[HurtingFML]

i have an appt on the 11th of oct to speak to a clinical psychologist about bipolar for ssi and im frustrated. Im on three diff meds which are ok but it dont help me sleep, and i had to call my doc office 4 times to speak to him about sleeping medicine, and still havent spoken to him or the nurse practitioner .. Ive been awake atleast 67 hours with no sleep and im still going. I fear having to work again. I know it may sound a bit awkward but my past experience with being bipolar and working terrifies me. I cant even think about working without having a major anxiety pain in my stomach . I told my doc that if i were to work around people again and something goes wrong, that I would do alot of horrible things. Cant go into detail, but i hope everyone understands. I literally dont have two pennies, and i have to go sit around another doc to prove im bipolar. As if being stuffed with tegratol, latuda and lamotrigine isnt enough proff, and not to speak of being awake numerous hours, and feeling like im high af .. i dont even know why im writing this post, i did before i started now i have no clue

[hamster-bamster]

Difficulties with sleeping are a very common symptom of bipolar - make sure you describe them at length when you talk with that clinical psychologist. If you have a number (67 hours awake), give him or her the number. You cannot work productively after having been awake for 67 hours - make sure it is in your record.

I know nothing about Latuda, but Tegretol and Lamictal by themselves are not supposed to help with sleep, as far as I know. You need something else. I don't understand why you had to call your doctor 4 times; not sleeping is an urgent need; when my sleeping pill stopped working and I needed another one, I was seen by an on-call p-doc at my clinic the very next day after I called. They should not be leaving you hanging and not sleeping. A NP is perfectly well equipped to prescribe a sleeping pill for you - you do not need a doctor for it. Be very assertive though when you call and say that not sleeping is absolutely not OK.

[HurtingFML]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

Difficulties with sleeping are a very common symptom of bipolar - make sure you describe them at length when you talk with that clinical psychologist. If you have a number (67 hours awake), give him or her the number. You cannot work productively after having been awake for 67 hours - make sure it is in your record.

I know nothing about Latuda, but Tegretol and Lamictal by themselves are not supposed to help with sleep, as far as I know. You need something else. I don't understand why you had to call your doctor 4 times; not sleeping is an urgent need; when my sleeping pill stopped working and I needed another one, I was seen by an on-call p-doc at my clinic the very next day after I called. They should not be leaving you hanging and not sleeping. A NP is perfectly well equipped to prescribe a sleeping pill for you - you do not need a doctor for it. Be very assertive though when you call and say that not sleeping is absolutely not OK.

omg i just started crying out of no where, because your the first person in months who have actually understood exactly how im feeling. this is sad for me because i have no one and all this is becoming and is alot. thanks alot for chiming in...

[hamster-bamster]

You are most welcome, any time, someone will hear you here who understands.

[BlueInanna]

i think this may be a time to go to hospital Hurting. You need help, and not getting it from docs who don't call you back. a hospital stay could help your ssi case, just an idea, i really don't know much about ssi. have you ever been hospitalized for bp tho?

[hamster-bamster]

I think it is a great idea. Hospitalization should bolster your case for sure. Go to ER and explain that you have been awake for 67 hours, have called your doctor/NP 4 times to no avail and have become desperate for sleep. 67 hours (probably more by now while we have been talking) is almost three full days; it is a lot; you are entitled to immediate relief. Add that you start crying easily.

[HurtingFML]

Originally Posted by BlueInanna

i think this may be a time to go to hospital Hurting. You need help, and not getting it from docs who don't call you back. a hospital stay could help your ssi case, just an idea, i really don't know much about ssi. have you ever been hospitalized for bp tho?

yes I was hospitalized in jun for a week for the same reason.. in terrified of hospitals in new orleans now, its so horrifying i vowed to never go back no matter what happend.

[HurtingFML]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

I think it is a great idea. Hospitalization should bolster your case for sure. Go to ER and explain that you have been awake for 67 hours, have called your doctor/NP 4 times to no avail and have become desperate for sleep. 67 hours (probably more by now while we have been talking) is almost three full days; it is a lot; you are entitled to immediate relief. Add that you start crying easily.

I called the mobile crisis unit, told them everything. the lady insisted that my doc wouldnt be able to do anything unless i was suicidal or homicidal. i told her i am both, but when she called back she told me if they came out i would be giving up my rights. i immediatly said no. No one has any idea of what its like in a hospital here where i stay. Filthy, unbearable , bathrooms horrible, doc only come around on weekdays, id rather stay away a few more days..

[hamster-bamster]

Call the doctor again then and ask to give you Seroquel or Zyprexa. Both have a very high likelihood of working. Ask specifically for one of these medications. Tell them that if they cannot see you, they should call the pharmacy right away. After you say this, they will probably want to see you.

[hamster-bamster]

And let us know how you are doing. Hopefully, you will be sleeping.

