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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by floatingbridge on August 3, 2011, at 16:15:10
Today, by 11:30 am, I can barely keep my eyes open. I'm like the little engine that could. Yes, let's go to the pool. I am in my swim suit and everything.
I lie down just for ten minutes because that's the time I have.
Pit pat footsteps. My son says mom, it's been awhile. Yes, because it's been almost an hour. I think only because I have been a mom that his bare feet on the carpet could still wake me. I am still hyper vigilant at night.
I haven't been able to sleep during the days for months and
months. Never mind I am awake at 4:00 am for months and months too.This black sleep scares me. I take so long to wake up, focus my eyes; it actually physically hurts in an odd way. I am
barely with it now.Yesterday it could have happened, but drank some coffee which was a mistake, I think, with Emsam.
I'd rather be tired, but NOT falling asleep. That's how it's been for so long I forgot these wretched spells.
Funny thing is, I think I am finally responding on a mood level to the Emsam.
I see the pdoc tomorrow. Will discuss this. Maybe bump the patch to 9mg. Maybe I can use less Xanax again, now that I think I am no longer withdrawing.
But premedication, I would have these black sleeps during the day. But I made my own hours then and compensated.
I am giving up on normal.
No alerting agents. ProvigI made me a hyped up dysphoric reanimated creature. No add ons. F*ck*ng will power only goes so far.
Anyone else just flipping pass out like this?
Posted by Phillipa on August 3, 2011, at 19:55:50
In reply to 'black' sleep, posted by floatingbridge on August 3, 2011, at 16:15:10
FB sounds like the lack of sleep caught up with you and you got some much needed sleep. Love Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on August 3, 2011, at 20:15:53
In reply to Re: 'black' sleep » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on August 3, 2011, at 19:55:50
> FB sounds like the lack of sleep caught up with you and you got some much needed sleep. Love Phillipa
Yes. Maybe true. At least I am beginning to respond to Emsam, so that is potentially good. I do complain a bit :-/
Before I was ever medicated, sleep and regulation have been there. I don't understand it, but if I stand back a bit, maybe I can see: o.k. The depression piece is being helped. +1. The anxiety is under control. +2.
The mood thing still comes. Fatigue issues aren't new. Sleep issues aren't new.
Maybe look at the sleep differently, like have that focused on medically as a sleep disorder and see it as such, one that is tied up with bad nerves and psychological issues. But a *separate* issue. I have had terrible bouts of sleep paralysis that accompany the deep drops into sleep.
Not that I have the energy and time to pursue this now. But funny how I am now falling asleep in the day again after at least a year of being awake during the day.
Sometimes a change in perspective is good and might signal some new observations and progress down the road. For now, will do the best I can to muscle through the sleep fits if they continue and be thankful for the positive.
Posted by Phillipa on August 3, 2011, at 21:45:11
In reply to Re: 'black' sleep » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on August 3, 2011, at 20:15:53
FB you must write. Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on August 3, 2011, at 23:27:03
In reply to Re: 'black' sleep » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on August 3, 2011, at 20:15:53
Best is the EMSAM kicking in And anxiety down. That's wonderful. Give it time relief also with negative CT Scan. So your head is basically normal. Phillipa
Posted by Roslynn on August 4, 2011, at 15:01:44
In reply to 'black' sleep, posted by floatingbridge on August 3, 2011, at 16:15:10
FB,
I'm glad you are able to sleep; it's unfortunate it has to be during the day! I do get those sleep "fits" in the afternoon where it's like I need to immediately close my eyes and hit the bed. Maybe your brain is catching up on sleep?
Glad to hear your CT scan is normal! and the EMSAM seems to be helping a bit.
Best,
Roslynn
Posted by polarbear206 on August 4, 2011, at 17:15:20
In reply to 'black' sleep, posted by floatingbridge on August 3, 2011, at 16:15:10
> Today, by 11:30 am, I can barely keep my eyes open. I'm like the little engine that could. Yes, let's go to the pool. I am in my swim suit and everything.
>
> I lie down just for ten minutes because that's the time I have.
>
> Pit pat footsteps. My son says mom, it's been awhile. Yes, because it's been almost an hour. I think only because I have been a mom that his bare feet on the carpet could still wake me. I am still hyper vigilant at night.
>
> I haven't been able to sleep during the days for months and
> months. Never mind I am awake at 4:00 am for months and months too.
>
> This black sleep scares me. I take so long to wake up, focus my eyes; it actually physically hurts in an odd way. I am
> barely with it now.
>
> Yesterday it could have happened, but drank some coffee which was a mistake, I think, with Emsam.
>
> I'd rather be tired, but NOT falling asleep. That's how it's been for so long I forgot these wretched spells.
>
> Funny thing is, I think I am finally responding on a mood level to the Emsam.
>
> I see the pdoc tomorrow. Will discuss this. Maybe bump the patch to 9mg. Maybe I can use less Xanax again, now that I think I am no longer withdrawing.
>
> But premedication, I would have these black sleeps during the day. But I made my own hours then and compensated.
>
> I am giving up on normal.
>
> No alerting agents. ProvigI made me a hyped up dysphoric reanimated creature. No add ons. F*ck*ng will power only goes so far.
