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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by xjs7 on March 14, 2002, at 18:46:31
I was wondering if anyone here could help me with this problem I have. My psychiatrist is not into discussing things like this with me (she just prescribes drugs).
My problem is that I remain awake for 5-7 days before I am able to sleep (fitfully and for a short time). During these 5-7 days I am extremely tense, my eyes are wide open, and my heart is racing. I also have psychotic symptoms, including visual and auditory hallucinations. I also become very irritable at around the 5 day mark and start screaming at people.
I have been diagnosed with panic disorder and schizophrenia, and I take a high dose of an antipsychotic, a low dose of an antidepressant, and a benzodiazepine.
I have never heard of people with panic disorder or schizophrenia staying wide awake for so many hours. I have heard of people who stay awake for so long having psychotic symptoms. Could my sleeplessness explain my psychotic symptoms? If so, is it possible that I do not have schizophrenia? Could an anxiety disorder be so severe that it causes extreme sleeplessness?
I have tried to research this subject on the Internet but have found hardly anything! All I want to know is why I stay awake for so long, and what the best treatment is. I have tried OTC sleep aids and they don't do a thing. My psychiatric drugs make it so I can sleep sort of normally (I still stay awake for too long), but I don't especially want to have to take so many potent medications just to sleep!
Does anyone have any ideas about this situation? Anything would be much appreciated. I have to admit that I am totally baffled by my predicament.
Posted by beardedlady on March 14, 2002, at 19:31:26
In reply to Awake for 7 days (panic, schizophrenia?), posted by xjs7 on March 14, 2002, at 18:46:31
When my insomnia started, I was only able to sleep a couple hours a night, and I had to take all kinds of drugs to sleep. Even when I took Xanax, I'd wake up the moment it wore off.
It started just days after a relative's funeral, days after my daughter quit nursing, and a few months after other loved ones had died. I had a lot on my plate. Since I didn't have to nurse, I started Phentermine for weight loss. (I had taken it before and loved it. It actually made me feel the happiest I have ever felt!)
Anyway, sleep stopped. One night I'd sleep two hours; the next night, one; the next night, none. The first time it happened, I wound up at the hospital and got a valium and was sent home. I fell asleep for a whole four hours.
Anxiety can keep you from sleeping. It took six months to find the right medicine. I started Serzone three years ago, and I have been sleeping like a rock--most of the time--since. I take it at night before bed, and I have had very few side effects.
You absolutely must discuss this with your pdoc, even though she's not there for therapy. She has to know what symptoms to treat!
I don't know anything about schizophrenia. But I do know that sleep deprivation can absolutely make you crazy. I also know that extreme anxiety can cause a person to lose sleep several nights in a row.
Please tell your doc right away. Good luck.
: )>
Posted by xjs7 on March 14, 2002, at 20:27:25
In reply to Re: Awake for 7 days (panic, schizophrenia?) » xjs7, posted by beardedlady on March 14, 2002, at 19:31:26
Hi Beardedlady,
Thank you for your reply. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who's had this sort of problem.
I have told my doctor about this problem. Last visit I told her I last slept four days ago, and she prescribed Ativan. I really should ask her if she thinks I have insomnia or schizophrenia (I certainly hope she can tell the difference!).
She seems to want to keep me on antipsychotics for a long time, but I am not sure I need them. I still have to take them at this time because if I don't the insomnia returns.
xjs7
> When my insomnia started, I was only able to sleep a couple hours a night, and I had to take all kinds of drugs to sleep. Even when I took Xanax, I'd wake up the moment it wore off.
>
> It started just days after a relative's funeral, days after my daughter quit nursing, and a few months after other loved ones had died. I had a lot on my plate. Since I didn't have to nurse, I started Phentermine for weight loss. (I had taken it before and loved it. It actually made me feel the happiest I have ever felt!)
>
> Anyway, sleep stopped. One night I'd sleep two hours; the next night, one; the next night, none. The first time it happened, I wound up at the hospital and got a valium and was sent home. I fell asleep for a whole four hours.
>
> Anxiety can keep you from sleeping. It took six months to find the right medicine. I started Serzone three years ago, and I have been sleeping like a rock--most of the time--since. I take it at night before bed, and I have had very few side effects.
>
> You absolutely must discuss this with your pdoc, even though she's not there for therapy. She has to know what symptoms to treat!
>
> I don't know anything about schizophrenia. But I do know that sleep deprivation can absolutely make you crazy. I also know that extreme anxiety can cause a person to lose sleep several nights in a row.
