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Melg's avatar
Melg
Member
14 years ago

Hallucinations... Anyone had them

Hi I had a very frightening and upsetting night last night and basically just need to get it down and hopefully out of my head. I had difficulty getting to sleep as my mind was racing. At 1am I decided I was exhausted and took two Temazapn tablets ( a low dose low acting sleeping tablet I was given for the two or 3 days after chemo I was on Dex) I woke at 4.20 conscious that I was hallucinating... Screaming in fear but having no control or ability to stop the terrifying dream going on inside my head. I am cringing as I type this.... I could feel myself being dragged to " the other side" by the terrible people in my dream. My poor children heard me and found me in a state... Screaming I wasn't ready to go etc and clawing at my body to get them off me.... it must have been very difficult for them. My oldest son wanted to take me to the hospital and like my youngest was visibly distressed but still I couldn't escape the hallucination. I'm not sure how long I was stuck in this nightmare but when I was back in this world my boys put me in my daughters room ( she wasnt home )and wouldn't leave till I promised I'd tell the nurses etc at my hospital appt today. Both wanted to sleep with me and they are 19 and 16 so that shows how terrifying it was for all. Has anyone else experienced hallucinations whilst on chemo??? I can't understand why some people choose to take illegal drugs that produce these results. I have woken very shaken and upset by this terrifying night. Some websites say hallucinations are a side effect of chemo. Thanks Mel xxx

7 Replies

  • Michelle_R's avatar
    Michelle_R
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Mel,

    So glad you are feeling better and nearing your halfway chemo mark.  It must feel good to tick off each stage and mark the progress you are making.

    I am home from the bilateral surgery  after 5 days (Mon-Fri) and feeling good - glad that the first hurdle is over and I have come through it well. Surprising how little actual pain was involved - just a dull ache and the occcasional stab.  Panadol have worked for me plus I had a great surgeon who specialises in breast care.  Last drain came out yesterday.

    On Tuesday I see the specialist about my chemo program, which he wants to start. I am triple negative, so will have to read up on that.  Not too clued up!  It is a learning curve, isn't it?  All this going on, and you don't realise it until you are diagnosed...it's another world.

    Celebrate your halfway mark! 

    Thinking of you,

    Michelle xxx

  • Melg's avatar
    Melg
    Member
    14 years ago
    Hi Michelle Thanks for your message. I'm feeling much better in myself though it did take a few days to get it out of my head. The doctors cant say if it was chemo or the temaze that may have caused it. I won't be risking it happening again so no more tablets. I only took them the two nights after chemo anyway. I had chemo number 7 on Thursday and next week I'll be halfway through my 16 treatments which makes me feel pretty good. They are better being weekly now than 3 weekly. I'm getting closer to radiation and the finish line :) How are you travelling?? Where are you up to?? Would love to hear how you're doing :) Mel xxx
  • Michelle_R's avatar
    Michelle_R
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Mel,

    What a frightening experience for you and your boys - I was so sad to read about it.  Have the doctors contacted you about it yet?  Temaz seems to have at least one terrible side-effect and you were unlucky enough to get it full on.

    You offered me so much comfort, I just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you, and sending hugs.  What lovely family you have.

    Love and hugs, Michelle xxx

  • Melg's avatar
    Melg
    Member
    14 years ago
    Hi penny Thanks for your comments. I have been feeling very upset since that night.... It was the first time the thought of me dying from my bc came into my head and it really shook me up. Both my boys have been very cuddly the last few days and I can see they are still upset by it. They might be big boys but I'm so blessed that they love and support me so much as does my beautiful daughter. Hope you are well. Have a great weekend Mel :)
  • pennyb's avatar
    pennyb
    Member
    14 years ago
    Wow your experience sounds so awful for you as well as your children. I took temaz also when on chemo and my husband told me I woke in the night yelling at him wanting to know what was going on. I was in the ensuite screaming at him. He said it was quite scary. I also found that I was very depressed whilst taking them, I would cry, no sob all day for no reason, I know bc is a good reason but still once I stopped taking them I stoppedncrying and yelling at my poor husband in the middle of the night. Your children sound like angels. Hope that never happens again. Penny xx
  • Melg's avatar
    Melg
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi leonie Thanks for your reply. I discussed last night with my chemo nurses today... I became really upset just talking about it. When I looked at my 16 year old son sitting next to me at my appt, he had tears in his eyes. I have had the sleeping tablets several times before after 3 of my AC chemos with no dramas. I was reluctant to take them then but found no grogginess etc the next day and only took them on the 3 days after chemo when I was still taking dex. The nurses had not heard of it but were going to ask some of the doctors about it today and let me know tomorrow. The scarey part was I could see, hear and feel my sons but couldn't stop the hallucinations for quite a while. I could see their worry and distress and couldn't comfort them. My oldest son said it was about 20 minutes that I was stuck in that awful place. The nurses agreed it was an hallucination not a dream... I'm just praying it doesn't happen again. My boys have gone to their dads tonight but my daughter mysteriously decided to not work tonight and hang out with me at home. I am truly blessed to have my 3 loving and protective children looking out for me. Hope you are well Mel :)

  • Leonie_Moore's avatar
    Leonie_Moore
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Mel, how awful for you.  I can't remember having these whilst on chemo.  Maybe I have blocked it out - not sure.  I think it would be worth talking to the oncology nurses before you take any more Temaz pills.  You may of had a reaction to them.  They are usually a gentle "sleeper" but chemo does change a lot of things.  I hope you get a bit of rest today as nightmares I have had in the past have really knocked me.XLeonie