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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by yxibow on March 2, 2008, at 18:39:12
In reply to link re post hallucinogen perceptual disorder, posted by Basia on March 2, 2008, at 15:37:39
> Hi
>
> Further to my previous post, here is a link I found on the net that might help.
>
> http://www.psychnet-uk.com/dsm_iv/hppd.htm
>
>
> Take care
>
> LynAnd of course wikipedia
Posted by AMY II on March 2, 2008, at 23:58:36
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT???, posted by Basia on March 2, 2008, at 15:34:14
This is very helpful and I have forwarded this information onto my pdoc.
However, I never hallucinated on the drugs that I took. I took acid one time and had minor hallucinations with that, but other than that never...
I fear I have damaged my brain permenantly and there is nothing we can do about it....
Posted by Basia on March 3, 2008, at 1:14:43
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT??? » Basia, posted by AMY II on March 2, 2008, at 23:58:36
I'm glad you found it helpful. There is evidence to suggest that these symptoms can fade with time or just recur when they are triggered by stressors just as lack of sleep, alcohol, soft or hard drugs, stress and depression. As with any condition, it is important to keep healthy, sleep well and avoid any mind-altering substances, including alcohol as this can often make symptoms much worse.
There seem to be a few forums on the net that could help you and contributors range from having mild to severe symptoms. Just type in HPPD or post hallucinogen perceptual disorder.
My symptoms went away for years and my GP only thinks they have returned because I have been put on Seroquel. Some APs can worsen it apparently, even if they tend to calm the mind down.
I am not sure whether you need to have had out and out hallucinations to get it, but it is becoming clear that MDMA can trigger it as much as acid. I myself only took acid twice and Ecstacy 4 times before I began to get symptoms. Rather frustrating when you hear about people dropping every pill under the rainbow for years and feeling fine!
Take care
Lyn
Posted by AMY II on March 3, 2008, at 14:12:33
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT???, posted by Basia on March 3, 2008, at 1:14:43
Thank you for your input. It has been helpful. I can deal with the possibility that I have HPPD, OCD (because of the gory horrific thoughts that I have that occur when I am in an "attack" or "episode", and acute anxiety disorder with panic disorder. geese. Here is the BIG one though that I just can't seem to get answers for.
The feelings. The physical feelings that I have when these things occur and just prior to them occuring. These physical feelings or "urges"? of just losing it. Going out of control. My mind is everywhere, and not the normal everywhere. It isn't thinking straight, is all over the place, and I feel like I have to sit still so I don't go crazy. I will sit on the couch or in bed with my husband and just lose it internally. I have these horrible feelings in my head. Physcial feelings, pressure, etc. (I have posted it all before here, it gets tiresome having to write it over and over again ya know?)
Not calm, pressure in the base of neck, my body feeling like it wants to jump out of my skin, rollercoaster type feelings, my brain feeling like it is being pulled up or "rising" from inside to the top of my skull. And the worse which is what seems to set the rest rolling is this...well the only way I can describe it is this swooshing all over my body like it feels when you free base cocaine or meth. It's not exactly like that and I don't like to use that analogy because it makes me sound like a junky, but it is kind of like that.
These feelings continue through these attacks and some are still there even after I take zanax. I am just scared to death that one day I am gonna be in one of these episodes and that I will never come out of it.
I think I should get on a med soon. Should I try clomipramine?
Should I take effexor again and just take the beta blocker for my high blood pressure, irregular heart beats and irregular ekgs it gives me? I almost feel like it would be worth it I swear.
I am just scared to death. I feel like the longer I am not on the medicine the harder it is going to be to fix me.
I have this thing going on with my arms now (had cortizone shots put in both elbows for tendonitis and a week after that I have these surges of adreneline running through them and I feel like I could do push ups all day and they would never tire, I can spin them round and round and shake them continuously and could do it all day. The only thing that works is hydrocodone or oxycodone. Tried requip, forget that stuff. I felt worse!!
I feel like maybe my mental illness is making it a bigger deal than it is, or maybe not.
I know I have NEVER felt this kind of stuff in my arms before and the doc said he could have got the shot into part of my muscle instead of my tendons and because cortizone is a steroid it could be giving me these symptoms. So how long does it take for the shot to wear off. It has been 6 weeks and I am going crazy.
What if he stops prescribing the hydrocodone for my arm bcause he thinks its all in my head because he knows I am seeing a pdoc now. ITS NOT! I hate taking pills anyway and would rather not have to take painkillers to sooth my arms. But that is what works.
I had acl replacement surgery in my knee in November so my body is use to having to take this hydrocodone and can tolerate it at high doses. I don't really even feel the dizzy feeling in my head anymore I can just feel the differene in my arms. I was on percocet for quite a while then down to 7.5 mg of hydrocodone. I have to take 4-6 a day.
