Adrenalin, Night Sweats And Nightmares

[Grama-Herc]

Being simply very sick of waking up more tired than I was when I went to bed, I decided to do some research. The research was prompted by a serious nightmare with severe sweats. Upon some internet checking I stumbled upon the fact that we can have adrenalin surges while sleeping. All the same affects it has on our body while awake occur when we are sleeping. Our bodies simply exhaust themselves while sleeping. It explains a lot for me-weakness, worn out and even my sore muscles.

These surges are also caused by interaction with our meds and food. Bananas, soy, wine.
Bananas!!!!! And soy!!! OMG, I've been putting soy tofu into some of the meals I cook because my mother needs extra protein due to her post polio syndrome. This interacts with my zoloft and causes all this crap. The interaction causes adrenilin rushes which then causes all the things an adrenilan overload causes. The racing heart, palpatations, sweating, anxiety, fear---the list goes on.

Since I don't retain the things I read, may I suggest you get on line and look up adrenalin storm. That will lead you to all kinds of info. I went to the Mayo Clinic site and found that especially helpful. This sure explains a lot as far as I am concerned----it even includes sugar in the interactive drug list.
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[Grama-Herc]

No soy since last I wrote and got up this morning feeling pretty good. Still not as rested as I would like but definitely an improvement.

Also, no nightmares last night either. Gonna keep a close eye on this for a while, keep track of meals and sleep and then test it with a good dose of soy tofu mixed into my dinner and see what happens. Could prove to be very interesting!!

 

[Iam]

Wow, now that is interesting! My T had me go off my meds so we could access my feelings. When the panic attacks started he suggested that I cut way back on caffiene, no more than 2 cups of coffee a day and no soda (which I don't drink anyway.) He also suggested cutting back on sugar and to start taking a magnesium/calcium supplement. He also recommended Valarian Root as a sleep aid. I haven't done it yet, but this makes me think that I should.

 

[Grama-Herc]

Well, we shall see what happens tonite. I ate soy for dinner. Should be interesting.

 

[Iam]

So...how was it last night?

 

[Grama-Herc]

Well, let me tell you that I am miserable. I ate some left overs from the freezer last night by mistake and after 2 dinners with soy tofu I will swear this is the source of my physical issues.

Both nights I had very bizarre dreams, both mornings I ache all over--more severe today than yesterday, both mornings I've been exhausted, more severe today than yesterday and I am very grumpy. Patience is out the window. Most noticeable is the extreme pain in my shoulders. I can barely raise my arms at all. I feel like I was lifting weights all night

The deterioration of my mind, body and emotional condition over the past 2 days is extreme-----with no change in my life except the intake of soy tofu. Therefore, there will be no more tofu and especially no other source in my diet ever again.

Maybe when I get my body back to "my normal" and feel good for a long time I will test my theory again----but it will not be any time soon. Man, I feel like crap---I'm tired, in pain, mean, grumpy and that frickiin headache is back.

Therefore, I can only conclude over this very short test that soy does indeed interact with Zoloft. At least for me.

 

[Iam]

I'm sorry that sounds awful. The good news is that you now know what to avoid! It's really amazing that our diet can effect us to such a high degree. I've seen it with sugar and food dyes with my middle son. He still gets migraines if he eat or drinks anything with yellow or red dye. I'm glad you figured it out!

 

[Grama-Herc]

Well, let's hope I figured it out. Got up yesterday and felt fine. Got all ready to take mom to get her lab tests done---nope---not gonna happen. Severe panic/anxiety attack, usual bowel issue and back to bed I went. Been asleep ever since, and the attack started at around 1 pm yesterday. These attacks are so dam energy draining. No more soy for me.

But I can tell you one thing, today is going to be spent researching my other meds interaction with foods.

 

[Manic11]

Thanks for the suggestion! I have the same issue with waking up feeling like I never slept at all. Very frustrating and exhausting...
Hope things are going better for you!

Manic

 

[James B.]

Fascinating stuff about soy Grama-Herc. Good on ya for doing the testing and evaluation and finding that stuff out.

Am experiementing with my diet too. Got the surgar out, then went heavy on protiens, now getting more into veggies, less carbs, less protien. This is kinda drift on your thread, not meant as suggestion, just relating to what you wrote:

I started eating salted pepitas, cause I thought my no salt diet was making me sick in the hot weather and such. Found myself kinda craving them. So, I kept eating 'em. They're squash seeds. Anyway today I did a web search, and found out that they're supposedly really good for - get this - anxiety disorder.

Funny huh? Hey, food is a big deal. Read some other funky stuff about soy so, once again, props for doing the "T&E" and making the change.

Really liked your posts here Grama-Herc.

Best wishes,
James B.

 

[Grama-Herc]

WOW! Makes me want to check out everything I eat! Maybe those seeds can help me. I know there has been no more tofu in my diet since. I remember reading something about eating to much soy and what it can do to you so gonna look into that again, only a little deeper.

But thanx again for the sugestion about those seeds, gonna go get some.

 

[Jacqp]

Hi Grama - Herc,
I have been on Zoloft 100mg for 6 months now, and recently I have been getting severe night sweats and nightmares. I too wake up feeling crap and exhausted. I drink wine, eat a bannana every day and up until a month ago I was having soy milk on my cereal most mornings. All of what you mentioned above. I have had all the tests done from the doc in regards to chest infection, cancer, tuberculosis etc and all were clear. I have seen 2 different doctors in regards to these night sweats and if it cld be a cause of the zolft. One doc said no way not if it has just started to happen 6 months after u started the meds, and the other said yes, it could be.
I was curious to know your progress on your situation?

Cheers
Jacqui