brenagirl Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 Has anyone with BP or any type of panic disorder, suffered from many nights of no sleep due to increased heart rate. For three nights now, I can't sleep because my pulse is going off the scale. It makes my whole chest move, and I have moderate pain/pressure on the left side of my chest. The first time it happened, my Pdoc told me to double my dose of Kolonopin, and that should knock me out (along with the 350 mg seroquel I take at night) but it doesn't!!!!! I ended up taking 5 Kolonopins last night and still woke up ever 15-20 minutes because my pulse/chest pain was out of control!!! Has this happened to anyone else? I keep trying to research BP/Panic disorder and Blood Pressure/Pulse issues, but my computer is a about as helpful as a box of rocks when it comes to searching. Any help/advice/comments would be GREATLY appreciated, not only by me, but also by my daughter. Sebrina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borzage Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 A similar thing was happening to me, but I blamed it on benzos (tolerance withdrawal can cause those symptoms). I stopped taking xanax and started doing relaxation exercises from a book that I've been mentioning in every other post - The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook. It worked. Check out this site and make sure you haven't developed a benzo tolerance. Taking 5 klonipin in a night is a good way to develop a tolerance, and that is the last thing you want. I hate when pdocs tell patients to increase benzos to decrease anxiety, because they can increase it in the long run. Seroquel is a good drug. You might need to take more, or take a little during the day. Also try aerobic exercise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenagirl Posted December 24, 2007 Author Share Posted December 24, 2007 Yes, you are extremely correct. I have been taking kolonopin for almost 3 years. For some reason they haven't made the decision to put me on an anti anxiety. My team of Drs. have kept me on the K. So i'm sure I am very tolerent to kolonopin. He talked about me slowly tapering me off, so that I can use it as an "as needed" solution. (Which is the intial point of it anyway) but I don't go back until the middle of Jan. I don't understand why I can't go on something like buspar or ativan. aaaaaaarrrrrrrrgggggggggg. Now that I haven't slept for days, i've become very depressed. A feeling that I don't miss at all. This is a horrible time to be like this. I actually had to have my Mom come pick up my daughter for the night, because we don't want her to see me a mess like I am until she is old enough to understand. I don't know what to do. I don't know where to turn. And I am TERRIFIED. I keep having repeatedly horrible thoughts, and the what if questions.............I need help.........but there is no where to go, beings it is the holidays. I'm slipping into the dark side. Sebrina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenagirl Posted January 2, 2008 Author Share Posted January 2, 2008 So, it happened again last night. I took my meds (including 350mg. seroquel) at about 10 p.m. My body fell completely asleep, while my mind tried to solve the worlds problems. My mind finally shut off about 3 a.m. So needless to say, I had to call into work. I don't know what to do. When I talk to my Pdoc about it, he just kinda grumbles, so he must not know what to say. I'm almost to the point of hospitilization..............................why me. Has anyone else had the racing heart problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowCat Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 So, it happened again last night. I took my meds (including 350mg. seroquel) at about 10 p.m. My body fell completely asleep, while my mind tried to solve the worlds problems. My mind finally shut off about 3 a.m. So needless to say, I had to call into work. I don't know what to do. When I talk to my Pdoc about it, he just kinda grumbles, so he must not know what to say. I'm almost to the point of hospitilization..............................why me. Has anyone else had the racing heart problem? Yeah I had it but it wasn't caused by meds, just anxiety. It was so bad I thought I was having a heart attack or there was something majorly wrong with me. Just really thumping hard, but no real pain though. Caused by probable mixed ep or it was a wierdass depressive ep. You must try to get your Pdoc to pay attention, be assertive, this is serious for you. I hope you are ok... