Posted by utopizen on April 14, 2003, at 11:52:18
In reply to Sweating just before falling asleep`, posted by babak on April 14, 2003, at 7:06:28
About 1% of the population that takes SSRIs sweat.
But I believe your problem is more complex and morbid.
Keep in mind your hallucations before sleeping could be related (althought not proven?) with the SSRI... in fact, meds can sometimes active underlying disorders that are sort of brewing underneath... agitating them.
I'd see your doc about it, but it may require a neurologist, if he suggests one... or a sleep doctor. Ussually docs refer you to other docs as a professional way of saying "I have no expertise here" and I appreciate that. My last doc did that with my social anxiety, saying he just didn't keep up with the research on it.
For sweating, you have three choices. But keep in mind it's possible just to try dropping the SSRI or switching to another SSRI to see if that works.
One is an alpha blocker. This will kill sweating, but nothing else. Another is a beta blocker, which will block adrenaline, which could block your hallucanations if they're brought on from anxiety that is agitated by your adrenaline response to them.
Another possibility, reserved for when these things don't work, and if this is truly disabling, is a thoraic symptheticemy (sp) which is a 2-process surgery that kills the nerve responsible for sweating, blushing, etc. Downside: about a 30% risk of compensatory sweating on your lower back. Upside: Makes antipersperants and deodorants obsolete.
Less extreme, yet very painfaul and only lasting 4 months, is botox shots. Insurance generally only covers it if it's for spasms.
You can also try Klonopin, I suggest with a beta blocker, to calm you down and keep hallucinations to a minimum, before trying an antipsychotic. Higher doses of K may be encessary for something as complex as your situtation.
Keep in mind I'm not a doctor, these are just creative suggestions.
poster:utopizen
thread:219168
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030411/msgs/219220.html