anti anxiety, anti depressants

[peggy64]

I really hate to resort to using these as I prefer natural aids. But due to my ongoing saga of sleeplessness, it seems like I am going to have to resort to something of this nature.

Have any of you had to start using this as well just to maintain a symblance of life as well?

I have been  on paxil before and it causes weight gain like nobodys business. The dr wrote me a rx for lexapro, but I haven;t used it due to fear of addiction and liver issues and that weight gain issue.

Thoughts or comments are greatly appreciated and your input is recieved with much respect.

Thank you.........Peggy

[peggy64]

stella,
I am wondering if my sleep cycle might be off, and using something for a short time might get it back on schedule, or whether to get a sleep study done. I don't think I have the apnea. I don't snore. I don't have RLS.
THere is just so much to consider, and I don't know where to start. You know what I mean?
I am going in to talk to my dr today and see what he recommends.

[stella5349]

Peg

I am off all sleep aids - but the morning surges still come after I wake.

Try the Xanax if you want to . It is a short lived medication - Lexapro is a time released and may make you feel a bit tired. Xanax at night may give you some solid sleep and if it is used for a short time - weening should be OK when you don't need it any longer.

[skymax2000]

I was on tthe lowest dose of xanax and it was hell getting off. I use to have your sleep issue. The only thing that really worked for me was getting my thyroid balanced. Are you hyperthyroid?

[peggy64]

Thank you for understanding. I am afraid of the lexapro due to the weight gain. I do not need that problem. I had thought about just doing the xanax and seeing how that works out. You just don't know what to do.

[dai3symae]

I had to stop taking cymbalta because I slept all the time.  I didn't gain weight on it like with paxil or zoloft.  Wellbutrin didn't cause weight gain for me but I think it did make me sleep less at night.  My brother-in-law takes lexapro and has gained a lot of weight.

My dr also likes the older tricylic (probably didn't sp right!) AD, elavil, or trazadone for sleep problems.  They both worked OK.  

Maybe you should try the lexapro...I think drs like it because it works faster than the others...and if the side effects start to bother you ask your dr to switch you to something else.  

Good luck, I hope you find a solution.  I know how miserable it is not to sleep.

Sandy