Singulair Mental Agony, Bad Dreams, Bad Medicine, Google, 8 Years
Posted over a year ago
My name is Eric, I am 16 years old, I have been taking singulair for about 8 years I think, I was never one for having bad dreams, but that all changed. (right now) I searched on google "Singuliar bad medicine" and I found this forum. I am very happy to know that Singulair could be the reason why I frequently have dreams of myself being killed or people I am close to dying. ... more »
My name is Eric, I am 16 years old, I have been taking singulair for about 8 years I think, I was never one for having bad dreams, but that all changed. (right now) I searched on google "Singuliar bad medicine" and I found this forum. I am very happy to know that Singulair could be the reason why I frequently have dreams of myself being killed or people I am close to dying.
When I grew older, I realized that the dreams I had did not match up with any thoughts I had the previous days, this is when I began experimenting with Singulair. I would take it as prescribed, then not take it for X amount of days and would see what happened. After not taking it for 2 days in a row, I slept soundly through the nights and had no dreams at all.
I tell you this now, in hopes that it's not too late.. If you or someone you know takes Singulair, GET RID OF IT. The bad dreams I had were so terrible that often times I would lay in bed and not fall asleep for many hours because I was so petrified of what I might dream about. The dreams I had would seem never ending, and anyone who knows what I am talking about understands that having a long dream can be very painful (I have felt the greatest of physical pain, this mental agony is far beyond anything I could have ever imagined). These dreams still haunt me today and not only that, but they have changed me as a person. I would wake up sometimes from a spaz attack, (arm thrust, kicking motion, because the dreams were so real). If you think mentally you are able to handle this, then continue taking singulair it works miracles, but I promise you the pain will only get worse and worse, thank you for your time, and please talk to me if you have questions, I would love to help.
I stopped taking singular, I never fall asleep in school anymore, my grades skyrocketed. I only have irritated eyes from not taking it, and sadly they hurt ALL THE TIME.
Dwolfe - I'm am glad Eric shared his story because my 10 year old boy has been experiencing bad dreams for years and has never been a good sleeper. I had not thought about the medication until a dyslexia therapist told me she wouldn't test him until the drug was out of his system for 72 hours. I'm thrilled to hear that Eric's grades were better after getting of the medication. How did it effect your asthma or allergy symptoms? How long have you been off it? Did you experience any mood swings?
Browniemama - Eric, I have a 16 yr old daughther who's been on Singulair since age 5 for asthma, starting with 5 mg. At around age 7 she started exhibiting odd behaviors which were diagnosed as OCD.Several years later those subsided. She was identified as academically gifted at age 6, and had always been a superior student. A few years ago -- beginning in 8th grade, things started to slip. Her grades were never terrible, but they were not reflecting her ability. Beginning in 9th grade, she seemed to be on a permanent course of emotional ups and downs. Recently she reports that she's been depressed. Initially we wondered whether the depression could be related to Gardisil, the first shot having been received in summer before 9th grade. However, when I think back to the OCD chapter, I now wonder whether Singulair may be the cculprit. She says she feels "different" from everyone else. Her head is frequently spinning with thoughts. She's recently befriended some kids who seem lost themselves -- stoners/cutters/drinkers -- though she doesn't hang with them outside of school (yet). She's an athlete and a gifted artist and writer, but she has little energy. She sleeps way more than most kids her age. And there's a persistent sadness about her that she tries desperately to hide. She claims that most of the time when she appears happy, she is "acting." I am about to call her allergist to discuss dropping the singulair. I'm afraid to have her drop it cold turkey. I am expecting tremendous resistence from the medical establishment. I am so happy fo
Browniemama - (contin. response to eric)
I'm so happy you we re able to resolve your problem. Did you consult a doc before stopping the singulair? Were there side efffects when you did so??
