INSOMNIA WITH LEXAPRO 10MGS

I have been on Lexapro 10mgs for GAD for probably 7 years. about two weeks ago I began to wake up frequently (but had no trouble falling asleep), had headacahes all day, felt groggy, my vision was fuzzy, plus I felt more anxious but it could have been due to those symptoms.  I noticed that I had been on 3 different makes of generic Lexapro for my last 3 refills.  after researching the web I found that people who had started on the real stuff sometimes had problems with certain generics and I switched last Friday back to the real thing.  I took it after dinner like I always did and I slept great that night, my headaches were gone, the fogginess and vision problems were gone too.  Saturday night I took it a little before dinner (5PM).  I did a lot of yard work and was really tired at dinner time.  When I went to bed I suddenly felt wired and full of energy.  I usually go to bed around 9:30PM and because of the setting the clocks back I went to bed around 10:15 to compensate.  I couldn't go to sleep and ended up taking a Lunestra at 1 AM and finally fell asleep.  The samething happened Sunday night.  Last night I felt more tired but could not fall asleep.  I listen to sleep self hypnosis tapes which normally knock me out but were having little effect.  I read that if your AD med keeps you up to switch taking it to the morning which I did this morning.  I never had this problem in all the years with the real and generic lex.  Anyone else have this happen to them?

I take mine in the morning and haven't had any of the sleep problems you're mentioning. I tend to sleep through most of the night and wake up briefly at 3am but go back to sleep again.

Thanks Bob! I'll be looking forward to hearing from you.

Great news!!

The change brought about could very well be from the original to the generic switch...or it could be organic, as our systems change and have different needs at different times in our lives...

However, the important thing is that you have found a solution, so good on you for hanging in there and figuring out what you needed to do.;)

I hope that it continues to go well for you!

S.C.

Fox77,

I took it at 4:30 PM on Monday and at 7 AM on Tuesday and again at 7AM today. 

I did feel sleepy as the day went on but I think I am still adjusting to going off the generic Lexapro and back on the real Lexapro.  I am seeing my hypnotherapist tonight to see if he can help.  I also only drink one cup of coffee in the morning and no caffeine after that.

I did have trouble falling asleep last night but I got back from my hypnotherapist around 10PM so I think I was kind of energized.  Will never have an appointment that late again.

Yes, hopefully this will fade out soon...

Sleep issues can also just come and go with anxiety anyway. This is the case for me.

I have had a rough couple of nights of restless sleep. The first night was simply stress related, but I sabotaged myself last night, since I indulged in an iced Vietnamese coffee at lunch time! :0

So declicious...so jittery, Lol!!!!

Hoping you have a better night tonight.:)

S.C.

Fell asleep fine but woke up again around 4 AM.  Slept about5-6 hours.  I found out that I have been mistakenly having decaf coffee every morning so that explains why I am so groggy in the morning.  Its been 7days since I started back on the real Lexapro from the generic.  Definitely helps taking it in the morning as opposed to the afternoon or evening. 

8 days into switching from generic back to real Lexapro. It was like switching from another SSRI with headaches, fatigue, waking up at 3 AM. I did a lot of yardwork yesterday and I felt great doing it and afterwards. I have been taking the lexapro in the morning because I was full of energy at night when I was taking it at dinner and had trouble falling asleep. I actually feel almost back to normal this morning. Not as tired and more relaxed. I wasn't sure if I was waking at 3Am due to some noise (a neighbor with a diesel truck, etc.) so I put a fan on for the white noise and I think I slept fairly light because of the noise until my daughter woke me at 2 AM and got me fired up because she wanted to sleep with me. I ended up taking a half of a .25mg Xanax and I slept for another 5 hours. I rarely take this stuff. I will update everyday .

9 Days into switching from generic lex to real lex. Slowly feeling back to normal. Instead of waking up I had trouble falling asleep but I have a big meeting tomorrow and have to switch doctors so I am a little anxious (maybe subconsciously) but not really bad. Took a Lunestra and slept 6 hours. My old doctors office is closing and my new one can't start seeing me for 11 days except for an emergency.

Yeah!! Glad that you are starting to feel better! Good job on hanging in there and making all of the adjustments that you needed to in order to find what worked!

Definitely let us know how the new hypnosis program goes for you. I am interested as I do not know much about this particular therapy...give us a full report when you can.;)

Talk to you soon,

S.C.

Bob,

Hurrah for you, and thank you for sharing with all the members here in the forum.  I learned  self hypnosis  from my very first therapist a long time ago and used to practice it every night at bedtime.

I am glad you are back to the trade name medication.  You mentioned Lunesta - one drug I took 2 nights in a row.  The first night I tossed and turned and did not sleep well.  The second night I slept however about noon at work that day I felt myself getting dizzy and within 15 minutes I could hardly walk due to the vertigo.  My hubby picked me up and I had to crawl to my bed as trying to stand was a nightmare.

I wish you peace and hope that you continue to feel better and better.

Kindly,

Kitt