Crazy Pills

[gibsongirl38]

Hi, everyone. I've been a WS "lurker" for quite a few years but I absolutely *had* to respond to this post.

I, too have been diagnosed as bi-polar about 4 years ago. I've been on a medication merry-go-round for about the same amount of time. Anyway, to make a long story short I have had insomnia since I was 15 years old (and I'll turn 40 this year). Nothing helped and, in fact, when I am cycling into a manic phase the #1 clue is that I can't sleep to save my life. Finally I've got it (mostly) under control (folks w/ BPD will tell you that it's a situation that is really never cured but you can learn to control it - well, somewhat) and you need to be very diligent about noticing and recording your symptoms. I have take pretty much all the prescription sleep aids on the market and Ambien CR seems to work best for me...However - I absolutely do need to be physically in the bed when I take it because it does hit you immediately and like a ton of bricks. Until I learned how it affected me I really would just take it around 10pm and then go and read, or do wash, etc. This is how I learned the hard way that you can't disregard the warnings with this drug - I have had hallucinations, I have had entire conversations with people that weren't there, I have had a conversation with my husband one night - EXCEPT he wasn't here, he was travelling. I have also lost quite a few things during the ambien induced blackout - including my wedding ring. So now I take the drug precautions seriously. I also have worked very hard to make my sleep environment as special and "sleep friendly" as possible (new mattress, 400 thread count sheets, keep the room cool, don't watch tv in the bedroom, etc.) and all of it together is working...I just wanted to let folks know that these drugs should be taken very very seriously but that they can help those of us with genuine sleep issues...

 

[TheShadow]

Ambien is famous for causing people to eat, and I mean GORGE, in their sleep. People have literally gotten out of bed and eaten everything in the fridge and gone back to bed and not remembered any of it. I had a prescription for 10 of them after I had surgery, because the doc thought the pain would keep me awake. I saved them for my occasional bout of insomnia. When I took one, I got up in the middle of the night to pee and FELL OFF THE TOILET!!! Man I was so off balance. I can't imagine how anyone could walk around on those things. After that I only took a half at a time. I'd like that info on that CD too. My MIL is having trouble sleeping since she recently lost her hubby of over 50 years, and pills don't seem to work for her. She wakes up after a few hours and then is up for the rest of the night.

 

[curious1]

TheShadow and Kazz.....I put the CD on my end table to bring into work today and walked right out of the house without it. I will try to get on the computer before dh comes home tonight and parks himself in front of it so I can get the info to you guys.

As I said, I am sure it will not work for everyone, but I have been amazed at how it gives me that 'just been hit over the head by the sleep fairy' kind of sleepy feeling. If I try to wake myself up as I am dozing off I actually feel drugged up. Weird, huh?

 

[curious1]

Hi Shadow and Kazz,


I got home and made it onto the computer before DH.

Here is the CD info.....Lifescapes....Sleep

They can be found at....compassmusic.com When you get to the website choose 'view all titles' then go under 's' and it's about halfway down the page.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=left width=188 bgColor=#ffffff>[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][size=+0]Sleep[/size][/font]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width=21 bgColor=#ffffff>

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width=215 bgColor=#ffffe6 colSpan=3><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width=215 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width=215 bgColor=#ffffe6>[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][size=-1]Deep strings and dreamlike flutes cascade over calming Delta Waves to create prolonged states of tranquility. Scientific studies show that Delta Waves, which emulate brain waves in deep sleep, can assist those who have trouble falling asleep.[/size][/font]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[notbignotrich]

Hi to the websleuthers. I've been a reader for a long time. I had never noticed this thread. You guys make a lot of sense and you're also hilarious. I laughed at some of the posts till I was in tears.

Seriously though. I have just gotten a prescription for the new drug Chantix. Some of the side effects are vivid dreams which is sort of scary to me since my dreams are already vivid enough. Has anyone else tried this?

 

[Shazza]

Thanks Curious1 that would be great!..

Hi kazzbar havent heard from you for a while how are you call into new member thread and have a chat.

 

[narlacat]

Hi to the websleuthers. I've been a reader for a long time. I had never noticed this thread. You guys make a lot of sense and you're also hilarious. I laughed at some of the posts till I was in tears.

Seriously though. I have just gotten a prescription for the new drug Chantix. Some of the side effects are vivid dreams which is sort of scary to me since my dreams are already vivid enough. Has anyone else tried this?

I haven't tried Chantix, but know what you mean about vivid dreams, some of my dreams are crystal, I can smell and touch in dreams even...so real

I wore a cigarette patch to bed one night, forgeting to take it off and had the worst nightmares all night...afterwards I read that is one of the side affects if you wear them when you sleep.

 

[OneLostGrl]

Hi, everyone. I've been a WS "lurker" for quite a few years but I absolutely *had* to respond to this post.

