need sleep... - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

weasel · 02-02-2004, 05:52 PM

ive started having sleep issues again, accompainied by more nightmares. so it takes me a while to get to sleep, i dont stay asleep, and the time that i do sleep i dream so much i get no rest, and they are mostly very very very bad dreams.....do any of you have this problem? what has worked for you guys for sleep? im going to call my pdoc, but if you guys know of anything that i can ask her about that would help. i cant take trazadone, remeron, or zyprexa. im on trileptol now, which used to work awesome, but doesnt anymore.........

Jenndyer · 02-03-2004, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weasel

ive started having sleep issues again, accompainied by more nightmares. so it takes me a while to get to sleep, i dont stay asleep, and the time that i do sleep i dream so much i get no rest, and they are mostly very very very bad dreams.....do any of you have this problem? what has worked for you guys for sleep? im going to call my pdoc, but if you guys know of anything that i can ask her about that would help. i cant take trazadone, remeron, or zyprexa. im on trileptol now, which used to work awesome, but doesnt anymore.........

I have used Ambien and Ellivil in the past and both have worked exceptionaly well. Ellivil, to the best of my knowledge, is the safest and best approach. It is a safe non-habit forming sleep aide. If I remember correctly the Ambien, on the other hand, could be habit forming. I think it may even be clasified as a narcotic.

Some doctors are sensitive and reluctant to use those kinds of sleep aides. But it is something to talk with your doc about. I hope this is helpfull to you.

Grantophus · 02-03-2004, 05:55 PM

I currently use Ambien, although more to help me keep a steady sleep schedule when I'm wired. I only take it if I know that I'm not going to be tired at all. I don't think it's classified as a narcotic, as I'm allowed refills. That sucks about Trileptol - I've heard good things about it.

I used to have the sleepless nightmare thing also, but only when I wasn't being good about my medication or when I was really down. I may get back to you on the whole sleep aid thing... One of my best friends is bipolar and used to have really bad sleep problems just like you're describing. He also has a lot of problems with what medication he can take. In fact, I'll send him an email right now so that I don't forget.

pillbug · 02-03-2004, 09:55 PM

I have had horrible night mares with no sleep in the past. I took Zyprexa at first untill the sleeplessness and nightmares came back. I now take Seroquel works great for nightmares and has shown to be a great antipsychotic too. I am currently manic so no sleep for 5 days called the doc friday for new sleeping pills he gave me dalmane and I am actually sleeping. Good Luck! Be careful with the night mares though I would sometimes end up acting out what I was dreaming in my sleep- not only hazardous to my health but to others!