Health Concern

[dandelions]

Could I have had a stroke and not know it? Or another illness I know little about? I've noticed a slight droopiness of the left side of my face. It could be my imagination. Doctors have been checking this stuff because of my recent illness and hospitalization. Im on this stupid mental med trintellix and my psychiatrist laughs and say it has no side effects. But also in the past week in spite of Feeling a bit happier than usual, my sleep is much worse like I can't wake up and am flooded with unstoppable dreams. And can't stay awake at work. In response to one of my BPDish emails about this, my therapist said don't quit meds and use my wise mind. Im using my wise mind now. I've had ongoing sleep/wake issues that are worsening. I have been unable to think enough to respond to the past several days of Jim's cafe. And this droopiness I see on my face - left side. I'd hate to have gone this far of the journey and it turns out to have been for nothing.

 

[may71]

Sorry to hear this is happening ET1

Did you report the sleep/dream problems and facial droop to your psychiatrist?

 

[dandelions]

Sorry to hear this is happening ET1

Did you report the sleep/dream problems and facial droop to your psychiatrist?

Noticed the droop late last night. So no. As for sleep he says everyone has sleep issues like it's no biggy!

 

[may71]

Noticed the droop late last night. So no

Seeing a doctor about this soon sounds like a good idea

Are there some documents that came with your prescription? They usually note side effects that could be caused by medication, and what to do.

Im on this stupid mental med trintellix and my psychiatrist laughs and say it has no side effects. But also in the past week in spite of Feeling a bit happier than usual, my sleep is much worse like I can't wake up and am flooded with unstoppable dreams

It's an individual decision to balance the benefits of medication versus side effects. If you don't feel like you want to continue with a drug, it's important to only discontinue under the advice of a doctor or psychiatrist.

 

[may71]

As for sleep he says everyone has sleep issues like it's no biggy!

It sounds like your sleep issues are a big problem which is not adequately acknowledging.

 

[Innocent Forever]

Good luck...

 

[may71]

Any updates @extraterrestrialone ?

I hope you're ok

 

[dandelions]

yeah, updates as follows:
• my pcp is prescribing a med to help me sleep. we will see how that goes.
• i’ve decided to stick with the psych med for the full 3 months like i originally planned. so i have about one more month to go.
• noticed the droop in my face a couple times more but not in the past 24 hours. i have a feeling it might have been from the severe cold i had since such a thing could be virus related.
• i suspect my horrible dreaming and not being able to wake up when i want to at night is from the psych med. (trintellix). hopefully it will go away once i stop taking it or not long after.
• i’ve been assigning noncomplimentary characteristics to my psychiatrist in my waking thoughts just because that is how i think about psychiatry and psychiatrists.
• i decided to try to be in a better mood even though i’d prefer to give up etc. don’t know why the “happy’ always kicks in at the worst possible times. wtf.
• i think that’s all.

thanks for asking.

 

[Ash600]

You mentioned you had a cold recently, it's making me wonder of you've got Bells Palsy. It's a viral infection, can be triggered by respiratory infections and in some cases periods of stress or when the immune system is depleted.
If it was a stroke, then it would've come on suddenly, accompanied by slurred speech, and difficulty in raising both arms.

If it is Bell's Palsy, then it's important to see your doctor as soon as possible to initiate treatment, preferably within 72hrs of onset so as to improve the chances of successful treatment.

Either way, I would get the cause of it investigated so any remedial measures may be taken.

 

[dandelions]

Yeah. Thanks. I keep forgetting the name but my therapist thought it was that too. I think I've gone past the 72, but the droop has still not returned. I'll contact my PCP anyway. I thought there was no treatment though other than just waiting for it to go away.

 

[Ash600]

Yeah. Thanks. I keep forgetting the name but my therapist thought it was that too. I think I've gone past the 72, but the droop has still not returned. I'll contact my PCP anyway. I thought there was no treatment though other than just waiting for it to go away.

No there is treatment, usually it's with a short course of steroids. Prednisolone 50mg daily for 10 days or at 60mg for 5 days with a reducing daily dose of 10mg if preferred.
Antiviral treatment can be added in combination, altough it should only be considered after consulting specialist advice.
One important point to consider, is the use of lubricating eye drops/eye ointment so as to prevent the eye from drying out. Use drops during the day, and ointment at night.