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.
>
> : )>
poster:xjs7
thread:98025
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020313/msgs/98035.html