Quote:
Originally Posted by StreetcarBlanche
bpcyclist I did a Google search of your meds that you list on your profile. Provigil, Wellbutrin, Abilify, Depakote, Restoril all cause insomnia, anxiety, excitability, and agitation as a common side effect. I included links to the side effects for each one below.
So, 5 of your meds for your bipolar disorder could be the cause of your inability to fall asleep because of their insomnia-like side effects on your brain. Do you need all 5? Which ones could you live without taking, that you could taper off of? Is that even an option for you?
If not, then I don't even know if Melatonin or Chamomile tea or Valerian Root tea would help you stay asleep. All 3 will relax you and help you fall asleep but are not designed to keep you asleep. I have used all 3 for my own insomnia bouts, and the Melatonin relaxed me but I still woke up around 4 a.m. when I used it for insomnia.
I don't think you should even try a sleeping pill. Those are dangerous in and of themselves. It sucks that you can't stay asleep. I just wonder if its not all 5 of these meds' common side effects of insomnia and excitability that's causing your insomnia, or at the very least, exacerbate your segmented sleep pattern (if indeed that is what you have from your med school days -- overnight workers become segmented sleepers b/c of the way those hours mess up circadian rhythm).
I think a sleep study could really show insight into what is happening to your brain at night. That may be the only solution, if you can't decrease your medication list down to 2-3.
Provigil
Wellbutrin
Abilify
Depakote
Restoril
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Wow--thanks for alll that awesome information, Blanche! Greatly appreciated!
Yes, there have been fairly exhaustive conversations about each of my meds and its role. We have "played" with all but the lithium which I would never stop, as the last time I did, it precipitated a huge recurrence.
I am slowly coming to the place that this is likely multifactorial, that there is more than one thing going on, and that it will probably require a few or even several independent steps to fix. Maybe a sleep study, though mine is just likely to show that I cannot fall asleep, so that might be a waste of money.
I also have given what Christina said a lot of thought and I agree that, even if I don't meet full DSM 5 criteria for PTSD, I do have significant trauma from my on'call days and nights. It was really scary at times. I believe that will need to be addressed as well with EMDR or whatever.
So, a lot going on. A lot to do. I'm not going to give up Just keep plowing ahead. Thanks to everyone for the support and insight--I can't thank you enough.