Day10 fluoxetine - haven't slept for three days, zoplicone not worked

[TolpuddleFarter]

Hi

I am having a really tough time. Day 10 fluoxetine. I have taken it before, but never had this effect.

Haven't slept properly in three days, might have got two hours the first day, no napping or anything.

Doctor gave me zoplicone to take last night, but it didn't help me sleep. I just lay with my eyes closed thinking (albeit quite calm.)

Everytime I close my eyes and start nodding, my body jerks and I panic and then I can't sleep. I am a wreck and just don't know how I can survive like this.

Got an emergency appointment this evening at out of hours, and I'm counting the minutes.

Has this happened to anyone else? I just don't know what to do

I did have an insomnia reaction to fluoxetine when I was put on it years ago. It lasted maybe a week or 10 days before it settled.

Yeah, I remember it from last time, but I can't remember not being able to sleep at all! How bad was your insomnia, can you remember?

I just don't understand why this has happened so severely this time round but not before.

Hiya. I am the exact same as you. 3 1/2 weeks in on Fluoxetine and my sleep has been non existent .

The last two nights I’ve had literally zero sleep. Like you I was prescribed zopiclone and it did she work quite well, but I only had a two week prescription as you’re not supposed to take it much longer than that.

I’ve also taken fluoxetine before… on and off over the last 16 years and although I’ve had mild insomnia before it’s been nothing like this.

I’m really hoping it passes as it has already been good in improving my mental health in the day.

Hi, I’m taking Fluoxetine and during the first two weeks given Zoplicone too. I did sleep albeit very groggy each morning.
As I’m aware the Fluoxetine takes a while to work, mu anxiety and depression hit an all time low so my gp prescribed Propanolol to assist with the panic attacks. I take a low dose of 10mg, 4 times per day.
Im currently signed off work as I need to allow my brain recovery time. Hope this may help x

@TolpuddleFarter @Blueskies76
Has this improved for you. I've got the same problem with increasing the dose on a different AD.

Not yet. I’m going to give it a few more weeks and then go back to the doctor if there’s no improvement. I will keep you posted if there’s any change!

Thank you @Blueskies76
It's interesting that the insomnia is so much worse for you this time. That's exactly the same for me, in the past it has improved after a couple of weeks. I wonder if my age is a factor because I'm in menopause now

I was wondering that. I’m definitely perimenopausal so it could be hitting different? Amazingly I’m doing okay for a month of no sleep. I am properly resting at night even if I don’t go off completely. I get that I can’t do that long term though!

@Blueskies76 yes I'm trying to do the same with the resting.

@Blueskies76 how are you doing ?

So sorry I didn’t get your notification! I was just popping on to give you an update because I’ve just slept for three nights in a row with no sleeping pills! It seemed to get better (touch wood) almost exactly a month in. So that’s a long haul but I was looking for stories of other people where it eventually eased up so wanted to come on here and say. My appetite seemed to improve simultaneously. I think lost 7lbs in a month on Fluoxetine (not that I’m complaining about that, but I’m sure a low appetite also messes with sleep). I feel less wired in the daytime over the last few days too. How are you faring?

I found with the Zopiclone it only worked if I took two pills (I think about 7mg).

@Blueskies76 that's good to hear. I reduced my AD by 20% a few days ago in the end (from 75-60mg) and sleep definitely seems to have improved.
Unfortunately the anxiety / depression has increased again but I'm hoping that settles soon.

Ugh it’s such a balancing act! I really hope it evens out soon as you tweak the amounts x

Relaxation exercises may be helpful at bedtime, as may bedtime routine. i.e no stimulation i.e.computer, tv etc. for an hour befor bedtime.

For me I did every sleep hygiene practice and meditation under the sun and it made no difference. My body just had to adjust to taking the ADs and it took time.

Yes that was the same for me. Black out curtains. Bath before bed. Pillow sprays. No caffeine at all or alcohol. No screens etc etc.
These things normally always help if I'm going through a period of not great sleep - but with this medication side effect it just didn't seem to make any difference.

@kizziee hi sorry for not responding, I've been taking time out of mumsnet.

I did come to the conclusion that anti-depressants weren't going to work for me this time. I was on propranolol for a little while.

But I decided to bite the bullet and pay for hypnotherapy (was with a lady from here who did an AMA on hypnotherapy.) I am a changed person since, the difference from where I was on this thread to where I am now is life changing.

@TolpuddleFarter glad you've had such a positive response to the hypnotherapy. Was it someone who deals specifically with anxiety / depression or just a general one ?

@kizziee think she deals with most mental health stuff. She just spoke to my subconscious (I was awake, not in a trance) to get it to realise it didn't need to be anxious about the things I was anxious about.

@TolpuddleFarter if you don't mind would you pm me the details (completely understand if you would rather not)