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How bad is it to be sleep deprived while on Lithium?

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Posted 11/2/2006 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
I was wondering how bad it is to be sleep deprived while on Lithium.  I am not purposley getting limited sleep but am forced to because of school.  I had an assignment given last night that was due the next morning.  So, I stayed up late finishing it and only got about 3.5 hours of sleep.  Most of my classmates are in the same situation, so it is not just me.  My next two Tuesday nights are going to be similar were I have to stay up late finishing paperwork.

I was able to finish the assignment, get up the next morning, and function throughout the day.  However, when I came home I just crashed.  I know if you are bipolar you should avoid not getting enough sleep because it can upset your mood.  However, if you don't get enough sleep while on lithium, does that make you even more tired?  I wish I didn't have to function like this but am kind of forced to.  Today the instructor criticized me and I felt really emotional about it.  I went home and started to cry about it.  Part of me knows that the only reason it mattered so much was because I was so exhausted.  I want to say something about how I can't function without enough sleep but I don't want to go into personal deatails either.  Can being sleep deprived one day a week seriously affect your mood?

Posted 11/2/2006 9:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jade,

Sorry you are feeling like you have to do this. -- Is there anything you could do to change it by talking to your instructor or a college counsellor? If they have the bp-sleep issue explained there might be more leeway.

Lack of sleep can be a real trigger for mood swings with bp even when medicated. I don't know if the lithium itself makes you feel more tired when this happens, but I'm sure that people with bp suffer more from sleep deprivation than most. Well, I suppose lack of sleep is also a trigger for (unipolar) depression, like I suffer with. I know when I can see there's going to be an extra strain on me in terms of having to be awake longer than usual I try to factor that in to the sleep I allow myself on other days. Normally one day of my weekend gets virtually completely eaten up with getting proper rest as my weekdays can be very frantic.

Rosie x
Posted 11/2/2006 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
jade,

lithium has a slightly sedating effect.  not great, but it's there.  my pdoc tried using the lithium instead of a sleeping pill for me but it didn't work.  if anything (and i suggest asking your pdoc for a definitive answer), the lithium may make you more tired.

i need to rant for a minite.  i taught at several colleges and universities inthe us, several in germany, and several in the uk.  i get really ****ed off at so called "professors", "lecturers" or other "titled" people treating their students the way yours seems to treat you.  you are a child of the gods, deserving of respect.  you contain the devine within you.  you are worthy of respect.  you are a human being, deserving of respect.  no a**ho*e can ever take that away from you.  someone can take your life, they can never take your self-respect.

warren

Posted 11/4/2006 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Jade,

I am currently taking Litium, I think my body has gotten used to it. When I first started taking it, I was not sedated per say. but I was would be spaced out througout the da. I was a horrible feeling which went away with time. But it was really scry, escpecially while driving. But now I take my litium at night and do not have as many symptons.

Warren I agree, you do no want to be to sleep deprived, or your mood can shift, I am attending a university and can understand how you feel, but you have to hang in there girl. :-)
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