Hypothroidism/ Bi-polar/ SAD

[ladybug211]

I have been on Ativan for about 12 years when I started working nights as a LVN.   Diagnois of SAD is most recent.  By using a light therapy lamp and taking thyroxine, prozac, and Lamictal.  Is there any hope to get off the Ativan taken only at bedtime.

[doctora]

Hi
Keep in mind that SAD is totally seperate from Bi Polar, so you may want to discuss with your doctor about medicating them as seperate identities, if you are not already.
They have found no connection between SAD and Bi Polar, so if your problem is sleep you could try Clonazapam or Diazapam, usually start with 5mg, this will help you sleep, this is what I am taking right now, but a higher dosage, and if I find that it lasts only a few hours, it is safe to take another pill, plus you dont have that drowsy feeling in the morning.  I also suffer from SAD but I am also currently on anti-depressants, so it helps with the blues from the change of seasons.

[bbq33]

I live in Alaska where SADs is a big problem  when it switches from 20 hours of daylight to 20 hours of darkness between Summer and Winter I get it bad. SAD lights work a little for me but not enough to use it regulary. I just hybernate in bed in the winter and wear myself out in the Summer. I am retired though and can afford to hybernight. Lamical is a good mood stablizer but watch out for life threating rashes. Good Luck.

[ILADVOCATE]

Ativan is a short acting benzodiazepene (class of anti-anxiety medication) that I believe to work must be taken twice a day. If you want to taper off it speak to your psychiatrist and follow their schedule as discontinuing it or making any changes on your own can be dangerous.