Do you have problems sleeping on Lithium?

Question

I've been taking 450mg lithium for two weeks now, and I notice my biological clock is all wonky. I can't get to sleep without sleeping pills (50mg Trazodone)...I lay there and toss and turn while thoughts race through my head. Can this be avoided?

Answer 1

I too take both Lithium, 600mgs and Trazodone, 200mgs. Talk to the doctor about increasing your Trazodone. That really is a small dose. I too, started out on 25mgs about 10 years ago. I promise you, if the dose is increased, at least to 50mgs. you will sleep better. The lithium also induces sleep, but I am most positive you just need Trazodone upped. Call the doctor soon, don't toss and turn all night. Also, when you go without sleep and trying to function and handle all the daily stresses, it will give a negative reaction to your condition ... it will make you worse. So, please call the doc. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

Lithium is an antimanic.  It does not cause your thoughts to race, it stops that.  Trazadone is an antidepressant.  It may be a good sleep med for some, but for some of us with bipolar, it is too much of an antidepressant to take without causing racing thoughts and other manicky symptoms.  Call your doc and talk it over.  S/he knows you better than anyone here.  In my experience, 450mg of Lithium is an too low of a dose to get you into the therapeutic range.  Your answer probably is to increase it and either leave the Traz alone or nix it for something else.

Answer 3

I'm on 450mg morning and night (or atleast I should be)

My sleeping wasnt the best before going on it, but since being on it I can't sleep without something in my system. Be that alcohol, seroquel or Endep (amitriptyline).

I have a tolerance to narcotics, am sensitive to another type of sleeping tablets, and another type just flat out dont work for me.

Like someone else said, Trazodone is an antidepressant. Giving an antidepressant to a person with Bipolar is a risk because while it calms others it can set the rest of us off. Endep IS an antidepressant but its the first one NOT to set me off (I've tried 6 or 7 with reactions to all). I'm not even on it for moods. I'm on it for sleep and for migraines.

Talk to ur doc.