Sleep problem

[mralex666]

Hey guys, I've been really freaked out since tues when this begun. I try and sleep I lay down and my eyes feel tired and heavy but I just can't seem to relax and rest like I normally do. it's like insomnia but i start feeling scared and restless like i even wanna cry, during the day I can't even take a nap like I always do. I feel tired but my eyes feel awake. This just started tues eve I haven't done anything different Im not stressed at work. I'm currently on 10mg Paxil and have been for a while. I was thinking of upping to 20mg if this continues..the only way i got some sleep these 2 past nights were because I took NyQuil..any idea what I might be going thru? Thanks

[Backtopaxil]

Originally Posted by mralex666

Hey guys, I've been really freaked out since tues when this begun. I try and sleep I lay down and my eyes feel tired and heavy but I just can't seem to relax and rest like I normally do. it's like insomnia but i start feeling scared and restless like i even wanna cry, during the day I can't even take a nap like I always do. I feel tired but my eyes feel awake. This just started tues eve I haven't done anything different Im not stressed at work. I'm currently on 10mg Paxil and have been for a while. I was thinking of upping to 20mg if this continues..the only way i got some sleep these 2 past nights were because I took NyQuil..any idea what I might be going thru? Thanks

Paxil is sedating and usually that is not the case. If you take your paxil at bed time, then switch to breakfast time.

I would not up my dose just because of a few nights of bad sleep. How long have you been on 10mg?

[mralex666]

i've been on the 10mg for about 6 yrs or so..its been steady for me but this insomnia thing has me freaked out.. i take my paxil with dinner around 3 or so, should i take it on an empty stomach perhaps?

[Backtopaxil]

Originally Posted by mralex666

i've been on the 10mg for about 6 yrs or so..its been steady for me but this insomnia thing has me freaked out.. i take my paxil with dinner around 3 or so, should i take it on an empty stomach perhaps?

No take with a meal. Maybe the insomnia has nothing to do with paxil. You could try taking it early with breakfast and see if that improves.

[mralex666]

is there any over the counter pills you recommend i use like a sleep aid? ive tried melatonin and does nothing for me..thanks for your input george

[Backtopaxil]

Originally Posted by mralex666

is there any over the counter pills you recommend i use like a sleep aid? ive tried melatonin and does nothing for me..thanks for your input george

You could try Benadryl. I have used 1 pill only but the next day I am kind of drowsy. I hear Bilo76 is having some success with Passionflower.

[mralex666]

Is the benadryl pill form?

[Brassmonkey]

Benadryl is a brand name OTC allergy medicne. Look for a store brand withthe same active ingrediant and you'll save a bunch. It works pretty well for me but tends to poop out after a couple of weeks so you have to take periodic breaks to keep it effective.

[mralex666]

Ok will try it out thanks guys, I have another question can you be or get depression while on Paxil? Maybe that's what I'm going thru also? Can that cause my symptoms of insomnia and feeling scared?

[IMISSME]

Sounds like Paxil is not working anymore. I always took my paxil in the evening as I started it to help me sleep through the night. Looking back when my insomnia started the 10 through 12th year I know it was poopout.

[mralex666]

Originally Posted by IMISSME

Sounds like Paxil is not working anymore. I always took my paxil in the evening as I started it to help me sleep through the night. Looking back when my insomnia started the 10 through 12th year I know it was poopout.

You know I was wondering that myself because a few months back I had to stop taking it for a few days and I felt the same symptoms..so does that mean I must up my dose? I never new med poops out after sometime I've been on 10mg since 04

[mralex666]

When I restarted after 3 days I felt good again. Should I maybe try that again?

[lmac]

My guess! Paxil has pooped out on it. Its not working. No sense in upping your dose because you'll keep building tolerance.
Paxil pooped out on me about 6-7 yrs after being on it. At the time I had no idea that's what it was. I ended up reinstating to it after coming off of it about 5 mnths prior. After 6 mnths it pooped out again. You sound like you not only have insomnia but anxiety and restlessness. Those could all be signs of poop out.
Do you have any plan to taper off ADs? What were you originally put on them for? This is a great site for support if you choose to taper!

[mralex666]

I am on it for anxity, I'm not ready to taper off it yet I tried last year and it was too hard, what happens if I go up 15mg

[lmac]

Originally Posted by mralex666

When I restarted after 3 days I felt good again. Should I maybe try that again?

These meds are not designed for long term use. They will eventually stop working and to switch them can only cause more havoc.
What you just described is definately tolerance. Why continue to up your dose until you're on an incredibly high psychiatric med. This will only make it that much harder and scarier to come off. Believe it or not, I've gone through poo out 4 times. Each time, the lower I got with my dose the better I did feel. Of course I tapered much too quick but if you follow the 10% taper every 3-6 weeks you should alleviate most of the horrible symptoms. And you're already on a nice low dose. This could take you 1 year + to get to 0 safely.

[mralex666]

So should I just keep taking my 10mg for the time being, I will eventually start to taper off. Is there any hope that the 10mg will start working again for me?

[lmac]

When you tried last year did you try with a 10% drop or did you go from 10-5 or 10-0? If so you definately would have had a hard time.
I'm not sure. I'm not one who will ever advise anyone to go up in dose, especially if it isn't working anymore and you've been on 10mg for that long. Hopefully others will chime in here. Going back up to previous dose would suffice if you're having a hard time with tapering but you've never even been on a higher dose.

[mralex666]

I see my doc in 2 weeks maybe he can switch me to another type of med similar to Paxil? Is there anything similar or is that not a smart move?

[lmac]

Originally Posted by mralex666

So should I just keep taking my 10mg for the time being, I will eventually start to taper off. Is there any hope that the 10mg will start working again for me?

Ultimately its a choice you will have to make for yourself. I personally don't think staying on 10mg will change if its stopped working. What you're experiencing is wd symptoms from poop out.

[lmac]

Originally Posted by mralex666

I see my doc in 2 weeks maybe he can switch me to another type of med similar to Paxil? Is there anything similar or is that not a smart move?

If you switch now you will be having wd synptoms from Paxil and possible start up effects from the other AD. Its really a risk you're taking. Switching has worked for some and not for others.
It sounds like you're really not ready to come off ADs.
A good therapist and CBT work really does help with anxiety.

[mralex666]

So if I do up my dose what should it be 15mg? Do they even make 15mg? I remember trying 25mg and my labido was dead so that scared the **** outta me Ive since then stayed on 10mg

[mralex666]

Since it may have pooped out will these symptoms continue or go away