Anti-depressants make you tired?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2003
Anti-depressants make you tired?
3
Mon, 04-12-2004 - 4:43pm

Hi- this is my first time posting on this board.


I've been depressed probably since I was very young, but didn't seek treatment until a couple years ago. Since then, I've been on Paxil, Effexor, and now Lexapro.


The one side effect that seems constant through all of them, at least for me, is TIREDNESS! Whether I take them at morning or night (I've tried both), I am SO SLEEPY!


Does this happen to anyone else?


I get 8 or 9 or 10 hours of sleep, eat a healthy, complete diet, get plenty of

---Tara

Avatar for luv5monkeys
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-29-2003
Mon, 04-12-2004 - 5:55pm
I hear you. Depressed since I was a little girl, too. But not for the last 3 months:)

When I decided to quit Paxil because of sexual side effects a few months ago, I began researching alternatives to meds. How could I avoid a relapse? Wow - I learned alot of stuff!

Even though I felt 100% better on Paxil, I worked full time, fell asleep in my car at lunch hour, exercised 3-4 times a week & slept 10-14 hours a day. Not good when you have a family & fulltime job!

I thought I had a good diet until I learned that certain foods make me sleepy. I also learned that caffeine reduces serotonin. I learned that serotonin levels may be naturally enhanced through vitamins & supplements.

I learned that depression was only a symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Natural or meds...I think your sleepiness may be overcome.

email me anytime (below) & know that you are NOT alone:)

Linda

weaverll@yahoo.com

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2004
Mon, 04-12-2004 - 8:59pm

Hi, Tara Lynn!

AcornLeaves
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2004
Mon, 04-12-2004 - 10:12pm
Hello...I totally understand this fatigue too. It's been almost 8 years since I was diagnosed with depression/anxiety and treated with meds. First was Zoloft, which was ok, but cause a weight gain I have yet to overcome. Next was Welbutrin and it was terrible. Next was Celexa, ok but didn't do what I needed. Now I've been on Effexor for a little over a year and a half. My doctor actually just increased my doseage to 225 mg.

My ongoing complaint has been the fatigue, which keeps me from being motivated enough to excerise, etc. The doctor told me that hopefully the increase in Effexor to the right doseage would help with the motivation to excerise, etc. which she says should help reduce fatigue. I don't know what to think any more other than this fatigue has to stop controlling my life!!!