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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Peter S. on December 11, 2002, at 13:21:41
I've been on trileptal for about a week now (150mg at night) and have been dealing with sleepiness. Anyone have experience with this and how long it might go on for? Any other experiences would be great to hear about as well like therapeutic results etc.
Thanks!
Posted by Krysti on December 11, 2002, at 16:52:56
In reply to trileptal sleepiness?, posted by Peter S. on December 11, 2002, at 13:21:41
Hi Peter,
Wow, that's a really low dose. I'm taking 300mg in the morning and 600mg at night. The nightime dose does make me sleepy which is good.
From my experiences, just about every med I have taken has made me sleepy at first. It's supposed to go away after your body gets used to it. The Trileptal has helped my mood so much, I really haven't noticed the sleepiness. Although, my doc originally wanted me to go up to 600mg in the morning also and I haven't because I'm afraid it will make me fall asleep.
It will be interesting to hear what others have to say.
How's your mood?
Krysti
Posted by Peter S. on December 11, 2002, at 21:15:13
In reply to Re: trileptal sleepiness? » Peter S., posted by Krysti on December 11, 2002, at 16:52:56
Hi Krysti,
I'm going to go back down to 75mg and see if I can work up gradually. My mood today was extremely lousy. I think this has more to do with sleeping so much than the meds. When I sleep a lot, it really worsens things. I'm restarting prozac and hoping that the combination w/trileptal and lamictal will finallly stabilize things.
Glad your doing well! How long did it take you to notice an effect?
Peter
> Hi Peter,
>
> Wow, that's a really low dose. I'm taking 300mg in the morning and 600mg at night. The nightime dose does make me sleepy which is good.
>
> From my experiences, just about every med I have taken has made me sleepy at first. It's supposed to go away after your body gets used to it. The Trileptal has helped my mood so much, I really haven't noticed the sleepiness. Although, my doc originally wanted me to go up to 600mg in the morning also and I haven't because I'm afraid it will make me fall asleep.
>
> It will be interesting to hear what others have to say.
>
> How's your mood?
>
> Krysti
Posted by Ritch on December 12, 2002, at 0:20:11
In reply to trileptal sleepiness?, posted by Peter S. on December 11, 2002, at 13:21:41
> I've been on trileptal for about a week now (150mg at night) and have been dealing with sleepiness. Anyone have experience with this and how long it might go on for? Any other experiences would be great to hear about as well like therapeutic results etc.
>
> Thanks!
Peter, I have noticed that it generally has an activating effect. I feel an intial mild grogginess for an hour or so, but then I get a revved up feeling. If I take it at bedtime it seems to be disruptive for sleep.
Posted by Krysti on December 12, 2002, at 7:52:37
In reply to Re: trileptal sleepiness?, posted by Peter S. on December 11, 2002, at 21:15:13
It had an immediate effect on me, but I started out on a much higher dose than you. 300mg in the morning and 300mg at night. I've noticed though I usually have a positive result when I first go on a med. Then, after a month or two it starts going downhill. This is the best result I've had so far though. I've been on it for about a month now.
I will keep you posted : )
Krysti
Posted by Krysti on December 12, 2002, at 7:57:28
In reply to Re: trileptal sleepiness? » Peter S., posted by Ritch on December 12, 2002, at 0:20:11
Hmmm, strange isn't it how meds affect people so differently? I know it's been said a LOT of times, but it never ceases to amaze me. The Trileptal has been great for my sleeping. I haven't been able to fall asleep this well since I don't know when (I take 600mg at night). I only sleep about 7-8 hours and I feel pretty energetic during the day. Well, except on weekends, but I think I'm just really lazy when I'm home - don't want to clean, etc. :-O
At work though, I'm pretty productive.
Krysti
Posted by caile on December 12, 2002, at 21:57:05
In reply to Re: trileptal sleepiness? » Ritch, posted by Krysti on December 12, 2002, at 7:57:28
Hi, I have been on low doses of Trileptal for over a year now. I can't tolerate high levels of most medicines, period. However, I have noticed that Trileptal helps me not be so anxious and relieves my chronic chest pain (caused by anxiety). On the flip side, I find I am less creative and motivated than I am when I'm off of it. I also don't have the same drive and I am more laid-back and less apt to exercise or try new things. I have gained a little weight, not because I believe the medicine in itself causes weight gain, but because I feel I have been kind of emotionally "neutered," which in my case isn't necessarily a bad thing. I miss the liberating highs, yet I DON'T miss the crippling lows. Another positive aspect of Trileptal is that it seems to repress memories of dreaming (I have a very vivid, active imagination and memories of dreaming all night can be a real pain) and I am much less prone to nightmares when I'm on it than when I'm off.
Do any of you feel similarly? Does Trileptal make it easier for you to tolerate life and be calmer, yet there isn't the same drive and creative motivation that would normally be there? Thanks for any input!
