I have been on quietapine 3 times over the years at doses ranging from 50mg- >850mg (both XL and IR).
When it's needed it can be a very good medication. There were a few things that helped me with the over sleeping problems while on it:
- immediate release causes more peaks and troughs in energy/sedation, but I did definitely find I didn't sleep as long on it. I slept the longest on the XL version. Also that taking the whole does or IR at night was better than a split dose.
- a lower dose always helped. But this depends on what dose you find most useful. Some doctor and text books will say it is only benificial/therapeutic at certain doses. I rarely found this with quietapine. Adjusting the dose may help you sleep less while still helping with your symptoms.
- finding a balance is important, what is best for other may not be best for you. You may need that amount of sleep to regulate your mood, you may not. So even though it feels inconvenient, it might actually be because it's what it best for you.
- routine, routine, routine. This is what worked best for me. Go to bed the same time, wake up the same time, have the same work time slot, the same meal times, the same social hours, ect... EVERY DAY! it can be hard to establish routine if there isn't currentlya regular time table in your life but it is worth the effort.
- a few things a therapist suggested that I still fond helpful now: when your alarm goes off use a flannel that has been in cold water over night to refresh your face (cold shower help to but you have to be out of bed for that - the technique means you can keep what you need by your bed), keep your room cool (although it's not always easy towards summer), get fresh air and natural light as soon as possible (I do this quite easily because I smoke but if you don't you could do it by just taking a drink outside first thing and just letter yourself wake up naturally for 5-10 mins).
|