Help I need to get my 17 year old daughter to fall asleep she suffers from bi-polar disorder?

Question

She takes depakote and ambian for sleep. She does become groggy but won't fall asleep. She almost seems like she gets aggitated and losses patience then ends up sleeping in my room on our reclyner. Any one with any suggestions please!

Answer 1

Theoretically, Depakote should be controlling the "highs". But as I'm sure you've heard dozens of times, bipolar responds to different drugs in different people. Likewise, Ambien has a pretty good success rate, but not 100%.

If your daughter also has hypomanic symptoms during the day, you could talk to the doctor about adding another mood stabilizer. Otherwise, I'm not sure that's the solution for sleep.

The most conventional follow-up to Ambien would be another prescription sleep aid, probably Lunesta. All the medications marketed primarily as "sleeping pills" are very similar, but sometimes one works better than another.

Less conventional follow-ups could also work. Some doctors prescribe sedating antipsychotics (i.e. Zyprexa, Seroquel) to be taken at night for sleep. The old antidepressant Trazodone is very sedating and sometimes prescribed for sleep, but antidepressants are always used with caution in the context of bipolar. Also, don't overlook the standard over-the-counter antihistamine Benadryl. For some people, Benadryl works as well as any prescription.

This is just a list of suggestions; if anything sounds intriguing you could bring it up to the doctor.

Answer 2

There are other mood stabilisers worth trying. Maybe a change of psychotherapist is in order. Ideally, she should be using the treatments for bipolar disorder (type 2, I assume, since no antipsychotic was mentioned) at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on page 10, insomnia treatments on page 3, and depression, on page 2. The Lithium Orotate, enhanced with Folic acid, is one option, with low risk. If her moods are stabilised properly, she wouldn't be experiencing the manic states, which interfere with sleep. Sleeping tablets are NOT a good solution, long term. Whatever, provide the fish oil supplements, and change the medication, or the mental health care provider, or both (read section 1: too cozy a relationship with the pharmaceutical company: maybe a psychologist would be a better choice, since they don't prescribe, themselves, so are less likely to be influenced).

Answer 3

I don't know if you can search other people's questions/answers but I just answered one about hypnotherapy and sleep. Look for that, perhaps it will help.

I have a history of Bipolar disorder (since 1987). In 2004, I discovered I was pregnant and couldn't take medications without hurting or killing the fetus. Just before getting pregnant, I discovered a web site: www.truehope.com. They distribute vitamins which have helped thousands of other people with their bipolar disorder. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain because I couldn't take medications and had to take a lot of vitamins. Since then, I have had two healthy babies one in October of 2004, and one in December of 2006. I had no post partum depression or baby blues and no more manic episodes. I've been totally free of mental illness. I haven't been on medication for Bipolar Disorder since March, 2004. Just to be on the safe side, I hired an MFCC (like a psychologist) to supervise my alternative therapy (most psychiatrists won't supervise alternative medicines).

Answer 4

I too have herd that Ambien has had some negative reports. Check with her Dr and see what is compatible with the Depakote.
I have been on Lunesta for over a Yr now.. Started off on 3 mg and now at 2mg. It takes a little time to get adjusted to it. I find that if I take it on a empty stomach it works best. I can feel it working it relaxes me and kinda shuts down the restlessness
thinking and I can drift off fast asleep. But first check with her Dr about the meds and their compatibility.. Good Luck

Answer 5

The mood disorder can cause sleep problems and the sleep problems can make the mood disorder worse as well. I find that sleep patterns and mood problems go hand in hand. When I have one under control, the other seems to be under control better, too. If one gets out of control, the other will, too.

A visit to the doctor would probably be a good idea about now.

Answer 6

Talk to her doctor about switching the Ambien to something else. I haven't heard good things about Ambien..just what you described..grogginess and not being able to fall asleep, or sleepwalking, which can be very dangerous. She needs a med to control her highs, so ask about something like Trileptal or Abilify. She doesn't just need the meds to make her sleep, but to prevent the "high" stage of her bipolar disorder from kicking in.

Answer 7

Bigotry, plain and simple. "not antisemitic or anything" but would rather die than marry one of "those people". What an @s$. It IS antisemitic, and sending messages to your future son in law or his parents can be construed as harassment, and by using a phone you are actually committing a crime. I suggest that you grow up and leave your daughter alone. She is happy, and you should embrace the source of the happiness, not push it away. If this is not possible for you then I suggest you invent a time machine and return to late 1930's Germany, or go to Palestine or something.

Answer 8

I am bipolar as well, and usually fight any sleepers the doctors give me.
Talk to the doctor about a different medication.
She probably sleeps in your room because it makes her feel safe.
My partner puts lavender oil on my pillow or in an oil burner and gently rubs my back for a few minutes. It has really helped me relax enough to sleep, as old fashioned a remedy as it is and I haven't had to use sleeping tablets for quite a while. I also set my alarm and get up at the same time every single day and go to bed at the same time. It has assisted me to stabilise.

Answer 9

Yes, but all bi-polars knows, the fastest way to become manic is not getting your sleep. She needs something to get her through these long nights that she can not sleep. The longer she goes with out her sleep the closer she comes to being manic. Call doctor, it is really difficult on young people when they can not sleep. Good Luck

Answer 10

sometimes its harder to fall asleep on those pills- over tired. her problem is her mind is racing thinking of all kinds of stuff... it helps to give her something to think about til' she falls asleep and she needs to do it in the dark in a very extremely comfortable bed... soft padding etc... room temperature needs to be cooler than the rest of the house too... I often pray... I picture Christ sitting on a beautiful concrete bench in a beautiful garden and I just talk to him about all my problems and all my cares and I thank him and start naming my blessings...and then I wake up and its morning... now I know that not everyone is religious another example is dreaming about gardening exactly where to plant it and what i am going to plant and how I am pruning the roses in my yard and etc... when I was her age I also built my dream house til' I fell asleep. it works.
good luck and God Bless