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.

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bri980 03/19/2014

I apologize if there is/was a post for this already. Even when I'm consistently on my medications that work pretty well my sleep is just chaotic. I don't fall asleep until 3 or 4 or 5 or sometimes I don't sleep at all. When I do, I end up sleeping till the middle of the day which sucks.
I've had bad sleep for as long as I can remember (5 years old -_-) but its getting harder. Sometimes I'll have "normal" sleep (12 or 1 till 7 or 8) but it never lasts more than a month or so.

Anyway my question is has anyone tried anything other than prescribed medication for their insomnia? I've been reading up on 5HTP and other amino acids but I keep seeing that itll make you hypomanic or manic which I don't want to happen. I've tried melatonin and it doesnt work either.

Thanks guys!
Bri

GinaWonders 03/19/2014

Lifetime issue for me - I hate to go to sleep, hate to close my eyes - but once asleep, I CAN - so to work with my bipolar, is I sleep half a day - and get sleep, that's the best I can do!

Nothing actually knocks me out -but when out, all that stuff keeps me out! LOL

I hope you get better answers - but I want you to know, you are not alone this is common in our world : )

deleted_user 03/19/2014

I can offer you insomniac solidarity, but no advice on supplements.

Much love n' luck,
beep.

spacekat 03/19/2014

I've heard people take valerian root to help sleep but I'm no doctor! There are sleepytime teas that you can drink - best to talk with your Pdoc first! Sleep is so important!!

bri980 03/19/2014

Thanks guys! It's just frustrating. It's hard being a functioning member of society when you have sleeping problems lol

dancingd 03/19/2014

I either sleep too much, or not enough.

I hate waking up every hour !

I even had a Sleep Apnea Test , to see if that was causing my disturbed sleeping.................. OK......I admit I snore, but NO Sleep Apnea.

When I really need to get to sleep , I use Benadryl

dobiedots 03/19/2014

Benadryl works for me.

tommymott 03/19/2014

I use valerian as needed and it works for me.

deleted_user 03/19/2014

Hope you feel better soon. I hear you on the insomnia!

rubyblue 03/19/2014

melatonin works well for some people

openroad 03/20/2014

Hi,
Most definitely talk to the pharmacist or your pdoc before you take any supplements for sleep, or any other problem, when you're taking drugs for bipolar or for anxiety or anything like that since you never know what might be in the supplement that may change the way your drugs are taken in by your body. Be extra careful.

deleted_user 03/20/2014

I use trazodone and have for years. It is non addicting but I need it to sleep so who knows about the psychology thing on it.

On bad days I use advil PM and on super bad days I use Xanax.

dobiedots 03/20/2014

I "borrow" my husbands Ambien if I'm really desperate.

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