Posted by PolarBabe on May 31, 2009, at 11:21:41
In reply to Re: New To Site, Bipolar Insomnia and Scared, posted by Frustratedmama on May 31, 2009, at 9:36:20
I had always been plagued by insomina which was treated by numerous sleep aids from lunesta to ambien to temazepam to seroquel to geodon (seroquel and geodon on an as needed basis). While the actual sleep aids (the first 3) worked, only the lunesta allowed me to awaken not feeling any hang over effects. It wasn't covered by my insurance, however. With the temazepam, I would wake up up choking at least once at night.
Right now I'm taking the Geodon on a regular basis. I find that it quiets my mind a lot and I get a very good night's sleep. It doesn't make me sleepy per se, but once I do get tired (at a regular bedtime hour) I'd better be in bed because it will be a matter of minutes before I'm going to fall asleep. It's an anti-psychotic medication, rather than a sleep medication. What is the primary thing keeping you awake? Are you having looping thoughts? Racing thoughts? It's a question that should be asked and addressed, and you may wish to discuss with your doctor. I also see that you are taking an anti-depressant without an anti-psychotic, so this may be a bit too stimulating for you. Maybe your anti-depressant needs to be re-evaluated for it's stimulating properties (although I'm not sure where it falls on the stimulation scale). I'm not a doctor, but it's a thought.
In addition to the Omega-3s, maybe you are taking more than you need? I read in one of Julie Fast's books that we should take no more than 1000 mg a day because it is stimulating. If you are taking more than that, try backing off the dosage some to see if that helps? Also, are you eating foods that are already high in Omega-3s? Fatty fish, avocados, olive oil, etc.? If not, what if you try getting your Omegas from food sources instead? I don't know if that would make a difference either, but just a thought.
I only hit these points because I've just gone through a recent adjustment to my cocktail. Here's my assortment:
Lamictal
Topamax
(both mood stabilizers, 3x a day)
Geodon
(antipsychotic 2x a day)
Ativan
(anti-anxiety, as needed)
Ambien
(as needed for sleep, but haven't needed since adding the geodon on a regular basis)
Zyprexa
(as needed for psychotic break-through--I've had delusions recently)Talk to your pdoc a little more. If this doesn't get anywhere, have a consult with another doctor just to see what he/she thinks. You don't have to change. It's just for thought.
Good luck. Sleep is one of the most essential components to illness management. Work must be hell. I worked in finance before my last breakdown. Too stressful for me anymore. My heart is with you.
poster:PolarBabe
thread:898539
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090531/msgs/898617.html