Gam91 - Browniemama....I read your post and I have to say that singulair is most definately the problem! She needs off that med immediately. Consult your doc because you have been on it way longer than us but our story is the same as yours!!! It ruined my childs life for a long time. He is getting back to normal and laughing and socializing again. Our story took an awful turn when my son had a seizure from this med and the doctors still told me to give it to him but I chose to research it and refuse to ever ever give it to him again. Unfortunately he is suffering from migraines now but we are hoping these will go away too as he detoxes from this nasty med. This has been a nightmare for our family suffering thru my childs side effects not knowing why this was all happening to a perfectly happy, gifted child. Read all those side effects about suicidal thoughts because that tortures them thinking they are stupid and raging and just confused...
Browniemama - Gam91, we took her off the Singulair about 12 days ago. Two days after stopping it, we had her evaluated by a psychiatrist. He diagnosed her as having cyclothymia, which is a disorder characterized by frequent mood swings, racing thoughts, depressions. It's akin to bipolar disorder but different in that while the mood swings are more frequent, theyare not as dramatic. Because he's a psychiatrist who has an understanding of naturopathic treatment, and because we refused to drug her up with serious chemicals, AND because drugs are not necessarily effective for this disorder, we agreed to start her on a regimen of various natural substances, among them amino acids, fish oil, folic acid, vitamin c powder, Balanced B, D ( forget which one). During the first week, she reported feeling a little more "even." I bserved her behavior to reflect that. Time will tell as to whether she will improve in an impressive way. Otherwise, this disorder seems like cruel life sentence. Not sure to what extent the withdrawal of Singulair is responsible for her perceived improvement, if you want to call it that. The psych. said it would probably take the natural treatments about a month to work IF they were going to work. I'm afraid to be too hopeful, but I am praying that Singulair was the cause and that it IS reversible and that in a few months' time she will start to feel centered, happy more often than sad, and ultimately live up to her potential.
Browniemama - Gam91, we took her off the Singulair about 12 days ago. Two days after stopping it, we had her evaluated by a psychiatrist. He diagnosed her as having cyclothymia, which is a disorder characterized by frequent mood swings, racing thoughts, depressions. It's akin to bipolar disorder but different in that while the mood swings are more frequent, theyare not as dramatic. Because he's a psychiatrist who has an understanding of naturopathic treatment, and because we refused to drug her up with serious chemicals, AND because drugs are not necessarily effective for this disorder, we agreed to start her on a regimen of various natural substances, among them amino acids, fish oil, folic acid, vitamin c powder, Balanced B, D ( forget which one). During the first week, she reported feeling a little more "even." I bserved her behavior to reflect that. Time will tell as to whether she will improve in an impressive way. Otherwise, this disorder seems like cruel life sentence. Not sure to what extent the withdrawal of Singulair is responsible for her perceived improvement, if you want to call it that. The psych. said it would probably take the natural treatments about a month to work IF they were going to work. I'm afraid to be too hopeful, but I am praying that Singulair was the cause and that it IS reversible and that in a few months' time she will start to feel centered, happy more often than sad, and ultimately live up to her potential.
Gam91 - Browniemama- it has been 3 weeks or so since your last post, how is your daughter? Have you seen any more improvements? I am hopeful for you. It has been about six weeks for us and I have to tell you our child is returning to his happy self...we definately see a change. More laughter more interaction more socializing...a little more each week. Migraines are not as frequent, instead of 3 a week it went down to 1 a week and now seems we haven;t seen that in a few weeks. Only time will tell. Please update your story. I pray your girl is healing!
Browniemama - I'M SO GLAD YOUR SON IS BETTER, Gam91!!! How old is he? I scanned your posts again but couldn't find that info...Migraines can be utterly crippling, so I'm thrilled for you all that they're dissipating.
Anyway, it's been 32 days since daughter stopped the Singulair. Furthermore, for 3 1/2 weeks, she has been on her regimen of vitamins/supplements. Starting 2 weeks ago, she seemed to have fewer mood swings. At one point, she said the mood swings weren't as frequent but that the lows were lower. Then one day last week she said she had a "sense of well being" and couldn't remember when she had last felt awful. But then Monday, after a weekend out of town with friends when she got very little sleep, she plunged into a "down" episode. BUT after a good night's sleep she seemed ok. Bottom line? I don't know what to think! I'm still AFRAID to think she's better. I checked my notes again..psych. actually said it could take up to 3 mos for the supplements to work. So was it the Singulair? I don't know. I'm not 100 % convinced she's out of the woods. I need more time to observe her behavior. I am CERTAIN that sleep deprivation is toxic for her. That's the one consistent thing in all this. But that's always been the case with her. Even when she was little we dreaded when she went to sleepover parties because she paid the price for days.