>
> Anyone else just flipping pass out like this?
>Same thing I went through while taking antidepressants alone without a mood stabilizer on board.
Posted by floatingbridge on August 4, 2011, at 18:35:29
In reply to Re: 'black' sleep, posted by polarbear206 on August 4, 2011, at 17:15:20
>
> Same thing I went through while taking antidepressants alone without a mood stabilizer on board.PB, it't been so long. May I ask what is working for you?
The Jim Phelps site is very helpful. There is so much there to read that I have it bookmarked.
Today I added 1/8mg of risperdal. :-/. I need to get my bun and creatine levels in before lithium. He likes low dose if possible. Says it can take months before someone (such as myself) will find themselves functioning better. Besides, he does one med at a time, which is very sane.
The risperdal is for PTSD dysregulation stuff. Maybe it will have a positive effect. He says I should know in a day or two if it will be a continued go.
Thanks for your support.
Posted by polarbear206 on August 7, 2011, at 9:53:54
In reply to Re: 'black' sleep » polarbear206, posted by floatingbridge on August 4, 2011, at 18:35:29
>
> >
> > Same thing I went through while taking antidepressants alone without a mood stabilizer on board.
>
> PB, it't been so long. May I ask what is working for you?
>
> The Jim Phelps site is very helpful. There is so much there to read that I have it bookmarked.
>
> Today I added 1/8mg of risperdal. :-/. I need to get my bun and creatine levels in before lithium. He likes low dose if possible. Says it can take months before someone (such as myself) will find themselves functioning better. Besides, he does one med at a time, which is very sane.
>
> The risperdal is for PTSD dysregulation stuff. Maybe it will have a positive effect. He says I should know in a day or two if it will be a continued go.
>
> Thanks for your support.
>lamictal, Effexor and Klonopin on occasion.
Posted by floatingbridge on August 14, 2011, at 16:00:26
In reply to Re: 'black' sleep, posted by polarbear206 on August 7, 2011, at 9:53:54
Posted by Dinah on August 15, 2011, at 7:27:33
In reply to 'black' sleep, posted by floatingbridge on August 3, 2011, at 16:15:10
Sounds similar to my forgetting sleep, which I also call my involuntary naps. There are times when I know I'm going to fall asleep no matter where I am, and I just need to get someplace safe to do it. I can put it off for short periods of time - maybe even a couple of hours, thank heavens, so that I don't fall asleep driving. But once I feel it coming on, I know sooner or later I will be sleeping and if it's safe it's better to get it over with.
I think mine have a lot of contributing factors, including blood glucose level. But they've been happening a lot this past week, without any change in blood glucose level. I know they happen more when I'm upset. I'm wondering if the ones this past week had to do with my surgery.
I call them my forgetting sleep because when I wake up I'm generally a bit disoriented, and have forgotten what I'm upset about, or at least the emotional intensity of it.
It's by no means cured. I see a sleep neurologist, have been prescribed a cpap and provigil, and keep an eye on my blood sugars. Each thing helps a bit and added together help a lot. Has your glucose level been tested? Have you done a sleep study?
Posted by floatingbridge on August 15, 2011, at 9:02:21
In reply to Re: 'black' sleep » floatingbridge, posted by Dinah on August 15, 2011, at 7:27:33
I don't know if I have had a glucose test recently, if ever, just a doctor telling me I did not have diabetes. My mother did. A sleep study was ordered. It cam me at a bad time when I could not imagine leaving the house. I think I could revive the order.
My father had very odd sleep habits. I have wondered as an adult if he was somehow narcoleptic. But that is just the most familiar disorder of sleep.
Was it helpful? I wonder if progivil would still have a dysphoric effect (just wondering out loud on that one)?
They used to be my way of resetting after emotional intensity. My only way, really. Pre-med.
Do your sleep spells hinder your night sleep? You wear a glucose monitor?
Good questions, Dinah. Thank you.
Posted by Dinah on August 15, 2011, at 20:13:08
In reply to Re: 'black' sleep » Dinah, posted by floatingbridge on August 15, 2011, at 9:02:21
It certainly doesn't affect my nighttime sleep. It's not the same sort of sleep at all. This is more passing out than sleep really. I've more or less given up over time. I find if I just give into it, I might sleep for as short as fifteen minutes and wake up feeling better. While if I fight it, I'm really no good to anyone until I sleep. I really wish I could have an EEG while I'm in this state. My husband can wake me up from it, and even get me to do household chores. But I certainly look no more normal to him than I feel to me.
They've ruled out narcolepsy based on a genetic test. My neurologist suspected narcolepsy because I have that thing where I lose some of the ability in my right hand at times when I laugh. My sleep study showed sleep apnea. My mother's family is riddled with sleep disorders, and also with mental health disorders. But I'm not sure if there's any overlap.
I don't really have any answers. I've discovered what helps, what triggers them for me, and how best to deal with them. But they are still an issue for me, if not nearly as big an issue as they were. Funny thing is, I don't really remember having them before my thirties.
If they are a major problem in your life, maybe you could look into the sleep study. If you aren't diabetic, then I'd guess glucose wasn't an issue.
Incremental changes really do add up to improve your mental health.
This is the end of the thread.
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