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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by porkpiehat on March 24, 2016, at 10:54:16
It's strange I think that being on latuda makes me more emotionally open (although physically connected during the day) but I have to most violent, psychotic dreams at night. I am the perpetrator of some very heinous things in these dreams.
I have a trauma history and so there is a lot of repressed anger/shame, and that might just be coming out. On the other hand, I know rage can be precipitated by medications.
So I'm in intense therapy (and have been for some time) but I don't feel any better. Anyone else have a similar experience on them?
Posted by Christ_empowered on March 24, 2016, at 11:39:23
In reply to Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda, posted by porkpiehat on March 24, 2016, at 10:54:16
nightmares and strange dreams have been reported with neuroleptics since the days of Thorazine.
Posted by porkpiehat on March 24, 2016, at 11:43:07
In reply to Re: Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda, posted by Christ_empowered on March 24, 2016, at 11:39:23
Bother. At least on SSRI's I had dreams I could fly!
Posted by SLS on March 24, 2016, at 14:19:51
In reply to Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda, posted by porkpiehat on March 24, 2016, at 10:54:16
> It's strange I think that being on latuda makes me more emotionally open (although physically connected during the day) but I have to most violent, psychotic dreams at night. I am the perpetrator of some very heinous things in these dreams.
>
> I have a trauma history and so there is a lot of repressed anger/shame, and that might just be coming out. On the other hand, I know rage can be precipitated by medications.
>
> So I'm in intense therapy (and have been for some time) but I don't feel any better. Anyone else have a similar experience on them?You might be a candidate for using prazosin treatment. Research it to find out how effective it is for PTSD and developmental PTSD, sometimes known as complex PTSD. Chronic childhood traumas or neglect can lead to this condition. I'm doing well on low-dose prazosin for severe depression. In particular, prazosin can minimize nightmares and violent dreams.
- Scott
Posted by J Kelly on March 24, 2016, at 14:23:13
In reply to Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda, posted by porkpiehat on March 24, 2016, at 10:54:16
> It's strange I think that being on latuda makes me more emotionally open (although physically connected during the day) but I have to most violent, psychotic dreams at night. I am the perpetrator of some very heinous things in these dreams.
>
> I have a trauma history and so there is a lot of repressed anger/shame, and that might just be coming out. On the other hand, I know rage can be precipitated by medications.
>
> So I'm in intense therapy (and have been for some time) but I don't feel any better. Anyone else have a similar experience on them?I've had some horrific nightmares on certain medications. Once I had a nightmare that continued in my head after I got up and went downstairs to my kitchen. It was terrifying. Not common and not trying to scare you. Just letting you know you're not alone.
More often, I've been pleasantly surprised when a med greatly improved my sleep patterns.
Jade
Posted by porkpiehat on March 25, 2016, at 11:37:35
In reply to Re: Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda » porkpiehat, posted by SLS on March 24, 2016, at 14:19:51
Scott what dose are you on??
I have drawer full of prazosin but never did much with it. My pdoc thought that my daytime somnolence would decrease if I had fewer night disturbances.
It did decrease some of my reactive anger, but also made me feel a little disconnected and hurt my sex drive. The drop in blood pressure also made me really congested.
I do a lot of scuba and free diving so having low blood pressure can be dangerous. I'd be willing to try it again however...the side effects are low comparatively.
What is the thinking on this vs. propranolol? for overall panic and trauma?
Very exciting to hear your answer. I am being treated for 'complex trauma" and possible bipolar spectrum (due to reactions to meds and family histroy)
Posted by porkpiehat on March 25, 2016, at 11:40:11
In reply to Re: Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda » porkpiehat, posted by J Kelly on March 24, 2016, at 14:23:13
Jade:
there was a time on higher/therapeutic SSRI doses where I'd actually fall asleep on my own around 11 pm doing work or watching TV...that was soooo nice!
Of course I'd wake up shaking, covered in sweat, and stare at the ceiling because I felt no compulsion to get up and do anything.
Posted by J Kelly on March 25, 2016, at 12:22:05
In reply to Re: Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda » J Kelly, posted by porkpiehat on March 25, 2016, at 11:40:11
> Jade:
>
> there was a time on higher/therapeutic SSRI doses where I'd actually fall asleep on my own around 11 pm doing work or watching TV...that was soooo nice!This is how Zyprexa is for me but it makes me fat which I can't deal with. So I'm ditching it.
>
> Of course I'd wake up shaking, covered in sweat, and stare at the ceiling because I felt no compulsion to get up and do anything.Boy do I know this. Waking up drenched in sweat is the worst.
Posted by SLS on March 25, 2016, at 15:18:45
In reply to Re: Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda » SLS, posted by porkpiehat on March 25, 2016, at 11:37:35
The problem with Latuda is that it increases the release of norepinephrine via NE alpha-2a blockade (much like Remeron). This could conceivably make your anxiety worse. I'm not sure about it affecting dreams, though.
Why are you taking Latuda?
> Scott what dose are you on??
I had been taking 30 mg/day (10 mg x 3). However, I recently discontinued it in order to recover my sex-drive. Unfortunately, I relapsed into depression. I am now on a dose-finding mission. I suspect that I won't need more than 10 mg/day. That's the plan. I started at 4 mg/day. Some doctors go up to 40 mg/day of prazosin. Because prazosin has a short half-life, it should be dosed 2-3 times a day.
