Wellbutrin and Hypomania

Is it usual to go from sleeping 13 hours during depression, to 8 hours when 'stable' and now not being able to sleep and waking up every 30mins or so?
I used to sleep like a log and battle to wake up in the morning. Now I can jump out of bed, bar the anxiety that's killing me. My stomach feels like it's in knots, and there's no reason.
Tried Klonopin, but it's been of no use.
I'm lucky to fall asleep at midnight, then still wake up all night...
Don't know how to handle this.
I'm OK the next day, and don't feel too tired, but I know I usually need 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Maybe I'm being to strict with my routine, which cannot be kept during hypomania...?

Have you rung your pdoc???? maybe you can reduce the dose or try a different antidepressant or increase your lamotrigine or add another mood stabilisers.... the possibilities are endless Seriously, talk with your pdoc.

Pdoc has been away. T was worried about me on Friday, and is cautious, as she can see I'm hypomanic.
Right now i feel like I want to get out of my own body, as my nerve endings all feel highly strung. And I'm becoming so overly sensitive to vibes from people around me.

I've really enjoyed the Wellbutrin - I've felt the best I've felt in a LONG time - but now it seems my mood stabiliser may need to be increased, or I definitely need a sleeping aid. Zopiclone, which I have at home, is not an option really, as I get very addicted to it after just a few days.

Damn this bipolar - there just doesn't seem to be a happy medium

Think tonight I'm going to stay awake in front of the TV until I fall asleep. And not force myself to go to sleep.

When do you take your Wellbutrin? Some times just taking it earlier or later can make a difference.
I know this may sound strange but you may may to journal on what you are eating in the afternoon/evening. I have discovered that if I eat certain foods in the evening I am less likely to be able to sleep well. Like for me I can have all sorts of caffeine and still sleep but having spaghetti for dinner is a no no. If I eat a high protein dinner or snack before bed it helps. Dunno... just throwing some stuff out there.

Do you have a routine for going to bed? I found it has helped a little bit with me.
Nothing sugary or caffine after 7pm, no heavy night time snacks or late dinners, I usually keep the lights dim after 9pm and have the tv on low, or just off. Relaxational music can help.
Sometimes I will make a mix of chammomile and chrysanthemum tea, but i dont like to fill my bladder before bed.
A med that helped me was inderol, a blood pressure med, very inexpensive, its been around for a while and not addictive like sleeping meds or benzos. I found buspar helpful at night too. both of these helped me get asleep but not stay asleep.

I take it at 7AM. I can try journal about foods, but it's never been an issue in the past. And I don't drink caffeine; only my tea at work

Hmmmm.
Man I wish psychiatry was more of a science with clear answers than an art with all these little nuances!

If it were me, and I am not telling you to do this, but I would stop taking it and refuse to take it again. It obviously isn't working for you anyway so what hard would come in NOT taking it. By refusing to take it you are forcing pdoc to prescribe something else that may actually work for you. AGAIN, I am NOT telling you to do it, I am only telling you what I would do in this situation. And that is exactly what I did when the Geodon was causing the dizzy spells. It got to where I couldn't hardly stand up without falling down again. So I stopped taking it, the dizziness went away and he had to prescribe the Abilify which works like a charm

Gee - You can only imagine how much I wish for that too!!

Well- it works like a dream against the depression, but now need to keep the mania in check

It's going to make me totally manic - tonight I will continue to watch TV until I fall asleep. Not force myself to go to bed at 10:30

Ok then, prehabs an increase of the Lamictal will bring down the mania. It is what helps me with the mania. 100mg is not a lot for lamictal. I am on 200mg. So ask for an increase to 150mg and see if that works. It should help you some.

Have sent pdoc a mail... But I'm so intimidated by this pdoc. Am I the only one that feels intimidated by their pdoc?

Yeah, need to call the pdoc. That is exactly what I did when I had my zoloft experiment....the mania may just keep getting worse and go past it's usual level if the Wellbutrin is causing the switch.

I have extremely high standards for healthcare providers. I say that if they rely on intimidation and exaggerated authority to get patients to do what they want...then they are wasting valuable energy and effort that could be used to increase their abilities instead. I am not intimidated by my PNPs I am their boss. I hired them I can fire them.

