Advice wanted

[Timetodance]

as previously stated went to see my sleep doctor about sleep and leg problems that have developed since come off 2.5 zyprexa 10 months ago. He discussed sleep hygiene with me which I follow as I had previously read a book from a sleep doctor about it. He also asked me to keep a sleep diary which I will for a week( I don't like it as I feel it makes me more anxious about sleep) and I have done this previously for my normal doctor anyway. Sleep doctor also advised that I will be contacted to do a home sleep test in the next couple of weeks. Anyway last night started the sleep diary. As usual had trouble going to sleep , went to bed at 10pm could not sleep and at 11.30pm took 1/2 a nitrazepam sleeping tablet and I then sleep till 2am and once again woke up with my right leg aching again and my left leg sort or numb up to my knee, this eases during the day. Rested but could not go back to sleep so got up at 4.15am. I also notice that I have developed a slight tick in my left eye. When I first went off zyprexa last July I developed this but it went away and then I developed my leg problems. Don't know if the light tick in my left eye is from just being very tired from lack of sleep or this is also withdrawal problems from zyprexa. Any advice would be helpfull to assist with the tick in my eye. I won't take sleeping tablets every night as they are addictive and just use them every now and again. Doing my meditation daily, exercising etc and still on my 20mg of prozac a day. It would be so easy to go back on my 2.5mg of zyprexa, would this then get rid of my leg problems and tick problem in my eye...I don't know. I have always had insomnia and have trouble going to sleep even on zyprexa but once asleep with zyprexa I did sleep very deeply for about 7 hours but of course this has mucked up my brain chemicals and am now having all these withdrawal symptoms. Don't know what to do ..should I keep going with my withdrawal and hope with time these symptoms improve or go back on my low dose zyprexa for the rest of my life as the psychiatrists say. Really pissed of with psychiastrist as when my doctor sent me to him 16/17 years ago my niece had just died of asthma and I was grieving and he put me on a psychotic drug (I have never been psychotic) never told me anything about it and I have tried many time previously to get off this drug but do not want symptoms I am now experiencing. What advise do u all have...

[Hidden]

The only advice I can give you is more or less the same as it was in your previous posts. You have now seen the sleep doctor and are being investigated for a sleep disorder. You need to follow that through and if the sleep doctor finds anything, may be able to reduce your insomnia.

As before, you don't have RLS. What's happening with your legs sounds more like a neuropathy. The tick in your eye is a fasciculation, it may last days or a few weeks but it should go away. It won't cause you any harm. I often have them.

I'm sorry, this site is for people suffering from RLS and nobody on here, possibly can help you. There are other Healthunlocked communities for anxiety which might be of more use to you.

healthunlocked.com/anxiety-...

healthunlocked.com/livingwi...

healthunlocked.com/anxietys...

[Timetodance in reply to Hidden]

Thanks manerva again for your advice,. I will follow thru with sleep doctor and try the other sites U mentioned . As I don't talk to my friends about my issues this blog helps reassure me. Thank you once again and I hope U are doing well.

[Parminter]

You have every right to be really angry with a shrink who doled out an anti-psychotic for simple human grief. They are appalling drugs, too often given for no good reason. It makes me wonder if doctors get a kick-back.

The symptoms you mention are all side-effects of anti-psychotics, and it does seem that withdrawal from a drug often brings the side-effects along for years. (I was on an anti-depressant that did that - it took two years to recover, but for others it took longer. Of course no doctor will EVER tell you this).

The hope is knowing that the body really wants to be well, and that over time - perhaps quite a long time - homeostasis will return.

I am sure you know the horrible list of side effects, but for others I attach this link, which makes your hair stand on end -

webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-1644...

Personally, I would not freak out about taking a benzodiazepine. Above all, you MUST sleep, for it is only during sleep that the brain repairs itself, and if your sleep is constantly broken your brain cannot mend. Rather a benzodiazepine than an anti-psychotic.

If I were you - and I know I am not - I would go to visit a herbalist/homeopath to get gentle ways to sustain the body and mind during a long healing process, and work to be as healthy as possible - which you seem to be doing, bravo.

And if you feel you are getting support here, then by all means stay. Many of us are here because we were put onto appalling drugs called dopamine agonists, which also harm the brain, and we have suffered for years in consequence.

[Timetodance in reply to Parminter]

Thanks Parminder for your advice. It is appreciated. Yes I am well aware of the withdrawal effects of coming off these sort of drugs. I found a good sight called 'the withdrawal project & the inner compass initiative's this sight has a lot off info from actual people who have come off medications and if they can do it then I can to. Sometimes though one does get a bit worried about it, especially in the middle of the night when U have had no quality sleep and have these symptoms and have no one to talk to. I have already gained insite from this site as well about augmentation from some of the drugs U all take and some other options mentioned such as CBD oil for sleep, Mucuna pruriens etc so am reading and obtaining as much info as possible. I will also go on the other sites as well to get info. Agree that I should see a herbalist, natural health doctor as I really think this is the way to go for me but will wait and see what the outcome is from sleep doctor. Will keep on doing all the healthy things I am doing, seek the best advice I can and take one step at a time and go carefully. This site really has made me aware of dopamine agonists so will weigh all things up and go with my gut instinct . Thanks once again . Agree sleep plays a big part in recovery.