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My sleep gets disturbed by dreams and breathlessness. What to do?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have used Sizodon LS in the morning and night for a month under doctor's prescription. After that for the last four months, I am getting disturbed sleep by breathlessness and dreams. It is tough for me to get a sound sleep. My ECG and MRI scan are normal. Please advise me to get healthy sleep.

Answered by Dr. Manjunadh. M

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Are you still taking Sizodon (Risperidone)? If not, then do you have any other symptoms other than sleep disturbances? Why have you been prescribed Sizodon in the first place? Assuming that you do not have other symptoms than sleep disturbances, I would suggest you practice sleep hygiene. Reduce weight and do daily exercise to prevent breathing issues during sleep. If there are attacks of anxiety and panic during sleep, I suggest a small dose of Clonazepam 0.25 mg or Stilnoct 6.25 mg (Zolpidem) at night. It might help to get rid of nightmares, panic and will contribute to maintaining sleep. Consult your doctor, discuss with him or her and take medicine with consent.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

My present doctor prescribed one Risperidone at night. I do not have any other symptoms, but dreams are waking me up from sleep. I have been prescribed Sizodon because I have asked my previous doctor to bring me out from unwanted thoughts. I have used internet two years continuously. I was talking with a person indirectly. Later, I have started seeing our conversation on internet. As a result, I fell into a situation that whether I was in remote monitoring or I was just being paranoid and seeing things which are just co-incidental. So, I went to a doctor and asked for rescue from all those two years of situational thoughts and remembrance. Because, those conversations were sexual. I felt he was watching me and he would describe my moments accurately I was just paranoid; however, Sizodon is worked to stop my thoughts related to those two years. Now, I am having a problem with sleeping. My present doctor gave Razo and Dyskinil in the morning, Risperdal and Olimelt 5 at night. 10 days before, he gave Ativan 1 mg to have in the evening. I know Ativan is temporary. What shall I do? I lost 3 pounds in four months. Mostly, I am walking throughout the day. Other than Ativan, all these days I was unable to sleep due to dreams. I am scared. Please help.

Answered by Dr. Manjunadh. M

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. You seem to be suffering from certain symptoms, which are of concern and sleep disturbances. Since you are having weight loss and sleep loss, I would recommend certain changes in your current medicines. I suggest increasing Olanzapine (Oliza) to 10 mg at night. It will help in the paranoia you are experiencing and the sleep. Reduce Risperidone to half of the current dosage and stop it in a week. Temporarily you can use Ativan (Lorazepam) 2 mg for two weeks, then reduce it to half for another two weeks and then 0.5 mg for another two weeks and stop. By that time Olanzapine would start acting in its full strength. We may have to increase Olanzapine to 15 or 20mg depending on your response to treatment. The usual effective dose is 10 to 20 mg.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have stopped using internet for unnecessary use. For normal internet usage, I do not have paranoia. In daily life too I do not have paranoia. I am using Razo IP 20 mg before breakfast and Dyskinil after breakfast. Risperdal 1 mg and Olimelt 5 at night. How to come out of all these medicines? Please help.

Answered by Dr. Manjunadh. M

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You can stop Razo (Rabeprazole) anytime if you follow healthy food habits. Regarding rest of the medicines, kindly follow my last advice. We can reduce other medicines in a couple of months once your symptoms are better. Thank you.

Patient's Query

Dear doctor Are you sure I can follow your prescription? Will you be available for follow up months online ?Is my sleeplessness curable with olanzapine?

Answered by Dr. Manjunadh. M

Hi,

I will be available for follow up.

Olanzapine is usually effective in the symptoms you mentioned.

Again effects depend on individuals and since you also reported of weight loss,olanzapine is a better choice since it increases weight and appetite.

Patient's Query

Doctor Tomorrow onwards at NIGHTS half resperidine 1 mg(0.5?)(to completely stop after 10 days)and oliza 10 to 20 mg,MORNINGs razo before break fast and pacitane after break fast . Is this prescription ok for 1 month? ARE YOU SURE coming out from resperidine in 10 days OK ?half tablet to sudden stop ok? Weight loss is there due to I am walking whole day. Weight loss is good for me.

