[LadyShadow]

Have you ever made that mistake? I mean I don't even know where my head was at, I kinda had a feeling I took them already, but I popped them all twice because I was unsure....

I slept a total of 17 hours, and I am freakin happy as hell I actually woke up.

I am on a low dosage of Seroquel, a low dosage of Klonopin and I usually pop a pill of Melatonin because I have SO much trouble getting to sleep at night. My mind races like crazy at night, so I usually have to REALLY drug myself to get to sleep. It has been an ongoing struggle for quite some time.

But now, having this accidental double dose in my system, I feel GOD AWFUL. Like I am so overdrugged, and slow, the whole world feels like it is going in slow motion. I am sure I will be back to myself in a few days.

But man, what a SCARY feeling to go to sleep when its dark outside, and then WAKE up when its STILL dark outside, and being locked in a room for so long, that no one even noticed I was knocked out for that long. I don't think anyone would have noticed if I actually passed away, or would have even known to break down my door because something had gone terribly wrong.

I don't want to agonize over the details, but I am thanking my lucky stars that my mistake didn't cost me my life. I urge everyone, to be extra, extra careful when taking your pills. Sometimes we don't realize how powerful these drugs we are just popping into our mouths really are.

God is definitely on my side. Its not my time to go yet for sure.

Originally Posted by LadyShadow

Have you ever made that mistake? I mean I don't even know where my head was at, I kinda had a feeling I took them already, but I popped them all twice because I was unsure....

I slept a total of 17 hours, and I am freakin happy as hell I actually woke up.

I am on a low dosage of Seroquel, a low dosage of Klonopin and I usually pop a pill of Melatonin because I have SO much trouble getting to sleep at night. My mind races like crazy at night, so I usually have to REALLY drug myself to get to sleep. It has been an ongoing struggle for quite some time.

But now, having this accidental double dose in my system, I feel GOD AWFUL. Like I am so overdrugged, and slow, the whole world feels like it is going in slow motion. I am sure I will be back to myself in a few days.

But man, what a SCARY feeling to go to sleep when its dark outside, and then WAKE up when its STILL dark outside, and being locked in a room for so long, that no one even noticed I was knocked out for that long. I don't think anyone would have noticed if I actually passed away, or would have even known to break down my door because something had gone terribly wrong.

I don't want to agonize over the details, but I am thanking my lucky stars that my mistake didn't cost me my life. I urge everyone, to be extra, extra careful when taking your pills. Sometimes we don't realize how powerful these drugs we are just popping into our mouths really are.

God is definitely on my side. Its not my time to go yet for sure.

I relate to a tee. The thing now is that I never keep pills next to my bed, in fact I shouldn't be storing them where I sleep. But like many (including me) keeping the bad boys close is concerning to say the least.

[bioChE]

You’re on a low dose of Seroquel, a low dose of Klonopin, and some melatonin? And you’re worried about dying because you doubled up? I’d be willing to bet you could triple, quadruple, quintuple, whatever, those doses and it would be no big deal. The reason you slept so long was the Seroquel. It’s also the reason you feel drugged. Klonopin is out of your system in 8 hours, melatonin even quicker. Seroquel is like a horse tranquilizer, and even then people regularly take doses up to 900 or 1200mg.

You’re fine. The issues with nobody noticing are totally separate. I’m sure you feel alone and neglected because of it, but don’t worry about the meds. You’re not lucky to be alive because you doubled up on your meds, but it does sound like you have some other issues that might be good to work on.

[Nammu]

I can totally relate, I keep my meds in a weekly container but I've mistakenly took a double dose cause I didn't pay attention to the day. This is how accidental ODs happen.

I’ve accidentally taken my meds twice. I have to put down what I’m doing and really notice I’m taking them.

Seroquel I’m allowed to take a double dose as needed, but man, I can’t get up and will sleep twice as long. 50 mg = 16 hours of sleep.

[LadyShadow]

Originally Posted by bioChE

You’re on a low dose of Seroquel, a low dose of Klonopin, and some melatonin? And you’re worried about dying because you doubled up? I’d be willing to bet you could triple, quadruple, quintuple, whatever, those doses and it would be no big deal. The reason you slept so long was the Seroquel. It’s also the reason you feel drugged. Klonopin is out of your system in 8 hours, melatonin even quicker. Seroquel is like a horse tranquilizer, and even then people regularly take doses up to 900 or 1200mg.

You’re fine. The issues with nobody noticing are totally separate. I’m sure you feel alone and neglected because of it, but don’t worry about the meds. You’re not lucky to be alive because you doubled up on your meds, but it does sound like you have some other issues that might be good to work on.