> Hmmm, strange isn't it how meds affect people so differently? I know it's been said a LOT of times, but it never ceases to amaze me. The Trileptal has been great for my sleeping. I haven't been able to fall asleep this well since I don't know when (I take 600mg at night). I only sleep about 7-8 hours and I feel pretty energetic during the day. Well, except on weekends, but I think I'm just really lazy when I'm home - don't want to clean, etc. :-O
>
> At work though, I'm pretty productive.
>
> Krysti
Posted by Ritch on December 13, 2002, at 0:15:23
In reply to Re: trileptal sleepiness?, posted by caile on December 12, 2002, at 21:57:05
> Hi, I have been on low doses of Trileptal for over a year now. I can't tolerate high levels of most medicines, period. However, I have noticed that Trileptal helps me not be so anxious and relieves my chronic chest pain (caused by anxiety). On the flip side, I find I am less creative and motivated than I am when I'm off of it. I also don't have the same drive and I am more laid-back and less apt to exercise or try new things. I have gained a little weight, not because I believe the medicine in itself causes weight gain, but because I feel I have been kind of emotionally "neutered," which in my case isn't necessarily a bad thing. I miss the liberating highs, yet I DON'T miss the crippling lows. Another positive aspect of Trileptal is that it seems to repress memories of dreaming (I have a very vivid, active imagination and memories of dreaming all night can be a real pain) and I am much less prone to nightmares when I'm on it than when I'm off.
>
> Do any of you feel similarly? Does Trileptal make it easier for you to tolerate life and be calmer, yet there isn't the same drive and creative motivation that would normally be there? Thanks for any input!
>
> > Hmmm, strange isn't it how meds affect people so differently? I know it's been said a LOT of times, but it never ceases to amaze me. The Trileptal has been great for my sleeping. I haven't been able to fall asleep this well since I don't know when (I take 600mg at night). I only sleep about 7-8 hours and I feel pretty energetic during the day. Well, except on weekends, but I think I'm just really lazy when I'm home - don't want to clean, etc. :-O
> >
> > At work though, I'm pretty productive.
> >
> > Krysti
>
>Hi, I am not so sure about the stuff being a decent antimanic agent. In fact, I am finding it to have a tendency to provoke mild hypomania/activation somewhat (that could also be due to concommitant dose reduction of Depakote, however). Right now, I really don't care, because I am typically run down, sleepy, hungry, inattentive at this time of year (and sleeping 12-14hrs a day). NOT doing that is worth taking it for now anyways.
Posted by caile on December 13, 2002, at 7:49:52
In reply to Re: trileptal sleepiness? » caile, posted by Ritch on December 13, 2002, at 0:15:23
Thanks for your input. I have not been able to tolerate Depakote so I don't have any association with that particular medicine. I do know that when I skip a few doses of Trileptal or go down too much, I start having noticeably more anxiety and irritability, and I have more trouble sleeping and an increase of bad dreams (something I have always had prior to beginning Trileptal).
On a different note, you sound like you're experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) if what you're describing comes every winter. I have SAD also so it really is harder to figure out what is being caused by medicine and what is light/season related. It's all rather frustrating, that's for sure! At least with the manic phases I get much more accomplished. The problem is because I know it (the mania) won't last, I try to cram too much activity into too short a time, and I expect everyone else to go along with my "program" which makes me not fun to be around. Also I don't eat or sleep very well. Eventually I just burn out with exhaustion and swing the other way. In winter, it's much, much harder to get out of the slumps or accomplish much of anything! So I try to cut back on my Trileptal hoping it will help my motivation levels but then I start with the anxiety/tension cycle again. Overall Trileptal has been one of the few drugs that has helped me over a period of time that I can tolerate, but I do miss some of my "old crazy self" sometimes. haha.
caile~
> > Hi, I have been on low doses of Trileptal for over a year now. I can't tolerate high levels of most medicines, period. However, I have noticed that Trileptal helps me not be so anxious and relieves my chronic chest pain (caused by anxiety). On the flip side, I find I am less creative and motivated than I am when I'm off of it. I also don't have the same drive and I am more laid-back and less apt to exercise or try new things. I have gained a little weight, not because I believe the medicine in itself causes weight gain, but because I feel I have been kind of emotionally "neutered," which in my case isn't necessarily a bad thing. I miss the liberating highs, yet I DON'T miss the crippling lows. Another positive aspect of Trileptal is that it seems to repress memories of dreaming (I have a very vivid, active imagination and memories of dreaming all night can be a real pain) and I am much less prone to nightmares when I'm on it than when I'm off.
> >
> > Do any of you feel similarly? Does Trileptal make it easier for you to tolerate life and be calmer, yet there isn't the same drive and creative motivation that would normally be there? Thanks for any input!
> >
> > > Hmmm, strange isn't it how meds affect people so differently? I know it's been said a LOT of times, but it never ceases to amaze me. The Trileptal has been great for my sleeping. I haven't been able to fall asleep this well since I don't know when (I take 600mg at night). I only sleep about 7-8 hours and I feel pretty energetic during the day. Well, except on weekends, but I think I'm just really lazy when I'm home - don't want to clean, etc. :-O
> > >
> > > At work though, I'm pretty productive.
