What causes fatigue and drowsiness despite treatment?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have had trouble waking up and often feel that my sleep is inadequate. I wake up with headaches and confusion. I go to bed around 9 to 10 PM and wake up at 8:30 AM. Still, I feel like my sleep is not sufficient. I have been told that I talk during sleep every night and also experience sleep paralysis. I am under treatment for depression and take tablets Rexipra 15 mg and Arpizol 5 mg. Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. I suggest the following:

1) Get screened for obstructive sleep apnea if you have snoring, are obese, and feel sleepy.

2) Ask your doctor if you can reduce the dose of tablet Arpizol (Aripiprazole) to 2 mg. It could cause sleepiness, headache, and confusion.

3) Change the timing of taking medicines. For example, if you take them at night, start taking them in the morning or afternoon as it is known to help with sleep talking and sleep paralysis.

4) If these things did not help, ask your doctor if you can get some activating antidepressants like Desvenlafaxine or Sertraline instead of tablet Rexipra (Escitalopram).

Thank you.