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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by agencypanic on February 15, 2004, at 17:47:11
I have schizoaffective disorder and am currently taking 300mg Effexor, 300mg Wellbutrin and am also taking
Geodon and Abilify as anti-psychotics. I had been up well beyond the maximum dose (200mg) of Geodon--I was taking
320mg of it daily, but when I found out that I was that much over the maximum dose, I dropped it down to 220mg/day.
I had been feeling okay on it at 320mg, but could tell that it still wasn't working perfectly. That is, I was still prone to
auditory hallucinations and paranoia. Needless to say that when I lowered the dose to 220mg, I started feeling worse and my doctor put
me on the 15mg of Abilify.
Btw, this really isn't a meds post, just wanted to provide some details.
Yesterday I had a bad day, hallucinations and illusions--I key in on people's voices and then believe
that they are talking about me, and as my therapist says, I go from 0 to 60 in no time. Yesterday it was more
like 0 to 100. Given how I felt, I decided to increase my Geodon again so as to offset the hallucinations and paranoia.
Okay, now I'm starting to think that maybe this is a meds post--sorry, just feeling down and worried
about what are most likely unlikely things. That's what I was going to post about--feeling as though the worst
possible thing is going to happen--that's how I feel now. Anyone have any words of encouragement?
Feel free to redirect this if you think that it should be. Sorry for rambling.
Posted by Dinah on February 15, 2004, at 18:17:50
In reply to Not sure what to do, posted by agencypanic on February 15, 2004, at 17:47:11
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040215/msgs/313754.html
That way you get the best of both worlds, how's that? So followups that are medication related to the medication board? And supportive followups can stay on Social?
Posted by Dinah on February 15, 2004, at 18:21:20
In reply to Not sure what to do, posted by agencypanic on February 15, 2004, at 17:47:11
It sounds as though you're keeping your therapist and doctor abreast with what's happening. That's a really good thing to do.
I don't know about you, but that awful feeling of dread tends to come and go with my mood cycles. Do you find that's true for you, too? If it is, just remember that this too shall pass.
I know that's hard to remember when you're in the midst of it. But when I'm feeling better, I like to think of it as the weather. No matter what it is, I know it won't last forever.
Posted by agencypanic on February 15, 2004, at 20:14:15
In reply to Re: Not sure what to do » agencypanic, posted by Dinah on February 15, 2004, at 18:21:20
> It sounds as though you're keeping your therapist and doctor abreast with what's happening. That's a really good thing to do.
>
> I don't know about you, but that awful feeling of dread tends to come and go with my mood cycles. Do you find that's true for you, too? If it is, just remember that this too shall pass.
>
> I know that's hard to remember when you're in the midst of it. But when I'm feeling better, I like to think of it as the weather. No matter what it is, I know it won't last forever.Thanks for your words. I knew that I'd be unable to contact my doctor due to the long
weekend, but our crisis line connected me with the doctor on call. He told me that what
I described was to be attributed to the Abilify.
It's hard for me to remember what's going on when I'm in the midst of an episode. I know that it
will pass, but I always expect the worst when I'm in it. Thanks again for your message.
Posted by deirdrehbrt on February 15, 2004, at 21:55:17
In reply to Re: Not sure what to do, posted by agencypanic on February 15, 2004, at 20:14:15
Agencypanic,
I have problems with hallucinations too. I'm bipolar, BPD, DID (MPD), and GID. I don't know which they're attributing the hallucinations to, but I'm taking 600mg+ of Seroquel per day. The rest of the psychiatric meds are Effexor, Lithium carbonate, and Cogentin for restless legs.
(like you, the meds aren't the main point of the post, I just wanted you to know where I'm at).
I've noticed that even with this, I still have occasional hallucinations. The worst ones are when I hear someone (my mother) calling for me, and I'm alone in the house. I'll hear my cell phone ring, I'll find that I can't understand something I'm watching on TV because it sounds like it's in another language. I've stepped on a manta-ray on a sidewalk, smelled things that weren't there, and lots of other fun.
The most helpfull thing that I've noticed is that it really helps if I'm not stressed out. I don't know about you, but stress really increases the psychotic symptoms.
