[alabates]

Hi there, new to the forum. I am a thirty year old female who was stable on Cipralex for anxiety/depression for about six years. I tapered off with the guidance of my doctor and ended up with awful physical and mental symptoms a month or so later. Went back on the medication at a higher dose than where I stopped it two weeks ago today. It’s been a very, very hard month. In that two weeks my sleep has become very disruptive, to the end that I fall asleep initially for a couple hours and proceed to do so for short bursts or not at all thereafter. I feel a lot of fear that my sleep just won’t improve, and the progress with medications is slow (but noticeably there). I exercise, get outside, am eating again after having a very poor appetite for weeks and try to keep myself occupied and on somewhat of a routine. Any suggestions are very much appreciated.

[Elmtree57]

Hi alabates. May I ask why you went off cipralex? I was put on that, was only on for 21 days. I do not like pills. I’m very stubborn when it comes to that. My anxiety has me in a tizzy as I haven’t slept more than 2 hours this past 3 days. Are you better on cipralex?

[Chee2308]

Not medical advice here but in general, you will never recover if you keep taking pills to sleep because then you keep believing you need to take something external to sleep, not confident of your own ability and ultimately, still fearing something that cannot be controlled. It’s always that fear which generates stress that keeps you up all night!

[alabates]

Hi Elmtree, I went off the meds because I was on a low dose (5mg) and wasn’t confident I still needed them. Also, family planning. Turns out I do, I think there’s just more stress in my life than I acknowledged and it became much more clear when I went off the pills that I had been holding it together with their help. At the end of the day I need to make some lifestyle changes with work life balance and try to go off them gradually again in the future. Chee, I take these pills in the morning, not to sleep; though when I have been on them previously I never had any sleeping difficulties. My doctor wanted to give me low dose seroquel to get through this period but on researching it I’m not comfortable with that and don’t want to become dependent on sleeping medications. It’s a good point for sure, regardless of whether it’s a natural remedy or a pharmaceutical.

[Elmtree57]

I have looked into medical cannabis. Had a medical professional prescribe the dosage. I figured it would be better than taking anxiety drugs. Just started last week so observing how it works. The bedtime stuff I can feel although haven’t slept through. Have an appt on Monday to discuss prescription and dosage. I’m reaching!!!!

[alabates]

Fingers crossed it works for you Elmtree, I’ve found it to be a great sleep aid in the past. Unfortunately I have been getting a bit anxious taking it the last several times but did use some to get back to sleep last night which was helpful. I used to use a THC oil for sleep in conjunction with the SSRI and it knocked me right out. Thanks for taking the time to reply to me, really kind of you.

[Elmtree57]

Hi alabates. Thanks! My goal is to get back to normal and sleep freely with no aids!! That’s where Martin’s help comes in

[Elmtree57]

Hi alabates. Are you off the thc?

[zac]

Hi alabates,
See my last post in the below link, for my theory on SR, Depression/Anxiety and medication….it’s all about chemical balance before things improve.

Does Sleep Restriction Therapy work with an underlying Anxiety/Depression cond.

[Author]

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