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenagirl Posted January 2, 2008 Author Share Posted January 2, 2008 So, it happened again last night. I took my meds (including 350mg. seroquel) at about 10 p.m. My body fell completely asleep, while my mind tried to solve the worlds problems. My mind finally shut off about 3 a.m. So needless to say, I had to call into work. I don't know what to do. When I talk to my Pdoc about it, he just kinda grumbles, so he must not know what to say. I'm almost to the point of hospitilization..............................why me. Has anyone else had the racing heart problem? Yeah I had it but it wasn't caused by meds, just anxiety. It was so bad I thought I was having a heart attack or there was something majorly wrong with me. Just really thumping hard, but no real pain though. Caused by probable mixed ep or it was a wierdass depressive ep. You must try to get your Pdoc to pay attention, be assertive, this is serious for you. I hope you are ok... Thanks Shadow. I'm almost 100% sure the issues with my pulse is due to anxiety. I've been a big ball of anxiety for the last few weeks. I'm so tired, i'm dillusional, running into walls/door facings. I guess because of lack of sleep. I want to go to the hospital because i'm so scared, but my family is begging me not to go. Actually when I saw that someone responded to my last post, I started crying. It's the first time anyone has even remotely cared. No, i'm not okay, but thanks for your concern. You don't know how much it means to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resonance Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 You know yourself better than your family does. If you need to go, go. If your family is not caring about you, you need to care about yourself. If you are delusional, running into doors and walls, and unable to get enough sleep to go to work, and your pdoc is not being helpful, you need to get better help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenagirl Posted January 2, 2008 Author Share Posted January 2, 2008 I'm really thinking about the hospital. My only concern is, they will put me in the hospital that is affiliated with our local hospital. And the Pdoc I see is through a state facility. I don't want them to totally ruin my meds, just because they don't have my chart, or whatever. I don't know how that works. I've been to the looney bin twice and they were so mean to me both times. wtf. Thanks for your help though, you guys don't know how much it means. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenagirl Posted January 2, 2008 Author Share Posted January 2, 2008 oOokKk...I just read on the seroquel website that if you experience increased heart rate and shaking of the hands/body parts (there were lots of other things) that you should stop the medicine IMMEDIATELY!!!!! But am I at liberty to just stop taking a med???? Jesus Christ, i'm about to call the looney bin to come get me, since I can't drive my car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel1 Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 You poor thing!I definitely say-go to the hospital. This is too scary to try and handle on your own and it doesn't sound likeyou have any support at home. If you don't have a ride, is there anyone who can take you? Your pdoc sounds like he is not reallly listenging to you. Or maybe you are not telling him everything. You need to take care of yourself, especially if you have a child to take care of. If you can't take care of yourself, you can't take care of anyone else very well and you just sound to me like hospital material. Do what is best for you. Take care of yourself and feel better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borzage Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 I care, Brena. I had just missed your posts til now. You are at liberty to stop taking a med, or adjust the dose for yourself if you feel your pdoc is in error. And it happens that they are in error from time to time, so do what you feel is right for you. It's good that you have support and your mom is helping you with your kid. I hate the hospital too. You should only go as a last resort. In the meantime, try to relax. It would be good if you could get on the phone with someone you trust who could help calm you down. I'd try to secure an earlier pdoc appt (tell them it is an emergency). Here are some links to deep breathing exercises that can calm you down right now: http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/an...c_breathing.asp http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/Anx...x_breathing.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenagirl Posted January 2, 2008 Author Share Posted January 2, 2008 You guys are wonderful. I called my pharmacist (we're pretty close) and she told me that seroquel isn't something you can just quit taking because of the side effects, but, I can lower my dose. Then my Mom called, and OMG.....it's freakin Wednesday!!!! I didn't know what day of the week it was this whole time! I thought it was Monday?!?! So anyways they are squeezing me in the see my Pdoc on Friday!!! So I only have to days, not 5!!!??? (I can't believe it's gotten this bad). Anyways, you guys are all awesome. I've been reading your posts back to mine, and after talking to my Mom, I saw a little sunshine through all the clouds, and I actually took a freaking shower. (It's a struggle to do things like that when I start going into psychosis.) Anyways, thanks guys so much. Y'all are awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resonance Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 If a PI sheet or drug website says you should stop taking a medication if you get a particular symptom, it's clear that you should. It's also a good idea to put in