Posted by Phyl on October 19, 2002, at 13:44:24
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
I am a chronic insomniac..that is my main problem. I have had it for 30 years. In the past year or so, I have developed a fear of being in a car at nighttime in heavy traffic. (Common with senior citizens, which group I belong to.) Other than this, I have no real anxieties. I am a worrier (5 grown children), but have never considered myself to be depressed -- when you are sleep-deprived, it's difficult to always be upbeat. I could always manage to get through the day, even on just 2-3 hours of sleep. Altho I was pretty tired, it didn't affect my energy level; people didn't believe I had such a chronic problem because I was able to keep going...better than others with no sleep problem.
I went to my internist for help with sleep and he put me on 10 Lexapro and 50 Trazodone. Told me it was Ok to take 2 Trazodone at night. The first day that I went on Lexapro, I took one Trazodone and after staying awake for two hours, I took a second one. Immediately my nasal passages dried up (I didn't realize it was the medication) and after another hour, I fell asleep and slept for about five hours. When I woke up, I felt sick; I was so tired, I was slurring my words and practically shuffled when I walked. My head felt very "fuzzy." I could barely function the entire day. It was terrible. The doctor took me off the Trazodone immediately, but asked me to stay on the Lexapro. For the first few days, I was totally exhausted at 6:00 p.m. I asked him if I could cut the pill in half and he said that was ok. (I am very sensitive to most meds.)
Even on one-half a pill (for almost two weeks), I find that I am extremely tired in the early evening (7:00 on) and I have to retire early. I also fall asleep much easier than I ever have, but when I wake up I am very tired. As the day goes on, I feel like myself.
Other than this fear of being in a car, I have no other anxieties. I am on no medications other than BP med, and I have never been treated for any anxiety or depression problems.
I am not quite sure I belong on this med. It seems to act as a sleeping pill for me. I don't notice much difference during the daytime, other than a slight lightheadedness. I don't notice any "improvement" during the daytime. What is this supposed to do for me? Cure me of my fear of driving? Allow me to worry less?
I will return to the internist in two weeks and will stay on this half pill til then. I just wondered what you think of my situation.
Thanks!
poster:Phyl
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021019/msgs/124261.html