[intergalactictraveler]

My medical history: I have treatment resistant ultradian cycling/mixed state bipolar. Read a few abstracts by pdocs about an almost 50% rate of sleep apnea in people with my type of bipolar illness, so went to my primary, he gave me a referral to a local sleep clinic, had an in-lab sleep study and awaiting the results...but the title of this post is how I've been living for years. During the day, I physically and mentally feel as if I'm asleep and at night, even with Klonopin(the only drug I can take), my sleep is non-restorative, packed with strange dreams, repeating dream sequences, disturbing dreams, so much so that I'm glad to get up in the morning(between 4 and 5; can't sleep later/brain won't let me)even if I feel washed out & depressed or manic/depressed/irritable.

Anyone else with bipolar have a similar sleep/wake pattern?

[Peoney Ambrette]

I'm no expert,but wow,that's sounds very interesting.I have sleep issues myself,though not as severe.Im a strong believer in ones own mind being a very powerful tool that can do wonders at healing your body.I have had many issues in my life,and let me state"this is my personal view and opinion and what I've done in my own life,"Im not suggesting you do the same,only sharing what worked for me.Meditation,self hypnosis type things did wonders for me.After years of going to doctors(pill pushers who quite literally worked for perks from pharmaceutical companies),suffering on slots if terrible side effects,I took pill after pill for anxiety,depression,sleep....and it all just sucked soooo bad.Gradually I took myself off(I'm not advising YOU do this,I'm just sharing)my medication(I had mild depression not manic or bipolar).I began using my mind to really CONTROL my thoughts and behaviors,I began mentally restructuring my ENTIRE outlook on life,soon I realized "I was my own worst enemy to begin with,"I was able to tie many childhood issue with my adult ailments,once i released to issues,i released my problems also.I also began to realize that meds were only making me sicker.Your brain is a power house of what you need my friend.When was the last time you saw a wild animal hopping in his car and heading to the nearest hospital for treatment?Like I said I'm no doctor,but I am a fellow human who believes I can help my self with the more not so severe issues.Good luck friend and I hope it helps to know you're not alone.Please don't take my story as a suggestion for you to do the same,I just want you to know what helped me,and I'm not alone in my return to a more natural way of healing.Maybe you should look into reading a few books about alternative treatments.As for your dreams,I to have some VERY vivid,realistic,disturbing dreams.Ive been told I could me a millionaire if I turned just one of my dreams in to a movie or novel.Strangely enough,many of my dreams have been foretelling.Id be interested in hearing a dream you've had.Dreams are my "thing."Good luck bud!