Um.. Hi? I should be sleeping...

[lyca30n1a]

I can't sleep. I don't really want to sleep. I have tried yoga, those weird sound cds, changing the temperature in my bedroom, deep breathing, and pills, I'm just curious to see what other things people try to help them sleep when they are in a severe manic state. I don't have a therapist or any perscription drugs for sleeping. I don't have medical insurance, and I don't qualify for any medical assistance. I am in some serious trouble if I don't sleep soon, I have a two year old daughter that I take care of during the day. I've been up for 2 days now, soon to be 3 days.

[LeftCoastChick]

There are a ton of meds out there that can help you, the drugs you mentioned made me worse.Ecept Lithium, they are all for Depression, not so much for BP, though used as a 3rd line drug.  Lamactil, Seroquel(mania), Topomax, geez a ton - I will send you a link. The meds you have will sedate you, though, you might need enough to take down a horse. If it's okay I'll see if I can find a link and send you a private message, which you can research some meds, and take in the info to your doc.

I'm moving over to long term disability, and my pay has gone down to 60%, if I had to pay full coverage I wouldn't have enough to eat seriously. I'm on something here called Plan G in BC, most psych meds are covered, Lamactil isn't, but paying 10/mo isn't bad compared to 200/mo I was paying in psych meds alone (and I'm in Canada, not much cheaper) I'm  jumping through hoops right now to get my GERD med covered and that is 100/mo sheesh.  ILADVOCATE has some awesome info. RJ was very correct as well, Seroquel is my saving grace!

Don't give up. I know you are in a tough situation, it will get better, I can guarantee you that it will. Follow through with the link Advocate sent you and be aggressive with getting help, I found it was the only way to get the help.

Keep in touch,
LCC

[lyca30n1a]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I went to the doctor today and they perscribed me Valium and Ativan. I do not take any medication for my Bipolar disorder because I have tried Lithium, Zyprexa, Prozac, Paxal, Wellbutrin and a few others. On some of them I had severe psychosis and on others I was practically catatonic. I usually goto therapy, however I recently lost my job, so we had to get rid of our medical insurance. We can't afford food and our other bills on just my Husband's pay, yet the state of Minnesota and the county I live in think that we make too much money for any form of assistance. Life is peachy. I slept for most of the day, and now I am up. Its 11:30 pm. Awesome. Thanks again for your advice.

[RJ233]

Call the Crisis Center number in your phone book. The evening of the 3rd day I stayed awake like that, I went delusional. They understand. The City or County can help you. Tell them you are bp and have no insurance and no medications, and you are scared you are going to lose reality. You have a small child to take care of. From their point of view you could endanger your self and or child. They'll help. No sleep like that can cause you real problems, not just mentally, but physically as well. Your body repairs itself while you sleep. The stress it places on your internal organs not resting takes it's toll.  Some years later I had problems sleeping short periods of time, but not nearly enough and it went on for months.My dr gave me Ambien, but it did not help, so he gave me Seroquel. It is a bp med and it helps me sleep. You do need to get help asap before something happens to you. If you get a few hours a day, it just takes a little longer to affect you but straight days affect you a lot faster. Hope this helps you. The Crisis Center can provide help that trying to qualify by paperwork can't.

[ILADVOCATE]

If you can't afford medical care there are probably insurance options you didn't think about. If you are not working you could apply for Medicaid. If you are the Medicaid Buy In for Working People with Disabilities is an option. Your local independent living center could help you with benefits options. There's one in every county of every state. Here's a list:
http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/index.html
  I would speak to a psychiatrist about getting medications adjusted in general. If you still have a sleeping problem, after that, Lunesta and Rozerem are good options. Rozerem works in the same exact manner as melatonin and actually adjusts the sleep cycle and is non addictive. Those are two worth inquiring about, Rozerem especially. But sometimes untreated bipolar or depression causes insomnia on its own so have that issue addressed first.

[Bear13]

Are you currently on any medication?  Manic states are dangerous (as well all know too well).... obviously sleep is usually the first thing to go because we don't feel like we need it... but you're taking care of a child... you need to be rested, alert and focused.  I would give the OTC medications a shot to see if you can get some rest, but look around and see if you can tap into some of the resources available in your area for situations like these... also, if you are bipolar then you really need to get onto some sort of drug therapy.  good luck....

[LeftCoastChick]

Some OTC's work for a short period of time, but some can worsen mania.  What about free clinics, I know in the US they do have them. I'm on a med called trazadone, cheap drug, and non addictive. I sleep hard for 8 hours every night when I'm feeling well *physically*. I would research to find out where the closest one is. I'm hoping that health care is first priority on his list, I'm shocked people can't afford to see doctors.

[pdr7686]

have you tried any of the OTC medicines?