Honestly, I know the reality of it, but the FEAR of went I went through is still there. I do know what it's like to take a lethal dosage of medication because I did, in fact try to end it all when I was on much higher dosages of different medication years ago.

This is a triumph for me, and I do feel lucky to be alive because it was scary for me, even though it seems like it sounds overdramatic to you.

The fact that nobody noticed, doesn't mean I feel neglected, only that it is a wake-up call of how careful I need to be in the future, because the people I live with accept my independence.

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by Nammu

I can totally relate, I keep my meds in a weekly container but I've mistakenly took a double dose cause I didn't pay attention to the day. This is how accidental ODs happen.

They used to sell underpants with the days of the week embroidered on them. Idea: to make sure us oldsters change our undergotchies, a scan app, also for the pill container.

[LadyShadow]

Originally Posted by 2ISAB

I relate to a tee. The thing now is that I never keep pills next to my bed, in fact I shouldn't be storing them where I sleep. But like many (including me) keeping the bad boys close is concerning to say the least.

Well, my pills aren't by bed, they are right by my TV, and when I am ready for bed, I set the sleep timer for the TV, take my pills and head to bed. That has been my routine, for what seems like forever. I just let myself get distracted last night, by what, I am still not entirely sure still. I have NEVER broken my routine like this or made a mistake like this, so it really freaked me out, probably more than it should have. But you're right, not keeping them close is such a great idea!

Originally Posted by Nammu

I can totally relate, I keep my meds in a weekly container but I've mistakenly took a double dose cause I didn't pay attention to the day. This is how accidental ODs happen.

I agree that's what I was so scared about. i know the reality of it, because I am on a low dosage, but it doesn't mean it didn't really scare me, mostly because of the way I felt after I woke up, and how I continued to feel throughout the day. Having one of those weekly containers is such a great idea, and a great tool to have, but I know myself, my laziness is monumental, so having the discipline to put my pills in one of those things would be so hard for me to do. But you're right we have to be really careful.

Originally Posted by key tones

I’ve accidentally taken my meds twice. I have to put down what I’m doing and really notice I’m taking them.

Seroquel I’m allowed to take a double dose as needed, but man, I can’t get up and will sleep twice as long. 50 mg = 16 hours of sleep.

This is such great advice. Paying attention. I should have known better than to do a million things while mixing it in with taking my pills. Distractions are so easy to succumb to, and our meds are no laughing matter and are important. Funny you say 50mg of Seroquel will give you 16 hours of sleep, man I am on 50mg, and took double which means I actually took 100mg. No wonder I slept as long as I did, and feel what I feel now.

Originally Posted by unaluna

They used to sell underpants with the days of the week embroidered on them. Idea: to make sure us oldsters change our undergotchies, a scan app, also for the pill container.

That is such an awesome idea! I wish I can scan my pill bottles when I take them, so when I go to take them again if I am unsure, it would flash red and say "NO!! DANGER!!" Also, the underpants with the days on them were too funny. There was a joke I saw somewhere that said that they never made "Sunday" underpants because it was God's day and I guess He doesn't wear underwear? I don't know what the real reason was, or even if that was true.

[scatterbrained04]

I've never taken them twice. I've gone to take them, and forgot if I took them or not. Usually if that happens, I don't take them to avoid taking them twice. So I get unsure if I took them at all or not.

I have definitely accidently forgotten or doubled my daily doses despite having a pill tracker (compartments for each day of the week). Thankfully, none of my meds are at high enough doses to be dangerous when doubled. Really scary!! Forgetting or doubling meds messes you up at least temporarily even at lower dosages. Yes, I am sure it is dangerous if your meds are higher doses. The side effects and long term dangers are bad enough.

I believe I took my evening meds twice in the past, despite having a pill box. I wasn't as worried about my Seroquel XR, which would have been much higher dose than yours, but my Tegretol XR. I take a huge dose of that anyway, doubling my evening dose was a bit worrisome. I feared double vision. Anyway, rather than worrying, consider calling a pharmacist to ask how concerned you should be.

The worst case of medication taking mistake was by my husband. Instead of taking his meds (antidepressant, stimulant) he took my evening meds instead by accident. He made it to work, but his work friend had to call me to pick him up. He totally passed out almost, sleeping the whole day away.

The scariest thing I experienced was mixing my meds with too much alcohol. My husband had to call 911.

Glad you are okay. I keep my pills in a pill caddy so I know if I've taken them. Otherwise I can't remember.

[LadyShadow]

Originally Posted by scatterbrained04

I've never taken them twice. I've gone to take them, and forgot if I took them or not. Usually if that happens, I don't take them to avoid taking them twice. So I get unsure if I took them at all or not.

