Sleep Paralysis W/ Hallucinations (Page 5) (Top voted first)

Has anyone else experienced sleep paralysis accompanied by hallucinations since starting viibryd? I have been on the medicine for about 4 months now and for the last 2 1/2 months have had several very scary episodes of sleep paralysis... I have never been on a anti-depressant before and never experienced sleep paralysis until i started this medicine. I am a 23 year old female and i take no other meds except a daily multi-vitamin. Ive noticed that if i accidentally miss a viibryd pill i have sleep paralysis... but have also had it on occasions of not missing a pill. It occurs about once a week... its to the point where i dread going to sleep at night in fear of sleep paralysis, but the hallucinations that come along with it are what I dread the most. Has anyone else had a similar experience with this medicine?

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Thank you soo much! I have done a lot of research online and haven't found much to help! It actually does help to know that I'm not alone and that this might actually get better!!! I feel like I can't talk about this with family or friends because they've never experienced anything like this and sometimes I get the feeling they think I'm crazy! They just don't understand....

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Holly,

Believe me I understand and it does sound crazy to other people!!...lol...I really didn't know what I had all these years til I read the article I posted. My kids have had a couple of episodes and they don't even like to talk about it! I know how horrible it can be!! And scarey!!! The hallucinations that I have had were like horror stories you see in the movies. They had stopped for the most part and I was only having them every once in a while....like months and months apart. When I started on Viibryd they came back but they have gone pretty much away. I try to sleep in a position that I know I can get out of more easily if it happens. Some people say to just lay there, but I can't do that...lol.. Vernon is right thogh, it IS just a dream and not real....I hope that helps you some!!

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Is there a reason that yall don't take it in the morning with a good breakfast? Eating with it is suppose to make a big difference.....don't know about the sleep paralysis, cause it happened again last night...gee I hate that!!!!! But still love this med!!!

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Yea... I dont usually eat breakfast... And due to my work schedule I have dinner around 9... So I do take the pill with a good meal still. And I feel your pain!! Was exhausted after work last night so I crashes on the couch in hopes of relaxing, dozed off and began to go into sleep paralysis.. So I got up, made dinner and took my pill... And thank God I had a peaceful nights sleep after that!! Lol and I do agree... I love everything about this pill besides the sleep paralysis and the weird feeling I start having a few hours before I'm due for my pill.

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The waves of pressure vibrating up and towards the left side of my head started in the week I went from 300 mg to 150 mg. of Wellburtrin & cut my 40 mg. dose of Viibryd to about 30 mg. I thought maybe it was the brain zaps everyone talks about. But this was definitely a huge WAVE sensation. And actually, it reminds me of LABOR pains. I can almost hear it coming on, starts from far away, and goes right thru my brain. And this is the most nauseating thing to talk about, other than my sleep paralysis thanks to Viibryd. Last week I was dozing in the afternoon & I started having brain zaps? for the 1st time. But one of them actually felt like I was hit right on the top front part of my head with a softball. I felt an explosion like feeling, some pain, it was quick, I woke up & knew my kids would not throw a ball at my head & was too embarrassed to ask them as they'd look at me like I was nuts. That sensation was freaky. I even had an MRI of my brain, & the results are normal. Thankfully. Wondering what is in store tonight?! Taking 5mg. of Ambien too, so the Viibryd won't have a chance to play mind games with me.

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Maria,

Why are you going off your Wellbutrin? Just curious, I take both well, and vii....and also xanyx. I understand the sleep paralysis as I have said and had a bout last week...I hate it... but I heard something, or read something that said if someone touches you, you come out of it....so...after not being able to go to sleep without it starting over, I reached over and held my dog and went back to sleep..guess they were right...or maybe a coinsidence, don't know.

When I started vii, I tried to go off the Well, and felt awful!! Maybe you shouldn't go off both of them at once.....

But this has still been the best combo of meds for me. Hope you get better soon!!!

