For the past 3 1/2 weeks, I have not slept a full night. My Nurse Psychiatrist prescribed me Lamictal because she thinks I fall somewhere on the bipolar spectrum. I guess not being able to sleep along with extreme irritability, impatience, and anger suggests to her that this mood stabilizer might work. Usually, I get up after being asleep for 3 hours. I can't return to sleep after that, just sort of a half-awake "sleep." It is so frustrating that I almost don't even care anymore. Do you think this is due to bipolar or something else? I try not to nap and minimize too much stimulation before bed (except on weekends). I get up within the same hour each day (even on weekends). I even take Klonopin (.5 mg per night). My room is not too hot or cold and it is dark. What is wrong with me?
How long have you been on lamictal? As with any of these psychiatric meds, it can take 4 to 6 weeks to take effect. Also, what time of day do you take it. I know I cannot take my welbutrin at night because I can't sleep.
I take .5 Klonopin as needed for anxiety, but honestly from what I know about Klonopin it's not meant as a sleep aid. Talk to your doc about something to help aid sleep. If you are new to being dx'd with Bipolar, you will soon learn how ESSENTIAL good sleep patterns are - consistency is crucial. Not sleeping at all and anger, etc could be a sign of hypomania as well.....lots of possibilities. Don't give up and learn as much as you can about the meds you take and what exactly you have been diagnosed with. Take Care
That makes a lot of sense...yeah, I know Klon. isn't a sleep aid, I just thought maybe the Lamictal would kick in by now..., but you are right. I am impatient :) Thanks for the reinforcement about consistent sleeping patterns...that is good common sense that I've heard and don't always heed to....thanks again
Good morning
Impatience when we feel like crap and are told a pill will make us better is TOTALLY understandable!!! It's when you can't even function when I have to make a stand with my doc. They dried one pill on me a few years ago and within 3 days of taking it, I literally coulnd't barely move - my whole muscular structure seemed to shut down -It was sooooooo scary....it's times like that that I say...don't "wait it out" call the doc! Working and having kids, I can't just wait out some drugs. Be an advocate for your own health, but yeah, patience has to be part of it!!!
Let us know how things go
Take Care