Don't know what I have..please help!!!!
Question:
For years I have had an on-again, off-again problem when I sleep. What happens is that I get up in the night and walk around, pound on the windows, leave the house, grab my huband next to me and shake him, look under the bed or do all kinds of crazy things while I’m sleeping. I think my 2 yr. old son is beginning to experience the same kind of problem. The worst episode of the this happened one night when I was dreaming that a large "black hole" had openned at the head of our bed, in the dream, my husband was being sucked into this hole, and all that was left of him was his head…so in the dream, I was pulling on his head to get him out. Well, I awoke to find that I was on sitting on top of my husband with my hands around his neck, scratch marks all over his body, and him very upset because I was chocking him. I need help..but I don’t know if this disorder is common, has a name, or has established treatment. Any infor or help is appreciated and needed!!! thanks.———–Sheryl
Response:
Spirit383 wrote: > The worst episode of the > this happened one night when I was dreaming that a large "black hole" had > openned at the head of our bed, in the dream, my husband was being sucked into > this hole, and all that was left of him was his head…so in the dream, I was > pulling on his head to get him out. Well, I awoke to find that I was on sitting > on top of my husband with my hands around his neck, scratch marks all over his > body, and him very upset because I was chocking him.
It sounds like you have what is called "Rem Behavioral Disorder." When we dream, our brain is supposed to "turn off" all of our non-essential muscles so that we don’t end up doing the things we are dreaming about. With RBD, people don’t quite "turn off" all the way. (It sounds like some people don’t turn off at all.) Anyway, I had a very mild problem with this which was caused by an antidepressant I am taking. My doctor prescribed 1.0mg of Klonopin each night at bedtime. Although the Klonopin doesn’t make me drowsy anymore, it still works to control the RBD. So, ask your doctor about Rem Behavioral Disorder (or find a doctor who knows about it if your doctor doesn’t.) It can be treated. :) -Bret "not a doc, but a duck" Wood -bretw…@cs.uoregon.edu Go Ducks! :)
Response:
Spirit383 wrote about her sleep disorder. Sheryl, it sounds very much like REM Behavior Disorder. Essentially, when we hit the REM state of sleep, our body is SUPPOSED to dampen down all muscle and motor control, except our eyes – hence, Rapid Eye Movement, and breathing other autonomic systems (such as our cardiovascular system). Unfortunately for some people, this dampening is imperfect or does not happen. This REM Behavior Disorder often occurs as a result of more violent dreams, resulting in such odd behavior. Also note that it tends to increase in intensity with age. Sheryl, it’s time to see a neurologist, who specializes in sleep disorders. You will probably have to have a sleep study done to clearly document and identify your problem. But don’t worry. You are not ‘insane’. Nor do you have an conscious control over this problem. It’s a problem with your central nervous system, which sometimes responds to medication. We’ve even had a humorous post from a person in the middle of one of these attacks. She normally has no problem, but is required to have a ‘week’ off of the medicine to avoid building up a tolerance to the medication. It does help. So, there is hope. Regards, =jbf= John B. Fisher
Response:
Hi Sheryl, the newsgroups are here for support and info, but NOT to diagnose. You really should see a doctor that deals with sleep disorders. Once you have been diagnosed then we can all do what we can to provide info on what has worked for us or just as a good support system. Lots of Love Vikki
