As more people begin taking their mental health seriously and seek solutions for depression and anxiety, Cymbalta is becoming a more and more common prescription.
Cymbalta is commonly used to treat depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. Many people, including you, may rely on this medication to enjoy life more fully. However, while Cymbalta has many positive and much-needed benefits, it may also cause you to experience both fatigue and insomnia—two detrimental side effects.
Here at Pillow Cube, we know that good sleep is an absolute must, and the quality of the rest you get each night affects every other aspect of your life in tremendous ways. While Cymbalta is necessary for your health, so is restful sleep, so we’ve assembled 11 tips to help you sleep while taking Cymbalta.
1. Gradually Increase Your Dosage of Cymbalta
When you first start taking Cymbalta, as with any medication, it can sometimes be a shock to your system. Your provider should know how to help you ease into it in a way that is healthy for your body and brain. If you’ve had trouble with sleep before, make sure and let your doctor know so that they can be aware of preexisting conditions and ensure that your dosage, especially at the beginning as you are getting used to it, is at a healthy level so that you can experience relief from anxiety and depression while also getting decent sleep.
2. Ensure Proper Spinal and Neck Alignment While You Sleep
Your comfort levels while sleeping are one of the most important factors in getting a good night’s rest. Here at Pillow Cube, we’ve created the perfect pillow for side sleepers—the Side Cube Square Side Sleeper Pillow. This is the best pillow out there for side sleepers, as it ensures that your spine and neck are in proper alignment so that you don’t experience neck or back pain the next day!
3. Learn to Recognize Your Specific Sleep Problems
While around 10% of people who take Cymbalta experience insomnia, it can manifest in many different forms. Some people have a hard time falling asleep, and some have a difficult time staying asleep or wake up much earlier than they want to and then can’t fall back to sleep. Others are able to sleep through the night but still feel exhausted when they should feel rested and recharged with energy.
If you are experiencing one or more of these sleep problems, then there are things you can do to solve them and get better sleep—but first, it is important to identify your specific sleep problem. Solutions are best found when the exact issue is understood.
4. How to Sleep while Taking Cymbalta: Cool Down or Warm Up
Depending on your individual body’s internal temperature and personal preference, you may want to try cooling down or warming up before going to bed and while you sleep. Most people prefer sleeping in cooler temperatures, which is why we created our Cooling Side Sleeper Ice Cube Pillow. This specially designed side sleeping pillow is created with frozen fibers so that you will stay cool all night. To further help you stay cool while sleeping, try out our ZipFit Cooling Mattress Protector.
4. Reduce Cymbalta Dosage if Necessary
Some people are more sensitive to Cymbalta than others and experience more sleep issues than other people who are prescribed the same dosage of Cymbalta. The difficulty with reducing the dosage of Cymbalta is that most people need a certain amount in order to experience that relief from symptoms of depression and anxiety which is why they take Cymbalta in the first place—however, the higher the dosage is to aid in reducing symptoms, the higher your chance of experiencing insomnia.
If this is your issue, reach out to your doctor and see if there are any other medications you can take to treat your depression, anxiety, or chronic pain that do not have the same effects on your sleep.
6. Create and Follow a Nightly Routine
Following a bedtime routine every night before going to sleep is an easy way to tell your brain that you are going to sleep soon so that it can start winding down. Dimming lights, shutting off noise, journaling, and drinking some nighttime tea can all be helpful elements of an effective nighttime routine. Just like cooling down is important after an intense workout, letting your mind wind down after a busy day is necessary so that you can get a good night’s rest.
7. Avoid Caffeine, Screens, and Exercise Before Going to Bed
While this may sound like a general sleep tip, avoiding stimulating contents such as caffeine and sugar, as well as avoiding screens with blue light and rigorous exercise close to the time you are going to sleep, are some of the best pieces of advice out there for getting better sleep.
Caffeine, if necessary, should only be taken in the morning and should not be taken in the afternoon if you want to get good rest during the night. Keep in mind that Cymbalta, in addition to making sleep more difficult during the night, can also cause you to feel fatigued.
Taking limited amounts of caffeine in the morning may help ward off feelings of tiredness. However, relying solely on caffeine for energy isn’t good; if fatigue continues to be a major issue, look for other more natural solutions.
Avoid screens with blue light and exercise before bed to improve sleep. If you need to look at a screen, make sure to use blue light glasses, and if you like incorporating movement into your nightly routine, then complete your workout at least one hour before bed.
8. Try Taking Melatonin or Sleep supplement If Sleeplessness Persists
Melatonin is well-known as a safe sleep aid for nights when nothing else seems to work. Just be careful to follow the instructions and not overdose—if you are taking the maximum recommended amount of Melatonin and are still having sleep problems, it is probably time to see a doctor so that they can evaluate your sleep issues and, if necessary, prescribe you with something stronger than melatonin so that you can sleep through the night.
While there are some other sleep aids that some people find useful, melatonin is the only one that we can recommend, as it is known to be safe to take while also taking Cymbalta. If you have questions about other sleep aids, please consult with a doctor or other medical professional.
If you are looking for a natural alternative, try our Sleep Cubezzz, timed release supplement that uses a proprietary rest blend of natural ingredients to activate your body's sleep cycles throughout the night. Our formulated combination of l-theanine, GABA, and magnesium help you destress and relax to prime your body for efficient sleep.
9. Always Take Your Medication at the Same Time
Just as routines are important for winding down each night, routines are also very helpful when it comes to helping your body get used to new medication. Creating a schedule that your body and mind can rely on when you take Cymbalta will help your body use the medication more effectively and limit any negative effects it might inflict.
10. Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation
Mindfulness techniques, such as light yoga, concentrating on breathing, and meditation, can help promote relaxation as you are falling asleep. Many people try to incorporate mindfulness exercises in their nightly routine, but even if you don’t have a lot of extra time before going to bed, you can still practice mindfulness as you are lying down trying to go to sleep. Focus on your breath, counting the seconds it takes you to breathe in and out, or visualize a relaxing scene as you close your eyes in the dark.
11. If Problems Persist, Speak With a Medical Professional
While there are many things you can do to improve the quality and duration of your sleep while taking Cymbalta, sometimes sleep problems can persist. Lack of sleep can worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression (the very things Cymbalta is meant to help relieve), so if you continue to have problems getting enough quality rest, make sure to see a doctor and seek professional medical help!