Bipolar and always tired!

05-18-2006, 11:51 AM

Does anyone else require a ton of sleep (ie 12-13 hours per night) and still feel tired and groggy during the day? I'm not sure if it's my meds, depression or something else? I'm taking Lithium 900mg, Topamax 150mg, Seroqel 200mg, & Lorazepam .5mg at night and Zoloft 200mg & Adderall 25mg in the morning. (I also have an ADHD diagnosis.) I've had this tired problem for 1 1/2 years and been on 24 different drugs during the 9 years I've treated for bipolar. If you can give me any advice I really apreciate it!!

05-18-2006, 11:17 PM

I too take meds, but even without them I sleep approx 10-12 hours a night and still feel groggy. Does your hours of sleep decrease when your manic? If not, I too sleep the same amount no matter what mood I am in.

I believe it's the depression for myself, but I have always needed more sleep than some people. Thirteen hours is quite a bit. It could possibly be your meds. Have you always required this much sleep?

05-19-2006, 01:24 AM

Both meds and depression can cause an increase of sleep.

When it comes to meds, your sleep patterns can change with what time you take your meds. Taking your meds in the morning, after noon, evening, etc. and taking them the opposite might help. As well, exercise can actually pump you up.

As for me, I'm a natural hypersomniac. 12-20 hours a day no problem. But when I'm manic, 2 hours tops.

SGH

05-19-2006, 06:56 AM

Thanks for the help! I definitely require substantially less sleep (5-6 hours) when I'm manic. I am coming out of a long depression, but was hoping to be in a stable state finally. I just can't shake this sleep problem and it is interfering with my ability to work well. My pdoc told me today to decrease the Lithium from 900mg to 600mg and see if that helps. Does anyone else have any other suggestions? I'm really frustrated here! Thanks!

05-19-2006, 07:26 AM

My doctor recently prescribed Topomax for sleep. I have also been prescribed seroquel for sleep. I (and I'm sorry if I offend) think your doctor was negligent in telling you to reduce your lithium. 900mg is low dose and I cannot see 600mg even being therapeutic. Do you know what you lithium levels are?

05-19-2006, 10:56 AM

My Lithium levels were in the normal range on 900mg, so I was also concerned about dropping the Lithium. I am also on Topamax 150mg and Seroqel 200mg. How much do you take? Did they make you too tired?

05-22-2006, 08:18 AM

I'm almost always groggy or tired, even if I take a nap, I'm still lacking energy and everything else.
The sad part is it really doesn't even depend on what time I go to sleep, or how much sleep I get.
Some night I can stay awake in bed for hours, and get up early and be fine up until the next night, and sometimes that can repeat for a few nights/ weeks.
And some day's I'm so groggy I can't even function.
It's so unfair.

05-22-2006, 09:50 AM

I know how you feel and I'm sorry. It really can be a very powerful disease!

05-22-2006, 10:12 AM

This illness can be so debilitaing at times. Frustrating. I too, totally understand as well. Nothing is worse than the days one doesn't want to get out of bed due to the lack of energy. Only, that is when a person realizes it is a new day and knows there is so much to live for. That is why I end up getting out of bed. That doesn't mean I'm a ball of fire because usually I am as slow as a turtle going in reverse.

Coffeegirl

Bipolar and always tired!

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