Prazosin is not a very good antihypertensive. After a while, I don't think it does much at all for blood pressure. My blood pressure is no lower now than it was 10 years ago before I started prazosin. I don't experience even a hint of orthostatic hypotension.
How long were you taking prazosin for, and at what dosage?
> What is the thinking on this vs. propranolol? for overall panic and trauma?
Propranalol is a beta-blocker that can help reduce the "fight-or-flight" response to a threatening situation. Some people find it very helpful for panic attacks.
> Very exciting to hear your answer. I am being treated for 'complex trauma" and possible bipolar spectrum (due to reactions to meds and family histroy)
My childhood was replete with physical abuse and neglect. I'm sure this chronic trauma was the inducer of my bipolar depression. Of course, the biological vulnerability to bipolar disorder was already in place.
My diagnosis is 296.53 - Bipolar I depressed with the qualifier of drug-induced mania.
I have never experienced mania that wasn't associated with antidepressant drug therapy.
By the way, panic disorder with agoraphobia responds pretty well to tricyclic antidepressants (TCA). I bet Nardil would be helpful as well. Why do you not qualify for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
- Scott
Posted by Chris O on March 25, 2016, at 21:49:34
In reply to Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda, posted by porkpiehat on March 24, 2016, at 10:54:16
Apologize if I am off here, but you mentioned that you had a lot of repressed anger/shame: Is it possible the rage you experience in the dreams is a kind of liberating therapeutic release, in a safe way? Is it possible that validating and not judging the rage will make you feel better, lead to some kind of healing? I too suffer from a lot of repressed anger/shame toward my family, and often feel violated by them, even in my dreams; such that, in the rare event I stand up to them, I allow myself to see it as a positive step for my development, as a still live many of my days in an apologetic stupor.
Chris
Posted by Lamdage22 on March 26, 2016, at 5:37:16
In reply to Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda, posted by porkpiehat on March 24, 2016, at 10:54:16
Dont worry dreams are always psychotic. But i always felt that APs do that: Moving psychosis from day to nighttime. I know what you mean.
Is it very distressing?
Posted by porkpiehat on March 26, 2016, at 8:23:56
In reply to Re: Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda » porkpiehat, posted by Chris O on March 25, 2016, at 21:49:34
In the dreams I am evil. I am killing, eating, and/or raping people, including those close to me. This notion that I am evil is a symptom that I've fought since I was about 6 years old.
I understand your theory but I can't go to bed everynight and have vivid validations of this false belief I've had my whole life. I won't last long
Posted by Lamdage22 on March 26, 2016, at 10:41:09
In reply to Re: Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda » Chris O, posted by porkpiehat on March 26, 2016, at 8:23:56
Sounds like you should consider another medication then.
I know bad dreams. Unpleasant.
Posted by Lamdage22 on March 26, 2016, at 10:44:30
In reply to Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda, posted by porkpiehat on March 24, 2016, at 10:54:16
Why do you take Latuda in the first place?
Its not very strong an AP and i imagine you are not taking it for psychosis. I am convinced that APs are not the way to go if you dont really need them.
Posted by porkpiehat on March 27, 2016, at 9:43:50
In reply to Re: Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda, posted by Lamdage22 on March 26, 2016, at 10:44:30
My new doctor was convinced that celexa was causing a lot of mood instability and that I needed more of a mood stabilizer than SSRI.
I only took it for a week because of the disconnected feeling and nightmares. When free-floating rage starts kicking I will take some and it is helpful.
Posted by porkpiehat on March 27, 2016, at 9:51:56
In reply to Re: Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda » porkpiehat, posted by SLS on March 25, 2016, at 15:18:45
Hey Scott:
I definitely have GAD! I'm not sure why you brought up agoraphobia and panic I haven't thought of them as symptoms.
tried 2mgs of Prazosin yesterday before a test thinking I would feel less reactive and angry and oppositional. It did slow me down some. I did get a killer headache and congestion. Not sure it was worth it to continue.
Posted by former poster on April 7, 2016, at 4:01:43
In reply to Re: Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda » porkpiehat, posted by J Kelly on March 24, 2016, at 14:23:13
>>I've had some horrific nightmares on certain medications. Once I had a nightmare that continued in my head after I got up and went downstairs to my kitchen. It was terrifying. Not common and not trying to scare you. Just letting you know you're not alone.
You're the only other person I've seen describe this phenomenon. I've had the same thing. It's beyond horrific.
Seems to happen more when I take melatonin supplements, so I stopped taking them. Also happened when I took Risperdal for a short trial. When I told my Pdoc he looked terrified and took me off. I haven't found a single mention of this anomaly anywhere and my doc doesn't seem to have a clue.
Posted by J Kelly on April 12, 2016, at 7:43:33
In reply to Re: Psychotic/violent dreams on AAP/Latuda » J Kelly, posted by former poster on April 7, 2016, at 4:01:43
> >>I've had some horrific nightmares on certain medications. Once I had a nightmare that continued in my head after I got up and went downstairs to my kitchen. It was terrifying. Not common and not trying to scare you. Just letting you know you're not alone.
>
> You're the only other person I've seen describe this phenomenon. I've had the same thing. It's beyond horrific.
> Seems to happen more when I take melatonin supplements, so I stopped taking them. Also happened when I took Risperdal for a short trial. When I told my Pdoc he looked terrified and took me off. I haven't found a single mention of this anomaly anywhere and my doc doesn't seem to have a clue.I remember standing by the phone ready to call 911 when it stopped. Lasted maybe 15 minutes (the awake part). My docs didn't have a clue either.
Jade
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