When I was working, I would find that if there was a management meeting, and I heard yelling, I 'KNEW' that it was about me. This was more often if I was stressed.
So, as far as advice, it helps, if when I notice that things are winding up, to do something that will relieve stress, but not put me in a situation that will feed the halluciinations. I don't always do it, but when I do, it helps. The stress relievers for me are listening to soothing music, playing my guitar, recorder, or other instruments, reading kids books, (the stories are gentle, illustrations don't task the imagination), drawing what's on my mind, etc.
Sometimes though, it's really hard for me to follow my own advice. When I'm upset, it's tough to pick up my guitar... I get mad because I'm not playing as well as I think I should. That sort of thing is something I need to work on more.
I hope this helps a little.
Dee.
Posted by Dinah on February 16, 2004, at 10:25:07
In reply to Not sure what to do, posted by agencypanic on February 15, 2004, at 17:47:11
Posted by agencypanic on February 16, 2004, at 10:28:38
In reply to Re: Not sure what to do » agencypanic, posted by deirdrehbrt on February 15, 2004, at 21:55:17
> Agencypanic,
> I have problems with hallucinations too. I'm bipolar, BPD, DID (MPD), and GID. I don't know which they're attributing the hallucinations to, but I'm taking 600mg+ of Seroquel per day. The rest of the psychiatric meds are Effexor, Lithium carbonate, and Cogentin for restless legs.
> (like you, the meds aren't the main point of the post, I just wanted you to know where I'm at).
> I've noticed that even with this, I still have occasional hallucinations. The worst ones are when I hear someone (my mother) calling for me, and I'm alone in the house. I'll hear my cell phone ring, I'll find that I can't understand something I'm watching on TV because it sounds like it's in another language. I've stepped on a manta-ray on a sidewalk, smelled things that weren't there, and lots of other fun.
> The most helpfull thing that I've noticed is that it really helps if I'm not stressed out. I don't know about you, but stress really increases the psychotic symptoms.
> When I was working, I would find that if there was a management meeting, and I heard yelling, I 'KNEW' that it was about me. This was more often if I was stressed.
> So, as far as advice, it helps, if when I notice that things are winding up, to do something that will relieve stress, but not put me in a situation that will feed the halluciinations. I don't always do it, but when I do, it helps. The stress relievers for me are listening to soothing music, playing my guitar, recorder, or other instruments, reading kids books, (the stories are gentle, illustrations don't task the imagination), drawing what's on my mind, etc.
> Sometimes though, it's really hard for me to follow my own advice. When I'm upset, it's tough to pick up my guitar... I get mad because I'm not playing as well as I think I should. That sort of thing is something I need to work on more.
> I hope this helps a little.
> Dee.Thanks. Part of my problem has been that I'd been so depressed that I couldn't keep myself out of bed, so therefore was prone to listening to the daily
sounds/voices of my apartment complex. Wellbutrin has pretty much helped me to get out of the house, but I still feel troubled when at home. At the moment
there is no chance of moving, so I have to deal with the voices, both the real and the hallucinated.
Thanks again for your suggestions.
Posted by Dinah on February 16, 2004, at 10:35:16
In reply to Re: Not sure what to do, posted by agencypanic on February 16, 2004, at 10:28:38
A poster was on here a while ago, and said that they had developed a form of CBT to help people deal with the *practicalities* of delusions and hallucinations. Sort of like CBT for anxiety that reduces the fear the anxiety brings.
I'm sure you couldn't just go to any CBT therapist, but I'm also sure that there are CBT therapists who have been trained in this protocol.
Posted by agencypanic on February 16, 2004, at 17:25:23
In reply to Re: Have you tried CBT? » agencypanic, posted by Dinah on February 16, 2004, at 10:35:16
> A poster was on here a while ago, and said that they had developed a form of CBT to help people deal with the *practicalities* of delusions and hallucinations. Sort of like CBT for anxiety that reduces the fear the anxiety brings.
>
> I'm sure you couldn't just go to any CBT therapist, but I'm also sure that there are CBT therapists who have been trained in this protocol.Actually the techniques my therapist has shown me are helpful: when I'm bright enough to remember to use them. Sometimes I don't notice until
it's almost too late. Thanks again for your answers and concern.
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