Sleep

I was diagnosed with bipolar a month ago. The pdoc has been working with the dosage of Lamictal. I went up to 150 mg but had severe swelling. He put me on 50 mg on Tuesday. I have not slept well in weeks. I have had an especially hard time since I dropped down, getting only about three hours a night. I can't function on that little sleep. The doc gave me 25 mg of seroquel. I used it last night and slept much better. Is sleep always going to be a problem with bipolar meds?

[denicalis]

Hi, I want to comment on this since I have been on a slew of meds for my bipolar for years and eventually just had to make my own choice. First off, there is no great science out there that is going to magically make you feel all better. Seroquel is one of those drugs that when you take it, expect to pass out within 1 hour. There is no option on that drug but to pass out. I am on lamictal and have been for 4 years and have had no side effect from it but everyone is different. 25mg of Seroquel is an EXTREMELY low dose. Yes, sleep will be a problem with almost all bipolar medicine. Really, any mood stabilizing drug will have this side effect. I have also taken Risperidal, Abilify, Tegredal, Some others I cannot think of the name of at the moment.

Anyways, you are newly diagnosed. Secondly, be patient. Some side effects get less. Some go away. You need to give meds at least a few weeks to see what is going on. The only exception for that is a massive weight gain or a life threatening reaction. I have found my own choice after 4 years but would not like to discuss it on the forum and would not like to give you my plan because it is only for me. Drugs work differently for everyone. Anyways, there are ways to avoid the sleepiness with the drugs if it begins to interfere with your life. If you would like to talk about this more add me as a friend.

[HoneyNut]

I believe even without the medication involved, being Bipolar means having some sort of sleep disorder... sleeping too much or too little, having high or low energy, etc.  I could be a little bias, because I have been diagnosed with insomnia and take a sleeping pill for it; however, being Bipolar means we have ups and downs.  With our ups and downs comes highs and lows in energy and sleep.  My Psychiatrist did prescribe me Seroquel, but it was also to help treat my bipolar. He started me out on 100 mg, and it literally knocked me out.  When I did wake up, my body felt like dead weight.  NOTE: EVERY ONE will have a different reaction to medication.  That was mine.  END NOTE.  I also know that Geodon is suppose to help make you feel a little drowsy; however, it also didn't work out, which is why I take an actual sleep aide.

Denicalis does bring up a good point.  Some times side effects will disappear, and it really depends on the dosage you are current taking.  Certain doses of medication have higher risks for particular side effects.  More than likely you will be tinkering around with different dosage levels, if you find a medication that works for you, but are trying to find less adverse side effects.

I am curious if your Psychiatrist weaned you back down to 50 mg from 150 mg.  With Lamictal you can't just jump from one level to another one.  You have to be weaned slowly on the med, and slowly off it.  So I am thinking if s/he did not, the restlessness might be a withdrawal symptom?  It's merely speculation though.

Keep working at it though.  My Psychiatrist swears that Lamictal is like the new miracle drug, so I hope all the best for you.

ʚ- HoᴖeyNᴗt