I want this to end! I don't need to be worrying about my arms now. I will never get the shots again.
Could anybody find similar symptoms like this with cortizone shots?
Posted by sometimesblue on March 4, 2008, at 12:14:29
In reply to PSYCHOSIS????? ANXIETY!!! OCD!!!HELP ME PLEASE!, posted by AMY II on February 27, 2008, at 23:16:10
Some of the symptoms you talk about, like the "squared, tiny" colors things, i experienced after have a bad withdrawal effect from a muscle relaxer...also the feeling that you're going crazy, hearing things...basically paranoya with hallucinations.
As far as the numbness in the back and legs...you said you tried ecstacy? Ecstacy [from what i learned] stays in your central nervous system [your spine or something] that may be messing with your nerves. I have an aherniated disc and I get the SAME exact feelings [numbness in my back, like just in a patch of my back, and my legs/thighs] the doctor told me it's the damaged nerve causing this.
The spacy floaty feeling sounds like a panic attack, not anxiety. I have had several full blown [horrible] panic attacks and suffered the same symptoms you describe. FYI: the worst attack was when I had that withdrawal episode, the withdrawal triggered the panic attack. And it was like a panic attack on steroids, I thought I was going to die or go crazy...I had audio hallucinations, I felt spacy, I didn't want to close my eyes because i saw colors and shapes and everytime I closed my eyes I thought I would die...
It seems to me [and I'm no expert of course] that whatever drug you tried has stayed with you. And the panic attacks/paranoya your having are side effects from it, as well as making the episode worse. But it's in no way psychosis...you seem very capable of describing what you feel and those suffering from psychosis are rarely able to describe it.
Also, I know you said you don't use anymore, but because everyone's body make-up is different, even the slightest exposure to MDMA could cause long lasting brain damage. Have you ever had a cat scan? There are also certain blood tests that can be done to detect brain damage or spinal infection. Maybe an MRI to determine if the nummbness is related to any spinal injury or aggrivation you've suffered. You may have a couple of things going on here.
I hope this bit of info helps...and you're not alone, I've been there myself and it's like stepping into hell...
-sb
Posted by sometimesblue on March 4, 2008, at 12:41:57
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT??? » Basia, posted by AMY II on March 3, 2008, at 14:12:33
These feelings you describe are like the feelings I had from the withdrawal [posted on my previous post]...it sounds exactly the same. Everything from the physical feelings to the "urges" or fear that you're going to lose it. I think the feeling that you describe like "free-basing" is like you're going to float/fly away? Sound right? Because that's how I felt...everytime I closed my eyes, like I was going to fall or fly or float, something...it's hard to explain.
The only diffrence is the pressure on the base of the neck, that happens to me from time to time and my doctor told me it stress related, whever I feel stressed it comes on. Might be why you're getting it during these episodes, too much stress on your body.
Btw, the post from Basia is right on. It's nice to find help on babble, somtimes doctors just don't get it.
> The feelings. The physical feelings that I have when these things occur and just prior to them occuring. These physical feelings or "urges"? of just losing it. Going out of control. My mind is everywhere, and not the normal everywhere. It isn't thinking straight, is all over the place, and I feel like I have to sit still so I don't go crazy. I will sit on the couch or in bed with my husband and just lose it internally. I have these horrible feelings in my head. Physcial feelings, pressure, etc.
> Not calm, pressure in the base of neck, my body feeling like it wants to jump out of my skin, rollercoaster type feelings, my brain feeling like it is being pulled up or "rising" from inside to the top of my skull. And the worse which is what seems to set the rest rolling is this...well the only way I can describe it is this swooshing all over my body like it feels when you free base cocaine or meth. It's not exactly like that and I don't like to use that analogy because it makes me sound like a junky, but it is kind of like that.
> These feelings continue through these attacks and some are still there even after I take zanax. I am just scared to death that one day I am gonna be in one of these episodes and that I will never come out of it.
>
Posted by AMY II on March 4, 2008, at 13:07:59
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT??? » AMY II, posted by sometimesblue on March 4, 2008, at 12:41:57
Saw the neurologist today about my arms. (see my posts) and he said he thought that it was more likely that I have increased stimuli in my arms when I stopped the hydrocodone. Of course hedoesn't offer me to stay on hydrocodone until these awful feelings in my arms goes away. He thinks that it might be making it worse. Feels fine while I am on the hydrocodone but gives me increased sensitivity in the injected sites and down my arm where the cortisone shots were. He says that hydrocodone works on your dopamine so he thinks I am just aggrivating it by staying on the hydrocodone.
