☼ LilBit: polypharmacy nightmare

[LilBit]

9/9

 

8:00am  diarrhea

9:30am  500mg Depakote

4:20pm  diarrhea 

6:40pm  eye strain/fatigue

7:05pm  diarrhea

8:00pm  diarrhea

8:00pm  pain in right shin

9:00pm  nausea

9:30pm  25mg Quetiapine, 25mg magnesium, 2mg diazepam 

10:00pm went to bed

 

Did not sleep, got up several times during the night and eventually got and stayed up at 6am.  I am trying to hang in there... this inability to sleep is becoming more and more difficult to deal with.

[Shep]

LilBit, with all of the stomach issues, are you able to eat and to drink enough liquids? 

[LilBit]

I think so.  try to eat and drink as much as I can,  despite the stomach issues and the fact that I have almost no appetite.  I do feel weak and tired.  

[LilBit]

9/10

 

139lbs diarrhea

 

10:00am  500mg Depakote

2:50pm  crying spell

3:00pm  nausea

9:30pm  25mg Quetiapine, 25mg magnesium, 2mg diazepam 

10:00pm  epsom salt bath

10:20pm went to bed

11:00pm got up, could not sleep

11:20pm went back to bed

 

Woke up a few times but I think I got about an hour or two of sleep before getting up at 6am.  

[LilBit]

I know this should be the last thing on my mind, but aside from the health issues the other thing really concerning me is that I have been on short term disability and FMLA because of all of this since July 16.  I only have 12 weeks of FMLA which means if I want to keep my job which I have had for 7+ years, I have to return by the first week of October.  If things keep going this way, especially with the sleep, I don't see being able to do that.  I think this just further adds to my stress.  I am hoping I will see some improvement in my sleep soon.  If I did, the other WD symptoms might be a little more tolerable as well.

[Shep]

I hope your sleep improves, too, Lilbit. The fact that you got an hour or two of sleep is a good sign. 

[LilBit]

9/11

 

9:00am  noticed increased blurriness in vision in right eye

9:30am  500mg Depakote 

12:00pm  feeling anxious

1:00pm  feel like I have lots of energy

9:45pm  25mg Quetiapine, 25mg magnesium, 2mg diazepam 

10:15pm epsom salt bath

10:40pm went to bed

 

This time I stayed in bed in an effort to get sleep and rest my eyes.  I am pretty sure I dozed off at a few points and was asleep this morning right before it was time to get up so I think I got a couple of hours of (broken up) sleep again.  

 

[LilBit]

9/12

 

9:30am  500mg Depakote

12:45pm  headache, drowsy, brain fog

1:30pm  stomachache, nausea

2:50pm  worse headache left side of head 

3:30pm  pain in right shoulder

5:40pm  diarrhea

9:30pm 25mg Quetiapine, 25mg magnesium, 2mg diazepam 

9:45pm  epsom bath

 

[Igor1287]

LilBit, you said you had insomnia before the drugging begun, how bad was it? 

 

[LilBit]

It was to the point that I would average 3-4 hours of sleep per night.  Occasionally I would have trouble falling asleep too.  My problem was usually staying asleep, but I had pretty bad sleep hygiene then... I didn’t have a regular sleeing schedule, I would eat late, eat unhealthy, and didn’t exercise much.  I also would use the computer or watch tv late at night.  Rather than use natural methods like I am having to do now, that’s when I became dependent on OTC sleep aids first like Unisom and Tylenol PM.  Eventually those got replaced by Restoril because rather than educate me on simple changes I could make to improve sleep, doctors just wanted to give me pills.  It’s sad to think that had I just made some better lifestyle choices I might not even be on this website.  I am going to use it as a positive experience though, so hopefully I can help others 🙂

[Igor1287]

That cocktail is unreal, hope you heal friend.

[LilBit]

On 9/6/2018 at 10:13 AM, Martina23 said:

Such a nice dog in avatar.

Thank you 😊

[Shep]

21 hours ago, LilBit said:

9/12

 

9:30am  500mg Depakote

12:45pm  headache, drowsy, brain fog

1:30pm  stomachache, nausea

2:50pm  worse headache left side of head 

3:30pm  pain in right shoulder

5:40pm  diarrhea

9:30pm 25mg Quetiapine, 25mg magnesium, 2mg diazepam 

9:45pm  epsom bath

 

 

Please let us know how you are sleeping, as best you can. I know it's difficult when you are sleeping so little and most likely, diving into micro-sleeps which are hard to account for. 

