Trouble sleeping. Mind constantly working. Anxious, restless and not very happy.?

Question

I have been taking paxil for years and switched to cymbalta about 6 mo's ago.

Answer 1

And your question is...?

Answer 2

I really can empathize with you, hun. I've been going thru insomnia for a very long time. Getting divorced didn't help either. I can't fall asleep before 5am without taking a sleep aid. I currently take some ambien for the past 5 yrs. You can also try it, but ask for a small dose. It'll do the trick. Don't take it more than 2 weeks cuz it's habit forming. It would be best to take it at 8pm. If the thought of taking ambien makes you nervous, you can try getting some kava at your local drug store or health & nutrition store. But, plz understand that you shouldn't take it for a long time as it may cause problems of the liver. I myself took it many years ago despite being a post liver transplant patient. I must have taken it for like 15 days and I was fine(thank God). Just be sure you're not taking other sleep aids or anti anxiety or anti depressants before you start taking kava. I hope that this info helps. Take care.

Answer 3

You problem is very common. I know a lot of people who are anxious and have difficulty sleeping. I myself have had anxiety attacks and depression. The best thing i've learned is that its you negative thoughts that trigger these physical reactions. If you take time everyday to sit back and tell yourself positive thoughts it can help. Im sure you have heard this advice before but I do recomend getting a good book on anxiety I think there is one called the feel good book...it is about positive and negative thoughts

Answer 4

Cymbalta is a weird drug. I was on it for a year and it dulled my brain so bad I couldn't function. When I went off it it gave me all the problems it is used to treat, even if I never had them before. I got restless leg syndrome, dizziness, insomnia, anxiety and a "zapping" sensation in my brain. I have been off it for four months and my brain still races constantly. I can sleep only with sleeping pills.

If you go off Cymbalta, taper off very, very slowly. If your doctor switches you to another drug, be aware that you may experience depression and anxiety like never before - caused by the crossover of the two medications. I have found that I am much better off without any medication at all. I am still hoping that the Cymbalta effects will wear off some day.

Answer 5

I like the answer for exercise that should work, but to much might actually make muscles tense, try stretching this should relax your muscles and your body. Also talk to your pharmacist about your meds, I could be wrong but I think paxil might work for anxiety but it's mostly for anti-social, behavior issues, and I think cymbalta is a non-stimulant form of ritalin which in adults may have the opposite effect as in children, but I'm no doc. You may want to go with a depressant anti-anxiety like xanax.

Answer 6

first get off the Paxil...it makes your heart race and messes up you mind. i really don't like drugs for these things. but i found 5-HTP or serotonin....to be great. Paxil gave me a heart rate of 120 beats per minute. that will give you some trouble for sure.
I have this cocktail i use for days when i am sure to get some issues.
1 flax seed oil pill
1 5-HTP or a Serotonin
and a warm glass of green tea.

Answer 7

Antidepressants take about 3 months to really be in your system and working for you. If it has been 6 months and you really don't see an improvement, or a worsening for all that matters, you should talk to your doctor ASAP and get onto something that is right for you.

Answer 8

Someone actually already said this...but when I was waitressing graveyard I used to come home and my mind would be racing for hours. One day I masterbated before I went to sleep and knocked out right away. It became a daily habit and I fell asleep every day.
Now I have a normal job and can masterbate for the hell of it. (haha)

Answer 9

I would strongly suggest exercise instead. Wean yourself slowly off the meds, but if you physically tire yourself sleep should come more easily for both physical reasons and psychological ones. You'll be physically tired so the sleep will be easier and more restorative. You'll feel better about yourself emotionally.

Answer 10

I hate not being able to sleep but drugs is not the answer.

I don't have the answer you want but don't let the chemicals become your boss.

Best of luck :)

Answer 11

There are a lot of great articles and information on how stress can effect sleep at ( http://www.reducingstress.net ). there are also many tips for solving the problem.