>
> Please tell your doc right away. Good luck.
>
> : )>
Posted by Ritch on March 14, 2002, at 22:46:15
In reply to Awake for 7 days (panic, schizophrenia?), posted by xjs7 on March 14, 2002, at 18:46:31
> I was wondering if anyone here could help me with this problem I have. My psychiatrist is not into discussing things like this with me (she just prescribes drugs).
>
> My problem is that I remain awake for 5-7 days before I am able to sleep (fitfully and for a short time). During these 5-7 days I am extremely tense, my eyes are wide open, and my heart is racing. I also have psychotic symptoms, including visual and auditory hallucinations. I also become very irritable at around the 5 day mark and start screaming at people.
>
> I have been diagnosed with panic disorder and schizophrenia, and I take a high dose of an antipsychotic, a low dose of an antidepressant, and a benzodiazepine.
>
> I have never heard of people with panic disorder or schizophrenia staying wide awake for so many hours. I have heard of people who stay awake for so long having psychotic symptoms. Could my sleeplessness explain my psychotic symptoms? If so, is it possible that I do not have schizophrenia? Could an anxiety disorder be so severe that it causes extreme sleeplessness?
>
> I have tried to research this subject on the Internet but have found hardly anything! All I want to know is why I stay awake for so long, and what the best treatment is. I have tried OTC sleep aids and they don't do a thing. My psychiatric drugs make it so I can sleep sort of normally (I still stay awake for too long), but I don't especially want to have to take so many potent medications just to sleep!
>
> Does anyone have any ideas about this situation? Anything would be much appreciated. I have to admit that I am totally baffled by my predicament.
Hi,How old are you and when were you first diagnosed with all of this stuff? Sleep deprivation can cause seizures, hallucinations all sorts of stuff. Could you tell us what meds you are on and what the dosages are? You seem rather lucid in your writing. Schizophrenia is supposed to be primarily a thought disorder from what I understand-not just hallucinations. My brother developed panic and generalized anxiety due to his medical problems and couldn't sleep for several days-they gave him an antidepressant and it got *worse*. You probably should get a 2nd opinion-especially if you just recently been diagnosed with this stuff.
Mitch
Posted by xjs7 on March 15, 2002, at 0:02:53
In reply to Re: Awake for 7 days (panic, schizophrenia?) » xjs7, posted by Ritch on March 14, 2002, at 22:46:15
Hi Mitch,
First of all thank you for responding to my message. I really appreciate it.
I am 20 years old and was diagnosed with the panic and schizophrenia when I was 19 (I think my age had a lot to do with the diagnosis, almost like the psychiatrist was expecting me to present with schizophrenia).
I am currently taking 60mg Geodon 2/day, 10mg Paxil 1/day, and 1mg Ativan as needed (for sleep). If I don't take the Geodon I never sleep. I don't think the Paxil makes any difference at all. I was tried on the Paxil at 20mg alone but that just made the problem worse. Apparently at that point the doctor decided I was psychotic and gave me the Geodon.
From the start I've had serious doubts about my psychiatrist's competancy, so perhaps I should seek a second opinion.
xjs7
> Hi,
>
> How old are you and when were you first diagnosed with all of this stuff? Sleep deprivation can cause seizures, hallucinations all sorts of stuff. Could you tell us what meds you are on and what the dosages are? You seem rather lucid in your writing. Schizophrenia is supposed to be primarily a thought disorder from what I understand-not just hallucinations. My brother developed panic and generalized anxiety due to his medical problems and couldn't sleep for several days-they gave him an antidepressant and it got *worse*. You probably should get a 2nd opinion-especially if you just recently been diagnosed with this stuff.
>
> Mitch
Posted by Ritch on March 15, 2002, at 7:51:57
In reply to Awake for 7 days (panic, schizophrenia?) » Ritch, posted by xjs7 on March 15, 2002, at 0:02:53
> Hi Mitch,
>
> First of all thank you for responding to my message. I really appreciate it.
>
> I am 20 years old and was diagnosed with the panic and schizophrenia when I was 19 (I think my age had a lot to do with the diagnosis, almost like the psychiatrist was expecting me to present with schizophrenia).
>
> I am currently taking 60mg Geodon 2/day, 10mg Paxil 1/day, and 1mg Ativan as needed (for sleep). If I don't take the Geodon I never sleep. I don't think the Paxil makes any difference at all. I was tried on the Paxil at 20mg alone but that just made the problem worse. Apparently at that point the doctor decided I was psychotic and gave me the Geodon.
