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Can't sleep - don't need to sleep

Posted , 5 users are following.

leza14767
leza14767

Hi. I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder about 4 months ago after 20 years of misdiagnosed unipolar depression. I am seeing a pyschiatist and am on anti depressants and mood stablisers.

I've been feeling really well for the past 3 to 4 weeks and quite 'stable' however the past 10 days or so I've been unable to sleep. This has escalated into not really wanting to sleep or feeling the need to sleep and I'm up at all hours just doing 'stuff'.

Is this the start of a hypomanic period? Am i on the verge of a crash? I don't really understand the condition.... Please help.

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Lizzie46881
    Lizzie46881 leza14767

    Posted

    HI Leza

    It certainly could be.  I'm bipolar II too, diagnosed in 1998, and when I started treatement I was on Fluoxetine and sodium valproate, so anti-dep / mood stabiliser combination similar to you.  I didn't really settle down properly until I was given risperidone, one of the new type anti-psychotics, and my anti-dep changed to citalopram.  Also, after a few years I was able to come off the mood stabiliser.  I've been stable now for a very long time and give thanks every day for psychiatrists and dr.s who helped me.

    I'd reccoemend you go back to your psychiatrist and describe what you have done here and see if they can add in an antipsychotic or maybe increase your mood stabiliser

    I'm no medic though, just giving advice based on my own experiences

    I hope you soon get help, and get some sleep !

    Lizzie

  • sfarrell38
    sfarrell38 leza14767

    Posted

    Hi I am bi-polar diagnosed last year the tablets I am on are Lamotrapine 400mg during the day and Quinipine for night 200mg these one's help you sleep so there is no more restless nights or being awake all night which will in it's self make you ill. Have a word with you pyschiatist about this it may help you.
  • Highsandlows
    Highsandlows leza14767

    Posted

    Hi, I too am bipolar 11 and have only been diagnosed in the last 5 months..

    i have had the symptoms since age 16 and I'm 32 now..

    i am on lithium and that has levelled me out but as for the sleep I know exactly what you mean. I layer restless, sweating, dreams/nightmares earn I di sleep and exhausted all week. My phychiatrist prescribed me zopiclone and 9 times out of ten I am out like a light!!

    hope this helps , good luck wink

  • shelly52966
    shelly52966 leza14767

    Posted

    Hi,

    I can not sleep right now as well.  i got 2 and a half hrs last night.  I have self managed myself pretty good over the last 15 years.  i have gotten to know me so well.  I know what takes me up and what triggers me down.  There for when I am in a manic I start to analyse myself and self talk.  I tell myself to relax and do nothing as doing too much speeds me up.  People excite me, for two weeks i have quiet tie and i do not want to be bothered with anyone except my husband and my son.  Then when i come out of the low i am a real social bug where i like to talk and just have a good laugh as that is the best medicine. I talk too loud as i get excitedand i visit special people who are important in my life.

  • Highsandlows
    Highsandlows leza14767

    Posted

    Yeah if I don't take the sleeping meds I'm the same. I believe sleep is very important to us with bipolar.. I never wanted any medication but I have given in and asked for dome support and the sleeping tablets alone make a massive difference to my patterns wink
    • Lizzie46881
      Lizzie46881 Highsandlows

      Posted

      HI there

      I agree about sleep, but I'm not very good at practicising what I preach!  I'm bipolar II and stay up far too late and get up far too early, even allowing for al the meds I'm on, two of which are sedating.

      I'm glad you've started medication, it does help.  I'm now depression and mania free, occasional bit of anxiety but not too bad, just sleep patterns shot to pieces!

      LIzzie xxx

    • shelly52966
      shelly52966 Highsandlows

      Posted

      I am glad it is working out for you. Please stay on your meds and be regular, do take them the same time.  if you are having any issues with meds please put your doctor in the picture asap.

      Grace and peace

    • shelly52966
      shelly52966 Highsandlows

      Posted

      I used to be on sleeping pills as well but they did not put me sleep neither. i started taking double doses thinking the more i took i would surely sleep but i over medicated myself.  We went bach to basics and I have haliperidol to use as needed if I get less than 3 hours sleep.  i have only had to take them twice since last easter but however when I am high like now i double my tegetol from 400's to 800's until i settle.
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