[Capnkirk]

My therapist says I'm in a manic episode. While it's lessening, I can't sleep unless I take a sleep inducer, Ambien. However, Ambien is only effective for a limited time and can also cause addiction. I don't know how I'm going to sleep once I stop taking Ambien. I'm wondering if anyone has dealt with this situation.

[Skittles56]

Yep, and it sucks. I've heard others talking about doing mindless things like counting backwards from 100 and so on. I used to tell myself a story, but that hasn't been working for me lately. My doctor gave me Klonopin for anxiety, but I found that it also helps me sleep. I'm on a minimal dose, so I don't really worry about addiction.

Hope this helps.

[beachbumgirl]

I'm dealing with this myself, Capnkirk. It's a frustrating cycle part of bipolar. I've been taking Seroquel for sleep, myself, because I am such a "light touch" with meds that it only takes 25 mg to put me out after 1.5 hours or so, but without it I'm just UP and AWAKE and NOT SLEEPY AT ALL, which sucks. I hope that you can figure out another way to get some sleep. Sorry I don't have any answers, but I sure do relate to what you're feeling. Good luck!

[Confusedinomicon]

Have you tried sleeping in a completely dark room? I read something that says even electronic light can stimulate and keep you awake. I haven't tried it myself though because my SO sleeps with the t.v. on.

I also take seroquel for sleep.

[beachbumgirl]

Originally Posted by Confusedinomicon

Have you tried sleeping in a completely dark room? I read something that says even electronic light can stimulate and keep you awake. I haven't tried it myself though because my SO sleeps with the t.v. on.

I also take seroquel for sleep.

I think this is very good advice. Any sleep specialist will tell you to avoid any
screens or electronic devices an hour before bed. They also told me that setting a routine for bedtime also helps your brain wind down and start to make the connection that it's bedtime so it starts to produce the right chemicals to help your brain fall asleep.

But.... I haven't tried this either as my husband also sleeps with the TV on.

[Skittles56]

Originally Posted by Confusedinomicon

Have you tried sleeping in a completely dark room? I read something that says even electronic light can stimulate and keep you awake. I haven't tried it myself though because my SO sleeps with the t.v. on.

I also take seroquel for sleep.

I live in the country, so when the lights are out, it is dark and a half in my bedroom. Definitely helps with sleep.

[AnxietyGirl916]

Have you tried something more natural like melatonin? It used to work wonders for me, but I am on new meds and have been falling asleep, but not staying asleep. I think I'm in a hypomanic episode myself, so nothing seems to be working for me. When I go in for my med adjustment, I'm going to see if she can prescribe me a sleep aid.

[Phoenix_1]

I don't know where you live, but I live in Canada, about 100 miles north of the US border. I was taking melatonin, 5 mg sublingual 1/2 hour before bedtime. In the winter and spring it worked great, and I went to sleep right away and slept all night. As the daylight hours grew longer and longer in May and June, I found that I'd fall asleep, but be awake by 2 am. I stopped taking the melatonin and now I can sleep until 4 or 5 am, so I sleep 6-7 hours. I'm going to start taking it again in October when the days get shorter and see how it goes. It's now September and near the autumnal equinox, so it may be ok to take it here now. In northern latitudes, for sure north of the 49th parallel, I would say not to take it in late spring, summer, or early fall. In late fall, winter, and early spring it's very helpful. This is my experience, for what it's worth.

If you live south of the 49th parallel, it may be ok year round - you'd have to try it for yourself to find out.

Some other natural things to try are the herbs valerian, hops, passion flower, and kava kava. Kava kava was given a bad name 10 years ago because some company in Europe produced a bad batch of it. I've used all these herbs and they work just fine to calm you down and help you get to sleep.

I used to own a health food store (in one of my hypomanic phases) and have studied herbs and nutritional supplements. These are the ones I would recommend.

One thing I tell everybody is to ASK YOUR PDOC before trying anything new. These supplements and herbs may interact with whatever meds you're on. I'm not a doctor or pharmacist, so I can't say. If your pdoc says it's ok, then go ahead.

[Andysmom]

My Pdoc recommended melatonin and it has been helping a lot. I take 3 mg about an hour before bedtime and fall asleep easily. And stay asleep.

[manic_me]

I can't afford a doctor so I have no medical advice here, but I do know melatonin works sometimes, especially if you have been up for a few days. I am going through the same thing with sleeping. I seem to get restless right about the time anyone else would be wanting to go to sleep. some soft playing music also helps occasionally, just avoid listening to angry or sad music. That's all I got, I hope it helps!

[Victoria'smom]

We use melitonin for sleep if we're up for more then one day (less for our son), I have seraquil PRN for sleep or when a set trusted group (incl. PC) tell me to take the stupid PRN.