... but I have insomnia and haven't slept well all week. Should I try taking the Lexapro in the morning before going on to 10 mg? I'm afraid side effects might get worse. The nausea is gone but insomnia gets worse.
I'm on Lexapro 5mg for a week and I'm suppose to go to 10mg after. I take it at night ....
Question posted by Allyoop64 on 18 Feb 2017
Last updated on 24 February 2017
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4 Answers
ZZzzzzssss
24 Feb 2017
Stay the course my friend . Give it 4-5 weeks before considering a different medication . Once you get that serotonin regulated you will sleep better . Try limiting your time in bed awake . Get up and engage in something boring until your tired. Get up at the Sam time daily and to bed same time daily . If you do not sleep well for a few days 2-3 you will likely crash and sleep well the following day . Give it time could take a week or so to get sleep back after starting a routine . Certainly get up at the same time even if you want to sleep in until your on a tegular schedule . If you do not sleep at all for that 2-3 days go see a sleep specialist before you take a sleep medication from your psychiatrist .
Allyoop64
24 Feb 2017
Thank you Zzzzss for your great suggestions. I'm on 7.5 mg and I've been taking it in the morning and I do sleep but I wake up about 7:15 every morning but can't get out of bed. I'll just have to make myself,I know I'd feel better if I did. I do feel groggy and after I take my pill I feel tired and dizzy for quite a bit of the day, hope it gets better. Maybe I'll try eating breakfast first like someone else posted, thanks again!
sapphire2011
20 Feb 2017
Hi Ally, this sounds like it could be as easy as taking it in the morning instead of at night. It's worth a try to see if this will help you start sleeping again. Glad to hear that your nausea is gone - now to get some much needed sleep!
Sapphire
Allyoop64
20 Feb 2017
Thank you Sapphire, I did try the 7.5mg. This morning, slept fine last night but a little tired and dizzy this afternoon. I hope that won't stay around too long. Ally
sapphire2011
21 Feb 2017
I'm thinking that the dizzy feeling will pass too. Hang in there. ..glad to hear you got some sleep! ♡
Allyoop64
21 Feb 2017
Thank you Sapphire!
Pinklemon
19 Feb 2017
Hi Allyoop64,
You should definitely take it in the morning. Try to eat before taking it, so that the nausea will go away. I am currently on 20mg Lexapro. I started at 10mg two years ago, and had the same side effects as you- insomnia, terrible nausea, increased anxiety (ironically it was prescribed for my anxiety), dry mouth. But after one month, the nausea and insomnia were gone.
I still take it in the morning. But at a higher dose (20mg) it made me feel a bit tired during the day so my doctor suggested to take it before sleep which I did. Guess what! The insomnia came back.
If you still have insomnia, maybe try melatonin? It really helps. How long have you been on Lexapro for? And please please do not get benzodiazepine to treat insomnia even if your psychiatrist suggests, they are very hard to get off to and the withdrawal are terrible (from my personal experience).
Don't worry. 5 mg is a small dose, and the starting dose is usually 10 mg. It won't affect you that much if you switch to 10 mg. You can always try to take 7.5 mg first and see.
Hope this helped. Good luck!
Allyoop64
19 Feb 2017
Hi pinklemon, thank you for responding. I was on celexa but my vision seemed affected, was on it for 8 mos. and had my prescription changed 4 times, went to Prozac for 2mos. But I had headaches so the doctor had me stop it for a week and they went away. He put me on 5mg of lexapro(generic) a week ago. This morning I took it and am waiting to see what happens. I did sleep last night but I do take 0.5 mg of klonapin and flexeril, melatonin, gabapintin. I've been on klonapin since I had stroke 7 yrs ago for anxiety. My doctor wants to take me off it at night by having me take 1/2 a pill but I haven't done that yet because of insomnia. Have you tried valerian root for sleep? I haven't but wonder if it would help instead of the klonapin which only helps a little. Do you think I should go to 10mg tomorrow or wait another week? I always feel lost when meds are changed. Thank you again, ally
Pinklemon
19 Feb 2017
Hi! No problem I'm glad to help. :) I'm sorry to hear that you had a stroke, it must be very difficult.
I've tried valerian root but it gave me nightmares. Everyone is different so you should still give it a shot. Insomnia is complicated to treat. My natural remedies when I can't fall asleep is melatonin, drink a herbal tea, or put some lavender oil on my pillow. In some cases, I decided not to sleep at all so that the next night I'll fall asleep easily. I'm on Klonopin 0.5mg as well for anxiety, after recently switching from Xanax. I don't take it at night, only during the day. It should make you sleepy if you take it at night- you definitely should not stop taking it especially that you were on it for 7 years? And also until insomnia goes away. Xanax definitely helped me to fall asleep but I did not want to be dependent on it.
At the highest point of my insomnia days, I was prescribed Zopiclone (a Z-drug) which knocked me out but made me very depressed and foggy during the day, so avoid that if possible.
Have you checked the interaction between Flexeril and Lexapro? They both affect serotonin receptors and may cause serotonin syndrome. Gabapintin can also interact with Lexapro. In my opinion, Flexeril might make the side effects of Lexapro worse.
Check out: https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=1147-0,758-386,1013-565
If you are worried about the insomnia side effect, I suggest you taking it in the morning and start with 7.5mg if that reassures you, for a few days and see how you feel. Alternatively, you can always take 10mg tomorrow. In my opinion it should be fine, just make sure to take it in the morning.
Maybe you should check with your doctor how Flexeril affects Lexapro. Is it essential for you to take Lexapro? From your history of antidepressants, it seems that you don't tolerate them well.
Good luck! Insomnia is hard to treat and I hope you get it managed soon.
Allyoop64
20 Feb 2017
Thanks pinklemon, many good ideas, I think I'll try the 7.5mg in the morning. I've. Been taking Flexeril for about 17 yrs.for lower back pain due to osteoporosis and only 1 at night. I'm 65 now and since the stroke my body is very sensitive to meds and doses have to be low. The older antidepressants don't work for me for depression but the newer do and anxiety is bad without them, makes me aware of my situation post stroke, fear, tremors,afraid of just being. I was without one for 18 mos till celexa which I found to relieve many obstacles, even drove a few times. I love to feel free to see good friends again as I live 20 miles in the rural. Thanks again,Allie
janiebme
18 Feb 2017
Hi Allyoop-
It maybe a good idea to take the Lexapro during the day if you are having trouble sleeping. Your side effects may increase with the dose increase. It may take 2-4 weeks for the side effects to lessen. Talk to your doctor about maybe a short term med that will help you sleep until the Lexapro side effects lessen. You can also discuss staying on the lower dose to see if that works for you. Sometimes more is not always better.
Hope you get some good Zzzzs soon.
Allyoop64
18 Feb 2017
Thank you Janie me for answering so quickly. I'll probably do just that, I had to switch from night to morning when on celexa too!
Related topics
lexapro, depression, anxiety, insomnia, side effect
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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