much better but still problems with meds and sleep - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

suzannecaroline · 02-04-2007, 05:38 PM

Im finally on a cocktail of meds that are seeimg to work well, im tolerating them pretty well compared to my previous trials with various meds. Im currently on zoloft, lamictal, and xanax. However, I still feel agitated at times, irritable etc. That is pretty much why I take xanax. I also still have bad insomnia. My mood is relatively good, so I do not want to stop any of the meds, but Im not thrilled in taking more than i am now. I take ambien cr if i cant get to sleep but i still wake up too early with it. I am going to my doctor soon and will bring this up, I am wondering if anyone can suggest a sleep aide besides ambien. Thanks

tsohl · 02-05-2007, 12:24 PM

I was just reading last night that too often the symptoms of BP are treated as just that -- a whole bunch of symptoms. If you can find the meds to get your BP under control, the other things will be taken care of us well. Sometimes when you give a specific med to treat one symptom, it can work against the meds for BP and actually make the symptom worse. Does that make any sense to you?

Due to the fact that you are still agitated and are having problems sleeping, it sounds like your BP meds are not quite to the therapeutic level. Rather than asking for something to help you sleep, I think you might look into getting another mood stabilizer to compliment the lamictal. My son is on 3 mood stabilizers but he was able to get rid of everything else. He is now stable, in good health, has no problems sleeping or waking, no irritability.

Just something you might want to discuss with your doctor....
Glad to hear you're feeling better.
Tsohl

frostedglass · 02-05-2007, 12:36 PM

I am attempting to reach therapuetic levels of meds ... but because of the lamictal, I can't just take 100mg a day to begin with. So, in the meantime, I am still taking 25-50mg of seroquel at night to help me fall asleep. You may want to discuss that option with your pdoc. Good luck !!

Llama · 02-05-2007, 02:41 PM

I agree with the other poster about the seroquel. That stuff will knock you out! It has been great for my sleep/irritability/restlessness issues. I don't feel as though I need it anymore though because I'm at a therapuetic dose of the lamictal now.