This entry was posted
on Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 at 2:14 pm and is filed under insomnia side effects.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
6 Responses to “I can’t sleep at night. Does Effexor or Synthroid have side effects for insomnia?”
1
Jerry Says:
Side effects of Effexor may include: Abnormal ejaculation/orgasm, anxiety, blurred vision, constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, impotence, ****insomnia**** etc. DRUGS.COM Most doctors are only taught: "antidepressants, therapy, and if resistant, ECT". I suggest that you check out http://www.drugs.com & http://www.rxlist.com and wean off, in accordance with http://www.theroadback.org/workbook.htm and begin the core treatments below immediately, and the herbal remedies, or OTHER supplements, like SAM-e, 5HTP, or L-phenylalanine, when below 50% weaning dosage. St. John’s wort helps most people; tolerance doesn’t develop, and the few side effects don’t occur often, and even then are normally not severe (neither antidepressants, nor the wort, nor supplements should be relied on as a sole treatment). It doesn’t cause sleeping problems, or weight change, but usually takes at least 2, and generally 4 - 6 weeks to become effective, but can sometimes work quicker than antidepressants. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10759336?dopt=Abstract A recent, independent German double blind study showed it to be as effective as a commonly prescribed antidepressant, in cases of major depression, with far fewer side effects, and those were generally better tolerated, with a lower rate of discontinuation.
Unlike antidepressants, where sexual dysfunction is a common side effect, it happens much more rarely with St. John’s Wort (I didn’t experience any). A multidimensional approach to treating depression without medication follows. All except for no. (7.) are safe to use with medication, but not SJW, because of interactions, and it’s sensible to check out anything else first, like Ginkgo Biloba, Gotu Kola, or supplements, such as SAMe, 5HTP, or L-phenylalanine, with your doctor. (1.) Take at least 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily: (certified free of mercury) it is best if consumed with an antioxidant, such as an orange, or its FRESHLY SQUEEZED juice. If vitamin E is added, it should be certified as being 100% from natural sources, or it may be synthetic: avoid it! In the winter months, if not getting sufficient daily exposure to strong light, see http://www.mercola.com SEARCHBAR: enter: "vitamin D3". Go to a doctor and ask for a 25(OH)D, also called 25-hydroxyvitamin D, blood test. When you get the results, don’t follow the typical “normal” reference range, as these are too low. The OPTIMAL value that you’re looking for is 45-52 ng/ml (115-128 nmol/l)". The company which tests your levels has to be one of those using the correct form of test, and this topic is addressed via the searchbar at Mercola.com - "vitamin D3; testing". Also take a vitamin B complex which is certified as being 100% of natural origin; the deficiency in vitamin B9 (folate, or folic acid) that most depressed people have, is known to cause depression. Around 30% - 40% of depressed people have low vitamin B12 levels.
(2.) Work up slowly to at least 20 minutes of daily exercise, or 30 - 60 mns, 5 times weekly in daytime, outside. Too much exercise can cause stress, which isn’t wanted when dealing with depression. (3.) Occupational therapy (keeping busy allows little time for unproductive introspection, and keeps mental activity out of less desirable areas of the brain). (4.) Practice a relaxation method, daily, and when needed, such as: (free) http://www.drcoxconsulting.com/managing-stress.html or http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/mindbody/a/Meditation.htm or http://www.wikihow.com/Meditate or Tai Chi, Qi Gong, or yoga. Give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. It is free at http://www.emofree.com Professional is best. - There is a version for use in public places, (if you want to, you can claim to have a headache, as you use the acupressuremassage/tapping on your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising (repeating it to yourself in your mind) "Even though I suffer from depression, I deeply and completely accept myself." (5.) Initially, at least, some form of psychotherapy or counselling; later, perhaps either Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy, (a free E course in it, which may well reduce the time needed in therapy, as should *, & ** is at: http://ecouch.anu.edu.au/welcome ) or Rational Emotive Behavio(u)ral Therapy for, say, 6 months. (6.) Maintain a mood chart, and daily activities schedule**. (7.) As options, if desired, either a known, effective herbal remedy, such as St. John’s wort, (get a German variety, if possible; local ones may vary in effectiveness. Jarsin, Perika, and Kira brands have been recommended as being effective.
If I understand the question correctly….you are already taking Effexor and Synthroid? That being said, they both have many side effects. If you take Synthroid too late in the day(should be taken an hour before you eat breakfast), it can cause some insomnia. As far as Effexor, it too has insomnia listed as a possible side effect.
Your best bet is to talk to your doctor/s, and decide what to do….
Please do NOT add another medication even over the counter, to help you sleep until you have talked with your doctor/s.
