Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 282742

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schizophrenic break while sleeping/dreaming?

Posted by musil on November 23, 2003, at 4:13:54

It's 4AM here and I just forced myself out of bed, not being sure that I am not still dreaming. It feels like the dreams have been going on all night, the kind of dream that cannot be escaped or woken - very much a dream within a dream etc where I was confident I was awake only to find that I was either: 1)awake and had broken from reality 2)still dreaming, god I hoped so, but couldn't get out of the dream. Forced myself to get up and take the dog out and smoke a cig. at 4:15. The dreams kepts haunting me outside in the dark and I felt myself nodding in the lawn chair and waking again to more breaks from reality. The dog pulling on the leash (his name is Henry) didn't even convince me that there was a dog there. The dreams consisted of being somehow crippled with a lurching walk (I DO have severe back problems) but I was wearing blue shorts and a white t-shirt, no shoes, and trying to get back to a safe place but realizing that I wasn't there yet,rather I realized I was in a place where people were watching over me but the nurses/MDs doppleganged in my dreams to men in suits or women in Jehovah's Witness garb while I woke up in their midst in the middle of a spoken prayer.

I COULD NOT WAKE UP AND AM NOT SURE AT THIS TIME IF I AM WOKEN UP EVEN AS I TYPE. AM ON:

DIAZEPAM:20mg
Lex: 20mg
Suboxone 2x8mg
Flexeril: 20 mg

and right now think I am pedaling a bicycle that is disintegrating as I ride it, so I hold onto the shiny parts and backtrack to look for the pedals and wheels so I can continue to ride back to my group home.

All of this is absolutely unreal because I have a job and a family and (obviously) a dog, they are all sleeping now and I am nodding off and immediately warp away from reality (I think this keboard is real on my WallStreet G3) but it could be part of the dream.

Has anyone ever experienced these types of dreams before?

Help.

 

Re: schizophrenic break while sleeping/dreaming?

Posted by Daniel J. on November 23, 2003, at 7:58:49

In reply to schizophrenic break while sleeping/dreaming?, posted by musil on November 23, 2003, at 4:13:54

I can't speak for myself, but my son complained of terrible dreams while taking Lexapro and Abilify. Now he is taking Zoloft for Anti-Anxiety med. and is able to sleep well without scary dreams and halluc. Could be the Lex?

 

Re: schizophrenic break while sleeping/dreaming?

Posted by karen_kay on November 23, 2003, at 9:14:02

In reply to Re: schizophrenic break while sleeping/dreaming?, posted by Daniel J. on November 23, 2003, at 7:58:49

I know that psychiatric medications cause almost lucid dreaming at times. As well as disturbing dreams. This may be something you want to bring up to your doctor the next time you speak with him or her. If you find it particularly disturbing, it may warrant a phone call (ie it is interferring with your sleep). Your doctor should be able to figure out which medication is doing this and switch to a different one soon. I really become disturbed when my sleep schedule is interupted, so I would call yesterday. But, it is your choice. I'm pretty sure that it is just the meds though. Have you recently switched or upped the dosage? Made any changes?
Karen

 

Re: schizophrenic break while sleeping/dreaming? » musil

Posted by mtdew on November 24, 2003, at 0:25:25

In reply to schizophrenic break while sleeping/dreaming?, posted by musil on November 23, 2003, at 4:13:54

It could be the drugs you're on. Did you recently start the suboxone? Opiates can cause very convincing waking dreams. It's what heroin users call a "nod." Lexapro and Flexeril can be expected to interact in some way -- Flexeril is basically a TCA. Diazepam would contribute to the feeling of detachment. I don't think this is evidence of schizophrenia if it's never happened before. Stop taking the Flexeril and ask your doctor for Soma (carisoprodol) which is a better muscle relaxer and won't interact with Lexapro.

 

Re: schizophrenic break while sleeping/dreaming?

Posted by Elle2021 on November 24, 2003, at 5:51:48

In reply to Re: schizophrenic break while sleeping/dreaming? » musil, posted by mtdew on November 24, 2003, at 0:25:25

I have had dreams where I had "false awakenings." (i.e. what you described when you thought you were awake but found out you really were still dreaming.) I get them with just about every anti-depressant I take, especially Zoloft. Also, when I take Klonopin I get vivid, scary nightmarish dreams (particularly when I quit taking it for a few days, it's a withdrawl symptom).

I don't think this is a sign of Schizophrenia. Obviously, it seems like it upset you quite a bit, so I would speak to my doctor about it immediately. God bless you.
Elle

 

Re: schizophrenic break while sleeping/dreaming?

Posted by T_R_D on November 24, 2003, at 17:19:55

In reply to Re: schizophrenic break while sleeping/dreaming?, posted by Elle2021 on November 24, 2003, at 5:51:48

I agree with everyone else...it's probably the drugs. Effexor almost made me feel psychotic with some of the dreams I would have...and yes, largely due to withdrawal etc... even if I forgot to take one dose I was playing Russian Roulette with my psyche.

Recheck your cocktail...has this been going on long?

Take care,
Karen


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