[danielsaun]

I have had insomnia now for 6 years. It's the biggest problem I have and it's related to having Bipolar/BPD.

It rules my life and what I do for the most part. I can't sleep more than 30 minutes without a lot of sedatives, sometimes a dangerous level.

I am hoping that someone chimes in and says yes I recovered.

Medication for my condition hasn't helped much other than sleeping pills/benzos and MMJ. This cocktail affords me about 5 hours a night but the memory issues are making it difficult to function.

I really wish I could just get a good night's sleep because my body/mind is breaking down from lack of sleep.

[CANDC]

Talking to your psychiatrist is an important first step. If there are reasons you cannot get relief from meds, then you may need to try life style changes., using herbal remedies or sleep therapist.

Here are some ideas.
I have to watch what I eat because foods I eat can stabilize my moods or exaggerate them. A high protein low carb diet with snacks or meals every 3-4 hours will over time reduce my swings. I also avoid alcohol and recreational drugs because those can really increase depression.

Other lifestyle changes that help me are doing yoga, counting the breaths silently, exercises, mindfulness, calm music, and being active on Psych Central.

Feel free to participate actively at Psych Central.
http://forums.psychcentral.com

Please feel free to private message me or any of the Community Liaisons by left clicking on the name in blue to the left of their post) for questions or just to share.

[Thunder Bow]

See a Doctor about getting off all those medications. They are not helping. Talking to a therapist about your anxieties will also help.

[MusicMike]

Have you tried an atypical antipsychotic (they are FDA approved for bipolar) - Risperdal and Seroquel are two that are sedating. I need Risperdal for sleep myself although I hope to get off it someday.

[danielsaun]

Originally Posted by mike1127

Have you tried an atypical antipsychotic (they are FDA approved for bipolar) - Risperdal and Seroquel are two that are sedating. I need Risperdal for sleep myself although I hope to get off it someday.

Yes both were horrible for me.

I am glad they work for you.

[danielsaun]

Originally Posted by CANDC

Talking to your psychiatrist is an important first step. If there are reasons you cannot get relief from meds, then you may need to try life style changes., using herbal remedies or sleep therapist.

Here are some ideas.
I have to watch what I eat because foods I eat can stabilize my moods or exaggerate them. A high protein low carb diet with snacks or meals every 3-4 hours will over time reduce my swings. I also avoid alcohol and recreational drugs because those can really increase depression.

Other lifestyle changes that help me are doing yoga, counting the breaths silently, exercises, mindfulness, calm music, and being active on Psych Central.

Feel free to participate actively at Psych Central.
http://forums.psychcentral.com

Please feel free to private message me or any of the Community Liaisons by left clicking on the name in blue to the left of their post) for questions or just to share.

Thanks. I have tried all of that, and frankly eating high protein makes it much worse. If I don't eat enough carbs I can't sleep. Learned that on Atkins the hard way.

[MusicMike]

Originally Posted by danielsaun

Yes both were horrible for me.

I am glad they work for you.

Can I ask specifically what horrible effect they had? I'm just curious; I doubt I would have any better suggestion as I know little about sleep meds.

Have you tried all the latest sleep meds on the market? I heard there is a recent one and my doctor will prescribe it for me to see if I can get off the Risperdal. I forget the name of it, but I'll post back here when I find out.

[MusicMike]

Oh I forgot to ask if you are on any mood stabilizers for the bipolar. Lithium, Depakote, etc.