Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
Haven't been on here for a long time. I quit meds about 4 months ago. The first few weeks were terrible withdrawals and I was all over the place mood wise. Since then I've been great! Then about 1 month ago I started to sleep less and less. I started taking Vistaril, clonidine, and melatonin to help sleep. It worked for the first couple nights fairly decent, but then didn't and all it did would jack up my memory during the daytime. So I quit taking them and now my not sleeping is getting worse. Sleeping in for me is 5 hours of sleep. Usually sleep about 3 hours on average when my body just caves in. I don't know why this is happening and it's really bothering being summer school starts in 2 days! I'm not manic/depressed at all. Been there done that know what it feels like. My brain just isn't having it. I need some tips to sleep without medicine. I want nothing to do with that crap. I used to be very heavily medicated and wouldn't be able to do school. Please help thanks!
-
Here is my new brother, copper :) He's so tiny! Moo and Tuck were ok with him on first meeting. Rocket due to his severe aggression will never meet Cooper.
-
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTDeA9Wxg/
When you stop managing your BP and stop taking your meds then your brain has trouble making all the parts work. Sleep Deprivation is a large part of Un-Managed BP. People often trick themselves into thinking that their doing fine without medication mood/personality wise....but you can't really "miss" the sleep issue.
There are other OTC meds you can try i.e. Melatonin, Valerian Root and Benadryl. Many folks with Mood Disorders use these alone or in conjunction with Prescription sleep meds. The problem is if you've been taking Prescription meds for sleep and you've become tolerant to those, it may be hard to make the lesser OTC's to work.
Good luck and take care,
Kat
....seriously? I don't Do sleep without meds. (and sometimes I don't do sleep With meds, sigh). Gee, I'd like to say things like, Sure! there's this easy way to be Perfectly Fine without meds!....um, but so far I've got zilch.
I know you don't want a whole passel of Mother Hens on here telling you how Silly it is to be without meds.
No, I'm going to tell you how silly it is to go forever without Sleep. (hint,, hint)
But hugggggs, because we Hear you. :/
Perhaps you should get a different shrink. Discuss things with him/her. Perhaps new, diff cocktail of meds can help your BP and sleep.
Good luck
What coping skills are you using? DBT? CBT? Meditation? Support groups? Religion?
Or are you doing no meds, and no brain training or coping skills too?
Wishing you the best - sleep is the indicator of all with bipolar - in my world anyway ((((BIG HUG))))
I hope you'll think about seeing your doc soon.....Big hug for ya....x