I, too have been diagnosed as bi-polar about 4 years ago. I've been on a medication merry-go-round for about the same amount of time. Anyway, to make a long story short I have had insomnia since I was 15 years old (and I'll turn 40 this year). Nothing helped and, in fact, when I am cycling into a manic phase the #1 clue is that I can't sleep to save my life. Finally I've got it (mostly) under control (folks w/ BPD will tell you that it's a situation that is really never cured but you can learn to control it - well, somewhat) and you need to be very diligent about noticing and recording your symptoms. I have take pretty much all the prescription sleep aids on the market and Ambien CR seems to work best for me...However - I absolutely do need to be physically in the bed when I take it because it does hit you immediately and like a ton of bricks. Until I learned how it affected me I really would just take it around 10pm and then go and read, or do wash, etc. This is how I learned the hard way that you can't disregard the warnings with this drug - I have had hallucinations, I have had entire conversations with people that weren't there, I have had a conversation with my husband one night - EXCEPT he wasn't here, he was travelling. I have also lost quite a few things during the ambien induced blackout - including my wedding ring. So now I take the drug precautions seriously. I also have worked very hard to make my sleep environment as special and "sleep friendly" as possible (new mattress, 400 thread count sheets, keep the room cool, don't watch tv in the bedroom, etc.) and all of it together is working...I just wanted to let folks know that these drugs should be taken very very seriously but that they can help those of us with genuine sleep issues...

gibsongirl38-

Welcome to Websleuths!! Don't give up on the med-merry-go-roud, girl. It takes time but trust me, it is SOO worth it when ya finally find the right cocktail! As you say, our Bipolar can't be cured but it can go into "remission"! When the cycles start, Just hold on tight! I have found that for me when I feel a mania coming on (It's amazing, huh, how after you learn about your illness you realize you actually can feel it coming on) I just add Zyprexa into the mix and within 24 hours I'm ok! I have also learned when I'm manic that it's a good time to mow the yards... I leave the tractor in the shed and push mow!


That is great that the Ambien CR works for you! Did your Pdoc ever give ya Seroquel for sleep?

 

[OneLostGrl]

Hi to the websleuthers. I've been a reader for a long time. I had never noticed this thread. You guys make a lot of sense and you're also hilarious. I laughed at some of the posts till I was in tears.

Seriously though. I have just gotten a prescription for the new drug Chantix. Some of the side effects are vivid dreams which is sort of scary to me since my dreams are already vivid enough. Has anyone else tried this?

Welcome to Websleuths, notbignotrich!!

I have never even heard of Chantix! I'll ask my Pdoc about it at my appointment tomorrow and let ya know what she says!

 

[gaia]

Onegirllost and Gibsongirl, I, too, am bi-polar! Wow, are there a lot of us on WS? I've been battling this disease for 35 years! I'm mostly "down" and very low with occasional "highs" and have tried every drug under the sun including experimental stuff from NIH. Finally, this past fall (after getting higher and higher), I began to crumble and that happened very fast. Went back to the Dr. and he put me on Seroquel and Zoloft. I also take Ultram for pain in my neck. Interesting thing that Ultram actually does work with the serotonin level and other levels that decide how you feel. The Ultram added to the other drugs has kept me "up" without getting too high, although I find I need to make a slight adjustment today due to sleeplessness and racing thoughts!! I know what that means!

On a recent trip to London, UK, we were in upper class on Virgin Atlantic with the flat beds. I decided I needed ambien to maximize the sleep potential, but changed my mind at the last minute. Took nothing and still slept remarkably well. First time I've slept that much on a transatlantic night flight ever!

gaia:dance:

 

[notbignotrich]

I haven't tried Chantix, but know what you mean about vivid dreams, some of my dreams are crystal, I can smell and touch in dreams even...so real

I wore a cigarette patch to bed one night, forgeting to take it off and had the worst nightmares all night...afterwards I read that is one of the side affects if you wear them when you sleep.

I should have explained that Chantix is supposed to work on the brain in a way to help a person to stop smoking. I think by your statement that you already know. Were you successful using the patch?

 

[notbignotrich]

Welcome to Websleuths, notbignotrich!!

I have never even heard of Chantix! I'll ask my Pdoc about it at my appointment tomorrow and let ya know what she says!

Thanks for the welcome. Any information you can give will help. I''m in the processs of setting a start date. Even that part is hard for me. LOL!

 

[OneLostGrl]

Onegirllost and Gibsongirl, I, too, am bi-polar! Wow, are there a lot of us on WS? I've been battling this disease for 35 years! I'm mostly "down" and very low with occasional "highs" and have tried every drug under the sun including experimental stuff from NIH. Finally, this past fall (after getting higher and higher), I began to crumble and that happened very fast. Went back to the Dr. and he put me on Seroquel and Zoloft. I also take Ultram for pain in my neck. Interesting thing that Ultram actually does work with the serotonin level and other levels that decide how you feel. The Ultram added to the other drugs has kept me "up" without getting too high, although I find I need to make a slight adjustment today due to sleeplessness and racing thoughts!! I know what that means!

