Chris in VA Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 Been stuffy and just yuck for a couple of days. Last night I took a regular dose of Dayquil, and then a little later went to bed. I slept for an hour, then woke up and started panicking. It was AWFUL. It's like I couldn't stop my thoughts. I didn't want the light off, I was terrified--my throat swelled slightly and I couldn't breathe out of my nose, but it wasn't just that--I very logically knew I was ok, but got so, so scared! Came down and watched a little TV with ds, tried to go back up and rest, but I was still panicky. I literally held my bible--sometimes that helps me relax. I read and prayed, but finally had to go get dh from the next room (I've been sick so he's been in the guest bedroom) and ask him to lay down with me. He was going to turn off the light (of course) and I burst out crying! Have you ever had a reaction to meds like that? It was the weirdest thing--I felt like I was going to die. It did subside after a couple of hours after dh came in with me. I literally did not want to close my eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Excelsior! Academy Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 Never that extreme, but bad enough I won't take Nyquil anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Changed Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 A few weeks ago I started two different medications (and also had the flu at the same time)... I had my first ever panic attack and several subsequent ones that week. I went over 48 hours with no sleep--I would lay down and my mind just wouldn't stop and my heart would start beating really fast. I couldn't watch my normal Psych episodes on Netflix because people would die and I would think I was going to die. It was horrible!!! I have no idea what caused it, but I will never (hopefully) take those medicines again!! And I will never think lightly of people having a panic attack or anxiety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 DH and I went on a romantic weekend once. I had a bit of allergy stuff going on, so took Sudafed, then was still stuffy so used a nasal spray. And had alcohol. Then got in the jetted hot tub big enough for two with him. The heat plus meds spiked my blood pressure so high I thought I was going to have a stroke. I could feel ever beat of my pulse in my entire body. It was awful. And SOOOO not sexy/romantic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender's green Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 I get funny reactions to Dayquil, too. It knocks me out and then I feel really loopy and panicky and awful. :( I was sick a couple weeks ago and refused to take the stuff (we keep it in the house for DH when he needs it). Much better to tough it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 My younger son had a reaction to a kind of Mucinex that had another medicine in it - he kept crying that there were bugs everywhere - especially on our large wall clock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 I can't take Nyquil because I can't sleep and my mind races. I've only made that mistake twice. Never got to a full-on panic, though. Sorry it made you feel so bad! You might want to get rid of the bottle and also ask your doctor to put it in your chart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssavings Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I get anxiety attacks from Dayquil, but not as bad as you are describing. I'm so sorry!! That sounds just horrible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abba12 Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I have it as a reaction to Maxalon (called Reglan in the states) I got one dose in IV at the hospital and had a panic attack bad enough that I almost ripped out the IV and ran out. Didn't make the connection and began taking the pills I was perscribed until two days later when I was so 'out' I was hallucinating and finally did some research online and worked it out. I had withdrawl symptoms for two weeks after that mess! Scary, scary feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belacqua Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 My younger son had a reaction to a kind of Mucinex that had another medicine in it - he kept crying that there were bugs everywhere - especially on our large wall clock. Every time I've taken Mucinex I've had horrific nightmares (and let's not think too deeply about how dumb I must be to keep taking medicine that gives me Kafka dreams...). Nothing while I'm awake, thankfully, but I think I'll stay far away from Dayquil. Perhaps we should just stick to a swig of bourbon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El... Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I'm glad you are ok! I would definitely tell your Dr and anyone else who ever medicates you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2hunangirls Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 Not to the extreme you did, but anything with pseudoephedrine (which isn't normally an ingredient anymore OTC) does that to me. Even its new OTC form does that to me. I'm doomed to a life of nasal congestion when sick. Sigh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender's green Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 Every time I've taken Mucinex I've had horrific nightmares (and let's not think too deeply about how dumb I must be to keep taking medicine that gives me Kafka dreams...). Nothing while I'm awake, thankfully, but I think I'll stay far away from Dayquil. Perhaps we should just stick to a swig of bourbon? Hot toddies are your friend. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meena Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I had a similar reaction to DayQuil in the past and have stayed far away since. It's been a long time, so I don't remember all the details. I do recall feeling my heart race to the point I thought I might faint and being extremely and irrationally anxious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 Not that extreme, but a number of those medicines make me really loopy. Sometimes like a happy high, but I've also had a panic attack from one... I avoid them all now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I've never reacted like that, but my teen daughter reacts to aleve. She took it once and felt short of breath and oddly panicky. We didn't repeat that experiment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 Haven't had a reaction like that to Dayquil, but my husband has had a similar but even more severe reaction to a common migraine medication. In fact, it was so bad, that we now list it as an allergy on his medical records. It isn't really an allergy, just a really terrible emotional reaction. I don't even know how to describe it to doctors when they ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMom Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I suffer from panic disorder and have regular attacks like that for no reason. I'm so sorry it happened to you. I haven't had one from medications but it will happen to me if I have a caffeinated beverage. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I react to all decongestants and expectorants like that. I avoid them like the plague. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 That would totally freak me out. Ask your doctor next time you are in what the ingredient is that causes this and let us know. :grouphug: I hope you're feeling better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I would bet phenylephrine is the cause. You may want to do a google search for side effects and contra-indications. Decongestants do similar things to me and I've been advised to not take them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcat Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I can't take Nyquil because I can't sleep and my mind races. My dh and ds can't take Nyquil---- they are practically comatose for three days! How odd that it affects different people differently. If I hadn't seen dh's reaction to Nyquil, I would have had an ambulance come for ds when I gave him children's Nyquil years ago.... I couldn't even *wake* him for over 24 hours!! It was scary, but seeing dh do the same thing, and since ds' breathing and pulse were great (and he changed positions while sleeping), I just watched him like a hawk. When he felt better after a few days I told him to never take it again!! Whoa, that sounds scary. Glad you are ok. :iagree: I would have been terrified. I'm glad you're OK, Chris. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted March 3, 2014 Author Share Posted March 3, 2014 Thanks, all. I appreciate hearing about your experiences, and really have so much more empathy for those of you with panic disorders. <3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 If you have heart issues, decongestants can cause problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted March 4, 2014 Author Share Posted March 4, 2014 ^^yes, very true. I wasn't having a fast heart beat at all--it was more a mental fear. I have never, ever felt like that. I thought about going to the emergency room, but had a fear that they would give me something to calm down, and it would mean losing control of my ability to breathe. It was just really weird. I hope not to ever have it again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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