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[Aubrey]

Hi, this may have been a topic before but I couldn't find any thread.

I'm taking as much Sandrena (estrogen) as I can, I'm at my limit because my boobs hurt and most other symptoms are under control. Except insomnia, it's having such a huge impact on my life and health! I asked for and have been prescribed Citalopram because I've heard other women in the menopause stage say it helps.

Has anyone got experience of Citalopram for insomnia/anxiety and what has your experience been?

XX

[CLKD]

Lack of sleep becomes a vicious circle  .  ⭕️   The brain gets into the habit of will I/not sleep ........

I have in the past used 'kwells' or non-drowsy anti-histamine to get back into a sleep habit.  'Kwells' once a week helped, an anti-histamine 3 nights in a row get me back into feeling less tired.

I've been on ADs for years but haven't noticed if it aids sleep/not.  Nights that I don't get a proper night are rare, I either drop off for a few hours or wake after a wee around 1.30 and that's it!  Putting the World to rights in my head 

Do U get plenty of fresh air and sunshine ?

[Dramy3]

Hi

I took escitalopram for 20 years (for anxiety mainly), but peri wreaked havoc on my mental health so I was switch to sertraline in July. I never had a problem with sleep until about a year ago when my other symptoms got really bad. So can't say that's down to the escitalopram, but maybe it helped. Sertraline is the opposite and you can't take it at night because it makes most people a bit wired.

A few people have mentioned mirtazapine as an option for sleep. You can search for those threads if interested.

I second the antihistamine idea. I take promethizine a few times a week to keep my sleep regular(ish). I also have zopiclone if I'm really struggling. And a magnesium supplement every night as well.

Good luck!

[Aubrey]

Thanks for your replies. it seems sleep is as rare and valuable as gold.

I've tried Sertraline and Mirtazapine, both make it worse. I do get enough daylight, etc. I'm healthy and fit and in weight. Good diet etc. Antihistamine meds are good and they do work, but they give me restless legs. I've really tried everything. 

[CLKD]

Restless leg syndrome is usually due to a lack of potassium or magnesium, I suffered intermittently from an early age. In the 1990s I found that bananas, several small ones daily, cured those sensations.  Now I take 'nurofen' B4 bed if they are going to be annoying!

Get an anti-travel sickness drug - non drowsy.  1 an hour B4 bed and relax.  Or have a chat with a pharmacist.

[Aubrey]

Thanks CLKD, i also find asprin stop restless legs, I found it by accident. 75 mg and I'm still as a dead fish.

[CLKD]

I'm aware of my legs 'pulling' in the day, it's when I get into bed that they become troublesome  .  I used to sleep with legs up the wall until they gradually fell over, usually onto DH 

[Kathleen]

Hello Aubrey.


I wonder if Venlafaxine, also known as Effexor has been mentioned to you?

 I was prescribed this years ago and told that it helped with sleeping as I was having  night sweats at the time. I have continued to take it and sleep has never been much of a problem for me.
I do however have plenty of anxiety and daily mood/ emotional changes and my Nurse Practitioner tells me that Pregabalin is now believed to help with the menopause.

I hope this helps you and take care.

K.

[Aubrey]

Thanks Kathleen, that's helpful.