Sleeping Disorder » REM Behavior Disorder

"Active" dreams

admin — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

I’ve had "active dreams" but not anything like this. Most of my dreams come from my military time. ME

Response:

Hi all. Hoping someone can help. I am 67 and have never really had trouble with sleeping. I seem to hit the pillow and a few minutes later, zonk!! But for the last few years I have had a problem whereby my dreams are ‘active’ both vocally and movement. I have read through the other contributions, but they have not dealt with the specific questions of ’Why and how to stop’. My wife is a light sleeper so of course, I wake her up. Last night for example I woke her twice and she gave me a dig. This stopped me for a while and I didn’t know she had thumped me, but with a more vigorous thump later, she woke me and I moved to another bed. Dreams are quite vivid sometimes and bear no relation to anything in my day time routine. No problems that I am aware of. Retired with some super hobbies which might be the problem because I am VERY active during the day, but even when I have a relaxing weekend, I am still active at night ( Any comments please. Mike Isle of Wight U.K.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -"Mike" wrote in message news:bviu4t$ltl$1@hercules.btinternet.com… > Hi all. > Hoping someone can help. > I am 67 and have never really had trouble with sleeping. I seem to hit the > pillow and a few minutes later, zonk!! > But for the last few years I have had a problem whereby my dreams are > ‘active’ both vocally and movement. I have read through the other > contributions, but they have not dealt with the specific questions of ’Why > and how to stop’. My wife is a light sleeper so of course, I wake her up. > Last night for example I woke her twice and she gave me a dig. This stopped > me for a while and I didn’t know she had thumped me, but with a more > vigorous thump later, she woke me and I moved to another bed. > Dreams are quite vivid sometimes and bear no relation to anything in my day > time routine. No problems that I am aware of. Retired with some super > hobbies which might be the problem because I am VERY active during the day, > but even when I have a relaxing weekend, I am still active at night ( > Any comments please. > Mike > Isle of Wight U.K.

See the post, "REM Behavior disorder", not far above yours in this NG – it sounds similar. Normally, we are "paralyzed" during much of sleep-time to prevent this problem, but things sometimes go awry (I think I have the reverse problem – I stop moving and/or go limp unexpectedly several times during the day, when I’m awake! I think I would prefer having your problem, awkward as it is for your wife.;-). Mebbe placing a long "bolster" between you and your wife would help (and ear plugs on your wife?)? Good luck. — David Ruether r…@cornell.edu http://www.ferrario.com/ruether

Response:

Mike, I just want you to know you are not alone. I’m 42 and for many years have been an "active sleeper". When I was a child and in my teens, it started with talking in my sleep. As I got older, I started physically acting some of the parts of my dreams. I found that this usually happens when I’m extremely tired or very ill. I have actually hit my poor husband once when I dreamed he was flirting with some woman. Not only am I not a jealous person, but I’m not a violent one either. I woke up just as I hit him and started apologizing right away. My father was also an active sleeper. Maybe heredity has something to do with it. Hope you can find a way to lessen yours for your sake and your wife’s. Lynda

Response:

"Mike" wrote in message

news:bviu4t$ltl$1@hercules.btinternet.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all. > Hoping someone can help. > I am 67 and have never really had trouble with sleeping. I seem to hit the > pillow and a few minutes later, zonk!! > But for the last few years I have had a problem whereby my dreams are > ‘active’ both vocally and movement. I have read through the other > contributions, but they have not dealt with the specific questions of ‘Why > and how to stop’. My wife is a light sleeper so of course, I wake her up. > Last night for example I woke her twice and she gave me a dig. This stopped > me for a while and I didn’t know she had thumped me, but with a more > vigorous thump later, she woke me and I moved to another bed. > Dreams are quite vivid sometimes and bear no relation to anything in my day > time routine. No problems that I am aware of. Retired with some super > hobbies which might be the problem because I am VERY active during the day, > but even when I have a relaxing weekend, I am still active at night ( > Any comments please. > Mike > Isle of Wight U.K. > ———————————————-

Mike: your symptoms (I’m not a doctor) might have some relation to REM Behavior Disorder. Dr. Mark Mahowald, director of the Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorder Center and a board member of the Natl Sleep Foundation, has done pioneering research in this area. If you "Google" his name, you’ll probably find some valuable information. Mahowald is a neurologist with a specialty in sleep disorders. I hope you’ll find some relief. Hal S.