>
> From the start I've had serious doubts about my psychiatrist's competancy, so perhaps I should seek a second opinion.
>
> xjs7
FWIW,There have been some posters here that have complained about Geodon inducing hypomania. Combined with Paxil (which my brother said made his insomnia far worse), could account for some of your troubles. If you can't get a new pdoc soon, you might ask your current one if you could be switched to an antipsychotic that is more sedative such as Zyprexa. Maybe you could sleep better.
good luck,
Mitch
Posted by Chris A. on March 16, 2002, at 19:06:02
In reply to Awake for 7 days (panic, schizophrenia?), posted by xjs7 on March 14, 2002, at 18:46:31
Has anyone mentioned bipolar disorder to you? Staying awake for that long, combined with irritability and psychotic symptoms would raise the possibility of manic episodes. There's also schizoaffective disorder which is a combination of mood and thought disorder. Make sure you get thorough psych exam and try very hard not to leave anything out of your own or your family's history.
Best,
Chris A.
Posted by djmmm on March 17, 2002, at 10:15:21
In reply to Awake for 7 days (panic, schizophrenia?), posted by xjs7 on March 14, 2002, at 18:46:31
There are several things that you should be doing (at this point)
anytime you are hallucinating...there is a problem, you should notify your psychiatrist...*but* if she is only giving you ativan(?!) and sending you home and "...is not into discussing things like this..." ...it's time to ask a parent or a guardian to help you find a *competent* psychiatrist
If you aren't certain of your diagnosis (schizophrenia) then, why would you take the medication with out getting a second opinion?
There are a lot of good psychiatrists out there... the better docs are associated with major hospitals
Remember, you are entrusting someone with you mental health. You should have a relationship with your Pdoc. where s/he is willing to discuss anything, not just "prescribing drugs"
Posted by Cressida on March 17, 2002, at 10:19:59
In reply to Awake for 7 days (panic, schizophrenia?) » beardedlady, posted by xjs7 on March 14, 2002, at 20:27:25
It is as if I'm reading my own experience. Roughly two months ago I started experiencing severe insomnia. I would stay awake for days at a time, spending much of it in front of the computer, doing things I cannot even recall. I definitely started getting weird, and probably psychotic, after the 30-50 hr mark. The severity of insomnia that you describe is a symptom of something. Whether it is schizophrenia or severe anxiety, in which case the latter is my chief problem, is something only you and your doctor can figure.
I was prescribed 5mg of Zyprexa about three weeks ago for my sleep disturbance. Thus far it has helped tremendously with problems unrelated to sleep, and I'm partially confused over this unexpected positive response. I have less anxiety; less confusion; improved memory; clearer head; fewer OCD and ADD symptoms. Am I psychotic? Not according my my therapist, doctor or family members. However, my pdoc said once that I may be a little psychotic at times. WEll, are you? You do not appear to be. I've seen the writings of schizophrenics, and yours does not seem to fit the schema in the slightest. Yet, the medicine may be helping you so much that you're symptom free.
So, it may very well be possible that your chronic sleep disturbance is causing a psychological disorder. The reverse may be the case as well. It's a question of what came first, the chicken or the egg? I have read in the literature that mental illnesses like schizophrenia can cause a person to stay awake for long periods. Anyhow, don't worry so much about the diagnosis, but be grateful you're getting help that's making a beneficial difference. I hope things work out for you... <8-]
Posted by pedr on March 18, 2002, at 8:37:30
In reply to Awake for 7 days (panic, schizophrenia?), posted by xjs7 on March 14, 2002, at 18:46:31
Hi xjs7,
first off, I'm sorry to hear you're having such a rough time of things, it sounds really really difficult.The reason I'm posting is that many years ago when young and largely stupid, my mates and I got mashed several days on the trot with not a lot of sleep. B.T.W. at that time, none of us had any mental problems, just pickled livers. One mate thought it would be particularly funny to stay up for 3 days. Interestingly, he began seeing things such as cars beginning to float off the road and fences moving and things. This was when he was sober by the way. He thought it was brilliant. <sigh>
So, it's possible [repeat, *possible* :-) ] that your visual and auditory hallucinations are largely or even wholly a function of your lack of sleep.
Just a suggestion,
best wishes,
pete.
This is the end of the thread.
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