I Can't Sleep!! - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

bananarama · 09-18-2007, 09:37 AM

Hi! I was diagnosed with Bipolar Type II last month, and was put on an antidepressant (Effexor 37.5 mg), without a mood stabilizer. I am in a much better mood, btu I am unable to sleep. I haven't slept in a week, and am really sick of it. I am still able to function normally (although I yawn quite a bit), but have enough energy to make it through the day. It is kind of scary, and I hate that at night I can't sleep. I try so hard. And no naps either. I am worknig 8 hour days, and still nothing. The psychiatrist from Mayo Clinic prescribed Neurontin, but I can't afford it right now, so I don't know what to do. He said that I could go back up there and get samples, so I am, but that is next week. Right now I am going crazy. I don't know if this is a hypomanic phase, or if I am depressed, all I know is I am not sleeping! It totally stinks. Any suggestions? I can't get with a local psychiatrist until October 18th, which is a whole month away! Not sure about what to do.

ThatDamnCat · 09-18-2007, 09:46 AM

Have you tried all the usual calming and relaxing things.

No caffiene after 6
Baths
No tele in bedroom
Calming music
Reading for half an hour or so before bed
No exercise before sleeping.

Also try having a set time to go to bed and get up. Like going to bed at half past 10 every night, regardless and getting up at 7.

tsohl · 09-18-2007, 10:01 AM

I am giving you my totally uninformed opinion...but you'll notice, that isn't stopping me!! I think effexor is a really terrible medication and from everything I've read, it is not good for anyone who has BP. It does have a tendency to make people manic. Without any mood stabilizer in place, I would really personally think you can blame everything going on in your life that you don't like on Effexor. I'm partially kidding, but I really do not like Effexor.

I remember when you first posted. I was really curious why the docs had given you these two meds. They are very strange choices and I really can't imagine why, from all the meds in existence, these two would be selected for you!

Effexor is often a last resort for seriously depressed patients who are not helped by other antidepressants. It is very difficult to get off of when you don't want to take it any longer and/or don't need it.

On the other hand, 37.5 mgs is a really small dosage...usually what you start on when titrating up to higher dosages, so I wouldn't think you'd be noticing so many changes just from this amount.

I'm not helping you much, but I would definitely ask your doctor why effexor and not another, more suitable medication. Something like Lamictal works well for those on the depressive side, is a mood stabilizer and is weight-neutral in most people.

Neurontin is an interesting choice, too. It is an anti-epilepsy drug that is used for a variety of things like migraine, neurology, nerve pain, etc. and occasionally, mood disorders.

If I were you I would do alot of reading on the various meds that are used to treat BP and then I would go talk with the pdoc and ask him why these meds.

I believe the Effexor is giving you more energy and making you more on the manic side.

tsohl · 09-18-2007, 10:11 AM

Also, you can get some over-the-counter melatonin. That might help.

fineanddandy · 09-18-2007, 10:19 AM

To me, it sounds like you have "flipped" to a hypomanic state. The insomnia coupled with having enough energy to get through the day equals a reduced need for sleep. That with feeling better always means hypomania for me.