[hamster-bamster]

I did a search for Latuda and sleep and see that Latuda does help some people. It clearly is not helping you.

[HurtingFML]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

Call the doctor again then and ask to give you Seroquel or Zyprexa. Both have a very high likelihood of working. Ask specifically for one of these medications. Tell them that if they cannot see you, they should call the pharmacy right away. After you say this, they will probably want to see you.

I have no way of getting in touch with my doc they dont either unless i sign my rights away and be hospitalized. i was on seroquel , they took me off because ive gained tremendous weight i was weighing in at 330, after 350. the told me in his own words "Im killing you, and i dont want to do that". took me off seroquel, and put me on tegratol and latuda. which do not help me sleep.. thanks alot I think i have no choice but to wait it out .

[HurtingFML]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

I did a search for Latuda and sleep and see that Latuda does help some people. It clearly is not helping you.

she precribed for me to take latuda in the morning with lamicital which does make me sleep about an hour. i tried switching it around to night so i could atleast get that hour at night , to No avail.. Then I started waiting all day and taking all of my meds at night, still no use

[hamster-bamster]

OK, so Seroquel is out. Zyprexa causes tremendous weight gain, but I meant to just use it PRN (for now) as a way to get immediate relief, while searching for a long-term solution.

What works for me currently is a low dose of Amitriptyline (12.5 mg - 25 mg). My on-call doctor was suprised that such a low dose works, but it does, so he prescribed it for me (initially I tried it when my ex husband who uses this very old AD for muscle relaxation gave it to me before a job interview when I was completely frantic because I cannot perform unless I have had a good night of sleep). Such a low dose of Amitriptyline cannot cause a massive weight gain. In high doses, yes, but not in microscopic doses. So that is another route. Some people are helped by benzos. I am not - I have figured that by now. Have you tried any benzos before? When you spent that week in hospital in June, what did they give you for sleep?

[HurtingFML]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

OK, so Seroquel is out. Zyprexa causes tremendous weight gain, but I meant to just use it PRN (for now) as a way to get immediate relief, while searching for a long-term solution.

What works for me currently is a low dose of Amitriptyline (12.5 mg - 25 mg). My on-call doctor was suprised that such a low dose works, but it does, so he prescribed it for me (initially I tried it when my ex husband who uses this very old AD for muscle relaxation gave it to me before a job interview when I was completely frantic because I cannot perform unless I have had a good night of sleep). Such a low dose of Amitriptyline cannot cause a massive weight gain. In high doses, yes, but not in microscopic doses. So that is another route. Some people are helped by benzos. I am not - I have figured that by now. Have you tried any benzos before? When you spent that week in hospital in June, what did they give you for sleep?

Dont wanna sound stupid but i dont even know what benzo is, I need to do alot of research on these forms so ill be informed . they gave me seroquel and yes i was sleeping my ***** off but after a month and being out on 600 mg even that stopped helping me sleep at night.. so yea just imagine. 600mg and restless . I actually didnt mind seroquel but if i continue to take it , ill be diabetic in now time. i wish i had a few left for the weekend ..

[hamster-bamster]

That is strange. People sleep on as little as 50-75 mg of Seroquel, and in such low doses if does not cause massive weight gain. 600 mg seems an overkill, unless they also were trying to treat something else besides the sleep problem. I almost think that it is possible that at high doses Seroquel is not sleep-inducing but at low doses, it is.

Every p-doc should have a way to connect with you in case of emergency. You said you called your p-doc 4 times; did they not return your call??

Benzos are medications such as Lorazepam (Ativan), Clonazepam (Klonopin), Temazepam (Restoril), Diazepam (Valium)... have you ever tried them?

[HurtingFML]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

That is strange. People sleep on as little as 50-75 mg of Seroquel, and in such low doses if does not cause massive weight gain. 600 mg seems an overkill, unless they also were trying to treat something else besides the sleep problem. I almost think that it is possible that at high doses Seroquel is not sleep-inducing but at low doses, it is.

Every p-doc should have a way to connect with you in case of emergency. You said you called your p-doc 4 times; did they not return your call??

Benzos are medications such as Lorazepam (Ativan), Clonazepam (Klonopin), Temazepam (Restoril), Diazepam (Valium)... have you ever tried them?

in the hospital for my stay i was put on Ativan and I believe in kinda calmed me . Seroquel was working for me at just 200 mg doc upped to 400, but then i started getting raged feelings, and they upped it to 600mg and i felt fine. But then i started not sleeping. its sounds weird but after hearing that people can go all the way up to 1200 mg on seroquel i dont know now .. i called and left 2 messages on the machine, i called and left two messages with the lady at the front desk. I called and left a message to be sent to the NP, then to the Doc and no one i mean no was for 1 week has returned my call.

