feel helped. The only way I've been able to truly get ahold of my anxiety and sleep through the nights is by sticking to natural remedies and I strongly suggest this for anyone with these issues as well.

All the best,

Brittany