 

You only have nausea listed once and diarrhea listed once, but at the beginning of this week, it was several times a day. Do you feel that your stomach may be feeling a bit better now? 

[LilBit]

Yeah it definitely seems like it is, thanks.  I feel like my sleep has maybe improved a little bit as I am now getting 1-2 hours per night.  Still extremely tired in the daytime but I will take anything I can get!

 

I have been trying to figure out what helps, between adjusting my sleep environment (temperature, bedding) and taking warm epsom salt baths, winding down before bedtime with warm milk and a good book, etc.  I am hoping it will continue to improve.

[LilBit]

Oh also, I know we are still trying to see how I do on my current combo to see if we need to adjust the diazepam, but once my system settles down and we are ready to start tapering (whenever that is), would the Depakote be what I should start to taper down on or would the Quetiapine be better and hold at the 500mg of Depakote?  I know the higher dose of Depakote was contributing to my upset stomach but I am afraid of being on the Quetiapine too long.  I am only asking because this way I know what to tell my pdoc today.  Thanks!

[Shep]

20 hours ago, LilBit said:

Oh also, I know we are still trying to see how I do on my current combo to see if we need to adjust the diazepam, but once my system settles down and we are ready to start tapering (whenever that is), would the Depakote be what I should start to taper down on or would the Quetiapine be better and hold at the 500mg of Depakote?  I know the higher dose of Depakote was contributing to my upset stomach but I am afraid of being on the Quetiapine too long.  I am only asking because this way I know what to tell my pdoc today.  Thanks!

 

Sorry we didn't get back to you before your pdoc appointment. Please let us know how that went.

 

Before making a game plan as to which drug to taper first, let's work toward stabilization and sleep first. Reducing symptoms such as GI distress can go a long way toward healing. Not only do GI problems make insomnia worse, the gut is the second brain, as the saying goes. There's a lot of truth to that. So hopefully over the coming days, you'll see more improvements and then we can discuss which drug you'd like to taper first. 

 

Already you've made a 66.67% reduction in the Depakote, so that's a major change for which you're already seeing some good results. 

 

Remember to eat plenty of protein and limit sugar and caffeine. Small meals and snacks with protein and little to no sugar eaten throughout the day will help you heal from the digestive issues, as well as keep your blood sugar steady. All this will help with the healing process. 

 

Please let us know how you do over the weekend. 

[LilBit]

Thank you Shep, actually I think the discussion with my pdoc went ok.  She seems to be ok wth me staying on the Quetiapine and Diazepam for now (splitting the 5mg pills should work just fine) and I explained to her about the Depakote.  At least I got the prescriptions I needed so that was the main thing.  

 

I’ll keep an eye on my digestive symptoms and continue to post them.  The GI symptoms seem to be a bit random, so I will definitely do my best to do as you suggested with my diet.  Thanks for all of your help and guidance, I will let you know how the sleep and other issues go.  Hope you have a great weekend!

[LilBit]

9/13

 

9:40am  500mg  Depakote

1:45pm  brain fog/derealization

7:33pm  heart palpitations 

9:00pm  stomachache

9:40pm  25mg Quetiapine, 25mg magnesium, 2mg diazepam

 

9/14

 

Last night I got about 1 1/2 to 2 hours of sleep.  I had some anxiety before going to bed.

 

9:40am  500mg Depakote

6:00pm  brain fog/fatigue

7:00pm  stomachache.. lasted about an hour

9:30pm  25mg Quetiapine, 25mg magnesium, 2mg diazepam 

 

[Shep]

Lilbit, are you able to add in a bit of fish oil or do you eat fish on a regular basis? That might help some with the brain fog and the insomnia, as well as other symptoms. Many members report fish oil to be calming.

 

King of supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

[LilBit]

1 hour ago, Shep said:

Lilbit, are you able to add in a bit of fish oil or do you eat fish on a regular basis? That might help some with the brain fog and the insomnia, as well as other symptoms. Many members report fish oil to be calming.

