insomnia and anxiety

[josbel]

I was diagnosed with BP approx a month ago.  I am on Invega 6mg twice daily.  The mood swings have gotten a lot better but my anxiety and insomnia have not. I am 29wks pregnant and I know the medications I can safely use are limited. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions of what I should do. I am tired of this anxiety!!!

[maxbipolar]

for anxiety and sleep check and see it atarax/hydroxyzine is safe to take while pregnant. it is an anti-histamine that is used for anxiety and as a sleep aid. hope i could help

[DLA]

Congratulations on your wonderful little miracle!!!!  =^)

I'm with Crystlas on the pregnancy and mood swings.  Hormones are so high during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, that I don't know how a dr could dx you bp during pregnancy.  

I would also stop the meds, BUT not knowing about the withdrawl affects I would make sure and talk to the dr or pharmacist about how to go off of them so you don't cause you or the baby harm.  Definately get a second opinion.  It's not worth taking a chance on.

I'm a rapid cycling bp and I got so much better after the first trimester.  It was terrific!

Benadryl is safe to take and should help you sleep.  And if you start having too much anxiety it should help you calm down.  Get a list of meds from your ob that are safe while you're pregnant if you don't have one.  Then stick to those meds.  I took Benadryl the entire pregnancy b/c the extra blood flow kept me so terribly stopped up.  My son is 8 and perfectly healthy!

[Crystlas]

I am just curious as to why your doctor put you on a medication used for schizophrenia?  I did some cross referencing and discovered that it has the same active ingredient as Risperdal.  Also, I researched if it is safe during pregnancy and came to find that it increases the risk of having a still born baby.  I will post the links:  http://****.emedtv.com/  
http://www.****.com/

This drug is secondary for use in bipolar disorder.  That is why I had to go read about it, because I am a researcher and I know all of the bipolar meds available.  Why in the world would your doctor put you on a medication that is unsafe during pregnancy and will pass through the breast milk, if you have a successful pregnancy.  I would advise seeing your doctor ASAP and getting off of this medication.  Here are some links about bipolar and pregnancy:
http://www.****.com/
http://www.****.com/

The second article shows a breakdown of each medications effects on the fetus.  I heard that seoquel was the only medication you could use, but when a read that it to causes miscarriages.  I have decided to adopt myself,  w/o meds I am a mess.  How come you got diagnosed during pregnancy and not before?  It is normal for pregnant women w/o a mental illness to have mood swings and feel off kilter when they are pregnant.  Did you have problems before your pregnancy?  I am shocked that your doctor put you on a schizophrenia med that potentially harms the unborn child.  Ok, anxiety and insomnia, been there, done that...still dealing with it.  I am better, but I still have those lovely nights of crazy anxiety and no sleep which ='s mania for me.  Anyhow,  I use a lot of natural suppliments versus prescriptions which tend to be addictive.  I cross referenced all the stuff I use to help me sleep along with other natural herb supplements.  I found nothing that is 100% safe.  It is best if you ask your doctor or check sites that discuss pregnancy issues and sleep/anxiety.  I hope some of this info helps.  Take care.