Response:

Hi Mike- One thought I have is that many meds affect sleeping in all kinds of ways. Some side effects can be vivid dreams and/or changing the sleep architecture and preventing REM sleep. Did you begin any new meds shortly before this new dream and activity pattern began? The way meds affect sleep is often overlooked. Then again, it may have nothing to do with meds. But whatever it is, I’m glad you’re trying to change it- sounds miserable for both of you! Susan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Mike wrote: > Hi all. > Hoping someone can help. > I am 67 and have never really had trouble with sleeping. I seem to hit the > pillow and a few minutes later, zonk!! > But for the last few years I have had a problem whereby my dreams are > ‘active’ both vocally and movement. I have read through the other > contributions, but they have not dealt with the specific questions of ’Why > and how to stop’. My wife is a light sleeper so of course, I wake her up. > Last night for example I woke her twice and she gave me a dig. This stopped > me for a while and I didn’t know she had thumped me, but with a more > vigorous thump later, she woke me and I moved to another bed. > Dreams are quite vivid sometimes and bear no relation to anything in my day > time routine. No problems that I am aware of. Retired with some super > hobbies which might be the problem because I am VERY active during the day, > but even when I have a relaxing weekend, I am still active at night ( > Any comments please. > Mike > Isle of Wight U.K.

Response:

Sleep Problems…newbie!

admin — Sun, 24 Nov 2002 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Gillian Joseph wrote: > Lee Babcock wrote in message > news:3DE4D86E.A066607A@pathcom.com… > > Gillian…. shame on you! The ‘u’ is not superflous, but in fact is > > proper! Correct pronunciation of English is different for words ending > > in ‘or’ as against those with ‘our’. > Hey, leave me to make fun of my own language, however proper and correct it > might be! ;-) And yes, I know that they’re technically phonetically > different. I’ll go away and hide now…. *grin* > *blushes and shuffles away, quietly pouting* > Incidentally, haven’t had a major jumping-about episode for a week, but woke > up with wrist bruising after a dream in which I was trying to push away from > something coming towards me. Then again, at least my doctor doesn’t make > jokes about my husband chloroforming me and beating me up at night anymore, > as she did when she was stumped by my mysterious bruising! > Gill.

Gill……. you should write down these experiences. Sounds like the plot for a video game! call it ‘Gill kill’em’. Regards Lee in Toronto —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Lee Babcock wrote in message

news:3DE544F4.818AC46E@pathcom.com… > Gill……. you should write down these experiences. Sounds like the > plot for a video game! call it ‘Gill kill’em’.

LOL! Yes, but nobody would believe it wasn’t fiction! Anyway, I’m waiting for the flying dreams to start – I live in an old Edwardian house with high staircases right outside my bedroom door. Hope I can take a laptop into traction so I don’t miss my net access. ;-) Gill.

Response:

Gillian Joseph wrote: > Lee Babcock wrote in message > news:3DE544F4.818AC46E@pathcom.com… > > Gill……. you should write down these experiences. Sounds like the > > plot for a video game! call it ‘Gill kill’em’. > LOL! Yes, but nobody would believe it wasn’t fiction! Anyway, I’m waiting > for the flying dreams to start – I live in an old Edwardian house with high > staircases right outside my bedroom door. > Hope I can take a laptop into traction so I don’t miss my net access. ;-) > Gill.

Gill……. is this stretching traction or restraint traction? Now a movie; Edwardian house, cold, drafty, strange noises in the night, fair young maiden is tortured on the rack for her evil ways and goes mad during the process. Has the power of ten men and has to be restrained. And this is just the trailer! Regards Lee in Toronto —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Lee Babcock wrote: > > Yeah, they have the same love of superfluous ‘u’s as we English do. Odd > > habit, but it sticks, you know?? ;-) > Gillian…. shame on you! The ‘u’ is not superflous, but in fact is > proper! Correct pronunciation of English is different for words ending > in ‘or’ as against those with ‘our’.

It wer hem peskey printers wot pushd standardzd spelng on us. Ross Bernheim

Response:

"Gillian Joseph" wrote in message

news:arro3c$84r$1@news5.svr.pol.co.uk… > Hi there…

)SNIP( > Regards, > Gill Joseph.

S**t, hope you get sorted ! Good luck Carl

Response:

Tom Devlin wrote in message

news:cb47uu06sfjgc7fl9ej300u7mpa81ia8fu@4ax.com…> > FWIW, using your spelling turned up a number of Google hits, mostly > from Australia.