 

King of supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

I can definitely give that a try!  What dosage should I try and would it be better to take in am or pm?  Thanks for the suggestion 😊

[Shep]

I'm not really a good person to ask for specifics on fish oil. Alto, members, and mods all share their experiences on that thread so you may want to read through and see what they say. Please feel free to post on that thread if you have questions and that way, someone more familiar can answer. 

 

The best advice is to start small and increase as you're able. 

 

I haven't tried the fish oil yet because I've been so sensitive to most supplements. I do eat a tin of sardines every day, which is full of Omega 3. So if you aren't able to tolerate the supplement, you may want to put some fish into your diet. Not sure it's as much as what comes in a supplement form, but I do think it helps. 

[LilBit]

Thanks for that tip, I'll certainly look into it.  I read Alto's original post and some of the information in it regarding fish oil, seems like a lot of folks have experienced increased anxiety or feeling "wired", but I know everyone is different so perhaps I will give it a try.  My sleep has actually been improving a little bit I think, I am probably getting 3-4 hours at the moment.  Still waking throughout the night but sometimes I can get back to sleep and it doesn't seem to be as often. I am actually starting to wonder if the magnesium isn't causing the upset tummy and diarrhea.  I know I'm super sensitive to stuff, but I don't want to give it up if it is actually helping me get to sleep!  I wonder if the 25mg plus what I am putting into the epsom salt bath might be too much for me?   I'm hanging in there and realizing that this will eventually pass and that I need to take the good with the bad.  Albeit being tired during the day I do feel better.

[LilBit]

9/15

 

I was told I snored last night and got about 3-3 1/2 hours of sleep.

 

6:30am  abdominal cramp/discomfort 

9:00am  diarrhea

9:30am  500mg Depakote 

10:30am  feel anxious, tired

12:00pm  brain fog, confusion

1:00pm  twitching on right side of nose

1:15pm  heart palpitations 

9:40pm  25mg Quetiapine, 25mg magnesium, 2mg diazepam 

 

9/16

 

8:15am  headache

9:30am  500mg Depakote

11:00am  anxiety

12:00pm  crying spell

6:00pm  feeling out of it/slight brain fog

9:40pm  25mg Quetiapine, 25mg magnesium, 2mg diazepam 

 

Got between 3-4 hours of sleep last night.  Still feeling VERY tired during the day but at least I am sleeping which I think is a good sign.

[LilBit]

 Well like many others on here I think I’m hitting a wave… I felt like I was making progress in getting better over the last few days and my sleep is improving just a little bit. Now today I’m an emotional mess and hopeless and feeling like I’m going to be stuck like this for a very long time.   The depression and brain fog is really getting to me, and I’m really hoping that my sleep gets just a little bit better soon. I guess it’s because I hoped that if my sleep improved that I would feel better but I don’t.  I’m trying my hardest to stay positive but it’s a little bit rough today. I’m also scared that maybe I’ve been on the Quetiapine too long now.  I’m still having a little bit of a hard time accepying that my life has totally changed so quickly but trying to stay focused on the positive.

[Shep]

23 hours ago, LilBit said:

I am actually starting to wonder if the magnesium isn't causing the upset tummy and diarrhea.  I know I'm super sensitive to stuff, but I don't want to give it up if it is actually helping me get to sleep!  I wonder if the 25mg plus what I am putting into the epsom salt bath might be too much for me?  

 

Magnesium can cause tummy upset. How many cups of epsom salts are you using in your bath? Are you taking the magnesium supplement close to the time you're taking the epsom salt bath?

 

You may want to cut back on the supplement and / or arrange your schedule so both aren't too close to each other. 

 

17 hours ago, LilBit said:

I’m also scared that maybe I’ve been on the Quetiapine too long now.

 

Yes, I understand this dilemma. The question remains - will you feel worse if you remove it now? 

 

You may want to give yourself a few more days to see if your sleep continues to improve before making any changes, especially if you are also making changes to the magnesium. Getting your GI back on track is important. 

 

 

17 hours ago, LilBit said:

I’m still having a little bit of a hard time accepying that my life has totally changed so quickly but trying to stay focused on the positive.

 

That's all we can do. Neuroplasticity is key, so staying focused on the positive sets you on the best path to recovery. 

[LilBit]

Shep thanks for the advice.  I actually was taking the magnesium right before the bath so maybe I’ll try to adjust the timing, but not sure how I should do that exactly.  I am putting about a cup of Epsom salts in the bath.  Last night I put about a cup and a half thinking it would help me relax/sleep better.

