Insomnia on CellCept? Sleeping pills that helped?HELP

[NewEngland3]

I have been on cellcept for around 1 month, I started it for lupus nephritis. I noticed sleep issues as I was titrating up from 500mg, I am now on 1gram BID and have HORRIBLE insomnia--not falling asleep at all , just laying in bed exhausted with closed eyes. This obviously is making my musculoskeletal symptoms worse and not better. I am also revved up during the day and have anxiety(it is not psychological or shall I say my baseline anxiety increased 4-5x since taking cellcept) I also take plaquenil, synthroid and enalapril(for the nephritis). I started doxepin 10mg HS with my PCP but it really isn't helping. Has anyone dealt with this? What sleeping pill at what dose helped? I wish I could stop cellcept but because of my kidneys I cant--I have to see if it will help treat my protein in urine. I also do not feel it helping at all my arthritis nor sun sensitivity-obviously not getting a good nights sleep worsens all of my swelling and so on. Someone have ideas? reaaaly fruuuustrated....

[Freckle1000]

When I was on higher doses of cellcept for a renal flare - I found the stuff revved me up too. (along with higher doses of prednisolone) - On the very same day I was first prescribed these high dose drugs I was offered - quite a lot Valium - (I only took a fraction of the offered amount because I didn't want to end up addicted to so much only to have to withdraw from it later) But with what I had - I could manage the side effects and sleep. I know it sounds antiquated drug to use - but this form of sedative is what I needed just to sleep and get through it. I cant speak to how effective the newer psychotropic drugs would go along with all these medications - as I don't get on with anti - depressants etc....

When I spoke about cellcept revving me up - I didn't get much of a reaction from Doctors - but I spoke to someone else here who had the same side effect.

When my current nephrologist looked at how I take my medications now (lower doses of cellcept and pred with candersartan - (BP med to ease pressure off renal capillaries) and small dose Xanax - she sort of grinned and said - you're mixing you're uppers with you're downers......but didn't elaborate or mess with my routine. (Candesartan and Xanax being the downers). I also use Panadol oesto to help with sleep. I end up taking about four at night. Two to get to sleep - and two more when I habitually wake up three quarters of the way through sleep - This is also when I take the Xanax and BP meds.

Doctors don't particularly like patients taking benzodiazapines - as long term use isn't great for the brain - and pretty soon I believe they expect me to go off it all together - but if you're in this revved up state because of medications - then they should be offering you "something' to counterbalance this - as rest is so important.

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