a call to your pdoc saying "I looked at the PI sheet/website and it said...so I've stopped...please call back and advise" or something similar. If he's not helpful, you need to get another pdoc. If you were prescribed seroquel and it doesn't work for you, you probably need to be on something similar. (Edit: calling pharmacist = great idea.) We can't stop people from making decisions about meds without a pdoc, but we strongly discourage it, both because it can lead to bad outcomes (healthwise and in terms of your relationship with your pdoc), and because mentally ill people are especially likely to stop taking medication in circumstances that make things a whole lot worse (for example, when someone gets hypomanic, manic, psychotic, etc.). We're also more prone to addiction to things like benzos, for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenagirl Posted January 2, 2008 Author Share Posted January 2, 2008 I totally agree with you. I NEVER change my dosage or stop taking any meds or anything unless otherwise advised by my Pdoc. But, when I went to the pharmacy a few minutes ago, she told me NOT to take the seroquel at night until my appt. with the Pdoc on Friday. So i'm definitely going to listen to her. It's so weird. I'm like in the strangest psychosis from lack of sleep, but i'm still pretty functional which is weird. And i'm actually looking forward to tonight, because I might finally fall asleep, because my body is sooooo tired. I've been so depressed for the last few weeks (crying uncontrollably, eating too much, or not enough, yada yada yada) the only emotion I feel is sadness. But for some reason I don't even feel sadness. I just have this cold blank feeling inside. wtf. I've been diagnosed for 3 years, and I still can't figure it all out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenagirl Posted January 3, 2008 Author Share Posted January 3, 2008 Just wanted to let you guys know that I actually freakin fell asleep last night! It was only for about 2 hours but I slept!!!! I didn't take my seroquel, and I called into work (I went ahead and let 'em know i'm not coming tomorrow either dammit.) But i'm so proud that I finally got 2 hours of shut eye. My Psychiatrist will probably refuse to continue seeing me now that i've decided to just straight up quit a medicine. And i'll probably get fired from yet another job, but screw it. I slept!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsloony Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 OMG sounds like you have been having a miserable time. Glad to hear you finally got some sleep. #1 whenever you have a physical symptom that is scary its always a good adea to see your regular doctor to rule out any physical illness. Doctors of all kinds and even us- we tend to look at the physical symptoms we have and automatically blame them on our anxiety/MI. You can't really know the cause until you check out everything. I've also built a tolerance to benzos- probably more than 15 yrs. Careful about stopping them suddenly- the rebound can cause horrible side effects ( not just increased anxiety but anything from there to potential of seizures). Consuting with a doc to taper off is safer- though as someone said above it is always your right to take or not take a med. pdoc is a guide not the law. also if you feel hospital is right for you right now go with your gut not your family input. also another hospital and pdoc might offer a new perspective and if you do have to change a med it might be good to be in the hospital while you do it . (btw- i've always heard there is a huge differance between private and state hopitals- i wonder how true this is.) hope you are feeling better and getting sleep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldfinch Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 I feel so badly that you aren't getting sleep. I had serious problems with panic attacks at night, I would wake up in the middle of the night with them. I happened to go to a cardiologist for another issue and he told me that my heart was beating too fast. He put me on a very mild beta blocker - toprol (actually the generic version). I don't get those pounding fast heartbeats anymore. Its such a relief. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenagirl Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 I feel so badly that you aren't getting sleep. I had serious problems with panic attacks at night, I would wake up in the middle of the night with them. I happened to go to a cardiologist for another issue and he told me that my heart was beating too fast. He put me on a very mild beta blocker - toprol (actually the generic version). I don't get those pounding fast heartbeats anymore. Its such a relief. So, was your heart due to the panic attacks, or was that a different condition? I've noticed since I started having problems with anxiety (for about 3 years now) that I have palpatations pretty bad, but my family tells me that I "overreact" and there is nothing wrong. I've thought about it though. Oh and btw i'm on medicaid (until August anyway, then i'm screwed) so I don't have a family Doctor (they are always "too busy" to see me for at least 2-3 