Well, I came to start a new thread in the sleep forum, but it looks like this thread is very similar, so I'll add my question here. I posted it in the schizophrenia and psychosis section as well.
Some background info the folks in the sz forum are already familiar with: my son is 26 yo and taking 7.5 mg of olanzapine (Zyprexa) - up from 5 mg a couple of weeks ago because he was having rage problems.
Here's the question I posted in the sz forum:
Quote:
My son just told me that he's been having a sleep problem for the last couple months. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas.
There have been a couple of nights when he didn't sleep at all, but the major problem is that when he does sleep, it's not deep or satisifying. He says he doesn't think he's getting to REM sleep.
The way he describes it, he's just lightly dozing all night, and he's always on the verge of waking. He links it with the feelings of stress and anxiety he's been suffering.
Most worrying is he describes it as being like the sleep he had right before he went to Albuquerque. In December 2009 he suddenly decided to move to California. He ended up attempting suicide in Albuquerque and was hospitalized for over a month. He had quit his medication cold turkey two months before and began drinking heavily. He's saying that during that lead up time to the Albuquerque trip, he was sleeping badly - exactly like now. At the time he attributed the lack of sleep to the alcohol. Now, though, he's not drinking at all, and he's taking his medication regularly.
He mentioned the sleep problems to the pdoc yesterday. The pdoc wants him to take a brisk walk daily. He says he's walked today.
I have a history of chronic severe insomnia myself. Literally since childhood I had difficulty falling asleep. And once I got to sleep, I had trouble with early waking. My insomnia disappeared on a low carb diet. Literally from day one. So I've suggested he try eliminating sugars and processed carbs for a few days to see if it helps. I fear it won't help, though, because his problem sounds so much worse than mine.
Ideas? Suggestions?
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