Bipolar and drug dependency

[gld]

Hi,

When you have someone who you care for and their bipolar has been treated but you still find them not having regular sleeping habits.

What do you do when you have pointed it out to them and they still continue down the same path?

My concerns do not end there as i worry that their is another contributing factor to the nodding off in the odd ways and places. They are on two meds for bipolar, taking medication from the drug and alcohol clinic and also a medication for a medical condition.

Mid year they had a medical emergency and now i feel it is heading on the same track. Tonight i found him slumped in bath and it took a lot of convincing to get him up and out of the bath before he had another similar thing happen or far worse than the first.

It could be one of three things and i can not put my finger on it :- Bipolar, Mix of Medications or Misuse of Medications.

Just wondering if my first port of call would be to go and speak to his doctor and discuss my concerns because he thinks i am making a mountain out of a molehill and he is just dismissing my concerns.

If someone has a better suggestion please post, although i am taking this direction tomorrow as i feel it is something that needs attention ASAP. Input is very welcome so there is a better outcome and this does not continue.

Gen

[SourceShield]

Hi Gen,

IMHO - Please trust your gut-instinct and intuitive-intelligence!

He was slumped, in the bath?

Thats a major concern for me...big alarm bells.

Moving on this ASAP is very wise.

My aunt fell asleep in the bath, due to a cocktail of things...and nearly drowned!

In this case, I'm sure you'd rather have to a dig a mountain from a molehill, than a grave, right?.

And, on this one...its better to be safe, than sorry.

Its for his own good.

If he cant accept that from you, let the Dr tell him that.

He's being stubborn, to minimize your concern, but your love for him, which is what your intuition is tuned to, IMHO, is spot on!.

Best of luck.

Stay in touch.

MuchLove

[pipsy]

Hi qld. There are quite a few problems here. He is on a mixture of medications for different conditions. He has bipolar (I presume that has been diagnosed). He is being treated for substance addiction, plus other conditions. When he is asleep, can I ask if he snores or stops breathing? You say he sleeps easily during the day. I'm talking nighttime sleep, if he snores or stops breathing at night? It could be the medications causing the sleep problem, or he could have Apnea. Either way, he needs to see a Dr. I suggest you try to see if he does stop breathing at night. Apnea if left untreated can cause other problems, like falling asleep while driving. One of our driver at work has Apnea, he can fall asleep whenever. Try 'googling' sleep apnea and see if your partner shows any of the symptoms. Talking to his Dr alone could be difficult due to Dr/patient confidentiality, but he definitely needs to see him. Perhaps your best bet first would be to check his nighttime breathing. Once you've established whether he snores, then stops breathing, then you can tell him he has a problem.

Lynda