Yeah, they have the same love of superfluous ‘u’s as we English do. Odd habit, but it sticks, you know?? ;-) > Did she give you tapering-off instructions? I quit Effexor cold > turkey, it probably wasn’t the brightest, or most pleasant, thing I’ve > ever done.

Yes. I’m on half-dose for a week, then 3 days with nothing, then starting on the clomipramine. I’ll keep you posted on whether or not I get the brain-shakes! > >She’s also going to refer me to a sleep specialist. > Excellent! You have a competent PCP, who knows when she’s in over her > head. I think she’s a keeper.

She’s a good one, alright. Reminds me of a very gentle Scottish primary (grade?) school teacher, but with a stethoscope! > >Also, I’m a little > >concerned about the ‘REM suppressing’ action of clomipramine – isn’t REM > >sleep very important to your mental health? *grin* > Yes… But not diving off beds in the middle of the night might > balance things out.

OK. Good point. I’ll shush now. ;-) > I’ll be perfectly honest here, my "expertise" ends at coming up with a > name and a (possible) treatment. We have other folks who understand > the side effects of various meds, and I hope they’ll join in.

I hope so. I have to admit, I’m a little anxious about coming off the venlafaxine – I have a history of depression, but it’s been extremely well-controlled since I’ve been on this stuff. The idea of discontinuing it and starting on another drug (especially one that might do MORE odd things to my sleeping pattern) is a little disturbing. But we’ll see how it goes. If nothing else, I’m open to ideas and experimentation! Regards, Gill.

Response:

Gillian Joseph wrote: > Yeah, they have the same love of superfluous ‘u’s as we English do. Odd > habit, but it sticks, you know?? ;-)

Gillian…. shame on you! The ‘u’ is not superflous, but in fact is proper! Correct pronunciation of English is different for words ending in ‘or’ as against those with ‘our’. Regards Lee in Toronto —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Lee Babcock wrote in message

news:3DE4D86E.A066607A@pathcom.com… > Gillian…. shame on you! The ‘u’ is not superflous, but in fact is > proper! Correct pronunciation of English is different for words ending > in ‘or’ as against those with ‘our’.

Hey, leave me to make fun of my own language, however proper and correct it might be! ;-) And yes, I know that they’re technically phonetically different. I’ll go away and hide now…. *grin* *blushes and shuffles away, quietly pouting* Incidentally, haven’t had a major jumping-about episode for a week, but woke up with wrist bruising after a dream in which I was trying to push away from something coming towards me. Then again, at least my doctor doesn’t make jokes about my husband chloroforming me and beating me up at night anymore, as she did when she was stumped by my mysterious bruising! Gill.

Response:

> Yeah, they have the same love of superfluous ‘u’s as we English do. Odd > habit, but it sticks, you know?? ;-)

acutally, us Aussies tend to use a mixture of both – i have been known to use both options in the same sentance LOL — Beth in Australia =================== FAQ for alt.support.sleep-disorder can be found here www.anchorweb.com.au/sleepdisorders this site is a work in progress – feel free to submit info/articles

Response:

"Gillian Joseph" wrote: >> That sounds like REM Behavior Disorder, it’s usually treated with >> clonazepam. http://www.sleepdisorderchannel.net/rem/ >Well I went to the doc today, and she was a little stumped but yes, REM >Behaviour (I’m one of those dodgy English types, pardon the spelling *g*) >Disorder DOES sound exactly like what’s been happening to me.

FWIW, using your spelling turned up a number of Google hits, mostly from Australia. >I’ve been on venlafaxine (Effexor) for some time, and she’s now stopping >this and putting me on clomipramine instead, in case the venlafaxine’s >making the problem worse.

Did she give you tapering-off instructions? I quit Effexor cold turkey, it probably wasn’t the brightest, or most pleasant, thing I’ve ever done. >She’s also going to refer me to a sleep specialist.

Excellent! You have a competent PCP, who knows when she’s in over her head. I think she’s a keeper. >In the notes I’ve read for venlafaxine it states ’sleep disturbances’ as one >of the possible side effects, but doesn’t elaborate any more than that. >Anyone know if it’s known to cause this problem? Also, I’m a little >concerned about the ‘REM suppressing’ action of clomipramine – isn’t REM >sleep very important to your mental health? *grin*

Yes… But not diving off beds in the middle of the night might balance things out. >Thanks for the answer, Tom – it’s good to have someone to talk to about >this. :-)

I’ll be perfectly honest here, my "expertise" ends at coming up with a name and a (possible) treatment. We have other folks who understand the side effects of various meds, and I hope they’ll join in. Tom

Response:

Hi there… This is just a quick thing, but I was hoping someone could compare notes with me. I’ve scanned recent messages but couldn’t find anything similar (that’s not to say there WASN’T anything, I’m exhausted these days! *grin*). Basically I’ve been waking up with unexplained bruises for a while, and I might have worked out why. I have a history of severe myoclonic spasms, vivid nightmares and insomnia, but in the last few months I’ve been waking up shouting more than usual. Sometimes I find myself sitting up in bed and not quite sure where the dream ends and reality begins! Then, last week, my husband was woken by my screams and shouting, and shortly afterwards I sat up, crawled over him, jumped high in the air and landed on one knee on the floor. I don’t remember any of this, only the extremely vivid dream that accompanied it – which was about me trying to escape from a falling building. Before anyone asks, no I didn’t break anything but I’m literally PURPLE all the way down one knee, and have bruising to the spine and pelvis! *grin* Anyway, it took my husband quite some time to wake me, at which point I was apparently very confused and wanted to go back to sleep. Since he sleeps extremely deeply, I’m wondering if my previous overnight bruises could have been caused by my having similar experiences but on my own side of the bed… I’m seeing the doctor (at a nurse’s suggestion) tomorrow afternoon, since she was concerned I’d injure myself more seriously if this behaviour was allowed to continue. OK, that’s about it! If anyone has any advice or similar experiences I’d be very grateful to hear them. Sorry for bothering you in the first instance with such a long post, but I’m a little anxious for all this disturbance to stop. For a start, it means I’m exhausted and bruised a lot of the time! *grin* Regards, Gill Joseph.

Response:

"Gillian Joseph" wrote: >Basically I’ve been waking up with unexplained bruises for a while, and I >might have worked out why. I have a history of severe myoclonic spasms, >vivid nightmares and insomnia, but in the last few months I’ve been waking >up shouting more than usual. Sometimes I find myself sitting up in bed and >not quite sure where the dream ends and reality begins! Then, last week, my >husband was woken by my screams and shouting, and shortly afterwards I sat >up, crawled over him, jumped high in the air and landed on one knee on the >floor. I don’t remember any of this, only the extremely vivid dream that >accompanied it – which was about me trying to escape from a falling >building.

That sounds like REM Behavior Disorder, it’s usually treated with clonazepam. http://www.sleepdisorderchannel.net/rem/ Tom

Response:

Tom Devlin wrote in message

news:ffl4uu4pd02fu6jahfknpkidthb4fe0nog@4ax.com… > "Gillian Joseph" wrote: > >Basically I’ve been waking up with unexplained bruises for a while > >I sat up, crawled over him, jumped high in the air and landed on one knee on the > >floor. I don’t remember any of this, only the extremely vivid dream that > >accompanied it – which was about me trying to escape from a falling > >building. > That sounds like REM Behavior Disorder, it’s usually treated with > clonazepam. http://www.sleepdisorderchannel.net/rem/

Well I went to the doc today, and she was a little stumped but yes, REM Behaviour (I’m one of those dodgy English types, pardon the spelling *g*) Disorder DOES sound exactly like what’s been happening to me. The doc looked through my notes to reports of severe unexplained bruising and reckons that this has been going on for a while, given the other symptoms. I’ve been on venlafaxine (Effexor) for some time, and she’s now stopping this and putting me on clomipramine instead, in case the venlafaxine’s making the problem worse. She’s also going to refer me to a sleep specialist. In the notes I’ve read for venlafaxine it states ’sleep disturbances’ as one of the possible side effects, but doesn’t elaborate any more than that. Anyone know if it’s known to cause this problem? Also, I’m a little concerned about the ‘REM suppressing’ action of clomipramine – isn’t REM sleep very important to your mental health? *grin* Thanks for the answer, Tom – it’s good to have someone to talk to about this. :-) Regards, Gill.