Anyway, ten years on Singulair is a LONG time. I don't know how long the detox process takes. I am so furious with myself for not being aware of its effects sooner.
Thanks for checking in. Please keep me posted!!
Gam91 - Browniemama- I had to reply when I read your post. We too, have issues when sleep deprived and always have for as long as I can remember. it all came to my mind when my son had the seizure...he was so sleep deprived (could never sleep thru the night when on singulair) and was so stressed out in his own mind, up late, worrying all the time. It was all too much for him. My son was 15 and I didn't know the signs and side effects, I thought it was just being a teen but way more awful! I think your daughter is so used to feeling that way that it is probably hard to feel any different...but how wonderful that there is an improvement! I think kids recover better than adults, it is just in their nature, she will get better and better. Have you shared all this info about singulair with her?? I felt my son was relieved to see all the side effects, to know he wasn't crazy, he was tortured by all this. I always felt sleep deprivation played a huge role in my sons mood, so I was always careful to let him get enough rest. You are completely tuned into your daughter and I feel she will get better...it will just take time. We were on it for several years but only as needed so I did not give it all the time but that was enough to push him over the edge. Please keep us all updated on her progress because it helps us all recover from this awful nightmare.
Kidchef - Hi all,
Reading these posts brings back awful memories. My son was 3 when he started on Singulair. Over the course of a year he developed tics, GI problems, muscle pain, sleep disturbances, violent behavior, mood swings/irritability/anxiety disorders, and various other problems, which led a psychologist to tell us that she thought he might be displaying early signs of bipolar disorder. At the age of 4, signs of bipolar disorder are a certainty that you're in for a lifetime of hurting. Before Singulair, my son was a loving, kind, sweet, quiet child. We didn't recognize him on Singulair. I took him off it the day he told me he was "dumb and shouldn't be alive." He was only four years old. Heartbreaking for a parent. Even more heartbreaking to know that an entire year of his life was spent in misery because I believed the doctors when they said that Singulair doesn't cause side effects.
He's 11 now and has been off the drug for seven years. We worry that it caused long-term damage that we have yet to see, but he's been back to his old sweet self since we took him off.
The thing that pains me the most is that with everything we know about Singulair, people are still being given this drug. Kids (and adults) all over the place are suffering because of a pill. How is this possible? Why would the FDA allow this garbage to stay out there? It's really a travesty.
For those of you looking for alternative treatments for allergies, please try Quercetin with Bromelain. It's a bioflavinoid. All natural, and it does help some people to manage their allergies. WITHOUT side effects. A far better choice.
Kara1973 - Kidchef...your post is so helpful. My six year old had been on singulair seasonally and the spring he developed tics and other behavior issues. He has improved but it is almost six weeks off and the tics are still there...less but there. I still see the moodiness as well but just not as bad. He is a happy boy and this is awful. Just wondering how long it took for the tics to end???
Browniemama - Just an update...it's been a long road of ups and downs this year. And oddly enough, we recently started paying attention to. hormonal cycles as well. I believe there is a very strong PMS component with our daughter. She has continued to take the vitamins (albeit with periodic nagging from me). She had been taking Flovent (inhaled) for her asthma as a replacement for Singulair, but I am REALLY eager to get her off that for good, too, if possible. PMS aside, she does seem to be a lot more "even," for lack of a better word. She managed to bring her grades up a bit. And she is starting to think a little bit about college (finally!), which is a good thing since she'll be a senior this fall. She seems to be sleeping better,and she has more friends than before, which leads me to believe her changed moods have opened her up to that. I wish you all well in your respective journeys. It's so hard to know with these awful drugs. All I can say is, know your child and trust your instincts!
Cheflette - Hi kara1973--the tics continued for several years. We'll never know whether they were a direct result of Singulair or not. He's free of them now, though, so for that we are very grateful. Hang in there!
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