Answered by Dr. Manjunadh. M
Hi, I advising the changes because of the problems you mentioned,the medication history you gave was 5 mg olimelt with 1 mg risnia, You can stop risperidone as i suggested in tendays,increase olanzapine to 10mg from 5 mg,in case you are already on 10mg,increase it to 15 mg,Rabiprazole you can stop if you dnt have gastritis or stomach pain,its not a long term medication.Pacitane continue for the timebeing,we can consider stopping it after sometime Regards

Patient's Query

Doctor, Which olanzapine (oliza?olimelt?olianz?or any other?)i should start using from today? Because in future if i have to come out of olanzapine too which tablet will be good and easy?(to reduce gradually ,making half etc)
Answered by Dr. Manjunadh. M
Hi, Any of the brands you mentioned above will do.(oliza ,olimelt,olianz)Olanzapine is available in all dosages so its easy to tapper of,don't think of reducing it now,once your symptoms are better will think of that.Its not a drug to be cut in to half and use because it il loose its effect but its available in all dose range like 2.5,5,10 mg,you can start from today,adjust the other drugs as i mentioned above. Regards

Patient's Query

Is two 5 mg tablets make one 10 mg.or I have to buy 10 mg seperate.any bio molecule change?
Answered by Dr. Manjunadh. M
Hi,. You can use anyways,either two 5 mg or one tablet of 10 mg,both can be used no molecular issues Regards

Patient's Query

Respected doctor,I have started taking 10 mg olanzapine.I am very relieved that I had good sleep after a few years.ButAfter 8 hours of good sleep,before waking time again(please read my first messages to you about dream problem)dreams came and woke me up.Problem with dream is my left side brain and heart responding to dreams at my unconcious stage.Then I am waking up.No Violent dreams .Still my heart rate increasing and some kind of heat at my left side brain.EEG result said (Intermittent posterior dominant sharp wave transients seen in the record bilaterally.)Is this EEG report and left side brain activity while dreaming have any connection?Shall i take your previous prescribed medication for not to dream ?If yes how long?Is that safe to take along with olanzapine?OrShall I wait and see olanzapine use may reduce dreaming?I am worrying why this is happening.Is this a common treatable problem?Regards

Answered by Dr. Manjunadh. M
Hi, Its ok don't worry too much, let us give medicines some time to act,it will take time and let's hope good response, what you are describing is like a panic attack or an rem sleep disorder, Since you are getting proper sleep continue the same,since you were on zolpidem for few days before there can be withdrawal effect.But it will get relieved in a few days,see for a week with the same dosage and see the response, whatever may be it can be treated. so relax

Patient's Query

Please read my first message to you.and please reply
Answered by Dr. Manjunadh. M
Hi, I think that was a system generated mistake the above message, sorry about that.Iam happy that you had sleep,just give it a few more days and the symptoms you are describing seem like more of a panic attack sort,it could be due to the withdrawal of drugs you were on.Anyway keep olanzapine 10mg and continue,it may take up to 2 weeks for full effects, in case you develop any other symptoms all can be treated, just relax and go ahead.Know that too much worry also can cause issues.Do daily exercises or yoga,have a healthy active life and food Regards

Patient's Query

Doctor good morning, I am using olanzapine 10 mg and resperidone half of 1 mg for nights(to tapper off) ,pacitane for morning. 1)Shall i add clonazepam 0.25 mg or stillnoct 6.25 mg to get rid of dreams and maintain good sleep? 2) If yes how long can i use clonazepam or still noct. How many i have to buy? 3)Can i use Olanzapine and clonazepam combination ? No harm?
Answered by Dr. Manjunadh. M
Hi, continue tappering off continue pacitane Stilnoct 6.25 mg is a good choice for dreams and sleep than clonazepam since addiction potential is less Its safe with olanzapine,Continue stinoct for another 4 weeks,in case stilnoct is not working you can Change to clonazepam no issues Its safe Regards

Patient's Query

Just to inform you for better diagnosis. My age 45,m.single mother,no bp or diabetis. Walking throughout the day.lost 5 kg in 5 months. Present weight 70.height 5.2 Taking healthy food. I do not have paranoia in real life. I spoke with a person online and skid into paranoia. Thus changed life style with healthy habits. Thank you for your yesterday message and suggessions.

Answered by Dr. Manjunadh. M
Hi Yes madam,continue the same life style,you will be totally fine, don't worry about what happened,you may have to reduce a bit more weight,practice yoga too if possible All the best

Answered byDr. Manjunadh. M

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At July 21, 2018
Reviewed AtDecember 14, 2025

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Manjunadh. M
Dr. Manjunadh. M

Psychiatry

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