Insomnia, Levothyroxine + Antidepressants?

[Joiesmom]

I've been hypo/hashis for 25 years. Insomnia has always been a problem since but with menopause is has become unbearable . I'm on HRT, my labs were good (when last checked). I'm taking all the suggestion vitamins. I just started taking my Levo at 3p.m. (too soon to know if that's helping).

I've used OTC sleep aides, antihistamines, and Xanax (which was very difficult to discontinue). With only 4 hours sleep at night, my memory is terrible , brain fog, fatigue, muscle pain and weakness, depression and now internal tremors. I have no energy or desire to do anything.

I've taken amitriptyline in the past and it helped (can't remember why I stopped).

My question is this: are any of you taking an antidepressant medication for sleep? If so, which one and what has been your experience/side effects?

[sparkly]

Does utrogestan not work for you? I never use to sleep till 2/3am until I started utrogestan. I took it for a couple of year as I got in bed and never slept till 2 and would be so groggy in the morning. Wasn't until I took it early one day, then by 10 pm I couldn't keep my eyes open and had to go bed and fell asleep straightaway. I now take about 7pm and usually by 10.30 I'm asleep if I don't fight it. It doesn't work for everyone but the majority it dose. The sedative effect is a very welcomed side effect.

[FallingInReverse in reply to sparkly]

This is my next move!

[Joiesmom in reply to sparkly]

Yes, I take 200 mg Progesterone (US)

[sparkly in reply to Joiesmom]

Are you taking the brand utrogestan? Is it available in the US?

[helvella Administrator in reply to sparkly]

You can see most USA medicines on this site (some are a bit slow in appearing) - I have put in "progesterone":

dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailym...

No idea how you can identify a micronised form!

[sparkly in reply to helvella]

Thanks for finding that. Yes, only micronised progesterone can cause sedative effect that's why it's so popular with us ladies 😴

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

I just started taking my Levo at 3p.m. (too soon to know if that's helping).

Did you mean 3am?

Get full thyroid and vitamin testing 6-8 weeks after changing how you take your Levo

Which brand is it

Do you always get same brand

What were most recent vitamin results

What vitamin supplements are you taking

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 if last test result serum B12 was below 500 or active B12 (private test) under 70

[seastreak]

Hi sorry to hear your sleep issues.....I have always had sleep problems and yes I was on low dose amitriptyline and Cymbalta also.The amitriptyline did help and for some reason I stopped a while ago.

Lately I have used anixcalm only when it's bad as it's addictive if you take it every day

But I also used Phenergan which helps.

Anyway hope this helps.

Good luck

Seastresk.

[Joiesmom in reply to seastreak]

Thank you for the info.

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Welcome aboard,

Do you have any recent full thyroid blood results along with vits and mins to share?

Have you ever tested your cortisol levels? The internal tremor could suggest adrenals?

[Joiesmom]

Yes, but I'm asking for testimonials of those taking an antidepressant .

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Joiesmom]

We are a thyroid forum so our aim is to advise on optimizing thyroid hormone levels along with vits and mins also looking into sex hormones and adrenal function in a hope of finding the root cause, less than optimal thyroid hormones can lead to depression, anxiety, poor sleep/ digestion etc... so knowing where you are with these helps us to really understand and offer some advice