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[Cousin It]

Hi, I just started celexa 2 nights ago. My doc prescribed Ambien too to help with insomnia. I fall asleep no problem but wak up 4-5 hours later unable to get back to sleep. Does insomnia tend to decrease over time?

Also, as part of my depression and anxiety, I stopped eating an lost a ton of weight. I'm hoping I will eventually get back my appetite but have read that celexa causes loss of appetite. Can anyone tell me if this is true, or does appetite tend to return to normal after some time?

[kxlotus]

heyy
yeah the insomnia should go away, im on lexapro for depression and klonopin for anxiety + sleep aid. At first bc of the lexapro despite the K it would only let me sleep about 2 or 3 hours and wake me up with shakes....dont give up yet bc the first few days you might be discouraged, but just wait it out and after a week or week and a half or so if it doesnt go away consult with ur doctor. Remember everyone is diff, some people have to change their combination a few times, and some people are pleased with their first so it just depends. But dont give up!

Good luck!

[Cousin It]

Thanks for your reply. Anyone else out there reading this who wants to weigh in, please do, as I am in that very vulnerable phase and would especially like encouragement from anyone who has has had a good experience (I don't want to set myself up for a letdown, but I am REALLY trying to be positive right now).

[CherylW]

I had a hard time eating and sleeping when I first got the depression. The ambien did not work for me and I was given restoril. It worked well. Maybe you can take the lexapro in the morning. I know people who take it in the morning and they do fine. Try to sleep in complete darkness with no noise. Hope that helps. Aslo, it is very common for people with depression to lose their appetite. I did. I ate when I was hungry and slowly my appetite came back.

[BetterOff]

Hello, and indeed the insomnia will go away with time. Remember you are *stimulating* your brain back to normal happy hormone production and this stimulation by your AD will fade as you get back to normal so dont worry about it, its good you have some meds for insomnia because yeah in the first month it will be your worse time but then it fades away pretty quickly.
Also about the appetite thing, AD's are notorious for stimulating your appetite, dont worry about that, you may well gain more weight than you wished back so take it easy when the appetite returns.
Good Luck and best wishes so the answer is yes and yes to your two questions.

[lindahurt]

Meds do effect us differently so not all people experience the same side effects. Some ADs causes insomia but if it doesn't get better soon your doctor may have to prescribe you a sleep aid or suggest taking an over the counter drug until it gets better. For me I have to take a sleep prescription drug to get proper sleep. Celexa may increase or decrease your appetite. So you really won't know fully how a med will effect you until you have given it ample time to work. Hang in there and keep your doctor informed on so he can monitor your progress and make adjustments if necessary.

Lindahurt

[Cousin It]

You guysa are awesome! Thanks so much for the feedback. I actually had a good day today on my 4th day of cepralitam - only slept a few hours and not feeling hungry, but my outlook is better, so I'm not sweating the side effects too much right now.

Again, thank you so much for the feedaback and support. It means a lot and is extremely encouraging to me.

[Spiritual_Wanderer]

It's interesting...Lexapro made me very tired and sedated so that I couldn't take it early or I'd have trouble functioning at work, etc. Now it appears to have "stabilized" in my system. I sleep better, but sometimes still have trouble falling asleep/staying asleep. I think sometimes that it's just part of depression/anxiety.

My doctor yesterday talked to me about "sleep hygiene..." I'm sure you've heard it: Don't eat late at night, don't drink alcohol, don't exercise or watch Tv before sleep, only sleep in your bed, etc. etc.
Anyways, I didn't have lack of appetite either. I assume that is a start up side effect and will pass...

Best wishes!