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Cymbalta -- Can't Sleep

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Posted 12/3/2007 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
I am new on Cymbalta, well about a week and a half. The doc started me on 30mg in the morning and 30mg at night. I was previously on prozac and ambien and was weaned off both. After a week I went back to the doc for progress report and I told her I had a problem sleeping at night. I used to not be able to sleep because my mind was racing so I took ambien and it helped alot, but then had memory problems. Now I find that my mind is not racing at all but I still can't fall asleep very well. So doc said ok start taking the 60mg all at night because it has a sedating effect so should help you sleep. Well it sedates me allright but I still can't fall asleep in a deep sleep. I am like paralyzed but awake. Other than the sleeping, I love the effects so far, my mind is calm and I feel alot better. I am going back to the 30mg in the morning and 30mg at night, but was wondering if anybody else has had similar problems. I really don't want another drug to help me sleep. Thanks in advance for your input and help!
Posted 12/4/2007 11:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

have you considered trying relaxation techniques? Some people use music, some people talk to themselves in their head etc... there are loads out there. I find that they help me to sleep sometimes and is a great alternative to meds. Im sure if you googled relaxation techniques, you would have loads of ideas in no time!

Darren

Posted 12/5/2007 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
I had trouble sleeping after weaning my fourth child. My problem was I let it go on for too long before I got help. I tried all the sleep aids and even natural things. Nothing seemed to work well. My doctor said I was depressed. I didn't believe her and just keep going. This went on for 6 months. By this point, I would go three days with no sleep and then finally the fourth night I might get a few hours. Then, the cycle would start again. I weighed maybe 120 at the start of all of this. I lost down to 98 lb. It was very scary! I thought I was going crazy. Finally, my doctor put me on Zoloft 50mg. I was so small that my body could only handle 25mg. I had to work my body up to 50 mg. Zoloft has something in it to help you sleep. I'm happy to say that it did work for me. That was over a year ago when I had all my sleeping problems happened. It took several weeks to get the Zoloft completely in my system. The doctor said my serontin levels were all messed up and that is why I couldn't sleep. I am off all meds right now. I can fall asleep all on my own now. It is wonderful!
There are many natural products that can help you too. Melatonin is a great one. I hope this helps.
Posted 9/4/2011 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Cymbalta for about a week now. I take it before bed time and I can no longer fall asleep. I have read other posts regarding this same issue. Cymbalta does do what it is supposed to do for me, it calms me down and I don't dwell on things for weeks. The only side affects that I have noticed are unable to sleep (I have never had an issue with sleeping before, as soon as my head hits the pillow I am out), which has made me feel exhausted during the day. I feel very tired but when I lie down I can't fall asleep.
I has had about a ten percent impact on my libido, I can still orgasm but I have to try harder.
I have had dramatically decreased appetite and urination. I am taking 20mg per day. I am going to switch to morning dosage and see if that helps my sleeping issue.
Posted 9/4/2011 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
If taking it in the morning doesn't help, let the doc know that you are having sleeping issues. You may need something to help you sleep. I take ambien and it works good for me.

PS welcome to the forum...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 9/4/2011 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
Changes is sleep patterns are not uncommon with Cymbalta. Most side effects usually fully disappear within a month. They may reappear again anytime you have a dose increase but they are generally milder and do not last as long.
Posted 9/4/2011 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
Cymbalta made my think about dying all the time, not sucidal but thoughts at least 6 times a day like "if I fell down these stairs I'd be dead", "if a tire blew on my car right now I'd be dead",ect.

I know people that are doing well on it but just wanted to give you all a heads up. I also found out don't quit taking it cold turkey either.
Posted 3/30/2012 7:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. I started taking Cymbalta two weeks ago and cannot sleep either. I take it in the morning and I take the lowest dose. I take three Xanax during the day for the anxiety the Cymbalta causes, then I take one Benedryl at night to help me sleep. However, even with those sedating meds I can't sleep well. I fall asleep with no problem. Then two or three hours later I wake up and have a hard time going back to sleep. That can happen two or three times a night. Then I wake up early in the morning and cannot go back to sleep even though I haven't gotten enough rest. Insomnia is definitely a side effect for some people. No amount of exercise, meditation, calming down, etc. helps. The Cymbalta is simply preventing me from sleeping. Also waking up with ugly black, bags under my eyes every morning. The good thing is my depression is 80% better. Also have lost weight. But the no sleep issue is not sustainable. I realize that I'll probably have to switch to a different antidepressant.

