My boyfriend has bipolar disorder. Before beginning treatment with lithium, he would sleep a very long time (twelve hours, sometimes more) and be very groggy when waking. I thought that this was due to depression. His bipoloar has been very well-controlled for a while now (6 months or so), but he still sleeps excessively and is groggy when waking. Any ideas what's going on here? It's a struggle for him to get up for work every morning. Thanks!

This is definitely a big problem! I have gone through similar periods as well. It is important for your boyfriend to mention this to his pdoc. There are meds that can help with this. Or maybe a different med altogether would be a good option. It's good that his moods are more stable, but what good does that do if he is sleeping half the day away? Ya know? That's how I feel when I sleep that much and feel groggy still! It kinda makes me upset!

I used to be on Lithium and it did nothing (or if it did I was sound asleep, too!) So they changed me to Depakote about 2 1/2 yrs ago and I have been a lot better. Maybe that is something he should ask his doc? Good luck!
:)