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| Thu, 09-03-2009 - 11:34am |
How do you know if you can't sleep because of your depression medication or if you are depressed because you can't sleep???
I have trouble falling asleep without the use of sleeping pills (and I think they are just making me feel worse - foggy headed). I am taking Welbutrin 300 XL which can cause insominia - I am almost to the point of quitting all medications and feeling what my body would feel like drug-free...I am tired of being tired. Has anyone tried this successfully?
My depression stemmed from going through a divorce and a move, following by another move into a small town and the adjusting needed to do there - I feel I am past the worst of everything now and would like to think I don't need the depression pills anymore, especially if they are contributing to the not sleeping.
I am curious to hear what everyone else has to say on this subject...thanks for listening to me!

I'm pretty sure my doctor told me to take wellbutrin in the morning because it could have a stimulant effect.
Been there - and I stopped taking ALL meds except my birth control, because, well... I want kids, but not quite yet. =)
I think it can be a good idea to let your body go totally natural for awhile... BUT! BUT BUT BUT! Please, talk to your doctor BEFORE you ramp down or stop any meds. There are some weird side effects and withdrawal issues you might have to deal with if you stop, or if you stop too quickly.
I have fibromyalgia, and I was on Lyrica for about a year. It got to the point where it was making me gain weight, messing with my head, etc., and I had to get off of it. I had to ramp down over a 2-month period because the withdrawal was so intense.
I also have insomnia issues. For me, it's mostly stress/anxiety (brain won't shut up) and pain, to make a really nasty combination that just doesn't seem to quit at night.
If you feel like you're ready to go for it med-free, then I say go for it - but make sure you talk to your doc first so you don't go through icky withdrawal! =) Good luck!!
Like the other posters said, DO NOT DO IT WITHOUT MEDICAL GUIDANCE. I can't stress that enough. You also may want to try another, lower dose medication as your Wellbutrin may not be working to its full potential.
Are you active during the day? Keeping yourself busy? If you are just sitting around watching TV or surfing the net, this can be contributing to your insomnia.
When I first went on the Effexor I was put on Ambien, I wish I never had. Yes, I loved falling asleep in 10 minutes but trying to sleep without it was heck, pure heck. Took along time to adjust without