Benzos tactile bug hallucinations unable to sleep

[ninewhilenine]

Since late November I've been dealing with nightly and now daily bug 'hallucinations'. I put this in quotes bc it's mostly tactile (sometimes visual) and I'm not sure what's causing it. For transparency I became a daily coke user from halloween to jan 14th (I was able to stay off it for 11 days at the end of December) and I was using coke when they developed. It's been over a month since I stopped using and they've continued to escalate, In the past week I've been unable to sleep Tuesday night, ( was able to fall asleep till 3 am Thursday morning) wasn't able to sleep Sunday night till 5 am Monday morning, and here I am again wide awake at 2 am. I'm prescribed Seroquel and my psych (who is still a resident) seems unconcerned with the increasing severity and just continued to up my Seroquel each month, even though it is only mildly effective at this point. Every night I take my meds I feel exhausted and loopy, before this started when I took my meds I would always fall asleep within 2 hours, but now it takes at least 6 hours and it is hell. I feel like I'm nodding out, unable to keep my head up or my eyes open but repeatedly awoken by 'bugs'. Most of the time I don't react, I know there are no bugs, but the moment I let my mind relax and try to drift off I lose control. It's like trying to hold in a sneeze, at some point you give in. I'm scared to take any sort of medicine that could make me drowsy or inebriated, without taking away the bugs, every night I do I regret it, but if I go to long without it I start feeling sick. The only thing that can completely take them away are benzos (again why I'm not sure it's true hallucinations) but the idea of having to go through WD again is nightmare inducing. I also can't afford to buy benzos at the rate I have in the past and the situation I was in previously was a very lucky one that I don't think I'll find again. Does anyone else experience anything like this, and if so what medication can help? Last week I drove to the hospital the day after no sleep but chickened out as soon as I got there. The only good thing about the psych is the ability to make quick med changes and monitor you during that. I'm trying to get into an IOP so I can do that in an outpatient, but I have no idea how long that will take. I don't know how much longer of this I can take, I've become an dysfunctional hermit unable to leave the house without breaking down due to bugs or my embarrassment from screaming or my sudden pat down body checks for insects. (also sorry if this needs to be moved to a different forum I'm unsure where to place it)

 

[abefourth]

Since late November I've been dealing with nightly and now daily bug 'hallucinations'. I put this in quotes bc it's mostly tactile (sometimes visual) and I'm not sure what's causing it. For transparency I became a daily coke user from halloween to jan 14th (I was able to stay off it for 11 days at the end of December) and I was using coke when they developed. It's been over a month since I stopped using and they've continued to escalate, In the past week I've been unable to sleep Tuesday night, ( was able to fall asleep till 3 am Thursday morning) wasn't able to sleep Sunday night till 5 am Monday morning, and here I am again wide awake at 2 am. I'm prescribed Seroquel and my psych (who is still a resident) seems unconcerned with the increasing severity and just continued to up my Seroquel each month, even though it is only mildly effective at this point. Every night I take my meds I feel exhausted and loopy, before this started when I took my meds I would always fall asleep within 2 hours, but now it takes at least 6 hours and it is hell. I feel like I'm nodding out, unable to keep my head up or my eyes open but repeatedly awoken by 'bugs'. Most of the time I don't react, I know there are no bugs, but the moment I let my mind relax and try to drift off I lose control. It's like trying to hold in a sneeze, at some point you give in. I'm scared to take any sort of medicine that could make me drowsy or inebriated, without taking away the bugs, every night I do I regret it, but if I go to long without it I start feeling sick. The only thing that can completely take them away are benzos (again why I'm not sure it's true hallucinations) but the idea of having to go through WD again is nightmare inducing. I also can't afford to buy benzos at the rate I have in the past and the situation I was in previously was a very lucky one that I don't think I'll find again. Does anyone else experience anything like this, and if so what medication can help? Last week I drove to the hospital the day after no sleep but chickened out as soon as I got there. The only good thing about the psych is the ability to make quick med changes and monitor you during that. I'm trying to get into an IOP so I can do that in an outpatient, but I have no idea how long that will take. I don't know how much longer of this I can take, I've become an dysfunctional hermit unable to leave the house without breaking down due to bugs or my embarrassment from screaming or my sudden pat down body checks for insects. (also sorry if this needs to be moved to a different forum I'm unsure where to place it)