 

I hardly got any sleep last night despite going through my normal routine.  Was not tired or sleepy, I actually felt a bit wired for some reason, and could not get comfortable.  I think I got somewhere between an hour or so of sleep.  I can always tell when I didn’t sleep well because of how tired my eyes (and I) feel in the morning.  My partner even told me to try not to feed into negative thoughts and just write it off as one bad night and that tonight will be better.  I know he is right but easier said than done!  I will do my best.

[brassmonkey]

Hi LilBit--  Sorry to hear that your having trouble lately.  It's quite possible that you're getting too much of a good thing.  Magnesium, although it can be beneficial, can also cause anxiety, panic and dowel problems if a person get too much of it.  Form your posts it sound like this is what is happening.  Having a magnesium bath every night can cause these types of problems.  I would suggest sticking to one cup per bath and then only taking them every other night at most.  As Shep said it would also be a good idea to take the supplements at a different time.

 

Magnesium has a long history of being used as a laxative, it's where the saying "a dose of the salts" comes from.  It doesn't have to be swallowed though, being absorbed through the skin can have the same result.

 

Take a break from the baths and you should be sleeping fine again inn a few days.

 

Brassmonkey

[Altostrata]

Have you been taking magnesium in the morning? How much? Please include the magnesium dosing in your daily notes.

 

On 9/9/2018 at 3:26 PM, Shep said:

LilBit, Alto and I have been reading and discussing your thread and here is the best we came up with. Since you've only been on Depakote for a month and it's causing an adverse reaction:

 

Please stop the 1,000 mg of Depakote you are taking at night. 

 

This will leave you with 500 mg in the morning. Hopefully, not having the stomach issues will help with sleep and also, may cut down any paradoxical effects. Even though you don't feel the depakote makes you sleepy, it's sedative effects could be causing a paradoxical reaction, which is why you don't feel it as sedating. I hope this makes sense. 

 

So your new schedule will be:

 

500 mg Depokate in the morning.

2 mg diazepam and 25 mg quetiapine at night

 

Please let us know how you do. 

 

It seems you made this change -- dropped the 1,000mg Depakote -- on 9/9 or 9/10. This does not seem to have caused worse symptoms; in fact, you've been sleeping a little better, is that correct?

 

On 9/17/2018 at 5:54 AM, LilBit said:

Thanks for that tip, I'll certainly look into it.  I read Alto's original post and some of the information in it regarding fish oil, seems like a lot of folks have experienced increased anxiety or feeling "wired", but I know everyone is different so perhaps I will give it a try.  My sleep has actually been improving a little bit I think, I am probably getting 3-4 hours at the moment.  Still waking throughout the night but sometimes I can get back to sleep and it doesn't seem to be as often. I am actually starting to wonder if the magnesium isn't causing the upset tummy and diarrhea.  I know I'm super sensitive to stuff, but I don't want to give it up if it is actually helping me get to sleep!  I wonder if the 25mg plus what I am putting into the epsom salt bath might be too much for me?   I'm hanging in there and realizing that this will eventually pass and that I need to take the good with the bad.  Albeit being tired during the day I do feel better.

 

Yes, you can overdo magnesium.

 

What is your sleep pattern? Do you wake up at the same times during the night?

 

How long have you been taking 2mg diazepam at night?

 

[LilBit]

9/17

 

9:30am  500mg Depakote

11:20am  anxious/crying/depressed

12:00pm  brain fog - few hours

9:40pm  25mg Quetiapine, 25mg magnesium, 2mg diazepam 

10:30pm  feel a bit wired, awake

[LilBit]

4 hours ago, brassmonkey said:

Hi LilBit--  Sorry to hear that your having trouble lately.  It's quite possible that you're getting too much of a good thing.  Magnesium, although it can be beneficial, can also cause anxiety, panic and dowel problems if a person get too much of it.  Form your posts it sound like this is what is happening.  Having a magnesium bath every night can cause these types of problems.  I would suggest sticking to one cup per bath and then only taking them every other night at most.  As Shep said it would also be a good idea to take the supplements at a different time.

 

Magnesium has a long history of being used as a laxative, it's where the saying "a dose of the salts" comes from.  It doesn't have to be swallowed though, being absorbed through the skin can have the same result.

