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Could Stress Cause Insomnia Which Has Been Persistent Despite Taking Medication?

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Posted on Tue, 13 Jun 2023
Question: I have had insomnia for years, but the last couple of months there are some side effects that friends are noticing. I am on 20mg of Lexapro, daily, and for sleep I've taken 1 mg of clonosopam, so I've added ZZZquil with the clonozopam. The ZZZquil I take each night is anywhere from a half a bottle to the full 12 oz bottle. Yesterday I picked up a prescription for seraquel. My symptoms include a head tic, raising of the eyebrows, not looking like myself, constipation, and challenging to focus, and chronic head and neck pain. I've had a EKG (normal) lab work that revealed I'm anemic, and a cat scan which came out fine. Before taking seraquel, I took trazadone @ a 50 mg dose. I've taken trazadone in the past starting @ 200 mg and ending with 400 mg and last year, and the large dose of 400 mg did not help. There have been plenty of triggers from a narcissistic ex husband, and recently I'm no longer working at my new job this year. I have been to 2 sleep clinics, UCSF and Salt Lake city. They both concluded that my insomnia was due to stress and found nothing wrong with me physically.
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Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (52 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

You are describing insomnia due to stress that has not responded well to Seroquel due to side effects. You have also tried Trazodone.

I would recommend trying two different medications that are often useful. First is Melatonin, used at doses 2 hours before sleep. The second would be Mirtazapine, 30 minutes before sleep every night for several weeks. Either of these options may help with this problem.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe
Psychiatrist
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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Could Stress Cause Insomnia Which Has Been Persistent Despite Taking Medication?

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Hello, You are describing insomnia due to stress that has not responded well to Seroquel due to side effects. You have also tried Trazodone. I would recommend trying two different medications that are often useful. First is Melatonin, used at doses 2 hours before sleep. The second would be Mirtazapine, 30 minutes before sleep every night for several weeks. Either of these options may help with this problem. Hope I have answered your query. Regards, Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe Psychiatrist