Response:

Sex While Asleep – Please Help

admin — Mon, 22 May 2000 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Gary Walseth wrote in message

news:20000522234905.10818.00002083@nso-fi.news.cs.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi G > Welcome to the newsgroup. > There is a syndrome called REM Behavior Disorder (I think — anybody help?) in > which the person acts out what he is dreaming. Kind of rare. > More likely your friend is exhibiting a variant of sleepwalking. Sleepwalkers > do some pretty amazing things while asleep: walk up and down stairs, make > sandwiches, etc. I suggest you do a search in deja.com and/or remarq.com for > discussion of sleepwalking in the sleep-disorder forums. Also plug > "sleepwalking" into a good search engine like google.com and see what you get. > Good luck. It doesn’t sound all that bad.

Thank you very much for your information. I actually tried using "sleepwalking" since it seems to be the condition closest to what my friend exhibits. Thanks again. G.

Response:

Sounds like fun to me, Hell I wish I could make love while awake, but I am too tired…My CPAP will be delivered today, maybe after a few nights of "GOOD" sleep , my impotence will go away… Dan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -On Mon, 22 May 2000 20:21:36 GMT, "G." wrote: >I’m new to this newsgroup. I have been searching for a website or any kind >of information for a friend who is suffering from a really peculiar sleep >disorder and I couldn’t find it anywhere on the Web. He makes love while in >a deep sleep. It happened one night and I thought he was aware of it and >when I asked him the next day, he couldn’t recall anything at all. The >strange thing was he did everything while asleep and he seems to know where >to find the body parts he needed. It wasn’t the first time. I noticed he’s >done it a couple of times before but he simply touched my nipples and >massages them. Some of his friends say the same thing but this was the >worst. We talked about it and he honestly told me he does not recall >anything. He is my best friend and I really want to help him. Please >e-mail me or post your answer to the newsgroup so that others would benefit >from your information. >Thank you. >G.

Response:

Hi G Welcome to the newsgroup. There is a syndrome called REM Behavior Disorder (I think — anybody help?) in which the person acts out what he is dreaming. Kind of rare. More likely your friend is exhibiting a variant of sleepwalking. Sleepwalkers do some pretty amazing things while asleep: walk up and down stairs, make sandwiches, etc. I suggest you do a search in deja.com and/or remarq.com for discussion of sleepwalking in the sleep-disorder forums. Also plug "sleepwalking" into a good search engine like google.com and see what you get. Good luck. It doesn’t sound all that bad. Gary

Response:

If yours is a plaintive plea for someone to have sex with you while staying awake, please post your picture and stand by for volunteers…. "G." wrote in message

news:kFgW4.148565$so1.1485496@news20.bellglobal.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m new to this newsgroup. I have been searching for a website or any kind > of information for a friend who is suffering from a really peculiar sleep > disorder and I couldn’t find it anywhere on the Web. He makes love while in > a deep sleep. It happened one night and I thought he was aware of it and > when I asked him the next day, he couldn’t recall anything at all. The > strange thing was he did everything while asleep and he seems to know where > to find the body parts he needed. It wasn’t the first time. I noticed he’s > done it a couple of times before but he simply touched my nipples and > massages them. Some of his friends say the same thing but this was the > worst. We talked about it and he honestly told me he does not recall > anything. He is my best friend and I really want to help him. Please > e-mail me or post your answer to the newsgroup so that others would benefit > from your information. > Thank you. > G.

Response:

I’m new to this newsgroup. I have been searching for a website or any kind of information for a friend who is suffering from a really peculiar sleep disorder and I couldn’t find it anywhere on the Web. He makes love while in a deep sleep. It happened one night and I thought he was aware of it and when I asked him the next day, he couldn’t recall anything at all. The strange thing was he did everything while asleep and he seems to know where to find the body parts he needed. It wasn’t the first time. I noticed he’s done it a couple of times before but he simply touched my nipples and massages them. Some of his friends say the same thing but this was the worst. We talked about it and he honestly told me he does not recall anything. He is my best friend and I really want to help him. Please e-mail me or post your answer to the newsgroup so that others would benefit from your information. Thank you. G.

Response:

Reoccuring Sleep Terror Every Night

admin — Sat, 18 Sep 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

I have been a sleepwalker most of my life. In the past 6 weeks everything has gone for the worse…Every single night I have a dream that I am surrounded by people who are fixing to kill me. It is extremely bizarre since, 1) it is a similar type scenario 2) it happens every night. During the dream I usually head for the bedroom door trying to get out before they get me, sometimes I wake up before I get there. It has gotten so bad that I blockade the door to prevent me from getting out to my family. The other night I had not been asleep more than fifteen minutes before the occurance. I have got to be a doctor’s sleep disorder goldmine…. Anybody that can point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it… Thanks, Jack Hunt North Richland Hills, TX

Response:

Jack Hunt wrote: > I have been a sleepwalker most of my life. In the past > 6 weeks everything has gone for the worse… Every > single night …

And it sounds like it’s NO FUN, to say the least! > I have got to be a doctor’s sleep disorder goldmine….

