Is there a reason why docs prescribing atypicals avoid meds like Ambien or Xanax besides the possibility of habituation - some sort of interaction, perhaps? I mean, I've been warned about habituation, but I haven't had any problems getting some help for my insomnia when I need it.

I am very dependant on my Seroquel for sleep. I can't sleep without it, I've tried. It was prescribed for other reasons, yet, rather than explain that, my doc sold me on it through the sleep line. I feel much better now that I halfed the dose I'm on, however, I'd rather not have to take it forever. It makes it difficult to have the spontenaity in my life that I previously had.

Good question. The best docs I've run into are really careful about giving patients anything to which they could develop a dependency, at least in the quasi-narcotic sense. Short-term, my doc would give me something if I pushed hard enough, but like him I am very careful about getting on something I might have trouble getting off of. Except cigarettes which are another story! But I'm better the last couple of days.

that was pretty much my experience with seroquel, too, pri. and i'm sorry you are duplicating it. it all sort of goes to what i mention in another post--we want something else!

benzos are addictive, yep. If you try to go off of them, (such as Xanax)well, youre gonna get the shakes, the stomach pain and sweat like any other addictive medication, and wow the docs hand it out like candy. Guess what, extended release helps the middle of the day withdrawals that crap creates.

I hesitate to be another one of those people who use these sites to share the history of their mental illness, But let me throw caution to the winds. This about my history/experience with sleep, that elusive state of being.

When I was diagnosed as bipolar II in 1988 it was thought that I was "early onset". I do believe that is true and can remember incidences where my behavior was extremely erratic and clearly symptomatic.

Sleep was always difficult, often a symptom of anxiety, depression, pain etc etc. My high school yearbook has a picture of me sound asleep in class, and there were many, many nights when I never slept at all.

Several years ago I started taking Effexor. I started falling asleep while driving. I would pull over to the side of the road to take a nap and would wake up 30, 60 90 120 minutes later. Then drive some more and have to pull over again for another nap. I was unemployed at the time and would sleep 10 hours at night and be so exhausted that I took a 2 hour nap in the afternoon.

I have always strongly believed in being my own advocate, but it still took a year of determination to convince my primary care doctors (psychologist and psycopharmacologist) to support and agree with my withdrawal.

Although my dosage was relatively small it took over 2 years for me to finally wean myself from it. I reduced my dosage each time by 25 mg and it took 6 months for me to stabilize after each reduction.

Each time I experienced the horrible disorientation, nausea, anxiety etc.

When I first started taking Effexor I wasn't aware that within 24 hours I would have awful withdrawal symptoms. I remember the first couple of times it happened I was staying over night at a friends and had not brought my meds thinking that one night wasn't an issue. I became seriously ill and seriously considered checking myself into a hospital. That was when I started to realize the HORRIBLE situation I was in.

I never realized that sleeping and not sleeping, the lack of a circadian rhythm is a problem often symptomatic of BP. NO ONE EVER TOLD ME. I thought that everyone had the same sleeping issues I did. I remember sitting in the hallway at college at 3:00Am wondering where everyone was.

Diagnosed in 1988 - learning about this in 2003 - hummm.

I have taken on sleep as a challenge. I went to a sleep clinic, was diagnosed with sleep apnea so I now sleep with a CPAP machine. I have lost 25 lbs and walk 10+ miles a week. I also went to a pulmonary physician and while things are not 100% they are still pretty good.

But the biggest help has been Seroquel. (But I guess it isn't working so well tonight 1:15AM) The first 2 week I had a weight gain of 8lbs COnsidering it took me 12 months to lose 25lbs I was very unhappy. I have managed to lose the 8lbs, but additional weight loss till now has been beyond my reach. I also sleep 10 hours a night. I am starting a new job (a real one for the first time in 4+) next week and I am trying to start sleeping at 10:00pm. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

While I had drugged symptoms when I started taking Seroquel they have diminished, but I do wake somewhat groggy headed.

So the point of this monologue: With lithium and Lamictal I experience no effect at all, Risperdal agitated my sleeping, Effexor is the drug of hell and so far Seroquel works. Amazing how differently we all experience the same things.

I want/expect/demand that I be given all the facts and that I am given the option to choose. While I have great confidence in my medical practitioners (In spite of the fore mentioned issues) I have made it abundantly clear that while I respect their opinions I have the final say.

Thanks for listening.