Anti-depressants

IllinoisRRT · Post by **IllinoisRRT** » Thu May 26, 2005 3:20 pm

Not to get too personal, but does anyone take anti-depressants? If so, what time do you take them in the day? Which one do you take? Do you feel that this affects your sleep in any way, or did you have to alter the time you take it to sleep better?

The reason I am asking is because my husband has had sleep trouble while on Wellbutrin SR. And I had a patient today who complained of sleep trouble (not really sleep apnea, just not being able to sleep). He is taking 1/2 Zoloft in the evening and I thought it might help to take it in the morning (with doctor's approval). Just thought people here might have a little more insight into the effects of such medications. Anyone with experience?

capt · Post by **capt** » Thu May 26, 2005 4:26 pm

Please have your patient contact the doctor immediately, as insomnia is one of the side effects of Zoloft.

2listless · Post by **2listless** » Thu May 26, 2005 5:58 pm

Wellbutrin SR causes insomnia. If he wants to stay on Wellbutrin, he needs to switch to Wellbutrin XL and take it early in the morning. Xanax taken before bedtime helps sleep but it is also addicting. He could try a sleep aid such as, Lunesta or Ambien. But then he is medicating the medication side effects. Personally, I am totally against doing this. He needs to discuss it with his doctor and get his meds switched! You can look up all side effects on http://www.drugs.com

Wellbutrin also has its own website - never been there, but hopefully, it would explain side effects.

Good Luck!

battlin_blazes · Post by **battlin_blazes** » Fri May 27, 2005 10:04 pm

I've had a couple people with sleep problems reccomend trazadone to me I have not tried it yet but will be asking my dr on my next visit. anybody using trazadone? and hows it working out?

ITeach · Post by **ITeach** » Sat May 28, 2005 6:18 am

I use trazadone and LOVE it! 50 mg about 1/2 hr. before bed and I'm asleep most of the night. (Used to be awake all night, so most is a vast improvement. The doc okayed me to raise dose if needed, but feeling so much better I haven't!)

I've tried ambien, benedryl, xanax, and amitryptiline. All had side effects I didn't care for. I don't even remember any hangover from the trazadone when I started it a couple of months ago.

I, too had terrible insomnia from Welbutrin. Now on Effexor and it seems much better.

Good luck to you.
Sue

battlin_blazes · Post by **battlin_blazes** » Sat May 28, 2005 7:25 am

thanks sue thats what I want to hear!!!

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Sat May 28, 2005 9:56 am

I was on Prozac prior to being diagnosed for SA and after about three months of treatment I was graduated off and have now been six months without it. My SA was the cause of my depression.

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Sat May 28, 2005 5:56 pm

I'm currently taking 225mg Effexor XR and 300mg Wellbutrin XL daily. I don't know which came first, the depression or the sleep deprivation. My doc says the combination of those 2 drugs is unique, but he's really trying to bolster my incredibly low energy. I'm still a sloth compared to the rest of the world, but better than I was before. (Sometimes I worry if I didn't take these antidepressants people might think I was comatose!!!)

Anyway, I'm told it is not at all unusual for people to be able to wean off antidepressants once they have started benefitting from CPAP therapy. That is my fervent hope.

I know I've mentioned this here somewhere b4, but my doc said sleep deprivation is THE MOST underdiagnosed cause of depression. (Sleep deprivation to include insomnia or any other affliction which results in poor sleep.) I believe it because so many on this forum have discussed their depression previously.

I take all my meds in the morning. Have tried trazadone with no effect. Best thing I ever took for sleep was Halcion. (I know, I know, but it was!!!)

Heidi · Post by **Heidi** » Sat May 28, 2005 10:11 pm

Its really hard to say if the insomnia is from depression because that is a symptom of depression or a side effect of the medication.

Every medication works different for every person. It also depends on what type of depression it is. Is it dysthymia or major depression? I used Wellbutrin after my mom died because I had a major depressive episode that lasted 1 1/2 years, but the Wellbutrin eased it, took 6 weeks to work. Never had insomnia with it.

I'm now on Celexa 40mg, don't have problems with that one either. Some people are just more touchy with meds.

I have dysthymia now.

I feel much better with the CPAP but it doesn't change the reason your depressed, like chemical imbalance or need for cognitive therapy. Does that make any sense?

Gee, I hope I helped.

Sleeping with the Enemy

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Sun May 29, 2005 12:01 am

I agree with what you say Heidi, but I think the human body and pyche can deal with a lot but after years of sleep deprevation, the mind just wears out and can't fight anymore. Treating SA and catching back up, regenerates the mind and gives it a whole new set of steam to deal with problems. At least this was my case.

sharonious · Post by **sharonious** » Mon May 30, 2005 12:14 pm

and, of course, I don't recall where, but it was on one of the sleep apnea sites that certain medications taken at night have been indicated in doing too good a job of relaxing us. They relax our muscles, including those in the throat, and may be a cause of apnea. I told my doctor that I'd rather have pain than apnea and asked if I could wean off neurontin (1200) and klonapin, as well as antidepressant. Two months later, off meds, sleep study indicated almost no apnea as opposed to severe two months before. I have no idea if there really is a connection. It just seemed to work for me since during those two months I was not yet compliant with cpap. I didn't get bi-pap until after 3rd study and use it almost all night every night and for naps. Only lapses are not for more than an hour or so a night when mask is so very hot that I can't stand it. It does make me feel better though I still have a way to go. Getting better sleep makes me less inclined towards depression and that is a blessing. Sorry I can't remember where I saw the info. originally.

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Mon May 30, 2005 7:44 pm

I take Zoloft 50mg between 0800 and 0830 8:00AM and 8:30AM every morning. Zoloft requires a tight schedule.

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Anti-depressants

Anti-depressants

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