Sounds like it. In your shoes, I would go see a neurologist that specializes in sleep disorders. They may be able to help through medications. Obviously you’ve not been troubled by the sleep walking. But it sounds as if whatever is going on is increasing in intensity. There should be some medicines that can help. So, it’s definitely time to see a medical professional. Lots of us can offer our experience, but for something like this, seeing that doctor is important. Jack, best wishes! Regards, =jbf= John B. Fisher

Response:

Hi Jack, I have no advice except see a sleep specialist. Just wanted to welcome you as there don’t seem to be too many of us who suffer from REM behavior disorder. I know how you feel. Wish I could help. Marg – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Jack Hunt wrote: > I have been a sleepwalker most of my life. In the past 6 weeks everything > has gone for the worse…Every single night I have a dream that I am > surrounded by people who are fixing to kill me. It is extremely bizarre

Response:

In article <7s0eph$qo…@bgtnsc02.worldnet.att.net>, Jack Hunt writes >I have been a sleepwalker most of my life. In the past 6 weeks everything >has gone for the worse…Every single night I have a dream that I am >surrounded by people who are fixing to kill me. It is extremely bizarre >since, 1) it is a similar type scenario 2) it happens every night. During >the dream I usually head for the bedroom door trying to get out before they >get me, sometimes I wake up before I get there. It has gotten so bad that I >blockade the door to prevent me from getting out to my family. The other >night I had not been asleep more than fifteen minutes before the occurance. >I have got to be a doctor’s sleep disorder goldmine….

This is a "me, too!" post – I posted here a couple of months ago when I was having a dream pretty similar to Jack’s, except that in my case, at least there was only one intruder. I wrecked my bedroom fighting "him" off once before I woke up! Anyway, I decided that things were getting beyond a joke, so I went to my doctor, who decided to arrange counselling. I’m still waiting for the appointment…. I don’t think I’m having the same number of bad dreams now as I was during the summer, although if I’m not remembering them, now that I’ve got my house to myself again, there’s nobody around to report if I wake the household up. I’m starting to wonder whether the frequency of my dream had something to do with the number of houseguests I had in my personal space this summer. I was pleased to see them, but it’s nice to have my space back again now they’re gone. Helen — Helen Edith Stephenson (change "nomed" to "demon" and remove # to reply) http://www.baronmoss.demon.co.uk

Response:

Jack Wow, What you are experiencing sounds very frightening. I am currently researching sleep disorders I will let you know if I find anything pertaining to your sleep problem. Take care of yourself. Silvia

Response:

REM Behavior Disorder?

admin — Wed, 16 Jun 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Bret Wood wrote: > I get SO —– when I hear about doctors who act like they know > what they are talking about, when they really don’t have a clue. If > your doctor would have had the balls to say "I don’t know," then > you could have actually got some help. What a —-.

So, Bret, what seem upset, but how do you REALLY feel about this? (jbf ducks VERY quickly! ;-) > Anyway, you should see a doctor who is knowledgable > about sleep disorders. …

As usual, good, sound advice. Regards, =jbf= John B. Fisher

Response:

Maybe it would be an idea to ask your GP/specialist to investigate possibility of Narcolepsy…? Some of the things you describe are symptomatic of narcolepsy; ie rapid onset of REM sleep, vivid dreams, hallucinations… do you experience episodes of muscle weakness, at times when you are emotionally charged? ie laughing, anger, fear? Just a thought… but I know that narcolepsy is caused by a dysfunction of the region of brain which controls REM functions. You could say its a case of REM invading/overlapping into wake time. Definitely wouldn’t be fobbed off with the old ’stress’ diagnosis. Sleep disorders are a serious physical thing; often they are misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. Be persistant and good luck! Cathy margaret wrote in message