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Thanks for your reply. Again I am so relieved to hear I am not alone here. I hope Forest Lab. starts to listen up here. My husband suggested that we contact the FDA. My ? is, does the sleep paralysis w/ terrifying nightmares happen with any SSRI? None of this started in until I cut my dose from 40 to 30....& currently 20. I took my dose late last night again, & then read on this board not to take it at night. But weeks ago, when I decided to wait until the am to take the smaller dose, I had the worst of the nightmares w/ seizures?! Never have I had seizure problems before. So you asked about the 'WB' (as I call it, 'wellbutrin'). My family dr. told me to increase it back to 300. I had thought, nahh...I'll keep it at the 150. But then after a few more wave like headrush/dizzy symptoms, I didn't want to take any chances w/ maybe the 'WB' causing the symptoms so I went back to the 300 over a week ago. I used to feel unsure about the 300, because I felt it was making my eyes tear up some/hyperfocused vision or pressure? in my eyes? Well, that turned out to be issues w/ wearing contacts! Discovered after a bout with dry eyes that is still persisting. One other thing that I'll probably start a new post on is that my oncologist checked my thyroid & my levels were 0.32, which is hyperthyroid!? I am not being treated for hyperthyroid, as my Dr. said it's nothing to worry about, but I do have to say that I have felt all the symptoms of hyperthyroid more so than ever since I've started the Viibryd. I wonder if it's caused this? Lastly, I was nervous about falling asleep last night. I took 5 mg. of Ambien & 1 Xanax (.25)...my neurologist said I could go up to 4 xanax as needed during the discontinuation syndrome with Viibryd. Normally I would just fall asleep. But instead, I doze off & then wake up, feeling 1/2 asleep but yet aware of the overwhelmingly scary vibration pulling feeling all over my body. It's nauseating & I felt frightened. BUT! thanks to reading info last nite on how to stop it (I did consider having my dog sleep with me :) I immediately RELAXED and mentally grounded my body back into the bed, like a sinking feeling, and it worked! I'd snap out of the feeling, my mind felt released, and then I'd doze off again. Unfortunately though, I did have to experience this 6 or so times before the Ambien probably fully kicked in. My suggestion to anyone dealing with sleep paralysis from discontinuation syndrome, take the Ambien. I never considered the Viibryd as a stimulant, because especially in the last few mos, when I take it at night, I will get really sleepy about 20 min. after taking it. I should hop into bed & wait for the dozy feeling, but I can't wait until 'late' to take the Viibryd. Now that I am aware of the sleep paralysis, I am going to TRY not taking the 20 mg. tonight & wait until tomorrow am, to get back on the morning schedule. If by 9pm tonight I am started to feel any wave sensation, I'll probably take 20 mg. tonight & again tomorrow morning. Doubling up for a day, even though it is a 24 hr. pill. I just cannot believe I am having to write about this. :\ So disappointed in Viibryd. The ONLY thing it did for me was completely wipe out PMS & I did feel 'content' with the area I live in, which I do not like. But the honeymood period wore off quickly with the drug and the 35 lb. weight gain came on. Like other's have said, it causes more belly fat weight gain. And I've had no libido & stopped crying. The 1st 2 days on the 20 mg. I had emotional meltdowns. Thankfully, that stopped. I was days before TOM or AF, whatever you want to call it. :) And I am fine now. My libido is way better. I just have to figure out the sleep issues!

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First....32 tsh does not make you hyperthyroid!....please make sure you look into that before you continue on that road. There are forums with lots of info. Atkins has a thyroid forum on their low carb site. I am hypo and many are hypo even with lower than your tsh number. There are other things to look at......just wanted you to know.

My sleep paralysis isn't from any med. I have had it a long time and even my kids have had it happen to them....but when I first started the Vii, it did get much worse until I got used to the dreams and all that has worn off for the most part. Course you never get use to the sleep paralysis....that is awful I know!!!

What did you read that worked??????

I took Ambien a few years back and it did nothing but give me awful dreams....I didn't want to go to sleep. I tried several sleep meds and they did the same. Xanyx is the only thing that works for me in that area.

The Wellbutrin in the Vii both mess with your eyes...that is a side effect. But I don't think I would go off the Wellbutrin and Vii at the same time....why not stay on the Wellbutrin? Course that is up to you....sounds like you would have to much withdrawals going off both...course I have gone off and on Wellbutrin many times when I was taking it by itself and it didn't bother me until a couple of weeks later when I would be mad at the world...lol...

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I meant to say my mom is HYPO.

