Help for sleeplessness

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2004
Help for sleeplessness
3
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 2:53pm
I had a bought of depression starting late 2001. I experienced many night of lost sleep and unexplained aches and pains. After desperately seeking out help, I found out I was suffering from depression. I was given an anti-depressant (Lexapro) and SSRI. After a few weeks I felt great. In fact, better than I had felt in a very long time. I continued on my Lexapro for 1 1/2 yrs. My doctor very slowly got me off the drug and by the end of the summer this year I was complete drug free.

Lately I have been experiencing some boughts of sleeplessness again. I was wondering if anyone out there has come up with some alternative remedies to the sleeplessness. Aparently because the SSRI worked (which means I must have a low level of Serotonin in my body), that I would need something that would help my body increase my serotonin levels. Any advice?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2004
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 4:25pm
Hi,

I have the same problem and I have had this for a long time. I wake up all night long sometimes anywhere between 2- 4 times depending when I go to bed. My only other problem is that when I wake up I choose to eat on top of loosing sleep.

My co-worker recommended MELATONIN to me. I have not yet used it because I'm getting ready to start Welbutrin so I do not want to take to many pills at once due to my bad heart. Well look this up and do some research but I have heard it works but I just have NOT tried it.

Good luck

Bettina

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 8:26pm

There are two things that can really help.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2003
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 10:49pm

Hi Wanttolovelife,


In addition to the responses here, you might also get some information at our Insomnia and Sleep Problems board:


http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhinsomnia


Other sleep disorder links:


http://www.ivillage.com/topics/health/0,10707,234284,00.html


Overview:


http://www.ivillagehealth.com/library/nwh/content/0,,215912_227347,00.html


Eliminate insomnia diet:


http://www.ivillagehealth.com/features/eatforwellness/articles/0,11299,411884_412897,00.html

IVHealth Ruth Ann
Assistant Community Moderator/Health Librarian
rjohnson@mail.ivillage.com

IVHealth Ruth Ann
Community Leader/Ask the Health Librarian