He also asked how the psychiatrist was going. I told him 5 appointments and no meds prescribed. He goes with one then retracts. He jumps right to an anti psychotic then says never mind. He says lets try clompipramine but it has bad side effects and weight gain.
Doesn't want to give me a regular script for zanax (the only thing that holds my sanity together and especially during major attacks) He wants to prescrib zanax slow release or klonopin. NOt into the klonopina and frankly, not into having zanax in my body 24/7 I take zanax frequently now because I have nothing else on board.
So, neurologist said, hang in there, stay off hydrocodone, and offerd me Lexapro. He said he hated seeing how I was suffering.
He is just so much more confident, being a doc for 20 years versus me seeing a 2nd year psych resident that just doesn't seem to know what the hell he is doing and is more impressed with his name DR and making sure I know it, than he is at being concerned in helping me.
Posted by sometimesblue on March 4, 2008, at 14:08:36
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT??? » sometimesblue, posted by AMY II on March 4, 2008, at 13:07:59
That sucks...some doctors are more liberal with drugs than others, mostly because they don't want to run the risk of getting themselves in trouble by prescribing something that can potentially be addicting. Yet, that leaves those that need them in misery. Maybe you should switch doctors? Someone with more years under his belt might be better able to understand and help you. As far as the xanax, I'm not sure you can get a regular script for it [if by regular you mean the one that's refillable], those scrits have to be picked up monthly at the doctors office.
Posted by AMY II on March 4, 2008, at 18:09:48
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT???, posted by sometimesblue on March 4, 2008, at 14:08:36
only oxycodone and the stronger pain killers have to be picked up that I know of. My zanax gets refilled right at the pharmacy. I call them and ask to fax a refill request and the doctor ok's it. I don't have to pick that up at the office.
Posted by Phillipa on March 4, 2008, at 19:21:28
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT??? » sometimesblue, posted by AMY II on March 4, 2008, at 18:09:48
Mine checks the box for two or three refills. Can't be abused as I'd run out if tried to fill to early. Phillipa all benzos as I take valium now. Can you believe in the 70's when started valium it was an open ended prescription just fill it and in the hospital when a patient went home they dumped unused meds for pharmach in a box and always a benzo or two or three there. I guess they changed control since then.
Posted by AMY II on March 4, 2008, at 21:03:34
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT??? » AMY II, posted by Phillipa on March 4, 2008, at 19:21:28
I am sorry phillipa but I just have a hard time following you. :)
Posted by Phillipa on March 4, 2008, at 21:33:16
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT??? » Phillipa, posted by AMY II on March 4, 2008, at 21:03:34
I just meant that I don't have to have a new script when I get benzos it's written usually for two refills. The other part was history of when benzos used not even be conrolled hung around like aspirin in the hospital and anyone could take them. No counting of meds. See I was a nurse. Love Phillipa. hope this is clearer.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on March 4, 2008, at 23:07:30
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT??? » Basia, posted by AMY II on March 3, 2008, at 14:12:33
how soon after your cortisone shots did this begin?
cortisone can trigger psychotic episodes and a sense of cranial pressure
but it seems like you have to get out of this constant state of anxiety
why don't you ask your benzo-phobic pdoc for a month of BuSpar?
just a month, it's best for short-term use and yes, you will gain some weight but you will also get some relief from the anxiety and that will help you
please ask your friends to give you time off from taking care of the kids and take vigorous walks
good luck to you
Posted by AMY II on March 5, 2008, at 11:49:54
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT???, posted by elanor roosevelt on March 4, 2008, at 23:07:30
Started Lexapro so we will see if that helps. I take walks with my youngest child.
I got my arm shots 6 weeks ago.
My head pressure has been going on for years. My arms just want to jump out of their skin and the neurologist gave me nothing for it. He says I need to wait it out and that the hydrocodone was probably making it worse.
I can't go on with it like this. I will probably wind up in the emergency all over my arms??????? That makes sense. Not. I see a regular doc and a physician and they give me nothing?
Posted by MrAnon on March 10, 2008, at 2:08:59
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT??? » elanor roosevelt, posted by AMY II on March 5, 2008, at 11:49:54
Suggestion for Amy II:
*Find some music with great rhythms--whatever your favorite rhythmic music is that you can play for a long time or over and over. I find African rhythms best, but use whatever floats your boat and makes it impossible for you to sit still.
*Let the music work you into a frenzy of automatic movement for as long as you can go. Don't plan the movement or be concerned if it looks like dancing. Go until you sweat and get exhausted. If you get a burst of energy, get back up until exhausted again. Go all day or all night if you can; again, go until you are exhausted. How long that takes will vary for each person, of course.
