meds cause my insomnia to get worse

mtngrace · 06-19-2008, 07:46 PM

I have had bad insomnia for 3 months there was one time when I was was only sleeping 3 hours even after taking ambien CR. Now I still take ambien cr and sleep about 6-7 hours on it. My psych tried me on a small dose of lexapro and it caused me worsened insomnia and anxiety, now I am trying 2mg of celexa and I wake up at 3 am. I cant handle this. I have tried all of the antidepressants now and they all do this to me. I am going to get counseling soon. He thinks maybe I have some kind of bipolar disorder slightly. I dont have highs and lows though. I had a baby 11 months ago and I have always had reg periods. I went to a reproductive endo and they said I dont have pcos but another reg endo says I do a little. I dont have elevated blood sugar, testosterone, but I do have a higher fsh. I do get chin hairs. I have tried all the natural herbs and been to a nutritionalist. I just cant afford anymore sleepless nights like these meds make me have. Now my psych doc wants to try me on lamictal a bipolar/ antiseizure med. I would like to ttc in 6 months so I am not thrilled about that. Anyone have any suggestions?

Bethann · 06-20-2008, 12:19 AM

It turns out that my years of sleep issues, aggravated by SSRI's, were actually a manifestation of hypo-manic episodes associated with undiagnosed bipolar.

The key for me was finding a psychiatrist who actually asked very detailed, specific questions about what was going on when I wasn't sleeping, instead of just handing me (yet another) sleeping pill. I've tried them all. The only thing that has worked is treating the bipolar.

So I would talk to your doctor, as clearly as you can about what goes on when you're not sleeping.

Lamictal is (from what I remember) very dangerous to the fetus, so not something you would want to take if TTC. Personally, I have ruled out bio. children, but there are lots of women with bipolar who do have healthy babies, talk to your doctor about your plans, and if he doesn't listen, find another one.

mtngrace · 06-20-2008, 01:42 AM

I want to ttc within the next couple of months so I dont have much choice. I know when I was pregnant I slept very good and I know ambien is given to pregnant women. Maybe I will have to wait until my second child to get treatment. I sleep with the ambien. I know when I was pregnant I was the most sane and happy I have ever been and felt so good all the time.

Bethann · 06-20-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtngrace

I want to ttc within the next couple of months so I dont have much choice. I know when I was pregnant I slept very good and I know ambien is given to pregnant women. Maybe I will have to wait until my second child to get treatment. I sleep with the ambien. I know when I was pregnant I was the most sane and happy I have ever been and felt so good all the time.

Imo, for what that's worth, it would still be helpful to try to clarify your diagnosis. There are drugs for bipolar and depression that are safe in pregnancy, but they are different; likewise therapy might be a safe alternative, but will likely be more helpful the more you know about the underlying problem. I'm glad Ambien works for you and is safe during pregnancy, that sounds like it will help a lot. I know how truly miserable not sleeping can make you.