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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JonW on May 23, 2002, at 0:57:10
Hi all...
PLEASE BEAR WITH ME AND READ THIS!
Today, I took my usual 1200mg Neurontin 3x/day and 500mg Depakote 2x/day. My doc told me to take dexedrine to treat my depression while waiting to start Nardil. Around 5:00pm yesterday I took 20mg Dextrostat, and I had taken Seroquel 50mg the night before yesterday to help me sleep. Stay with me here, the Dextrostat I took at 5:00pm yesterday kept me up all night despite taking another 50mg Seroquel that night as well. I realized at around 4:00am this morning (I stayed up all night remember) that I hadn't taken any of my regular meds that previous day so at that time (4:00am) I took 1200mg Neurontin + 500mg Depakote and another 25mg Seroquel to try to put me to sleep. At around 9:00am this morning I still hadn't slept and so I took 20mg Dexedririne but this time in spansule form and then another 20mg Spansule again at 1:00pm today. As I said before, I've taken all my regular meds (Depakote + Neurontin) on schedule today. However, I'm going on no sleep but feel like I'll be able to sleep tonight.
Good, you made it this far! Here's the problem, I'm not sure about last night but I'm definitely hallucinating today and I don't have shizophrenia! It's kind of cool, actually, it's like a screen saver, a very fluidly moving design of purples and greens! It's not a solid image but translucent and more noticeable on certain surfaces than others. Sometimes I see a red bar come by, and I just when I look at my kitchen floor the spot I'm looking at becomes textured like the back of a turtle's shell but flat. I've been thinking I see movement in my peripheral vision all day like maybe little pindots that occasionally streak quickly by. If I look at my laptop screen I definitely see these little pindots of light running around with the image. Oh wait, it's a new image, still very fluid but it has a wiry structure whereas the last one was more like a blanket. The funniest think just happened! lol! I've been thinking I see things in my peripheral vision *all day* so I just accept they're not real, but just now a *real* spider ran by on the floor right next to me and for about five seconds... I wasn't sure! :)
I also wonder if I didn't experience an auditory hallucination last night. While I was watching tv, I heard in my right ear a small distant sound like a voice coming from a telephone that's too far from your ear. The sound wasn't quite a voice but it wasn't not a voice and this sound evoked emotion in me like something evil was said and definitely to me. My initial reaction was that it scared me and it was different, my second thought was "it's not real" and then I became interested in making it happen again to determine if there were actual words being said. It had happend two maybe three times but I couldn't make it hapen again. Maybe I just need some sleep!
Was that an auditory hallucination or was I all paranoid on the dexedrine when the wind in my house happened to blow the wrong way? Could there be a non drug explanation for the things I'm seeing (btw, the blanket's back), for instance, since I started the dex. I've been in front of my laptop screen non-stop, but then you'd think I would've encountered this before.
Has ANYONE experienced this on seroquel or had any similar experiences on the drugs or the combination of drugs that I'm on? Is this dangerous? I'm going to stop the seroquel to see if it goes away, but I'm confused because I've taken this drug before without a problem. Can anyone relate to any of this at all?
Thanks for following me,
Jon
Posted by JonW on May 23, 2002, at 5:29:57
In reply to HELP!! Hallucinations?! Seroquel?, posted by JonW on May 23, 2002, at 0:57:10
...I'm not all *that* sure the spider was real. He made several passes by my chair after our initial introduction and most spiders don't do circles around you, and a few minutes later the so-called "spider" jumped from the wall as I was leaving the room and bit me on the hand. It sent an electrical feeling up my arm, and my hands and forearms were all tingly afterwards. Actually, I now realize I've been having tactile hallucinations the entire day. Maybe this spider was radioactive and now I'm spiderman -- kewl! Hey look at that, the spider didn't even leave a mark when he bit me! And for my listening pleasure, distant music is coming from my refrigerator :)
I'm trying to make light of this, but the truth is I'm scared to death of the dark. I tried to go to bed and I sensed the room was full of angry people and evil spirits (but I'm a humanist!) stepping closer and closer to my bed to do me in! I didn't really see anyone but I did see these things wearing white on my ceiling -- maybe evil looking trees or evil spirits. They didn't seem to be moving and were hidden by the darkness, but I felt traped and honestly scared as I told myself this whole night is all in my head and left the room. I am now in my well-lit kitchen where I continue to swat the bugs from my skin even though I know they're not real, either.
