Posted by caile on December 13, 2002, at 7:49:52
In reply to Re: trileptal sleepiness? » caile, posted by Ritch on December 13, 2002, at 0:15:23
Thanks for your input. I have not been able to tolerate Depakote so I don't have any association with that particular medicine. I do know that when I skip a few doses of Trileptal or go down too much, I start having noticeably more anxiety and irritability, and I have more trouble sleeping and an increase of bad dreams (something I have always had prior to beginning Trileptal).
On a different note, you sound like you're experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) if what you're describing comes every winter. I have SAD also so it really is harder to figure out what is being caused by medicine and what is light/season related. It's all rather frustrating, that's for sure! At least with the manic phases I get much more accomplished. The problem is because I know it (the mania) won't last, I try to cram too much activity into too short a time, and I expect everyone else to go along with my "program" which makes me not fun to be around. Also I don't eat or sleep very well. Eventually I just burn out with exhaustion and swing the other way. In winter, it's much, much harder to get out of the slumps or accomplish much of anything! So I try to cut back on my Trileptal hoping it will help my motivation levels but then I start with the anxiety/tension cycle again. Overall Trileptal has been one of the few drugs that has helped me over a period of time that I can tolerate, but I do miss some of my "old crazy self" sometimes. haha.
caile~
> > Hi, I have been on low doses of Trileptal for over a year now. I can't tolerate high levels of most medicines, period. However, I have noticed that Trileptal helps me not be so anxious and relieves my chronic chest pain (caused by anxiety). On the flip side, I find I am less creative and motivated than I am when I'm off of it. I also don't have the same drive and I am more laid-back and less apt to exercise or try new things. I have gained a little weight, not because I believe the medicine in itself causes weight gain, but because I feel I have been kind of emotionally "neutered," which in my case isn't necessarily a bad thing. I miss the liberating highs, yet I DON'T miss the crippling lows. Another positive aspect of Trileptal is that it seems to repress memories of dreaming (I have a very vivid, active imagination and memories of dreaming all night can be a real pain) and I am much less prone to nightmares when I'm on it than when I'm off.
> >
> > Do any of you feel similarly? Does Trileptal make it easier for you to tolerate life and be calmer, yet there isn't the same drive and creative motivation that would normally be there? Thanks for any input!
> >
> > > Hmmm, strange isn't it how meds affect people so differently? I know it's been said a LOT of times, but it never ceases to amaze me. The Trileptal has been great for my sleeping. I haven't been able to fall asleep this well since I don't know when (I take 600mg at night). I only sleep about 7-8 hours and I feel pretty energetic during the day. Well, except on weekends, but I think I'm just really lazy when I'm home - don't want to clean, etc. :-O
> > >
> > > At work though, I'm pretty productive.
> > >
> > > Krysti
> >
> >
>
> Hi, I am not so sure about the stuff being a decent antimanic agent. In fact, I am finding it to have a tendency to provoke mild hypomania/activation somewhat (that could also be due to concommitant dose reduction of Depakote, however). Right now, I really don't care, because I am typically run down, sleepy, hungry, inattentive at this time of year (and sleeping 12-14hrs a day). NOT doing that is worth taking it for now anyways.
poster:caile
thread:131349
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021210/msgs/131625.html