This was my initial thought. And to be honest, it was kind of stupid of me to ignore the risk, if I was so afraid of overdose. I was just thinking, "if I didn't take them, I will never get to sleep." I am aware that's no excuse, but I took a chance and it worked against me. Your way of thinking is the safer way, so I think if I am unsure in the future if I took them, I will take just the Melatonin if I am worried about sleeping, that way it wouldn't be so bad.

Originally Posted by Hopingtrying

I have definitely accidently forgotten or doubled my daily doses despite having a pill tracker (compartments for each day of the week). Thankfully, none of my meds are at high enough doses to be dangerous when doubled. Really scary!! Forgetting or doubling meds messes you up at least temporarily even at lower dosages. Yes, I am sure it is dangerous if your meds are higher doses. The side effects and long term dangers are bad enough.

I totally know what you mean! I mean thinking about it a day later, and it coming out of my system has made me feel a little better about the situation, and definitely less dramatic about it, but honestly, it was really scary feeling like I had made such a huge mistake. I am glad you are okay though, and nothing happened when you too double your dosage by accident. I guess both of us learned a lesson.

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

I believe I took my evening meds twice in the past, despite having a pill box. I wasn't as worried about my Seroquel XR, which would have been much higher dose than yours, but my Tegretol XR. I take a huge dose of that anyway, doubling my evening dose was a bit worrisome. I feared double vision. Anyway, rather than worrying, consider calling a pharmacist to ask how concerned you should be.

The worst case of medication taking mistake was by my husband. Instead of taking his meds (antidepressant, stimulant) he took my evening meds instead by accident. He made it to work, but his work friend had to call me to pick him up. He totally passed out almost, sleeping the whole day away.

The scariest thing I experienced was mixing my meds with too much alcohol. My husband had to call 911.

You're right, calling the pharmacy is a great idea, but I actually didn't think of it at the time. I do have a long session with my pdoc coming up, so I will be sure to mention this incident with him. I am sorry that you have these scary situations with medication mistakes, (especially the one with your husband), and I am so glad that when you took them with too much alcohol everything turned out okay. That has always been my biggest fear you know; mixing them with too much alcohol.

Originally Posted by TheSadGirl

Glad you are okay. I keep my pills in a pill caddy so I know if I've taken them. Otherwise I can't remember.

Thank you SadGirl I am glad I am okay too. It's really smart that you have yours sorted that way. I mean i am only on two pills so I don't really think I need one of those caddies, but if I making mistakes like these and gettign scared about them, maybe I should.

[xRavenx]

That is scary. I actually wondered if I made that mistake last night, because I could not remember if I took my evening dose of Lamictal. I have to be super careful with Lamictal, because I am already on such a high dose, so I was panicking about whether I doubled up or not. I don't think I did though. I noticed a headache, but it could have been unrelated. I did check with a pharmacist once before about what would happen if I accidentally doubled my dose. They said I might feel the side effects more intensely, but they told me it would be rare to have such a bad reaction from them, but I still worry.

I can relate to being so nervous about doing that. These meds are risky. Now, I try to just skip a pill if I'm not sure, but I still sometimes take it and later second-guess myself. I need to get better at keeping track, although most of the time, I'm alright I guess.

I am glad that you are okay.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

It's scary to do that. A few years ago I was on pain pills after surgery and woke up and instead of my AM meds I took my PM meds. Which included 1200 mg of Seroquel, so I took 2400 mg in 12 hours along with my other meds which were at lower doses (I did also take 4 mg of klonopin at once too but that's not as bad as the Seroquel). I called my pdoc's office and had to talk to a pdoc I'd never met and promise it wasn't a (pathetic) attempt at an OD and instead was just stupid, all the while getting more and more sleepy (I think it took 15-30 minutes to be sound asleep).

I slept for about 36 hours off and on, mostly on, and remember nothing of those 2 days.

Really scary.

[Moose72]

I switched to blister packs so i cant double up. I can forget forget them though.

[LadyShadow]

Originally Posted by xRavenx

That is scary. I actually wondered if I made that mistake last night, because I could not remember if I took my evening dose of Lamictal. I have to be super careful with Lamictal, because I am already on such a high dose, so I was panicking about whether I doubled up or not. I don't think I did though. I noticed a headache, but it could have been unrelated. I did check with a pharmacist once before about what would happen if I accidentally doubled my dose. They said I might feel the side effects more intensely, but they told me it would be rare to have such a bad reaction from them, but I still worry.