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Are they only going by TSH to say you are hyper? If that is what they are going by then that isn't necessarily true. The TSH only checks the putuitary gland.

Anyway, no way am I going off this. It has been wonderful for me. I can now drive and be normal. I used to have awful anxiety while driving and for some reason this med helped...YAY!!! It has been years since I have felt this good!!

The dream thing is what I had to work through, and I also went through a time, and still can a little...control them which is weird. If I am having a bad dream, it seems I can change it...sometimes anyway. Now the sleep paralysis is not as bad as it was when I started Vii, but I have had that before this med anyway. (For many years actually....and like I said my kids have also experienced it.)

Hope you get to feeling better soon!!!

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Wow....I am SO amazed at how many of us have experienced the same exact things! Even the feeling like something is running around on your bed (to the other poster) makes me feel so much better. I was beginning to think my house is haunted by a devilish child. eeks. The only positive thing about 'SP' is in typical nightmares I would wake up, feeling scared out of my frikking mind, but glad it was just a dream and in SP, once I fully snap out of it, it's over. No lingering feelings of feeling scared. But the 1st time it happened, I knew it was a withdrawal of either the Wellbutrin or the Viibryd (this was back in Dec. when I tried to wean off Viibryd for the 1st time). But my neuro. said it's discontinuation syndrome. And so ever since Dec. it's like my brain is extra sensitive to the every 24 hr. cycle (because of it's short half life?) whereas with the Wellbutrin, I could go days w/o noticing anything...but less anxiety. Not that I rollercoaster myself on these meds. much, but in constant monitoring on how I am feeling at all times of the month. I need Wellbutrin to help with my foot neuropathy pain from chemo., plus it's easier to get out of bed in the am. And from what I saw days ago, it helps with PMS. So it has a regulating effect on my happiness. But often times at the expense of feeling 'flat' & expressionless, when I truly am such a bubbly person & overly accomodating to all...but am very sensitive too & I try not to take things personally. Viibryd helped me (since Aug. '11) want to do things around the house. I think Wellbutrin makes my OCD tendencies a little worse, but who wouldn't want a cleaner home? :) After 30 days, my libido tanked. But of course, with SSRI like meds (even though Vii is different) it's like 'who cares' and same goes with sneaking in a few treats here and there. So up went the weight. I lost 30 lbs. on homeopathic hcg from may-july 2011 & beginning in august....proceeded to pack on 40 lbs. thanks to holiday chocolate! But many say since the Vii. affects stomach acids/intestinal whatever? that the lbs. tend to accumulate in the tummy region. But I do think Viibryd does miracles with mood, because off of it I want to pack my bags and get the hell out of the State I live in (not really from here) & with Vii, I am CONTENT. And for those who need help with depression, contentness is much like inner peace. But man alive, don't mess with the dosage or the brain zaps & 'SP' rear it's ugly head. I'll be keeping you all posted. I did have a few episodes last nite, short ones, and I 'thought' my husband was moving me, because I 'thought' I was yelling out for HELP, but wasn't. It's just the screaming in my own head, vividly making it sound like I am hearing something, and the whole body sensations. I was hours late in taking my Vii. I know, I should know better, but for other relationship issues, I tried to just go to bed because I was pretty upset. I got up at 5:45am, took 2 (.25) xanax & vii. & slept fine. And YES....holding a dog helps! I am going to try that tonite. I think I posted about that before...that a few weeks ago after a bad episode, my husband put our dog in my arms. I instantly felt fine & the in and out SP attacks stopped coming. :)

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Doctors know about sleep paralysis....I told my doctor, not in detail....that I have had it forever and that I have read that Vii caused it...She said really, she didn't know it and wrote it down...lol..

I know how awful it is and scarey...don't really like to talk about it cause it scares me to death!!! For years I thought the devil was talking to me....glad to know what it is now!!! Good luck!!!