I know you're talking about drug related bugs but I understand you're going through something terrible. In my case my doctor told me mine are neurological. They get really bad when I have too much sodium intake. The only way to sleep is heavy alcohol or diphenhydramine use. If I stop moving (or rocking) the bugs come back. I've had a few episodes where it was non-stop.​

I know it's drug related for you but I found an interesting article today in the NYT:​

"They feel bugs inside them. Doctors don't know why."​

Again, I'm extremely sorry you're going through this. I desperately hope you'll find a medication that will help you.

 

[paranoid android]

Sounds like psychosis to me. Honestly seroquel is hit id suggest getting on zypexa much more effective and way lesss drowsy

 

[andrey]

Sounds like your in the early stages of developing a psychosis. Cocaine is a potent dopamine agonist, hence it can end in those symptoms, which are caused by an imbalance of dopamine in various brain regions.

I had a friend who had a pretty girl and lived the good life. Someday, she cheated though and my friend became a wreck. He started using amphetamines and cocaine; and after some time he developed schizophrenia. Once, he messaged me that he was talking to satan early in the morning when I was on my way to work.
Due to his violant outbursts he was forcibly sent into a psychiatric clinic, where he recovered. As soon as he came out, he was using again and the same thing happened numerous times.
Rinse and repeat, after 5 years of drugs and constant anti psychotic consumption his liver started failing. Soon after he offed himself.

Im not saying that you shouldnt have fun with it. I know some people who take coke rarely and they seem to have a good life. However, when you start using more and more, it really messes with your dopamine networks.
Seroquel is very sedating, maybe there is a better alternative like Risperdal.

Do you have someone your around with? Delusions and hallucinations can worsen when you are alone most of the time.
Take care man and look for a physician you can confide in your problem.

 

[Pundare]

I went through a meth psychosis spell for a while. Mostly audio but visual hallucinations at times and severe paranoia.
What you're going through sounds like an annoying experience to repeat.

I was put on antipsychotics and I put up a stink about it at first for the same reason, I didn't want to lose my own agency and be doped up on fuzz balls, but I haven't had that experience at all.

My advice is continue to abstain from stimulants and find a better medical care provider who will give you satisfactory care. Seeking benzos will certainly be scrutinized, but may be justified though it shouldn't be considered a permanent solution.
Maybe try a local counseling center. Mine is free and they have counselor I see regularly and a doctor who gives me medications.
An ER visit may be understandable, but costs way too much for the level of care you'll get. If you're lucky they'll give you an Ativan.

 

[WellTram]

U need urgent visit of psychiatrist, mental health institution visit or maybe even your GP will be able to inject you big dose of diazepam or lorazepam when you tell him what is happening and since seroquel doesnt work, they will probably use oldschool antidopaminergic antipsychotic but dont worry, they should combine it with benzodiazepine and some kind of drug that will further prevents antipsychotic induced nasty muscle twitching. Haloperidol + high dose of benzodiazepine used in your country in this scenario and also musclerelaxant or something that will make your antipsychotic treatment more comfortable.
Sometimes 7-14 days is enough. But if you developed serious deeprooted schizophrenia than better 6 months of heavy treatment and after that some time for quitting heavy trratment slow and safe and everything will be ok if you avoid cocaine or other risky dopaminergic stimulants.
But visit your doctor immediately and prepare for some HEAVY tranquilisation and a lot of sleep but no bugs or any other nasty hallucinations.

 

[N0ph0n0]

Could be from the seroquel, you said the hallucinations increased as the dosage of seroquel increased. It's rare but seroquel can actually cause hallucinations such as fake bugs. Ask your doctor to get you anything else and DO NOT ABRUPTLY STOP TAKING SEROQUEL JUST TAPER DOWN.