depression meds for my fatigue

[Junaid]

still tired after 9 months on cpap

battling with panic/anxiety attacks (not sure if theres a difference)

so i figured my fatigue must be related to my anxiety attacks. it is well documented that there is a connection between depressions and fatigue, lack of energy and poor quality sleep

so I'm starting my anti-depression meds today -----called citalopram or celexa or cilift

even though one of the major side effects of the meds is fatigue I figured, Im tired anyway so I may as well give it a shot. some people have reported that they have more energy after starting on the meds and others complain of constant fatigue---I have nothing to lose ('cos Im tired everyday anyway), so here goes!!!

anybody else with experience on these meds and fatigure/energy

[grumpygirl]

I have taken Prozac 2 times over the last 5 yrs. Both times I felt much better for about the first 2 months and then suddenly I had trouble falling asleep at night and staying asleep. I was sooo tired during the day and all I wanted to do was sleep but at night I just couldn't rest. I tried increasing the dose but that only made things worse. My depression increased as the sleep problems got worse. I felt frustrated and sad and totally exhausted. I stopped taking the Prozac and my doc wanted me to try Lexapro but I was afraid the sleep problems would be the same or worse- I just didn't want to take the chance. So, I battle with mild depression and anxiety and a feeling that I am still not getting the restorative sleep I crave! I wish I had better news for you but in my case ( hopefully yours will be much better) I am still searching for something to help me fall asleep and stay asleep without the HORRIBLE hangover feeling the next morning. I Wish you all kinds of luck, and if you come across something that works PLEASE let me know!! GG

[Junaid]

Thank you for your response GG.

Im at that point where Im willing to try anything. If citalopram doesnt work or gives me sleep trouble, Im definitely going to try something else.

Have you considered taking a milder dose of something else? It is difficult to have to deal with anxiety and sleep problems and you are right! they seem to feed off each other in a ngeative feedback kinda way, but I would say give it another try. perhaps when you off from work or not tied to anything else.

Im really hoping that citalopram is going to give me the good result Im looking for. will let you know how it goes

[Tired Linda]

Junaid, hang in there.

It is my personal experience that the right anti-depressant will help sleep. I've been on a number of different ones in the last 20 or so years, and I could always pretty much tell when I needed an adjustment by the way I was sleeping. I also have had panic/anxiety attacks and they are no fun, but the right medication will address that, also. It is important, though, that along wth the medication you find a good therapist. They really do go hand in hand. I would not be where I am today without both.

L

[M.D.Hosehead]

[quote="grumpygirl"]] I am still searching for something to help me fall asleep and stay asleep without the HORRIBLE hangover feeling the next morning.


GG, what have you tried? Has anything helped?

[Junaid]

Junaid, hang in there.

It is my personal experience that the right anti-depressant will help sleep. I've been on a number of different ones in the last 20 or so years, and I could always pretty much tell when I needed an adjustment by the way I was sleeping. I also have had panic/anxiety attacks and they are no fun, but the right medication will address that, also. It is important, though, that along wth the medication you find a good therapist. They really do go hand in hand. I would not be where I am today without both.

L

thanks TL! i tried the therapist route without the meds and now ive started the meds without the therapist--i'll take your advice and do both

[elena88]

Hi there,
I have been following your struggles, and I sure hope you find the right combination that works for you..

Also, if there is something preventing the cpap from working for you, if it does work, I hope that helps with the anxiety issues..

I know I had panic attacks every night without the cpap, but they did not spill over into my waking hours..

I know they were not pleasant, and I know what it is like to wake up with one, but it would stop in a few minutes as soon as I
could get my breath..

you deserve to be rested and happy, and not to have to deal with that anxiety..

dont give up, each time you find something that doesnt work, youre one step closer..

elena

[bearded_two]

I am currently on Prozac for fibromyalgia -- and it isn't working. When I first started taking it, I was unable to sleep. I don't normally have problems with falling asleep, but for the first month i used it, Prozac made me unable to fall asleep. I am sleeping fine now, even after doubling the dosage.

[mikee]

Welcome to my world I've been on cpap since Nov 09. My leak rate is a little high but my AHI is 1.5 to 2 I don't fall asleep at stop lights any longer but am also very fatigued. My PCP ran me through all the test he could do and they did find an 85% blocked right coronary artery. Now I have a stent. The cardio doc said this will not help my fatigue. So off to the shrink I go, he's a great guy, I felt very comfortable from the first session. I am now on Ritalin 10mg 5 times a day,Cymbalta 60mg 2 times a day, and propranolol 10mg 2 times a day to help keep the Ritalin in check. Ritalin messed with my pulse rate 106 to 109 for most of the day, now it's 80 or below, BP is in normal range. This has been a trial and error since Jan. of this year. I can't tell you how many different meds we tried until now. I still have trouble after work, the couch just calls my name. At least I can function through the day. So..........find a good therapist, you will know if you connect, if not keep looking. Good Luck, it's a hard road to follow but please hang in their.

[grumpygirl]

Well, let me see- I have tried benadryl, Prozac, Cymbalta,Celexa, Xanax(which only gives me a mild hangover feeling if I take it early in the evening) and I am now trying Melatonin (2nd night tonight)-so far the small dose I took last night didn't give me too bad a hangover. I did find that I only stayed asleep for 3 hrs and had to take another 500mcgs at around 1:30 a.m. Tonight I am going to take the whole 1mg about 1 hr before bed. We'll see how things go !! Wish me luck-GG

[lbw]

The trick is finding the right med that works for you. For me it was Effexor and remeron. I couldn't sleep for more than a yr and tried different combinations plus therapy. I would not suggest playing around with the dosage. Keep in mind that it can take 1-2 months before the full effect kicks in. Speak with your MD if you are having side effects. Usually side effects are short lived and will go away.

[M.D.Hosehead]

GG:

Well, let me see- I have tried benadryl ... Melatonin

Treating depression with meds can be a long process of trials. And some never get a really good response to meds.

OTOH, finding something to help someone fall asleep is usually pretty easy, since there are dozens of possibilities. The right drug and dose can usually help sleep without hangover. Sometimes the med seems to quit working after a while, but this may be helped if you can avoid taking it every night. Lunesta and Ambien seem to be prescribed pretty commonly, because they are thought to be relatively safe. If Xanx helps you (it's good for anxiety and panic), perhaps a smaller dose wouldn't leave you hung over. Restoril (temazepam) works in a way similar to xanax, but with a shorter duration. You could read up on some of the meds you haven't tried and then talk to your doctor about it.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sleeping-pills/SL00010

And good luck with melatonin tonight.

Edit:added one omitted word