Overdose of Sleeping Pills
So Last week, I was to do Electro-Convulsive Shock Therapy (ECT), and the night before I was nervous. I had done ECT many times before but this time I was nervous and knew that I wouldn't sleep. So instead of taking the one Ambien, I two Ambien and one temazepam. This put me out when I crawled into bed. I woke up at 5 AM to go to ECT and I collapsed (passed out for like ten seconds) twice, cut my head good and bruized all the rib on my left side. At the ECT just before the shock, the doctor noticed I was slurring my words and my eyes were following her pen. She sent me to the ER for eval. The ER did their eval couldn't find out what was wrong and remanded me to the second-floor observation suite. Which is just a room with a camera. But sounds imposing. I stay there for about 30 hours before being released. I was really really out of it in the ER and only remember bits and pieces.
This is a drug overdose and it is obvious these drugs are pretty powerful. I've told my TDoc and PDoc but have not heard back from them yet. If the ER knew it was a drug overdose, I would have landed in the BHU for three days or more. Was I practicing or just couldn't sleep?
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Yikes! Please be careful with meds. I hallucinated once after taking a pill that dr had discontinued several weeks prior. Are you ok now?
I hope you're feeling better Thor.
Spencer I doubt any Dr. is going to consider taking 2 Ambien a drug overdose.
I was out all day yesterday because I'd not slept more than 6 hours since Monday night and I had a phone appt with my Pdoc at 8:;00a.m. in which he told me to double my sleep meds, i.e., 2 Ambien, 2 Klonopin and 2 Clonodine, so I could get some sleep without having nightmares.
There are parameters for what actually qualifies as a drug overdose for each medication and 2 ambien is nowhere close to that qualification. I've actually been prescribed 30 mg of Ambien at night at one point, due to my sleep disorder, and yes I was on Klonopin at the same time.
You should have told your Dr.'s what was going on so they knew and weren't just guessing. It would have saved you a 30 hour observation stay and a lot of people extra work over an extra pill.
I don't have any suggestions, because it really depends on the way the drug works.
Thor I tend to agree 2 Ambien does not a suicide attempt make. If those feelings are present one has to do the most unpleasant thing about being Bipolar one has to "tell on yourself." Yup say it out loud to your therapist and pdoc. Are you going to consider Ketamine?
I sounds like it wasn't a suicide attempt to me, too, Thor, but PTSD insomnia anxiety getting away from you. You're done well with ECT'S that I'd focus instead on wondering why anxious the night before this time and preparing for the next by building up support--like letting us be there for you the night before posting a heads up that we could rely to.
Big hug Thor.... I hope that you're feeling okay now as well... I've taken an extra med when I couldn't sleep so I understand it... Unfortunately it was a bit too much extra..... Big hug.... xo