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Cymbalta and insomnia

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Posted 8/26/2008 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
So I like Cymbalta and think it is helping with mood and pain and perhaps energy level.  I've been on it for about a month.  The last three nights, my insomnia has been unbearable.  I couldn't even fall asleep watching the Democratic Convention!  I slept about an hour and a half last night and I'm having difficulty working and driving today (the ton of rain and incredible humidity here in the southeast is so helpful for energy levels--not! eyes )  I don't want the increased insomnia to be related to the Cymbalta because I don't want to stop the Cymbalta but I have got to get some sleep.  yes, I take a ton of crap at night to get to sleep but it has all stopped working.  My sleep lab is in three weeks.  Has anyone noticed an increase in sleep symptoms with Cymbalta?  I'm starting another thread on Xyrem because I really want feedback on that.  thanks.

Holly

Posted 8/26/2008 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
I've been wondering the same about Cymbalta. I've had a hard spring and just saw my rheumatologist last week. I've been on Cymbalta 60 mg for about a year and frankly I didn't think it was any different than the last anti-depressant I had been on (Celexa).

When I told my doctor that my energy level was so low that some days I could barely get out of bed, my pain has been worse and it is a constant fight against the depression, he raised my dose of Cymbalta to 90mg in the am and this weekend it is to be increased to 120mg daily. Even the pharmacist was concerned about that dosage and called the doctor to clarify it.

I have to say that the increase in dosage has helped me alot. I do have more energy and am not nearly as depressed. But like you I am starting to have trouble sleeping and have not yet started on the 120mg. I'm hoping that it is a side effect that will resolve itself in time. I'm feeling better than I have in a long time! I do know one thing, this is a drug that you want to take early in the morning.
Posted 8/26/2008 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hey you two and others out there wondering about Cymbalta. I have been taking Cymbalta for quite some time- somewhere around 4 years and it has been wonderful for pain and depression. I have not had any issues with it keeping me awake- I am a natural insomniac and it just keeps getting later everyday! LOL I have never connected my insomnia to Cymbalta because I was an insomniac before I was in pain or depressed. I do hope that the med is not the reason for your sleeplessness. I find that ambien works best for me for sleep, if I take it early enough. Definitely talk with the doc about this, good luck!
Posted 8/27/2008 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
I swear by Trazadone for night time. I have NEVER had trouble sleeping while taking the Trazadone. (3 years now)
If I forget to take it I am reminded becasue I can not get to sleep. I take the Trazadone and within the hour I am dead to the world.
Posted 8/27/2008 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
JoKat, thanks. I appreciate any and all suggestions as sleep deprivation is just maddening. I did try Trazedone a while back and couldn't sleep on it and in fact, started taking it during the day for energy but then had some GI symptoms. I have a bottle of 50 mgs and a bottle of 150 mgs in the cabinet and my husband keeps urging me to try them again so I might on Saturday. Thanks again.
Holly
Posted 8/27/2008 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
I looked on medline and insomnia is not listed as a side effect of cymbalta. Xanax is my bedtime friend. I drift off to sleep in no time after taking it.

I walked in the bedroom last night and DH had the convention on, that got changed in a hurry.
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