On a recent trip to London, UK, we were in upper class on Virgin Atlantic with the flat beds. I decided I needed ambien to maximize the sleep potential, but changed my mind at the last minute. Took nothing and still slept remarkably well. First time I've slept that much on a transatlantic night flight ever!

gaia:dance:

Wow! why has it taken y'all so long to come out of the wood work?!?! I have been "talking to myself" about Bipolar for so long on here! We should start a thread, girls!! It's nice to have others who have been through it to talk to, share with, ya know?

I became "sick" on day last week after a night with little sleep and a day that followed. I tend to have mixed, ultra rapid cycles. I began with racing thoughts at a doctors appointment, became angry about 20 minutes later, landed in a mania for about 45 min then crashed and sobbed like a baby for 2 hours. It was awful! I havent felt "sick" in years and I was so scared it would stay!

I told my husband as I was sobbing in his arms that I will not live that way again and would kill myself if it lasted more than 2 days. I honestly cannot bear the thought of ever being that person again- having that monster control my every thought, want and need. Hearing voices etc etc.

Anyway--

Wow, do you take the Seroquel during the day? I tried it years back, was on 200mgs at bedtime but it made me sleep for hours and hours (just about a 24 hr period) and piss the bed! LOL

What do ya'll "Brilliantly mad" women say we start a Bipolar thread?!

 

[OneLostGrl]

Hi to the websleuthers. I've been a reader for a long time. I had never noticed this thread. You guys make a lot of sense and you're also hilarious. I laughed at some of the posts till I was in tears.

Seriously though. I have just gotten a prescription for the new drug Chantix. Some of the side effects are vivid dreams which is sort of scary to me since my dreams are already vivid enough. Has anyone else tried this?

I didn't forget about you!

My Pdoc seemed to really have some good words about Chantix. She feels it is a wonderful smoking cessation and will be a great help for people who up until now have been unable to quit.

The biggest issues seem to be vivid dreams and that it's a FDA category C pregnancy drug, meaning that it may cause damage to a fetus if you get pregnant while taking it and it also may pass through breast milk. Also be sure to let your doctor know if you take any vitamins, herbal products and/or minerals. The only other thing seems to be that your doctor might want you to have kidney function tests while you are on it.

Good luck, let us know how you do!!

 

[narlacat]

I should have explained that Chantix is supposed to work on the brain in a way to help a person to stop smoking. I think by your statement that you already know. Were you successful using the patch?

Oh, no I didn't know that- was just getting sidetracked when you mentioned dreams...

Until I took it off............lol.....I still smoke the odd ciggy.......

 

[TheShadow]

Curious1, thanks for the sleep CD info. I will see if I can get it local. If not I'll order one and test drive it for my MIL.

 

[notbignotrich]

I didn't forget about you!

My Pdoc seemed to really have some good words about Chantix. She feels it is a wonderful smoking cessation and will be a great help for people who up until now have been unable to quit.

The biggest issues seem to be vivid dreams and that it's a FDA category C pregnancy drug, meaning that it may cause damage to a fetus if you get pregnant while taking it and it also may pass through breast milk. Also be sure to let your doctor know if you take any vitamins, herbal products and/or minerals. The only other thing seems to be that your doctor might want you to have kidney function tests while you are on it.

Good luck, let us know how you do!!

Thank you so much. I started the chantix 2 days ago and will continue to smoke for 10 days. Believe it or not I can tell a difference already. I've always smoked right down to the filter-lol and now have no trouble smoking half and putting it out. I need to quit desperately and am determined to see this through, not so much for myself but for my family. Your encouragement is truly appreciated.

 

[notbignotrich]

I should have explained that Chantix is supposed to work on the brain in a way to help a person to stop smoking. I think by your statement that you already know. Were you successful using the patch?

Oh, no I didn't know that- was just getting sidetracked when you mentioned dreams...

Until I took it off............lol.....I still smoke the odd ciggy.......

I see there's a smoking thread on the board. Guess I should have gone there. I'll put the blame on you guys because I really enjoyed your sense of humor. I saw crazy pills and thought I've gotta read that. Thanks for the response.

 

[narlacat]

I see there's a smoking thread on the board. Guess I should have gone there. I'll put the blame on you guys because I really enjoyed your sense of humor. I saw crazy pills and thought I've gotta read that. Thanks for the response.

No worries.

Yes in the Jury Room

 

[angelwngs]

I was on it for 2 weeks when I got scared and quit taking it after realizing I had no memory of driving to and from work daily... The very next week all the reports about these strange side-effects hit the news in the USA.

My nextdoor neighbor got up in the middle of the night, signed on to Ebay and bought a $2000.00 Swiss sewing machine and she doesn't even sew!

I'm thinking about going back on it now if it might explain my spending sprees to my DH!