I can relate to being so nervous about doing that. These meds are risky. Now, I try to just skip a pill if I'm not sure, but I still sometimes take it and later second-guess myself. I need to get better at keeping track, although most of the time, I'm alright I guess.

I am glad that you are okay.

Thank you so much Raven That must have been very scary for you! Thankfully everything turned out alright, but don't you hate having to second guess yourself sometimes? Does forgetfulness happen to bipolar people often? I wonder.. Glad you're okay too though! Smart move calling the pharmacist, someone else said that too on this thread, I think I will keep that in mind should anything like this happen again.

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

It's scary to do that. A few years ago I was on pain pills after surgery and woke up and instead of my AM meds I took my PM meds. Which included 1200 mg of Seroquel, so I took 2400 mg in 12 hours along with my other meds which were at lower doses (I did also take 4 mg of klonopin at once too but that's not as bad as the Seroquel). I called my pdoc's office and had to talk to a pdoc I'd never met and promise it wasn't a (pathetic) attempt at an OD and instead was just stupid, all the while getting more and more sleepy (I think it took 15-30 minutes to be sound asleep).

I slept for about 36 hours off and on, mostly on, and remember nothing of those 2 days.

Really scary.

Wow what a scary story! I am on nowhere near as much Seroquel, I couldn't even imagine how sleepy I would be! I am glad nothing really bad happened though, and you were able to get a hold of a pdoc (even if you didn't know them), and you managed to get through it. 36 hours of sleep on and off though, phew! I couldn't even imagine. I am so glad you are okay.

Originally Posted by Moose72

I switched to blister packs so i cant double up. I can forget forget them though.

What's a blister pack? Is that like a caddy or a pill box?

[Wild Coyote]

Hi LadyShadow!

I am just seeing this and am glad you are okay!

WC

[vernl77]

I've taken nighttime pills in the morning by accident. And then felt sleepy all day.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by LadyShadow

Thank you so much Raven That must have been very scary for you! Thankfully everything turned out alright, but don't you hate having to second guess yourself sometimes? Does forgetfulness happen to bipolar people often? I wonder.. Glad you're okay too though! Smart move calling the pharmacist, someone else said that too on this thread, I think I will keep that in mind should anything like this happen again.


Wow what a scary story! I am on nowhere near as much Seroquel, I couldn't even imagine how sleepy I would be! I am glad nothing really bad happened though, and you were able to get a hold of a pdoc (even if you didn't know them), and you managed to get through it. 36 hours of sleep on and off though, phew! I couldn't even imagine. I am so glad you are okay.


What's a blister pack? Is that like a caddy or a pill box?

Its 4 rows of 7 smallish clear bubbles that hold the morning evening afternoon etc pills. They are labeled with the day and date and what pills are in them. They come from the pharmacy all done up. Just open the blister pack and take the pills!

[LadyShadow]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

Hi LadyShadow!

I am just seeing this and am glad you are okay!

WC

Thank you WC!! I am glad too! It was very scary to say the least!!

Originally Posted by vernl77

I've taken nighttime pills in the morning by accident. And then felt sleepy all day.

I couldn't imagine taking these pills in the morning, I would totally be sleepy all day too! I am glad that I kind of stick to the routine of just taking meds at night, I mean if I took these pills in the morning, it definitely be unsafe for me to go anywhere, especially driving!

Originally Posted by Moose72

Its 4 rows of 7 smallish clear bubbles that hold the morning evening afternoon etc pills. They are labeled with the day and date and what pills are in them. They come from the pharmacy all done up. Just open the blister pack and take the pills!

Ahh, I see that is really an innovative idea. I never heard of such a thing. It's worth looking into. Thanks for sharing!

[bioChE]

Originally Posted by LadyShadow

Honestly, I know the reality of it, but the FEAR of went I went through is still there. I do know what it's like to take a lethal dosage of medication because I did, in fact try to end it all when I was on much higher dosages of different medication years ago.


This is a triumph for me, and I do feel lucky to be alive because it was scary for me, even though it seems like it sounds overdramatic to you.


The fact that nobody noticed, doesn't mean I feel neglected, only that it is a wake-up call of how careful I need to be in the future, because the people I live with accept my independence.

I understand the psychology of it, and it’s scary. All I was doing was pointing out the pharmacokinetics of it, and that you’ll be fine even if it happens again. And it sucks that nobody noticed.

Glad you’re OK.

[DechanDawa]

Many years ago I had dental surgery and maybe I took an extra dose of pain meds. I never figured out what happened but it could have been that. I was going down the stairs and my dog and cat both ran in front of me on the stairs and I tripped and fell down a flight of stairs and broke my left arm and right wrist. Since I was living alone I had to get up and drive myself to the hospital.