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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by becksA on January 24, 2007, at 1:05:36
I see my pdoc tomorow, so I'm thinking of asking for a sleep aid, but how common is insomnia with Lithium patients? It doesn't happen to me too often, but when it does, it is incredibly frustrating. (like tonight). I just got up after tossing and turning for 2 hours. I don't want to end this because it has been a HUGE asset in my anxiety while tapering off the Klonopin. I've also put up with lethargy, and other mild annoying side FX because it has helped so much.
How commmon is this insomnia with lith?
thanks
Posted by ronaldo on January 24, 2007, at 2:52:20
In reply to Lithium Insomnia, posted by becksA on January 24, 2007, at 1:05:36
Hello becksA
I have suffered insomnia with Lithium for several years. Are you sure it is the Lithium that is causing it? I always put my insomnia down to Olanzapine which was at first great for insomnia but later faded but I guess when I think about it then it was probably the Lithium all along. Either that or my wife getting up in the night and disturbing me. She is not well God bless her and she can't help it. But we now sleep in seperate rooms which should minimise the disturbance. But I am a very light sleeper.
At present I am tapering off the Olanzapine as I don't like it and in any case it stopped working for sleep several years ago. At present I am getting a decent night's sleep on 5 mg of diazepam taken at night. I can't imagine what that will be like to taper off. Once I'm down to just the Lithium, 900 mg, then I will see what my sleep is really like. In the past, and I have taken Lithium for some 30 odd years, I always felt that the Lithium helped me to sleep. But then 5 or 6 years ago I started sleeping badly and went on to the Olanzapine, purely to aid my sleep. That helped for a couple of years and then faded. Since then I have tried various anti depressants which were all useless. I think my background mood is manic or slightly manic which possibly prevents my sleep. I will be going on an exercise regimen at the gymn shortly which may dampen down any residual mania.
Please let me know what your pdoc prescribes for your insomnia. Babble mail me if you like. BTW how is the job going? OK I hope.
ronaldo
> I see my pdoc tomorow, so I'm thinking of asking for a sleep aid, but how common is insomnia with Lithium patients? It doesn't happen to me too often, but when it does, it is incredibly frustrating. (like tonight). I just got up after tossing and turning for 2 hours. I don't want to end this because it has been a HUGE asset in my anxiety while tapering off the Klonopin. I've also put up with lethargy, and other mild annoying side FX because it has helped so much.
>
> How commmon is this insomnia with lith?
>
> thanks
Posted by becksA on January 24, 2007, at 8:59:50
In reply to Re: Lithium Insomnia, posted by ronaldo on January 24, 2007, at 2:52:20
hey ronaldo,
thanks for remembering the job. i have to call the nazi of a boss today and get my schedule, i start around the first of feb...still dreading it. i'll let you know on both those things when i get back...or at leasstt the meds. going there now
Posted by becksA on January 24, 2007, at 10:35:55
In reply to Re: Lithium Insomnia, posted by ronaldo on January 24, 2007, at 2:52:20
ronaldo - looks like we're going to keep everything as is right now. many other things may be contributing to my insomnia, and it only happens every few weeks so at this point i dont think it is worth adding another med. We figured as soon as I go back to work and get on a regular schedule, things may even out, and I agree. If not, then we will pursue that. Ugh...I'm supposed to call the boss today to find out my schedule, but I'm gonna wait till tomorow. (She said she might call me today), that's a laugh.
Posted by ronaldo on January 24, 2007, at 17:04:31
In reply to Re: Lithium Insomnia, posted by becksA on January 24, 2007, at 10:35:55
becksA,
Well done on deciding to tough it out on the job front. I hope it goes well for you and the three months ? flies quickly by. After that you get your reward at College which should be really cool.
ronaldo
This is the end of the thread.
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