Question:

Hello all – I’m new to this group and arrived here through the route of researching dissociative symptoms on the web. I am 58, with type II diabetes controlled through medication (Glucophage) and exercise. I had a stroke a few years ago that left me with left hemisensory syndrome (alteration of sensation on left side of body) and was prescribed Accupril to control blood pressure. Recently the Accupril stopped working for me, and my doc switched me to Diovan, which didn’t help. He then added Toprol XL and Thiazide, which immediately brought my blood pressure under control; however, symptoms of dissociation (tunnel vision, numbness in hands/fingers, "outside of body" sensation, sensitivity to light/sound, feeling of floating, etc.), which I have experienced mildly and fleetingly from time to time since my stroke, have become almost constant and much stronger. I am not depressed, have suffered no trauma or stress, and am not experiencing any psychological problems; however, the constant mental fog is beginning to bother me. I am following up with my doc, of course, but was wondering if anybody in the group is aware of Diovan, Toprol, or Thiazide causing or exacerbating symptoms of dissociation. Thanks! Dave

Response:

Yikes.  Just writing to say how much I empathize w/all the physical struggles.  I know others here will, too.  I have no experience w/any of those meds (except Gluc. which isn’t the one in question), so I can’t offer any help there.  Empathy also for being tired of mental fog.  Wish we could help there, too.  Anyhow, you sound like you are working hard to stay of good cheer through all of this – and for that I commend your bravery. Beauty. — To email me, remove "nospam" from my address. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all – I’m new to this group and arrived here through the route of researching dissociative symptoms on the web. I am 58, with type II diabetes controlled through medication (Glucophage) and exercise. I had a stroke a few years ago that left me with left hemisensory syndrome (alteration of sensation on left side of body) and was prescribed Accupril to control blood pressure. Recently the Accupril stopped working for me, and my doc switched me to Diovan, which didn’t help. He then added Toprol XL and Thiazide, which immediately brought my blood pressure under control; however, symptoms of dissociation (tunnel vision, numbness in hands/fingers, "outside of body" sensation, sensitivity to light/sound, feeling of floating, etc.), which I have experienced mildly and fleetingly from time to time since my stroke, have become almost constant and much stronger. I am not depressed, have suffered no trauma or stress, and am not experiencing any psychological problems; however, the constant mental fog is beginning to bother me. I am following up with my doc, of course, but was wondering if anybody in the group is aware of Diovan, Toprol, or Thiazide causing or exacerbating symptoms of dissociation. Thanks! Dave

Response:

however, symptoms of dissociation (tunnel vision, numbness in hands/fingers, "outside of body" sensation, sensitivity to light/sound, feeling of floating, etc.), which I have experienced mildly and fleetingly from time to time since my stroke, have become almost constant and much stronger. I’m really happy you posted though because I experience those same symptoms and I’ve told Drs about it over and over again and also told them I think there must be a physical cause to some of it and not just emotional. The symptoms you listed above are the *exact* ones I’ve been looking for a physical cause to. *Exactly* what you describe above.

Me too.  Those are the -exact- feelings (plus a strong feeling of unreality) I’ve dealt with for nearly 30 years, and after going around and around with various doctors (including neurologists and psychiatrists), I resigned myself to the idea that it was, as the docs insisted, all "in my head."  I never really BOUGHT into that, but just gave up trying to pursue any other cause, since it was clear that no one was listening…

Response:

Thanks for your thoughts. I check frequently and find that my dissoc symptoms don’t appear to be associated either with high or low b sugar or b pressure levels. The mystery continues… Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – x-no-archive: yes Oh – what you say made me realize that it might be prudent to look into bl**d glucose, too – when diabetics go "low" their thinking and affective states go bonkers, and dissociative experiences could occur during those times. Beauty. — To email me, remove "nospam" from my address. however, symptoms of dissociation (tunnel vision, numbness in hands/fingers, "outside of body" sensation, sensitivity to light/sound, feeling of floating, etc.), which I have experienced mildly and fleetingly from time to time since my stroke, have become almost constant and much stronger. I am not depressed, have suffered no trauma or stress, and am not experiencing any psychological problems; however, the constant mental fog is beginning to bother me. I’m afraid I don’t know anything about how medications may exacerbate these symptoms but if they started with your taking the meds, I think that’s a good place to start (as you’re already doing). I’m really happy you posted though because I experience those same symptoms and I’ve told Drs about it over and over again and also told them I think there must be a physical cause to some of it and not just emotional. The symptoms you listed above are the *exact* ones I’ve been looking for a physical cause to. *Exactly* what you describe above. I’m not an any meds that could induce these. As a matter of fact, in my case, thyroid medicine (which is the only med I’m on) actually helps these symtoms. Still, your post and the specific onset of your symptoms without any apparent psychological trauma has encouraged me to look a little further into a potential physical or neurological cause for some of these symptoms in my case. Thank you for posting. I hope you can find the answers you’re looking for and can resolve this ASAP. By the way, I’d get back to the Dr’s office sooner rather than later and insist he re-adjust your meds immediately. -Just my opinion. Melissa PS: Hmmmmm… you know what? In re-reading your post again… is it possible your symptoms are being caused by the drop in your blood pressure? Try taking your blood pressure when you get these sensations and compare it to your blood pressure at other times. Also see if you notice a pattern between when these symptoms tend to occur in relation to when you take your meds or when you eat or exercise. Maybe it’s dropping too low sometimes or maybe, even if it’s not to low it could be fluctuating from a higher "acceptable" pressure to a lower *still* "acceptable" pressure, but the drop may be happening too quickly and *that* may be what your experiencing. Again, best of luck. "X-No-Archive: yes" is automatically included in the headers of all of my posts. (you may not see it if your preferences aren’t set to "show all headers" but it’s there!) Please write X-No-Archive: yes as the first line of any post replying to one of my posts. Thank You.

Response: