Citalopram & insomnia

Treatment and medication
1

I started taking this for mild depression a week and a half ago, taking it in the morning. In the first week I felt quite "out of sorts" at about mid morning but now over the last few days I have had bad insomnia. 4 nights now of almost no sleep and I am a bit beside myself. Does this go away? Is there anything to do to help it?

Thanks

2

Hi Claire, I'm on day 13 20my I've always taken mine at night, no sleep problems, but seem to wake at 6 every morning, but found that I have hardly suffered side affects apart from few anxiety attacks, hope this helps xx

3

Hi Claire, I had awful problems sleeping when I first started cit. it took about five weeks for it to settle and I now sleep really well. When I wasn't sleeping I took an antihistamine made by Boots which helps you to sleep, it helped me to get over and sleep for a while, hope that helps xo

4

That's good to know you got over it, 5 weeks seems like a long time though!

I was thinking of trying "panadol night" which sounds similar to what you took and has an antihistamine and mild sedative in it. Just a bit nervous about any sleeping aids as don't want to get addicted!!

5

Thanks

6

Hi, I was worried about the same and that's why I went with the one from Boots as its non addictive, it comes in 25mg or 50mg. You either take two 25mg or one 50mg.

7

Claire, I had trouble sleeping long before going on Cit, and about a year and a half - two years ago started taking Unisom Sleep tabs (doxylamine). It's true that they are addictive in the sense that it is hard for me to not take it at night. I take the smallest dosee possible, 12.5mg, and it is pretty safe.

My doctor says that Tylenol PM is safer, and recommends that for a mild sleep aid and not fearing addiction.

8

I took an Advil night last night (25mg diphenhydramine hydrochloride) but didn't seem to do anything and I was awake all night, worst night I have had so far. This is 11 days on Cit now, 1st 4 days were 10mg and then 7 days at 20mg, insomnia for about 5 days now. Not sure how I am going to cope at work tomorrow!

9

The Advil night didn't work at all last night so I might have to get something from the doctor as can't cope with this insomnia

10

Hang in there, Claire. You're going to get through this. I'll be praying for you.

Kirk   :-)