 

Take a break from the baths and you should be sleeping fine again inn a few days.

 

Brassmonkey

 

Thank you for the suggestion brassmonkey, I will definitely try that and let you guys know how it goes.  I am really feeling terrible today with anxiety, panic, depression, derealization and brain fog.

[LilBit]

Alto,  yes I have been sleeping a bit better over the past few days with the exception of last night.  I have been taking the 25mg magnesium at night, I apologize that should be in my daily notes.  Should I switch to taking it in the morning instead?   The times that I have looked at the clock there doesn't really seem to be any pattern to when I will wake up.  I try not to look at the time most of the time though as this only increases my anxiety.  I have been taking the 2mg Diazepam since 9/6.  I'll try reducing the epsom salts in the baths to once every other day and only one cup since it looks like I am sensitive to it and hope that this helps.

 

I want to thank you all again as today was a very rough day for me as I mentioned to brassmonkey.  I made the mistake of thinking I was feeling better, tried to drive to a nearby restaurant and didn't even make it out of the parking garage of my apartment building because I backed into a pole.  😳 Luckily a friend (who also understands what I am going through) was with me so he drove.  At the restaurant, I fumbled when placing my order, my hand shook as I ate, and I got confused when looking for the front door as we were leaving.  I spent part of the afternoon crying and discouraged because it reminded me that I am not as good as I thought I was.   

 

I will keep my chin up because I will get through this.... Without you all's guidance I don't even know where I would be right now.   You wonderful people here on SA, my loving partner and few friends I have are only what is truly helping me get through this.  

[wantrelief]

I know how you feel, LilBit....it is so hard to go through this drug related nightmare without the support of others.  Your post made me want to give you a big hug.  It was so courageous of you to try an outing and I understand the discouragement you felt when it didn't go as you would have liked.  I like how you said you are going to keep your chin up....you have such a good attitude despite all you've been through.

[Carmie]

Hi Lilbit, 

 

Im sorry you had such a rough day. Our brains are all over the place and things can be confusing. I’m constantly doing silly things,  like opening cupboards and then realising I didn’t actually want anything out of that cupboard. It takes me a while to remember what I was actually looking for. 

 

I have a thought of something I need to do and next minute I’ve forgotten it already. I already had brainfog before withdrawals because of my illness but withdrawals ramps it up even more. 

 

Im glad you managed to get out though. Well done. 

 

Just take a moment at a time and dont be too hard on yourself, sending hugs🤗

[LilBit]

8 hours ago, wantrelief said:

I know how you feel, LilBit....it is so hard to go through this drug related nightmare without the support of others.  Your post made me want to give you a big hug.  It was so courageous of you to try an outing and I understand the discouragement you felt when it didn't go as you would have liked.  I like how you said you are going to keep your chin up....you have such a good attitude despite all you've been through.

 

Thanks, I am really trying!  It does make it easier to know we are not alone in this struggle.

[LilBit]

8 hours ago, Carmie said:

Hi Lilbit, 

 

Im sorry you had such a rough day. Our brains are all over the place and things can be confusing. I’m constantly doing silly things,  like opening cupboards and then realising I didn’t actually want anything out of that cupboard. It takes me a while to remember what I was actually looking for. 

 

I have a thought of something I need to do and next minute I’ve forgotten it already. I already had brainfog before withdrawals because of my illness but withdrawals ramps it up even more. 

 

Im glad you managed to get out though. Well done. 

 

Just take a moment at a time and dont be too hard on yourself, sending hugs🤗

 

Thank you Carmie... I am glad to see that despite how you are feeling that you are able to find ways to distract yourself and that you have such a positive attitude.  Hugs to you as well 🤗

 

I only got about an hour of sleep last night (broken up of course) so I am extremely tired this morning.  Of all my symptoms the insomnia definitely is the most debilitating and the one that I hope shows some kind of significant improvement soon.  It has been almost 3 months for me and the best sleep I have gotten is a broken up 3-4 hours in the past few days. I would rather not sport the dark circles and double eyebag look...👀

 

 

[LilBit]

9/18

 

10:15am  500mg Depakote

10:30am  shakiness in hands

11:30am  GI upset

1:00pm  tired/brain fog

4:00pm  anxiety

9:30pm  25mg Quetiapine, 2mg diazepam 

9:40pm  warm bath without epsom salt