> > >
> > > Krysti
> >
> >
>
> Hi, I am not so sure about the stuff being a decent antimanic agent. In fact, I am finding it to have a tendency to provoke mild hypomania/activation somewhat (that could also be due to concommitant dose reduction of Depakote, however). Right now, I really don't care, because I am typically run down, sleepy, hungry, inattentive at this time of year (and sleeping 12-14hrs a day). NOT doing that is worth taking it for now anyways.
Posted by Krysti on December 16, 2002, at 8:32:44
In reply to Re: trileptal sleepiness?, posted by caile on December 12, 2002, at 21:57:05
Hi caile,
I've never been particularly creative, but I do know I am definitely more productive when hypomanic - I think that's just part of being in that state - you have way more energy than usual.
You stated you are less motivated to exercise and to try new things - yeah, I guess I am like that too, however, I am also less likely to do stupid things also. So, I guess the trade off for me is a good one.
> I miss the liberating highs
So do I : ) But, again, I'm more apt to not make such wise decisions when feeling like that so even though I miss the feeling, I don't miss what comes along with it.
> I am much less prone to nightmares when I'm on
itYes, me too. I used to have nightmares all the time that someone was trying to kill me (shoot me or stab me) or rape me and no one would help me. I can't even count the number of times I've been shot or stabbed in my nightmares (how horrible). Even though my dreams are definitely not always good now, they are not as horrible as before and not as vivid to where you wake up and still have a hard time getting over it.
> Trileptal helps me not be so anxious
This has been the best part of being on mood stabilizers for me. My anxiety was REALLY bad before. It has been such a relief to not have it anymore after living that way for 6 years.
> Do any of you feel similarly?
Yep! Again, for me the trade off is worth it. I guess I'm back to a more "normal for me" state - before I ever became hypomanic I didn't have a ton of energy either. Besides, even when I was hypo, I rarely focused my energy on things that were good for me. I did start exercising for a while, but like everything else that's good for me, it got old after a while!
Sorry, probably doesn't help you too much, but at least you know you're not alone : )
Krysti
Posted by caile on December 16, 2002, at 8:41:26
In reply to Re: trileptal sleepiness? » caile, posted by Krysti on December 16, 2002, at 8:32:44
HI Kristi:
Thanks for that information. That sounds a lot like me. You are right about the part about making better decisions, etc. now that you are on the meds. For the first time in my adult life, I'm actually able to make decisions and count on feeling the same way the next day and the next. Before, I could never make up my mind because I never knew what I would feel on any given day. It trashed my relationships and any stability I could have had. Also, I don't miss that chronic chest-clutching anxiety either. There is a tradeoff for everything, I suppose. I also don't drink anymore (except on special occasions, whereas I used to drink daily) and I don't go off on crazy schemes or exploits like I used to. I feel so TAME now, though! Haha. Anyway, I am learning to be a bit more disciplined and trying to get a routine going. That part is hard! My husband is thinking of trying Trileptal also but I wanted to know if others had the same reactions to it as I do.
Thanks again for your input,
caile~
Posted by Krysti on December 16, 2002, at 13:56:18
In reply to Re: trileptal sleepiness? » Krysti, posted by caile on December 16, 2002, at 8:41:26
Caile,
> For the first time in my adult life, I'm actually able to make decisions and count on feeling the same way the next day and the next. Before, I could never make up my mind because I never knew what I would feel on any given day.
That is so funny that you say this because I am going through this exact thing right now. I have to make a very difficult decision and I'm having a hard time making it because I'm so used to changing my mind 5 million times. I guess we'll find out soon enough just how good the Trileptal is working. I made the decision today based on how I feel right now, but I still have up to two weeks to change my mind. We'll see how many times I do...
Side Note - Have you ever had to take a personality test? Wow, that's a trip! I always HATED taking those because I always wanted to scream at all the questions, "Well, it depends on what kind of mood I'm in!!" This was before I knew I had bipolar disorder - it was so frustrating. Actually, I took a test like that at an employment agency once and the company who does the scoring for it, called up the agency and asked to talk to me personally (which had never happened before). The scoring lady said she just wanted to talk to me and ask me some more questions because they had never had results like what came up for me. I've thought about that often since I was diagnosed, lol - I wonder what the heck the results WERE!!
> It trashed my relationships
Been there, done that! I've only had one relationship since I've been on meds and it was much better, but still don't know how much to attribute it to the meds vs him and his personality. I guess we'll find out soon enough when I start dating again.
> I used to drink daily
Been there, done that too : (
> My husband is thinking of trying Trileptal also but I wanted to know if others had the same reactions to it as I do
I've heard a lot of good things about it. So far, it's worked the best for me. I would normally be falling apart right now with the stress I'm going through. I hope it lasts!
Krysti
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