I was put on Wellbutrin (a very low dose) as part of my medication list for depression. My pdoc told me that it wasn't as bad for bumping bipolars up into mania as lots of the other anti-depressants. I'm with the other folks, try to get up with your p-doc, and maybe he can adjust your meds. Are you taking anything to help you sleep? I was also put on a low level of Trazodone, which tends to help sleep, but I've also been on sleep meds before.

And, for goodness sake, dear one, please try to hunt around for a pdoc that you aren't scared of!

I don't know why I always feel intimidated by them. My GP - I trust him totally!

Well, this is the first AD that has pushed me into hypomania and slightly beyond. And I was initially diagnosed Major Depressive Episode, and only on SSRI's - no hypomania though.

I feel my Lamictin needs to be improved.

My one pdoc had me on Trazodone - for sleep and anxiety.

I do have high expectations of my doctors - but I feel I pay them, so they need to help me. And if they care about people, they'll want to help me. Can't a pdoc be the same way as a T?

Sent my pdoc a mail telling her about my issues and confirming and appointment, and the only reply I got was about my appointment!!! Well, she obviously just wants me to come in for her to be able to charge me, and my symptoms and concerns are not important to her.

So I promptly cancelled my appointment with her for tomorrow.

I won't work with a Pdoc I am intimidated by. My Pdoc is so down to earth and actually more supportive than my T in many ways.I was a little put off actually at first.... she dresses funny, has bright mahogany red hair she dyes herself, calls everyone hun and blasts country music. Now that I am used to it I just adore her.
I met once with a Pdoc who was intimidating. We didn't mesh too well and ended up in a fight over weather I wouldn't see her or if she wouldn't work with me. lol
If it were me I would try and find a new Pdoc you are more comfortable with... they are out there.

Ditto. But I know this has been bugging you for a while now, Suga. I hope you find someone you can have a good therapeutic relationship with.

Pete

I managed to find a T I can have a really good relationship with, but not a Pdoc. And yes - it has been bugging me for a LONG time, but now it's even worse; and making me anxious.
I've been through 3 pdocs in 2 years.
Now I think I ought to go back to the first one. Bit embarrassing, but probably the best option.

You can't really have a relationship with your pdoc thats going to be the same as with your t. I mean thier functions are different, there jobs are different. The t is who you can talk to about anything who offeres support, advice and i assume also offers information to your pdoc about how your doing. Most pdoc's do not do counseling, they take your t's information as well information from you to make the best guess as to what meds they think will help, they may adjust if it's not working, if you tell them. I hope you can feel comfortable with your pdoc, at least enough to describe side effects that pertain to the medication they have prescribed so changes can be made as needed.

Ryask - I understand their function is not to counsel, but I'm sure they can show a bit of sympathy...
Maybe I am expecting too much - who knows.
2 weeks from tomorrow I have an appointment to go see my very first pdoc again.

No, your not expecting too much if she isn't listening, and showing you that she cares about your situation. I guess i just feel that if she wasn't listening then there would have been no med changes for you, i mean the fact that she has changed your meds after describing side effects seems like listening..to me..Anyways it is a personal choice, and maybe this first pdoc will be able to be more of what your looking for, i sure hope so. Good luck!

I'm getting a bit off topic here, but I feel there is a huge difference between a pdoc sticking to their role of medical specialist, and being so aloof you feel you can't trust them with your vulnerabilities. I acknowledge that psychiatrists these days usually prefer to avoid being drawn into deeply personal matters that could eat into the limited time of the medically focused appointment. But you can't get away from the fact that you still need to bear your soul to them in order to get to the bottom of how to treat the condition. If you feel you can't trust them, for whatever reason, that relationship is always going to be strained and probably not lead to the best treatment for you.

Thank you. I'm not sure why, but this always stresses me out and makes me VERY anxious. I hate it... I really do

I'm been through a whole bunch of pdocs during the last 10 years. I just want one who seems human, you know? And who isn't arrogant! Is that asking too much?

I like the one I have now. My T works with her, and she consults with her sometime about me. The pdoc seems sort of distracted sometimes, but having a T I like in the same office makes up for it.

Please try not to worry. (Ha! Like I'm the one to give THAT advise!) You know this person and do have an appointment. I know from personal experience that anxiety can affect sleep and cause restlessness. In fact, I take Klonopin to deal with that, too. How about trying some things in the meantime that you find comforting? Maybe enjoyable, relaxing music; grooming your horse; nice warm bubble baths; a fun book; humorous shows; even splurging for a massage or something like that!

You will be okay, dear one. And know that you have friends who care!