Posted by polarbear206 on July 25, 2007, at 8:02:57
In reply to Need some medication support, posted by Just A Lurker on July 25, 2007, at 0:19:06
> My current diagnosis (long story) is Bipolar-2 and ADD. I also have had insomnia for a year or two.
>
> Current prescription meds:
> Lamictal for Bi2
> Provigil for ADD
> Klonopin for sleep
> Neurontin for sleep (maybe RLS)
>
> In addition...
> Melatonin and Benadryl to help me sleep
>
> I want to... well, hell, I don't want to take so many meds if I don't have to. I certainly want to get off the sleeping meds. (Apparently I have apnea, but sleeping meds make it worse.) I'm trying to wean myself at least off the Benadryl, then (probably) the Klonopin.
>
> In addition, the standard meds do just an OK job. The Lamictal doesn't always work like it should (currently up to 3x200mg a day.) The Provigil (200mg) does a decent job, in some ways worse than Adderall, in some ways better.
>
> So, I want advice.
> Do I try to get a second opinion?
> Do I hit the Amen Clinic and get a SPECT scan to see if they can figure this all out?
> Do I try some of the following suggested supplements...
> - l-theanine (sleep)
> - omega-3 (bi2)
> - ginkgo (add)
> - acetyl-l-carnitine (add)
> - maybe something else?
>
> Sorry, I am very discouraged. Bi2 (recently diagnosed, and if correct) has caused me problems over the years, from lost relationships to having to leave a job (thankfully never fired.) ADD is a bitch. The insomnia, I hate having to take pills to sleep.
>
> I just want this all to go away - no, not you-know-what, I just want to get as much fixed as possible.
>
> OK, now that I've dumped, offer me suggestions! What has worked for you? What has failed?
>
> Thankyakindly
Are you having some lingering depression that might warrent an antidepressant? Many people with bipolar II need to be on an AD in combo with a mood stabilizer. This could be why you are having trouble sleeping. It's pretty tricky finding the right combination of drugs when you have a comorbid diagnosis, esp with ADD/bipolar.Polarbear
poster:polarbear206
thread:771805
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070719/msgs/771847.html