Thanks for replies.

I thought it was unusual if the lamictal at 25mg was actually helping already. but my therapist (phd psychologist with lots of experience with bipolars) thinks it is. I'm on low dose (otc) lithium oratate. Would prefer to get off it because of the history of thyroid disorders in my family so hopfully titrating the lamictal up will help well enough. My mood is pretty brittle right now. I see the psychiatrist late next week and then plan increase to 50mg lamictal.

I think my coping skills are pretty decent. I eat healthy, not drinking (I have a glass of wine occasionally, none recently). Usually exercise well but I have bronchitis right now which means I've missed my exercise classes this week. I've been doing a little yoga at home, best I can do right now. My sleep hygiene is usually good but I'm having a lot more trouble sleeping lately. The coughing makes it hard. And no before you ask - I'm not taking any decongestants because those would totally amp me up!

Last night I took everything that usually helps altogether and it still didn't work - melatonin, benadryl, cbd, along with my otc lithium and my lamictal. I did finally get 5 hours, but not till about 3.5 hours after I took all of that. I've tried ambien in the past, does absolutely nothing for me.

I have a friend who is a family practice doc (only friend I've told yet about my diagnosis) and he thinks I should try a low dose seroquel. Maybe I'' ask the psych about that next week. I don't know if an AP is overkill for me if I'm type II, but maybe not. I'm pretty certain I did have some mild hallucinations back when I was a teenager, so I may be closer to type I than is obvious in a brief psych exam.