The other alternative is to take a heavy dose of sleep medicine, but I'm hesitant to do that because I'm already taking Cymbalta, Xanax and Benedryl.

Just as an aside, I think Ambien helps you get to sleep but not stay asleep. Not sure if that would be an answer for most Cymbalta insomniacs! I think not.

Posted 3/30/2012 8:42 AM (GMT 0)
davemathewsband

The forum moderator says it might take a month to get the sleeping under control.  You are 80% better with your depression so hopefully you will be sleeping soon too.

Please remember if you do decide to go off of it at any time to taper off and follow your doctors instructions.  I did it without tapering and it was a huge mistake.

If you weren't taking the xanex before maybe it is helping with your anxiety and you are attributing that improvement to the cymbalta.  If you were taking it before the cymbalta then maybe you want to keep on cymbalta for a few more weeks before deciding if you need to taper off of it. 

I generally dislike taking one medication to deal with the effects of another problem but have had to before.

I hope you are sleeping soon wink

 

Posted 7/2/2012 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
I also am taking cymbalta for "delayed depressive reaction". I'm hoping I won't need it forever. I've been on Wellbutrin 300mg daily for a long time - maybe 10 years or so. So when my granddaugher died and my husband acquired a grave illness, I needed something to help with the moodiness, anger, sadness, worry, the depression, the unknown. My dr added cymbalta. I took 30 mg for 3 weeks, and then moved up to the 60 mg once a day. I've been taking both (wellbutrin and cymbalta)in the evening after supper. All was well for about 2 months. The last couple weeks I have had trouble sleeping - and I have NEVER had trouble sleeping before. I get to sleep easily but wake up early and either never get back to sleep or wake every hour. Do you think since I'm on the wellbutrin already, I could benefit from a smaller dose of cymbalta? Should I take it in the morning? Should I take the wellbutrin in the morning? any suggestions would be apreciated.
Posted 7/2/2012 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi BP527,

And welcome to the forum. When did your doctor tell you to take them? I take most of my meds in the morning. I would imagine the wellbutrin would be best taken in the morning, but if the doctor told you to take it another time, I would follow the instructions.

Our systems change too as we get older, we produce less melatonin. Have you ever tried it for sleep? It is sold over the counter with the vitamins and such. I meditate myself and that helps me sleep. I do not think of anything when I go to bed because of it. It might also be something you would want to try. It is free and of our own power.

I would let the doc know that you aren't sleeping well and see what they say. Ask shen to take your meds. I always took wellbutrin in the morning. But we are all different and that might not work for you.

I hope that you get some rest and feel better soon. Take care, have a good evening.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 10/16/2014 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Darren,

With add due respect, relaxation techniques are mostly bunk for the majority of us who suffer from chronic and extreme depression and anxiety. Trust me, I've tried Western and Easter techniques and they are laughable.

Even most anti-depressants are worthless. I can go through two alphabets of meds and combination of meds I have tried. The only thing that has worked for me is ECT and the stats prove it.

As to anxiety and chronic panic disorder, the US medical field has a ludicrous fear of prescribing benzos because while they can be quite addictive, better addicted than dead. Also, It is almost impossible to overdose from benzos ALONE, ****

Thanks.

PS A patient at a psyche unit once told me that while waiting at the ER he was told to drink water to abate his anxiety. Medical 'professionals' are not only ignorant but mostly afraid of being sued than our health.

Post Edited By Moderator (BnotAfraid) : 10/15/2014 7:40:58 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/16/2014 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
ff1212,

welcome to the forum.

This is a very old thread, I don't think you will get a response from Darren.

You may start a new thread of your own. I encourage you to review the forum rules and the Resources thread at the top of this forum, lots of good stuff.

So sad to hear that you have such a negative outlook on relaxation tech. Mindfulness for one, is very helpful.. I have found that they are more then tech. it is adapting a new way of life that makes the difference.

Peace
Trina
Posted 10/16/2014 9:57 AM (GMT 0)
I do meditation daily. It helps me. I am sorry it doesn't help you. You have to really be able to focus.

I hope you find what works for you.

I also practice mindfulness constantly. Big help...
Posted 10/18/2014 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
try ambien cr if the reg dosnt get you tru the whole nite. the cr works MUCH better
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