[krisakira]

Sometimes I have to take percocet (oxycodone pain reliever) to relieve all the pain I am in. But the pdoc at the hospital where I went inpatient for psychosis told me to really limit the amount of percocet I take because he said it could increase hallucinations. Well I took a half a percocet last night, and I had a paranoid episode. I'm certain it had to do with the percocet. I made sandwiches because I was hungry, but then I couldn't eat them because I believed that "they" poisoned them. I believed they were in the house ready to get me. Every object I looked at looked like a weapon that could come at me and hurt me. It took a good hour but I eventually fell asleep. This morning I am having some bad anxiety. It's nothing like it was last night, but I feel like it's lingering. I was just wondering if anyone has experience with paranoia and has some advice for getting through it or getting rid of it. Thanks

[spondiferous]

When I'm paranoid I try to do stuff that's tried and true for me, things that I can link to reality. Distracting myself online, for instance. I can't always read books or watch movies; they trigger me if I'm already paranoid. Going out into public is a no-go as well. And sitting around doing nothing...forget it. Another thing I do sometimes is call and talk to someone I trust because I know that if I can hear their voice then sometimes it makes it feel a little more bearable.
Is there anything you can take aside from percocet? Anything in another class that won't trigger you?

[adj2013]

I wish I could tell you what to do but I personally have no idea what helps.spondi had a good suggestion- getting distracted. It's really hard to do that tho depending on how bad the episode is. Lately I have been trying to talk more about it- with my husband and it seems to help. Again, if the episode is real bad it's hard to believe what people say. Are you on an anti-psychotic? If so make sure you take them everyday like your supposed to and that should help a bit. If not talk to the doc- you have every right to be involved I. Your own care.

[DePressMe]

krisakira, I've taken pain meds without the side effects you are having--can you try another pain med? One thing that effects my paranoid delusions and hallucinations is the amount of sleep I'm getting--I have more if I'm getting less sleep. Is there any way possible you can take the pain med after you wake up in the morning or at night when you have had several nights of good sleep? I know its hard to deal with difficulty sleeping if you are in pain...I don't know much to help you on that--the only thing that helps me sleep is restoril and seroquel. I take them at the same time at night--right before I go to bed. I turn off my computer, take my meds and go straight to bed before the sleep meds or/and the pain meds have a change of kicking in and making me delusional. Sometimes that does not work and my bad thoughts wake me up but most the time it works. One thing I've noticed is that I have more dreams--sometimes nightmares from the meds. I think, just my opinion, taking the anti-psychotic with the sleep med and/or pain med helps control things in my head so I sleep thru the paranoia. I hope you can get this sorted out......D.

[bluecupcake]

When I get paranoid, I try to do reality checks. I try to focus on what's real because when I'm paranoid I'm also delusional. I also try to distract myself by watching tv or surfing the net. But the best panacea is talking to someone and just hearing their voice. I usually only have these paranoid episodes when there is lack of sleep. I'm sorry that you're in pain and that the percoset is exacerbating your symptoms.

[philbee]

Originally Posted by bluecupcake

When I get paranoid, I try to do reality checks. I try to focus on what's real because when I'm paranoid I'm also delusional. I also try to distract myself by watching tv or surfing the net. But the best panacea is talking to someone and just hearing their voice. I usually only have these paranoid episodes when there is lack of sleep. I'm sorry that you're in pain and that the percoset is exacerbating your symptoms.

i also do reality checks. seems to work the best for me. also, my paranoia usually passes after time, so sometimes i just have to wait it out.