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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sisyphus43 on May 30, 2009, at 21:42:15
I'm new to the site. I've been living with bipolar disorder (with periods of severe insomnia) for two decades now. It's been under control for the last 9 years. I've been living with some insomnia my entire life. But for some reason, the last six months I've had severe breakthrough cycles. I have extremely odd reactions to medications. (e.g, the smallest amount of SSRI and I end up in the psych ward). The last thing my pdoc and I did was start me on omega 3. That was three weeks ago. The insomnia has been unbearable. Has anyone else experienced insomnia from omega 3?? I didn't think this was possible because it's natural. So I stopped it exactly 76 hours ago. I'm still having a tremendous time sleeping. I got five hours last night with the help of a lot of Zyprexa (life saving drug for me). I wonder how long this will last. I'm quite scared. I've worked really hard over the last ten years, managed to get a graduate degree and a great job. I'm really falling behind in the job. And Im working on another degree at night and had to take last semester off. My pdoc says I have to get control of the stress (I work in finance and these are tough times). I apologize for rambling. Any thoughts would be great. The people who post on this site are so incredibly knowledgeable and it seems like this is a nice community. I see my pdoc on Tuesday. Hes a great guy.
Heres what I currently take:
Lamictal
Percocet (for severe rls and as a mood stabilizer)
Wellbutrin
Zyprexa as needed
Ativan or Xanax for stress as neededIve tried everything in the book.
Posted by Zana on May 30, 2009, at 22:08:22
In reply to New To Site, Bipolar Insomnia and Scared, posted by Sisyphus43 on May 30, 2009, at 21:42:15
Welcome to PBabble. I'm glad you posted. It can take a while to figure out how to get connected but it's great that you're joining the community.
It is my understanding, and I'm sure others are more knowledgeble about this, that Omega 3's can be stimulating. That sounds like what you suspect and I suspect you're right.
Were you having trouble with the insomnia before the Omega 3 experiment? The one thing that I have found puts me to sleep and keeps me asleep is Remeron. I have no idea what it's effect would be on you. I have unipolar depression and bipolar depression is a different animal. But if the insomnia has been a problem separate from the Omega 3s, you might ask your pdoc about how it would fit with your symptoms and current meds. Losing sleep is awful. I sympathize and think you are doing the right thing to stop the oil until you are clearer about it's effect on you.
Hope your sleeping soundly as I write this.
Take care and keep us posted.Zana
Posted by Phillipa on May 31, 2009, at 0:19:31
In reply to Re: New To Site, Bipolar Insomnia and Scared, posted by Zana on May 30, 2009, at 22:08:22
I'm surprised to hear you're taking percocet for rls and how is that a mood stabalizer? No lamictal, neurotin, tegretol, trileptal? None of the traditional ones? Glad you're her and welcome. Love Phillipa
Posted by Neal on May 31, 2009, at 2:31:01
In reply to New To Site, Bipolar Insomnia and Scared, posted by Sisyphus43 on May 30, 2009, at 21:42:15
if the insomnia persists - try taking some of the Ativan about 2 hours before bedtime. Take the lamictal dose at the same time.
Posted by linkadge on May 31, 2009, at 7:24:06
In reply to Re: New To Site, Bipolar Insomnia and Scared » Sisyphus43, posted by Neal on May 31, 2009, at 2:31:01
Actually *yes* insomnia has been reported with omega 3. Omega-3 has mood stabilizing properties but some people find that certain doses can cause anxiety and insomnia.
I personally have had insomnia with omega-3. I find it is the DHA especially that promotes the insomnia. If I get more than about 300mg of DHA per day it can lead to insomnia.
I do not recomend abandoning omgega-3 entirely since for me it has overall been beneficial. I just can't take too much of it.
Linkadge
Posted by Frustratedmama on May 31, 2009, at 9:36:20
In reply to New To Site, Bipolar Insomnia and Scared, posted by Sisyphus43 on May 30, 2009, at 21:42:15
Omega 3's made me anxious and my insomnia worsened(I was taking a high dose too following a recommendation from a pdoc consultant)
Have you tried lunesta? I doesn't make me feel tired so I have to force myself to go to bed still; but once you lay down it is easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.... Works the best for me for sleep and as long as I dont cut pills I escape the metallic taste..... one of the lucky ones I guess.....
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.
This is the end of the thread.
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