After researching the internet, I've concluded that I may have taken too much amphetamine. Can 40mg of dexedrine in one day cause these seemingly psychotic symptoms? Last night without sleep can't help, but it's just hard to except that 40mg of dex. and I'm in John Nash's world. I don't know what I'd do if a voice yelled at me or I saw an actual 3-dimensional person -- I've seen a real spider and it only seems to be getting worse... the images are more real, more independent, more evil than before.
Is it likely that dexedrine is causing the problem? I'm not taking either drug until I know for sure. I've read about amphetamines and hallucination and they always refer to "Amphetamine Psyhosis", but the description of that sounds a lot more serious than what's going on with me. I seem paranoid and am having different types of hallucinations -- maybe it's just not as bad as if I had 80mg or something. What do you guys think about all of this?
Jon
p.s. hey, I just saw a flowing image of a lobster moving in place and then it morphed into an octopus entangled with an orange extension cord which morphed into a pile of twigs and then morphed into a basketball hoop. Well, that makes sense, it is the conference finals. :) It's interesting, it seems like I can influence the images with my mind. I mean, I turned what I saw into a lobster but it just went from there.
Posted by Trisha on May 23, 2002, at 8:25:23
In reply to on second thought..., posted by JonW on May 23, 2002, at 5:29:57
Hi Jon,
Yes, I think the Seroquel could be causing your hallucinations. I was on it for a very short time and I had similiar experiences that you are describing. The first night I took it, voices were telling me to commit suicide. I remember getting up in the middle of the night and sittng at my kitchen table trying to remember my husband and daughter's name! I saw colors and bugs,etc. It was truly horrifying. I ended up in the psych. ward at the hospital and after a couple of days, discontinued the Seroquel. Most of the psychosis went away. The doc. then prescribed Risperdal. I was still experiencing some psychosis, but not nearly as bad. It wasn't until after I went off all anti-psychotics that the psychosis went away entirely. Weird, isn't it, that a anti-psychotic med. can cause psychosis? Just thought I'd let you know your not alone. Good luck and hope ypu feel better soon!
TrishaP.S. All of what I described was also very "evil". I wonder why our minds bring that out under psychosis?
Posted by katekite on May 23, 2002, at 17:20:58
In reply to on second thought..., posted by JonW on May 23, 2002, at 5:29:57
Sounds like the combo sure stimulated a few neurons in there that don't usually dance together.
I've heard of hallucinations with Ambien, so maybe with other sleep meds if you don't sleep? no good idea there.
Definitely the dexedrine would not help it. Might worsen it.
Maybe go to just your depakote and neurontin until your doc gets back to you.... that is, if you haven't already talked to them.
Good luck and hope nothing bites too hard.
kate
Posted by xjs7 on May 23, 2002, at 19:08:27
In reply to HELP!! Hallucinations?! Seroquel?, posted by JonW on May 23, 2002, at 0:57:10
Hi JonW,
It seems at the time of your posting you have not slept for two days. Hallucinations and delusions can occur because of sleep deprivation. Here is an interesting article on the subject:
http://www.mhsource.com/pt/p980301b.html
I have been through all kinds of terrible hallucinations (while not medicated at all) so I can certainly relate to how you must be feeling (or felt at the time of your posting). I hope you feel better soon.
xjs7
Posted by IsoM on May 23, 2002, at 23:07:05
In reply to HELP!! Hallucinations?! Seroquel?, posted by JonW on May 23, 2002, at 0:57:10
The first & second post of yours sound like you're getting quite a reaction from your mix of meds & your lack of sleep.
The initial hallucinations you noticed (the mild, shapeless ones with colours & the far away voice) is what I experience normally when I'm very tired. One of my sons & my Mom gets it too so I know it I'm not weird but it seems to be an inherited tendency in us from needing sleep.
I, personally, think 40 mg Dexedrine is too much in one day, especially without sleep. That & the other mix could very easily cause hallucinations. I hope you get back to normal soon.
Like katekite said, talk to your doctor!
Posted by kazoo on May 24, 2002, at 10:10:16
In reply to HELP!! Hallucinations?! Seroquel?, posted by JonW on May 23, 2002, at 0:57:10
> Hi all...
