Posted by garylee on May 29, 2008, at 14:25:43
In reply to Re: Sleep meds, posted by blueboy on May 28, 2008, at 9:36:10
Hi Blueboy
First off, it's a very well known fact that Bipolar's (especially type II/NOS like me) should NEVER take antidepressants, especially SSRI's. You will experience periods of none or small amounts of sleep as the SSRI will make you hypomanic, almost without a doubt.
I was first diagnosed Bipolar back in 2000 after a 6 week trial on Prozac. I had no response whilst on it, but almost as soon as I came off I was hypomanic for the first time for a good few weeks. The med had triggered rapid cycling in me and after the hypomanic spell I hit the worst depression of my life, I was suicidal for a good while too. I was in a dark place. It was especially bad as I was spending the summer in Ibiza, constant sun, sand, sea, girls, clubbing. I wanted to stay in bed all day... That isn't normal.
Anyhow, I have got a little better since then, by no way near remission but it is manageable now. I'd recommend taking a mood stabilizer such as Lamictal (a standard Bipolar MS). I also recommend Sulpiride, just a low dose, has very handy antidepressant qualities at around 100mgh - 200mg and also helps with general anxiety and social phobia.
For sleep I take Seroquel (50mg) and Clonazepam (1mg), without this combo I could go for days without any sleep, just the way my brain works. I'm looking for a med to replace Seroquel because of the weight gain, but it'll do for now.
Bipolar II's seem to react well to Dopaminergics, especially DA's such as Pramipexole and Ropinerole. I was almost in remission after a experiment with Pramipexole, long story, but I changed meds and second time round it didn't work.
I could ramble on more, but I should let you get a comment in! What are your current meds?
Gary
poster:garylee
thread:831018
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080528/msgs/831916.html