months) and there is no private Pdoc in town (my town is small) that takes medicaid. So i'm screwed either way. I'm hoping though, that the racing heart is from the seroquel, because it hasn't happened again since the last time I took it! Hooray! I don't give a damn if I sleep tonight or not, i'm going to the Pdoc tomorrow and that's all that matters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldfinch Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 My heart beat fast even when I wasn't anxious. I asked the doctor why he thought it was fast and he said it was probably due to anxiety. But when I felt anxious it would get really fast - at times in tachycardia. But it sounds like your problem is due to the medication. Don't you hate it when people say you are overreacting? Another thing they say to me all the time is "You're too sensitive." So its ok to criticize someone and then justify it by saying they are too sensitive. My mother in law in particular does that all the time. Its always my fault when my feelings get hurt. Sorry - went off on a tangent there. Glad you're feeling better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenagirl Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 My heart beat fast even when I wasn't anxious. I asked the doctor why he thought it was fast and he said it was probably due to anxiety. But when I felt anxious it would get really fast - at times in tachycardia. But it sounds like your problem is due to the medication. Don't you hate it when people say you are overreacting? Another thing they say to me all the time is "You're too sensitive." So its ok to criticize someone and then justify it by saying they are too sensitive. My mother in law in particular does that all the time. Its always my fault when my feelings get hurt. Sorry - went off on a tangent there. Glad you're feeling better! Oh my gosh!!! I have the same freaking problem. I just talked to my Mother for the first time in a few days and I updated her on my condition and told her how excited I was that I go to the Doctor. She had the effin nerve to say "Oh Sebrina if you would just sit down somewhere and close your eyes, you would go to sleep." aaaaahhhhh.....so I know how you feel. My Mom is a very ignorant person to be so "intelligent". I swear i'm going to write a book one day (but break it down in Lamens terms) about BP and other MI's to shut the "oh stop being sensitive" people up. Gold---i'll include your name in the "Thanks To:" part lol............freakin sick of being sick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenagirl Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 Ooookay. I went to the Pdoc today. I had to take my fiance with me because I honest to God could barely remember the events of the past week. So the Pdoc got a little info out of me and a lot more out of Coby. He said the pulse thing was wierd and I have a lot of anxiety so NO MORE seroquel for sleep yay!!! But he like totally screwed with my other meds. Took Lamictal from 300mg to 400mg Took Clonazepam from 1 mg to 2 mg Took Seroquel from .25mg 3X's a day to 100mg 3X's a day (wtf, i'm zombiefied right now) Didn't mess with Keppra And added 15mg remeron at bedtime. I've never taken the remeron so we'll see how that goes. I am so totally doped up right now, it's freakin rediculous. Thanks guys so much for being here for me this past week. It was so horrible and I honestly don't know what I would have done without CB. You guys are awesome, and really the only ones that understand me. Sebrina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borzage Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 He increased the Clonazepam?? I get a little ticked when pdocs alter all your meds at once. How are you going to know what is working and what isn't? How are you going to know which med is giving you side effects? Also, I don't understand why he prescribed Seroquel during the day but not at night. That sounds backwards. Expect to be ridiculously impaired from taking 100mg 3 times per day. Don't drive on that stuff! Anyway, glad you are feeling better. Oh, by the way, your hair is sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenagirl Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 Thank you, and thank you. Yeah, I really don't know why he messed with everything at once. I'm supposed to take my car to the shop in the morning. wtf. I think I would have better luck pushing it there than driving it. I'm gonna have to find a driver. I could get a dui right now. Seroquel works good for me during the day because I can cycle into mania from the drop of the hat. I'm just hoping the remeron doesn't blow me up. I'm getting married in June. I feel like i'm on a merry-go-round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resonance Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Seroquel can be less sedating at higher doses btw. Check out this explanation: http://thelastpsychiatrist.com/2007/07/the...article_on.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenagirl Posted January 5, 2008 Author Share Posted January 5, 2008 Yes, I agree with you on that. I can remember the days of taking 25mg and passing out like I was drunk. I loved the website btw. It was kind of entertaining beings as I just 1)watched the Cat in the Hat and 2)my head is floating. It's strange though. 