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Old Feb 02, 2023, 03:30 AM
Soupe du jour Soupe du jour is offline
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Member Since: Jun 2015
Location: Czechia
Posts: 5,172
Quote:
Originally Posted by Polibeth View Post
I was a talented cross-stitcher but I haven't made anything in years so I suppose I've lost my touch.

Question: Do you take a med specifically to help you sleep?
I guess yes. Seroquel XR and Seroquel IR (both together). I write "guess" because if I didn't take them I would not sleep, or barely. To some degree withdrawal would be a factor, but if I stopped them I'd surely become manic, which would also affect my sleep. However, when I was not on any medications before ever taking them, I could sleep when depressed (hypersomnia, in fact) and when reasonably stable. Insomnia has never been a discomfort for me. When manic (or hypomanic), I didn't miss sleep.

On the rare occasions I struggle to fall asleep on my Seroquels, I have permitted tools that help. A little extra Seroquel or an Ativan on top of it all. Only if non-chemical aids fall short (i.e. my sound machine, a yogurt, "shut off my brain" strategies, etc.)

What about your behavior has improved since taking bipolar medications?
__________________
Dx: Bipolar type 1

Psych Medications:
* Tegretol XR (carbamazepine ER) 800 mg
* Lamictal (lamotrigine) 150 mg
* Seroquel XR (quetiapine ER) 500 mg

I also take meds for blood pressure, cholesterol, and tachycardia.