*If you're physically disabled in some way, then move what you can until tired out.
All my best.
Posted by DubyaDervish on March 19, 2008, at 19:49:18
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT???, posted by MrAnon on March 10, 2008, at 2:08:59
> Suggestion for Amy II:
>
> *Find some music with great rhythms--whatever your favorite rhythmic music is that you can play for a long time or over and over. I find African rhythms best, but use whatever floats your boat and makes it impossible for you to sit still.
>
> *Let the music work you into a frenzy of automatic movement for as long as you can go. Don't plan the movement or be concerned if it looks like dancing. Go until you sweat and get exhausted. If you get a burst of energy, get back up until exhausted again. Go all day or all night if you can; again, go until you are exhausted. How long that takes will vary for each person, of course.
>
Whirl baby whirl Good advice I agree
Posted by AMY II on March 19, 2008, at 20:58:41
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT??? » MrAnon, posted by DubyaDervish on March 19, 2008, at 19:49:18
My pdoc told me not to be on this site. He said not to trust the information I get on here because of the mental state of everyone. PLUS he said you never know when someone is just messing with you and could actually be lying to you. It turns out I don't have restless arm but it was the beginning of withdraw reaction from hydrocodone I have been taking for 7 months. I am decreasing now and doing much better.
I am taking 1mg of zanax at night and am on 15mg of Lexapro and that will be going up to probably 40mg.
I am doing better. Just goes to prove, the mind is a powerful thing and will make you think that everything is going wrong with your body.
Posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2008, at 21:55:42
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT??? » MrAnon, posted by DubyaDervish on March 19, 2008, at 19:49:18
Amy I think that is great for you. Feel better. Phillipa
Posted by AMY II on March 19, 2008, at 22:24:29
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT??? » DubyaDervish, posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2008, at 21:55:42
So are you phillipa or dubyaderbish?
Posted by Phillipa on March 20, 2008, at 18:37:52
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT???, posted by AMY II on March 19, 2008, at 22:24:29
I'm Phillipa
Posted by MrAnon on March 21, 2008, at 0:45:12
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT???, posted by AMY II on March 19, 2008, at 20:58:41
Don't know if you're directing that at my post, but if you are:
Sorry to come off as though a joke. It was not. I did not suggest anything dangerous. The only way to find out if it's helpful is to try it. The practice is not new--basically thousands of years old.
Posted by AMY II on March 21, 2008, at 4:27:30
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT???, posted by MrAnon on March 21, 2008, at 0:45:12
Nope not at all. He just told me in general it isn't a good idea to be asking advice of people that are on medication for mental disorders themselves. And that there are some people out there in this world that mean to harm others just out of the pure fun of it for their sick minds. So there ya go.
Posted by bissie66 on March 21, 2008, at 9:24:45
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT??? » MrAnon, posted by AMY II on March 21, 2008, at 4:27:30
A lot of the people here are pretty brilliant and it's pretty easy to tell which ones aren't kind or sympathetic. Dr's don't have time to answer all our questions - that's why we come here.
I've told 3 pdocs in a row about this board - none had a problem with it. One knew about it and quite respected it and endorsed it. Having said that, you still have to go to an MD for a scrip, so we're pretty safe. Just my 2 cents.
Posted by Basia on March 21, 2008, at 10:20:04
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT???, posted by bissie66 on March 21, 2008, at 9:24:45
I agree with the previous poster and I think it's important to understand that this is a support and dscussion board, not a place for guaranteed diagnosis and prescription of drugs, and it can be very helpful to get REAL patients' experiences with medication, something I have often found pdocs to be cagey about, especially concerning side effects. After all, they're not the ones trying it and I doubt they have hundreds of patients on the same drug which would enable them to get a better idea of common or not so common side effects. That doesn't mean you have to take everything as read and follow our advice religiously of course, as with any other situation. However, people are caring and helpful on this board and it's so important to know you're not the only one out there suffering. Just because people are experiencing mental suffering it does not mean their opinion does not count. Psychiatrists should not stigmatise.
Just my two cents.
Posted by greywolf on March 24, 2008, at 3:41:16
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT???, posted by Basia on March 21, 2008, at 10:20:04
In my experience--and, unfortunately, I have a lot of it--the issues you are experiencing are simply too involved to adequately address during the typical 15-20 minutes a psychiatrist gives you.
Ask for referrals to the best therapists in your area. Especially if you have OCD. Severe OCD is rarely treatable with meds only, but I didn't learn that until I was on every AD and AP on the market. I've been in bi-weekly treatment for 2 years now, and some improvement has been made, but there are years of work ahead of me.
Take care.
Greywolf
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