25 mg kept me at a cool headed level, not sleepy, not manic-y. Just me. 3X's a day. Perfect. And the 325mg at night goes to shit. So he makes me take MORE during the day, and NONE at night. So basically, now, if it makes my heart/pulse go batshit, i'll have to suffer with it during the day while i'm at work. It makes no sense. I actually told him :"Dr. Butthole (i'll call him) I know that clonazepam is a [quick fix] for anxiety. And since I have so much anxiety, can't you give me an anti-anxiety and let me be on my way." (since that is the biggest reason I can't sleep.) Dr. Butthole says: "Weeeellll let's increase the clonazepam and try some remeron." That's it. I kindly but impatiently explained to him that i'm almost 100% sure i've built up a tolerance to clonazepam (i've been on the same dose for 3 years almost) that maybe we should try something else. The dur-duh-dur Doctor said yes, you can build up a tolerance, so we should increase your dose. I'm still looking for the website that he got his "license to practice" on. Maybe it's just me. I dunno. Glad you see the craziness in all of it too. Sebrina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lachesis Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 Wow. You must be my twin. That racing heart for sure can be caused by the meds and/or mania in addition to anxiety. This is where the doctors should be listening to you. And it is nasty business trying to get of addicting benzos without tachycardia. I do have times where I go days without sleep and know how thrilled I can be from being able to get two hours. And yes stupid relatives say "close your eyes, relax, and you will fall asleep". Not true! I really dislike doctors getting patients to be dependent on anxiety pills. I believe that there are doctors who don't want patients to be well. Like old school psychhiatrists who medicate just to dope people up. You are assertive and you get yourself well. There is effexor and I am taking it with Bipolar, and my friend with a different psychiatrist has been given effexor and she is with bipolar too. I thought effexor was a real no no when it comes to Bipolar, but it might be worth a try to see if it helps with anxiety. Supersensitive me with a new symtom everyother week. I never know what to expect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenagirl Posted January 5, 2008 Author Share Posted January 5, 2008 Yeah, Lachisis. With the mania or depression, I have major tachycardia. ( I'm still *kinda* new to BP and figuring myself out). Anyways i'm going back in n the 18th for blood work, and they are doing some other test because my hands shake pretty bad. I was seeing another (even crappier) Pdoc back in the day and he forced me off clonazepam. And ending up having to put me on blood pressure meds because I was going totally batshit within 2 days. I wish they would take things more seriously. It's like "here, a new prescription, not get outta my office so I can eat whoppers." Thats how I feel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenagirl Posted January 9, 2008 Author Share Posted January 9, 2008 Ook. I started taking the remeron, and I am already lovin' it. I sleep so good at night now. Therefore, i'm not hallucinating anymore. BUT, I am still going through the worst depression I have ever gone through. I can't seem to find happiness or motivation in anything. I have a 5 year old daughter, and I do what I have to do to get by with her. Nothing more, nothing less. And I have a fiance, who is basically clueless. He just stays out of my path. I haven't been to work in weeks. Last time I checked (monday) I still had a job. I think today is Wednesday so I might need to call. But when I called my boss Monday, all I could do was cry, and she couldn't make any sense out of it. I work with mentally retarted (we like to call them mentally challenged) adults. I am so good with them. Howevever, my boss doesn't know i'm BP. I told her I wouldn't be in for a few days because they put me on a sleeping medication, and a nerve medication. I didn't want to lie, but I had to. I honestly never have any desire to go back to that job. My co workers have been VERY ugly to me about my condition. I am so hurt right now. My family is mad at me because i'm not working. All I do is cry and sleep. Then cry and sleep some more. My poor fiance occupies himself by doing the laundry and cleaning that I don't do. I guess this is a cry for help. I don't know what to do. I keep (in my head) hearing people tell me how worthless I am to be born with BP and that they can't believe they're even friends with me. I had to run an errand yesterday, and I saw and old friend, and she looked at me and kept going. I swear it's because she's read my blogs on myspace. I haven't thought of anything crazy like actually killing myself. But right now, dying wouldn't be so bad. Sorry this post is so long and unorganized, I just have no one to talk to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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