Sleep Patterns

I have never been the best sleeper, but since I started being medicated I actually slept. Over the past 6 months I have noticed that my sleep patterns have started to become erradict again. I can survive on less than 4 hours sleep a night.

I have been giving two different types of medication to help me sleep. So right now I am taking 900mg of lithium, 60mg of Mirtazapine and 5mg of valium. But still having problems sleeping.

I think that my body is getting used to the medications I am taking. Does this happen to anybody else? Should I speak to my doctor about getting put on to another type of medication? Could my body be used to the lithium and causing this?

LandorAiel wrote:I have never been the best sleeper, but since I started being medicated I actually slept. Over the past 6 months I have noticed that my sleep patterns have started to become erradict again. I can survive on less than 4 hours sleep a night.

I have been giving two different types of medication to help me sleep. So right now I am taking 900mg of lithium, 60mg of Mirtazapine and 5mg of valium. But still having problems sleeping.

I think that my body is getting used to the medications I am taking. Does this happen to anybody else? Should I speak to my doctor about getting put on to another type of medication? Could my body be used to the lithium and causing this?

Hi

I think sleep is really important in BP as lack of it seems to commonly affect mood. A couple of thoughts. Firtly you might want to see your Dr to check your mood is not going up as this can affect sleep and might be contributing to your sleep going off. I would not have thought this is lithium related tho that is something it would be a good idea to ask your Dr. Ppl can become more tolerant to benzos for sure so this might be an issue but also one to ask you Dr. If you need to be on long term sleep meds it might be better to be on something other than a benzo as they are also addictive as well as building tolerance. All in all I think that speaking to your Dr is a good plan. There are options and I think it is important t get on top of your sleep.

Cracked

Thanks for the advice. I will contact my doctor straight away

Hey there,

I have very erratic sleep patterns as well. I have great difficulty sleeping at night. (Unless I'm depressed, when I sleep for 24 hours at a stretch). I've never had problems with Lithium related to my sleep, but my doctor did put me on Ambien (6.25 mg dose) because it is less habit forming. It can usually help me fall asleep, but occasionally even the Ambien doesn't work. Then I take a second pill since the dose is so low. Only downside, Ambien costs a fortune.

LandorAiel wrote:Thanks for the advice. I will contact my doctor straight away

No problem - hope things go well

Cracked

Update!
I have seen my doctor and my counsellor and they have recommended that I go on a medication called Seroquel 150mg slow release. This is hopefully going to get the depression and sleep problems sorted out.

Is anybody taking this medication and what has it done for or to you?

Hey there,

I took Seroquel for a few weeks and I hated it. It knocked me out within a half hour but I would sleep for too long and it would take me forever to get out of bed. I'm not on risperidal which is cheaper and not as potent. Still, I would trust your doctor and go with the Seroquel. Once you get back into a regular sleep pattern maybe you can go off it. Let me know how it goes!

LandorAiel wrote:Update!
I have seen my doctor and my counsellor and they have recommended that I go on a medication called Seroquel 150mg slow release. This is hopefully going to get the depression and sleep problems sorted out.

Is anybody taking this medication and what has it done for or to you?

Hi there! There's a topic about quetiapine below this one, a lot of people have written their experiences with this antipsychotic. In my personal case I can tell you you'll have no problems falling asleep, but you may have problems waking up and actually staying awake, at least that was my experience, I'm no longer on it.