In despair I turn to thee, o Intrawebs
Since May, when I tapered off Lexipro, the antidepressant I took for six years before that, I have been suffering a variety of withdrawal symptoms, but the only one that is STILL with me after four freakin' months is the insomnia. My typical night now goes: bed at 9:30-10 pm, toss and turn until midnight, move to the couch, toss and turn another half-hour or so, doze/sleep until 4 am., then toss and turn until 6 am when I give up. Here is what I've tried so far:
1) Stopped taking Wellbutrin, the replacement antidpressant -- Some improvement, in that 2-3 hours of sleep became 4 or 5.
2) Omega-3 -- Eliminated "brain buzz" but had no effect on insomnia.
3) L-theanine -- Made it worse.
4) Caffeine -- Reduction to 1/3 of normal intake had no effect.
5) Alcohol -- I don't normally drink. A single drink at 4 pm had no effect. Eliminating it had no effect.
6) Chamomile pills -- no effect.
7) Electrolyte pills -- Reduced restless leg syndrome, but no effect on insomnia.
8) Exercise -- I already get 45-60 minutes per day. Perhaps some variation in the routine or schedule?
9) Diet -- Unaware of what change might help.
10) Hot bath -- Made it worse.
11) Sex -- Slight improvement when combined with fatigue, but not a practical treatment.
12) Sleeping alone -- Some improvement, but not enough and causes other stresses.
13) Exhaustion -- Normal sleep occurs every 4-5 nights.
I do not want to take another prescription drug unless there is absolutely no other alternative. Does anyone have any suggestions before I give up and call the doctor who put me on #*@%ing Lexapro in the first place?
1) Stopped taking Wellbutrin, the replacement antidpressant -- Some improvement, in that 2-3 hours of sleep became 4 or 5.
2) Omega-3 -- Eliminated "brain buzz" but had no effect on insomnia.
3) L-theanine -- Made it worse.
4) Caffeine -- Reduction to 1/3 of normal intake had no effect.
5) Alcohol -- I don't normally drink. A single drink at 4 pm had no effect. Eliminating it had no effect.
6) Chamomile pills -- no effect.
7) Electrolyte pills -- Reduced restless leg syndrome, but no effect on insomnia.
8) Exercise -- I already get 45-60 minutes per day. Perhaps some variation in the routine or schedule?
9) Diet -- Unaware of what change might help.
10) Hot bath -- Made it worse.
11) Sex -- Slight improvement when combined with fatigue, but not a practical treatment.
12) Sleeping alone -- Some improvement, but not enough and causes other stresses.
13) Exhaustion -- Normal sleep occurs every 4-5 nights.
I do not want to take another prescription drug unless there is absolutely no other alternative. Does anyone have any suggestions before I give up and call the doctor who put me on #*@%ing Lexapro in the first place?