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I'm so relieved to read your post I could cry. I had dealt with this for the past 4 months and just finally had to stop taking the viibryd or I was going to end up in a loony bin. You described the SP so well as its so hard to put it into words. I felt like everyone I told including my doctor thought I was nuts. Thank you and I hope you are doing well'

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I never have had such a horrible night. I did not even know about SP until now. I Googled "Hallucinations - Viibryd" and came upon your thread. I cannot explain the horrific feeling of not being able to move or wake up while feeling molested over and over again. Each time I would go back to sleep, it was like the nightmare continued and i would return to some new situation where this creature would molest me and i could not move or cry out even though I was aware I was trying to wake up but could not. It feels like drowning but you are not underwater. I have been taking 40 mg Viibryd in the morning w/ food for the past 3 mos. w/ only the side effects of some nausea and diareha in the first weeks. I noticed some nausea returned the last few days.

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Tim,

Did you read the article I posted in the beginning of this thread? It kindof helps understand SP. I was really glad to find it!!

I don't know how long yall have been on this med. It has done such awesome things for me that my whole life has changed.

Now....since I did have the SP before Vii, I knew about it, but the Vii definately made it worse.....but after a few months it dwindled down. And I still keep my hand on or close to my dog....lol...It really does help!!

Hope all of you get to feeling better....maybe after a while it will go away...Kind of doubt it since it does seem to be a side effect, but if the med is doing good for you other than that, hopefully after being on it a while, it will slow down.....Xanax works for me...

ls

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I hate hearing all of your stories because I know exactly what you're going through! This medicine turned my life upside down and I'm soo glad that I decided to wean myself off of it! I've been sleeping like a baby since getting off of vii! Also, I had started losing tons of hair on this med and finally that has stopped. I definitely would never recommend this med to anyone!

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I should add that yes, cuddling with my dog while going to sleep DID keep SP away a few mos. ago. The problem is though, that one never knows when it's a SP night. And my dog doesn't always want to sleep next to me while I hold HIM down (lol) just so I can avoid my SP. Woof.

Also, don't look up IMAGES of Sleep Paralysis on google, because that's probably how the 'creature' that I somewhat saw/envisioned came to mind to begin with. You just don't want to see that. It's like scary movies. They can haunt you for years if for not a lifetime. My husband and I still joke about the movie Event Horizon. We hadn't even met when that movie was released & we both have stories of being freaked out. There's another movie that was released in about 2000 about a serial killer & his altar ego? creature self....he's tall....standing on a stage?....and then the horses...& images of them being spliced like MRI images. WTF. LOL I do not watch scary movies or commercials, if I can help it. Gosh, I am such a wimp. :P But then again, it just feels like maturity....or age!

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I said this earlier, but I highly reccommend to you that you switch from Viibryd to another SSRI. I've had 2 straight nights without SP since switching to Celexa. I went from 20mg of Vii to 20mg of Celexa and I think it's getting rid of the SP. Good luck, guys.

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I didn't read all of the posts above but I wanted to share my experience. I have been on antidepressants of one type or another for over 20 years. Vibryyd messed me up! Hallucinations, sleep paralysis, roaring in my ears while falling asleep all led me to start feeling like I was going crazy. I had such a tough time getting onto the med (got really sick) that I was scared that getting off it would be worse. I was on it for 6 months. The first month or two I felt really positive effects on my depression but after that- it was terrible. Something is messed up with this drug. It was terrifying! Good luck!

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YES! ROARING in my ears! I wasn't sure on how to describe that. How strange is it that someone else has experienced this too!? I never felt like I was going crazy, because I knew it was all from Vii. The roaring sound hit me several weeks ago just before the SP was kicking in. It's like this intense feeling in your ears, maybe like what one would feel if being sucked down a swimming pool drain. Uncomfortable and sudden, over and over again and MADE my FACE flinch! The more I thought about it, after it first started, the more would roar into my ears, deafening me for a moment. It began to happen another time after that recently, but I did my best to make it go away. I feel like one can never tell which side effects will hit (or timing), but maybe having white noise or music on all night would help? WTH is wrong with this med? I did see my Dr. last week & he was perplexed about my complaints about Vii. I guess until you experience the awful side effects, it's tough to relate to. He did suggest I take Prozac to nip Vii's side effects in the bud. So after a week + of taking about 15-20 mg. of Vii, I successfully switched to 20 mg. of Prozac for the past 3 days. But then I was starting to feel numb from the Prozac & so I didn't take the Prozac today. Confident that I'll sleep well tonight. Praying so!

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