strange strange situation

I'm not sure how to handle this any more. I'm really tired all the time but my body wants to do things, only that even after a short walk I collapse. I must say that about a month ago I collapsed after getting quite manic over essays and taking up project upon project, but after 2-3 weeks of collapse I started losing it. I get weird sensations like the ground is a lot further away from me, then like it is really close up to my knees, or that my head becomes one with the ground if I lie down and of course I haven't escaped the racing thoughts and remembering the most random things and piecing bits together to make sense of this and that (even if it means jumping over years, even countries in my time-stream.) But at the same time, I can't say I am in that 'bouncing off the walls' state - no. I sit quietly while my brain feels like it's trying to escape from my head. I get very uncomfortable very easily in my chair, bed, sofa, and fabrics irritate me, I get strange itches and all, but all that leads into is a silent tantrum that is so unbearable sometimes I wish I could have a proper tantrum, even if it meant I would exhaust myself even more. And of course then there is the limited number of things I can do. Everything triggers a whole set of imaginary scenarios and things I could be doing, investing in etc etc. I think I live very much in my head and yet not at all. I can communicate with people but it feels almost surreal. Oh. And the other bizarre thing. Apart from a streak of 4 days with little sleep, I sleep 7 hrs at night. Sometimes I fall asleep during the day. What IS going on??

Sounds a lot like hypomania. After long periods of little sleep it possible to experience sleep deprivation which could cause those strange feelings like becoming one with the ground. Your mind really needs the sleep but the chemical imbalance is working against nature. I will occasionally take an allergy medication which helps me to get to sleep and sleep longer. The pdoc gives me sarequil to help me sleep but it gives me restless leg syndrome and then I thrash around for hours.

Thank you SmokeyPoole. I can't take allergy medication because I have a bad reaction to antihistamine (ironic, isn't it!) but I'm seeing the doctor on Friday...I just can't go on like that for much longer. It has come down to reading Winnie-the-Pooh as the only safe thing to do.

FWIW, I have very similar sensations when I'm hypomanic. So I can relate to what you're saying and how difficult the symptoms are to explain. Getting more sleep is always a good idea. Curious to hear what your pdoc will say on Friday. Keep us posted.

I sinserely hope the doc can help you with your sleeping issues. If you can at least resolve this problem you will find it easier to face other challanges. Good luck.

Thank you

Unfortunately I still don't have a pdoc here (and I moved in September!) but the GP is finally referring me to one...So I'll have to wait some more...And in the meantime live like a Monk. Hello patience, the time has come to learn how to stop running...

If it helps, I feel a lot of the same ways you described. I am bipolar II. You actually described how you felt really well. Keep up that kind of communication with your soon to be psychiatrist. I know for me, as soon as we started alleviating my symptoms, I was better able to see new ones appear. Well, they had always been there, but masked by the mixed cycling. So don't be surprised if that happens too.

I wish you the best of luck, and no, your not the only one that goes through that. I have since a child. But that won't help you now. The psychiatrist will though. Don't give up.

It sounds like my mixed episodes. Also, I have hypothyroidism. Once I went on meds for that, I felt a lot of my physical exhaustion get better.

Thank you both
Doctors check my thyroid regularly because my symptoms always fit some sort of thyroid problem..But it's always fine.
I refuse to give up, thanks for the encouragement

Funny you should mention that, I have the same issue! I took antihistamines once because I broke out in hives, I went to the hospital and got a shot of Demerol, then was sent home and told to take allergy stuff. Then, 24 hours later I broke out in hives AGAIN. I thought it was the weirdest thing to do.

Heh, I feel like that almost everyday. That isn't normal?! Haha, okay I know I an neurotic.

My best solution to not sleeping is to accept it, can't change it and I know eventually I will sleep.

Well, while you wait for the psychiatrist, I'd see an allergy specialist. It sounds very much like a growing medication sensitivity. Not that an antihistamine would help, but he might direct you to drop that medication and send data to your psychiatrist when you meet that specialist.

Something is wrong with the way your meds are functioning. Did you have these
same tendencies before you began to take medications?

The acidity reaction which medications cause (all of them do cause acid buildup)
can be troubling you. I'd see the allergist.

Genetic

After am entire year of taking it? I also have a few intolerances and I can't always be careful of what I eat...But I think it's anxiety that has been triggering me, as well as other issues. My brain is like a trigger all by itself now. But I'm finally seeing the pdoc tomorrow! I think I also need therapy (as in any kind of therapy apart from CBT, which has been useless for me..) I will ask tomorrow. Thank you everyone for your support