steroid psychosis and ambien withdrawal

[schaley]

Hello,
8 weeks ago diagnosed with steroid psychosis.   @#!*%  is the only way to describe it! Mania and insomnia.  Now I am better but my psychiatrist has put me on ambien 10 mg daily with klonopin as needed.  I rarely take the klonopin as it appears that each day the "jitters" seem to be leaving me.  I feel better as each day passes, yet I am concerned about withdrawing off ambien and if indeed I will be able to sleep on my own.  for 6 weeks I refused any medicine and finally broke down after weeks of no REM sleep and sometimes No sleep at all.  It consumed my life and rendered me unable to work.  I am seeing glimpses of my old self and am feeling much better. Eating right and exercising as well.  Not sure the time limit on this delightful experience. months years? I do hope I am doing the right thing.

[AZKathy]

Thanks for the info.. appreciate it!
Kathy

[vicki595]

Ask your psych. for a plan to taper off the Ambien. Your sleep will come back...How long exactly have you taken it daily?  If it's around two weeks,you should be fine just tapering back for a few weeks...
Good luck~

[pattifan]

Kathy,

People who are on high doses of steroids can develop the phenomenon of steroid psychosis, which can include anxiety, agitation, depersonalisation rage etc.

It is uncommon but can occur in athletes and body-builders who abuse steroids, and also in people undergoing medical steroid treatment, for example suddenly starting high doses of oral prednisolone.

As with anything else, some people are unusually susceptible to it. As your injections are carefully medically controlled, confined to one part of the body, and as it is uncommon anyway, I really wouldn't worry about it.

Take care

[AZKathy]

I don't understand what u mean by "steriod psychosis" ... were you using steriods for something?  I'm just wondering because I noticed your post, and I just got my 2nd steriod injection in my neck today.

Were you using steroids for something than medical reasons... I know a lot of people do.  As just a fyi, i used/abused opiates for a long, long time and now am on my 81st day of being clean, but still feel a lack of energy; and hope i get it back soon!