Side effects of Effexor may include: Abnormal ejaculation/orgasm, anxiety, blurred vision, constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, impotence, ****insomnia**** etc. DRUGS.COM Most doctors are only taught: "antidepressants, therapy, and if resistant, ECT". I suggest that you check out http://www.drugs.com & http://www.rxlist.com and wean off, in accordance with http://www.theroadback.org/workbook.htm and begin the core treatments below immediately, and the herbal remedies, or OTHER supplements, like SAM-e, 5HTP, or L-phenylalanine, when below 50% weaning dosage. St. John’s wort helps most people; tolerance doesn’t develop, and the few side effects don’t occur often, and even then are normally not severe (neither antidepressants, nor the wort, nor supplements should be relied on as a sole treatment). It doesn’t cause sleeping problems, or weight change, but usually takes at least 2, and generally 4 - 6 weeks to become effective, but can sometimes work quicker than antidepressants. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10759336?dopt=Abstract A recent, independent German double blind study showed it to be as effective as a commonly prescribed antidepressant, in cases of major depression, with far fewer side effects, and those were generally better tolerated, with a lower rate of discontinuation.
Unlike antidepressants, where sexual dysfunction is a common side effect, it happens much more rarely with St. John’s Wort (I didn’t experience any). A multidimensional approach to treating depression without medication follows. All except for no. (7.) are safe to use with medication, but not SJW, because of interactions, and it’s sensible to check out anything else first, like Ginkgo Biloba, Gotu Kola, or supplements, such as SAMe, 5HTP, or L-phenylalanine, with your doctor. (1.) Take at least 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily: (certified free of mercury) it is best if consumed with an antioxidant, such as an orange, or its FRESHLY SQUEEZED juice. If vitamin E is added, it should be certified as being 100% from natural sources, or it may be synthetic: avoid it! In the winter months, if not getting sufficient daily exposure to strong light, see http://www.mercola.com SEARCHBAR: enter: "vitamin D3". Go to a doctor and ask for a 25(OH)D, also called 25-hydroxyvitamin D, blood test. When you get the results, don’t follow the typical “normal” reference range, as these are too low. The OPTIMAL value that you’re looking for is 45-52 ng/ml (115-128 nmol/l)". The company which tests your levels has to be one of those using the correct form of test, and this topic is addressed via the searchbar at Mercola.com - "vitamin D3; testing". Also take a vitamin B complex which is certified as being 100% of natural origin; the deficiency in vitamin B9 (folate, or folic acid) that most depressed people have, is known to cause depression. Around 30% - 40% of depressed people have low vitamin B12 levels.
(2.) Work up slowly to at least 20 minutes of daily exercise, or 30 - 60 mns, 5 times weekly in daytime, outside. Too much exercise can cause stress, which isn’t wanted when dealing with depression. (3.) Occupational therapy (keeping busy allows little time for unproductive introspection, and keeps mental activity out of less desirable areas of the brain). (4.) Practice a relaxation method, daily, and when needed, such as: (free) http://www.drcoxconsulting.com/managing-stress.html or http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/mindbody/a/Meditation.htm or http://www.wikihow.com/Meditate or Tai Chi, Qi Gong, or yoga. Give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. It is free at http://www.emofree.com Professional is best. - There is a version for use in public places, (if you want to, you can claim to have a headache, as you use the acupressuremassage/tapping on your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising (repeating it to yourself in your mind) "Even though I suffer from depression, I deeply and completely accept myself." (5.) Initially, at least, some form of psychotherapy or counselling; later, perhaps either Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy, (a free E course in it, which may well reduce the time needed in therapy, as should *, & ** is at: http://ecouch.anu.edu.au/welcome ) or Rational Emotive Behavio(u)ral Therapy for, say, 6 months. (6.) Maintain a mood chart, and daily activities schedule**. (7.) As options, if desired, either a known, effective herbal remedy, such as St. John’s wort, (get a German variety, if possible; local ones may vary in effectiveness. Jarsin, Perika, and Kira brands have been recommended as being effective.
September 1st, 2009 at 2:14 pmYou need to try natural methods before turning to drugs. Relaxation techniques, melatonin and other herbs.
you certainly don’t want to start with medications tomake yourself sleep!!
September 1st, 2009 at 2:14 pmi had severe insomnia in the first week or two of taking effexor. like, i only got 30 minutes of sleep in 3 days.
i don’t think synthroid would cause insomnia.
September 1st, 2009 at 2:14 pmIf I understand the question correctly….you are already taking Effexor and Synthroid? That being said, they both have many side effects. If you take Synthroid too late in the day(should be taken an hour before you eat breakfast), it can cause some insomnia. As far as Effexor, it too has insomnia listed as a possible side effect.
Your best bet is to talk to your doctor/s, and decide what to do….
Please do NOT add another medication even over the counter, to help you sleep until you have talked with your doctor/s.
Good Luck
Momma P
May Angles Walk Beside You
September 1st, 2009 at 2:14 pmBenedryl is best for sleeping
September 1st, 2009 at 2:14 pmIf you can’t sleep, try http://insomnia-sleeplessness.blogspot.com/
September 1st, 2009 at 2:14 pmIt will help you a lot, and for free.