>
> PLEASE BEAR WITH ME AND READ THIS!Do you know what the problem is here (as I see it)?
You're playing "fruit salad" with a ludicrous combination of drugs, mixing and matching, those "indicated" with those "contraindicated," a kind of Russian Roulette of mind, and there will be no winners.
Now "reality" is being questioned.
But my question is this: is this "trip" necessary?
Please excuse my abruptness, but I'm always amazed over the "cocktails" that are prescribed (in good conscience, of course).kazoo
Posted by JonW on May 24, 2002, at 10:12:53
In reply to Re: on second thought..., posted by Trisha on May 23, 2002, at 8:25:23
Thanks, Trisha. Your experience sounds worse than mine, and from the taste I had I really empathize with how horrifying hallucinating can be.
Jon
Posted by JonW on May 24, 2002, at 10:19:51
In reply to let your doc know, posted by katekite on May 23, 2002, at 17:20:58
Thanks, kate. It was good advice to call my doc, and after reading on the internet I decided not to touch either med before talking to the doc. The hallucination has has gone away except for some dots here and there. My psydoc was taken back by how much dexedrine I took (which was an accident) and told me the dots should go away in a few days.
Thanks again,
Jon
Posted by JonW on May 24, 2002, at 10:22:48
In reply to Sleep deprivation and psychosis, posted by xjs7 on May 23, 2002, at 19:08:27
Thanks, I am a lot better now. That article was interesting, some of the statistics were very surprising!
Jon
Posted by JonW on May 24, 2002, at 10:24:44
In reply to Re: HELP!! Hallucinations?! Seroquel?, posted by IsoM on May 23, 2002, at 23:07:05
Posted by JonW on May 24, 2002, at 11:13:26
In reply to Re: HELP!! Hallucinations?! Seroquel?, posted by kazoo on May 24, 2002, at 10:10:16
Hi kazoo,
I checked rxlist.com for interactions between any one drug with another -- depakote, neurontin, seroquel, and dexedrine and there were none. This, of course, doesn't ensure that there isn't a problem caused by the cocktail, but after researching the internet and talking to my psydoc it's almost a certainty that I simply took too much dexedrine. You make a good point about all of our drug cocktails, but what other choice do many of us have?
Jon
> > Hi all...
> >
> > PLEASE BEAR WITH ME AND READ THIS!
>
> Do you know what the problem is here (as I see it)?
> You're playing "fruit salad" with a ludicrous combination of drugs, mixing and matching, those "indicated" with those "contraindicated," a kind of Russian Roulette of mind, and there will be no winners.
> Now "reality" is being questioned.
> But my question is this: is this "trip" necessary?
> Please excuse my abruptness, but I'm always amazed over the "cocktails" that are prescribed (in good conscience, of course).
>
> kazoo
Posted by Trisha on May 24, 2002, at 13:42:31
In reply to Re: on second thought... » Trisha, posted by JonW on May 24, 2002, at 10:12:53
Hi Jon,
I am just glad that you are feeling better. That's all that matters. I am sorry your pdoc was "accusing" you. We all make mistakes! Take care,
Trisha
Posted by AliSC on May 24, 2002, at 15:20:09
In reply to HELP!! Hallucinations?! Seroquel?, posted by JonW on May 23, 2002, at 0:57:10
I will have to agree with xjs on this one. Sleep deprivation can cause hallucinations. I have experienced them before first hand and I have no psych. condition that involves hallucinating. I was up for 3 days once and I saw all kind of weird things. So just get some sleep and you'll be fine. It's just one of those things that can happen to anyone. It doesn't mean anything is wrong with you. Trust me. RN
Posted by JonW on May 24, 2002, at 17:21:58
In reply to Re: HELP!! Hallucinations?! Seroquel?, posted by AliSC on May 24, 2002, at 15:20:09
Posted by Gracie2 on May 26, 2002, at 19:04:14
In reply to Re: HELP!! Hallucinations?! Seroquel?, posted by AliSC on May 24, 2002, at 15:20:09
I take 400 mg of Seroquel daily and have never had hallucinations like you described since an LSD trip about 100 years ago. I would think your lack of sleep and the drug cocktail contributed to this.
-Gracie
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