[hamster-bamster]

OK, so we know that Ativan might work for you - that is good. You probably need another doctor in the long-run because you need an accessible doctor, or an accessible NP. When Temazepam stopped working for me, I was seen the very next day because lack of sleep is an emergency. I am very assertive though - I leave no way for maneuvres in the way I talk - are you, too?

[hamster-bamster]

You are not around any more... did you finally manage to fall asleep ?

[BlueInanna]

hope you are getting some sleep. i understand about the hospital and not wanting to go. some people get such good help at them, but for some it's horrible.

[manic most days]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

Call the doctor again then and ask to give you Seroquel or Zyprexa. Both have a very high likelihood of working. Ask specifically for one of these medications. Tell them that if they cannot see you, they should call the pharmacy right away. After you say this, they will probably want to see you.

Wow hun I remember sooo well being where you are!!! I had just gotten out of school, my oldest son was (what I felt ripped from my mommy arms) deciding he needed to live with his father and they moved 4 hours away, I had gotten hives because I was surfing nonstop trying to wear myself out and something happened between my wetsuit and stress, I broke out in hives they put me on prednisone (BIG BIG NO NO FOR BIPOLAR PEOPLE) and I literally hadn't slept in 5 whole days and it was only 3 hours with 4 days before that.... I was IMMEDIATELY put on seroquil, just 25 mg and I SLEPT.... I would request Seroquil, I mean I know there are very scary things about it but seriously the BIGGEST part of managing bipolar is sleep. I really really benefit from this medicine. I cannot be on a mood stabilizer (or I guess won't right now) as I am pregnant and yes I am manic when things aren't going exactly as I need them too and yes sometimes I have to walk away from a situation before freaking out but for atleast another 2 months it is what I have.... It is enough for me to be able to work etc but man you have to sleep, if they won't give you anything take some benadryl omg how inhumane!!!! I'm sorry but reading this gets me fired up, I am a dental assistant, we CANNOT walk away from a patient in pain it is UNETHICAL. How the hell these Dr's get away with this crap is honestly BS and UNETHICAL and if more people could afford it these Dr's would have been sued time and time again and would be doing theIR damn job!!! I hope you atleast get some benadryl or something for relief I'm sorry the medical professionals in your area seem to be manic/depressive driving people to insanity and beyond ahhh thats all grr for you!!!

[manic most days]

Originally Posted by hurtingfml

i have no way of getting in touch with my doc they dont either unless i sign my rights away and be hospitalized. I was on seroquel , they took me off because ive gained tremendous weight i was weighing in at 330, after 350. The told me in his own words "im killing you, and i dont want to do that". Took me off seroquel, and put me on tegratol and latuda. Which do not help me sleep.. Thanks alot i think i have no choice but to wait it out .

oops... Still tho

[HurtingFML]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

You are not around any more... did you finally manage to fall asleep ?

I took 4 tylenol pm and knocked out... I felt good this morning, but now im sleepy again, i slept maybe 8hrs.. i think thats what im doing until monday

[HurtingFML]

Originally Posted by manic most days

Wow hun I remember sooo well being where you are!!! I had just gotten out of school, my oldest son was (what I felt ripped from my mommy arms) deciding he needed to live with his father and they moved 4 hours away, I had gotten hives because I was surfing nonstop trying to wear myself out and something happened between my wetsuit and stress, I broke out in hives they put me on prednisone (BIG BIG NO NO FOR BIPOLAR PEOPLE) and I literally hadn't slept in 5 whole days and it was only 3 hours with 4 days before that.... I was IMMEDIATELY put on seroquil, just 25 mg and I SLEPT.... I would request Seroquil, I mean I know there are very scary things about it but seriously the BIGGEST part of managing bipolar is sleep. I really really benefit from this medicine. I cannot be on a mood stabilizer (or I guess won't right now) as I am pregnant and yes I am manic when things aren't going exactly as I need them too and yes sometimes I have to walk away from a situation before freaking out but for atleast another 2 months it is what I have.... It is enough for me to be able to work etc but man you have to sleep, if they won't give you anything take some benadryl omg how inhumane!!!! I'm sorry but reading this gets me fired up, I am a dental assistant, we CANNOT walk away from a patient in pain it is UNETHICAL. How the hell these Dr's get away with this crap is honestly BS and UNETHICAL and if more people could afford it these Dr's would have been sued time and time again and would be doing theIR damn job!!! I hope you atleast get some benadryl or something for relief I'm sorry the medical professionals in your area seem to be manic/depressive driving people to insanity and beyond ahhh thats all grr for you!!!

everything i read here is so true, sleep is needed for me to stay sane. when i was speaking to the mobile crisis unit , my dad walked in and screamed at me and screamed right back, from the top of my lungs. Ive been chocked by him and yes i have to stay here because i have no where else to go. But i just pray that when i speak to this doc for clinical psycology im allowed to tell my story and why im depressed and cant seem to get out of this rut. After monday hopefully ill have some meds, and ill beable to update ..