news:37682CAE.CAEB635C@home.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Join the club jriggs and get it checked out by a sleep specialist. Sleep > docs take it very seriously if you have ever hurt yourself or others. > Before medication I’d have many episodes, both in and out of the house. > I’ve started again even with medication so please keep us posted as to > solutions "they" may come up with. > Marg > jriggs wrote: > > I recently stumbled upon this newsgroup and I’ve noticed some posts > > regarding REM-BD. I’ve had several odd sleep experiences over the past > > few years and they’ve made me wonder if I’ve got some treatable > > condition. I get the impression that most ASSD readers are not physicians > > but I’m just trying to get opinions on whether I should get this > > diagnosed further. I am in my early thirties and am not taking any > > medications. I generally fall asleep very quickly and have heard that I > > often talk within an hour or so of doing so. Here are a few of my more > > bizarre episodes: > > One of my first episodes happened a few years ago. I don’t remember much > > about what I was dreaming about but I do know that I was trying to get > > away from something terrifying in my dream. I was apparently screaming > > and running around my bedroom until I ran in my bathroom and turned the > > light on. That’s when I started to wake up. A moment later, my roommate > > timidly knocked on my door asking if I was alright. He thought that I was > > being attacked in my room and was about to call the police. > > Last year I was visiting an out of town friend with my girlfriend and > > scared her half to death in the middle of the night. All she knew was > > that she was woken by me looking right at her, screaming horribly like I > > was being killed or something. I was sitting up in the bed during all > > of this. In my dream, I vividly remember seeing her as a strange being > > and being terrified by her. She was cowering and whimpering in the corner > > when I finally woke up, not knowing what was going on. Apparently, I was > > talking in a really creepy, very low voice as I was waking up. My poor > > friend, who was sleeping in the next room, also thought I was being > > attacked. > > Recently, I moved into a new house and I had some sort of waking dream > > the other night where I swore there was a two foot bug running across my > > wall. I remember saying something out loud because I thought someone was > > with me. I slowly came out of my sleep still staring at the wall where > > the bug was. It really took me a while before I realized that > > there was no bug! Needless to say, it took me a while to get back to > > sleep after that one. > > Some of these episodes sound funny but they’ve got me worried. I don’t > > want to accidently hurt myself or someone else in my sleep. I brought up > > these episodes to my physician last year and he brushed it off as stress > > induced and told me not to eat within a few hours of going to bed. I was > > disappointed at his response but didn’t know where else to go to get > > answers. I’m really happy I stumbled upon this newsgroup and appreciate > > any suggestions you may have. I’d also appreciate it if anyone could > > suggest books or websites that address this problem. Thanks! > > BTW-I’m not using my real name or email address since this is an awkward > > topic for me (sorry if this annoys anyone).

Response:

jriggs wrote: > Some of these episodes sound funny but they’ve got me worried. I don’t > want to accidently hurt myself or someone else in my sleep. I brought up > these episodes to my physician last year and he brushed it off as stress > induced and told me not to eat within a few hours of going to bed.

I get SO PISSED OFF when I hear about doctors who act like they know what they are talking about, when they really don’t have a clue. If your doctor would have had the balls to say "I don’t know," then you could have actually got some help. What a prick. Anyway, to my layman’s ears (eyes?) your descriptions sounded like they could be a combination of two different things. The "bug on the wall" experience sounds like something called a "hypnogogic hallucination." The hypnogogic state is the period when you are just falling asleep, or just waking up. Technically, you are considered to be asleep (I think…), but your consciousness is in the process of switching off. Usually you don’t remember the hynogogic period after you wake up. The other episodes do indeed sound like REM Behavioral Disorder. When you dream, there is a part of your brain/spine which "switches off" the connection between your brain and most of your muscles. In REM Behavioral Disorder, this "switching off" isn’t necessarily completely effective. A very strong impulse to move can overcome the block. So, dreams where you are doing something violent or active tend to "break through" more readily than calm peaceful dreams. I take a small dose of Klonopin each night, and haven’t had any problems with it since. (I’ve been on it for about 9-10 months.) Anyway, you should see a doctor who is knowledgable about sleep disorders. Describe your symptoms to any potential doctor, and if you don’t hear at least one of the terms "hypnogogic," "hypnopompic," or "REM Behavioral Disorder," then get another doctor. (Unless, of course he has another reasonable diagnosis.) But, for your symptoms, stress and/or depression are _not_ approprate diagnoses. At least not by themselves. > I’d also appreciate it if anyone could > suggest books or websites that address this problem. Thanks!

I don’t personally know about books or web sites for REM Behavioral Disorder specifically, but there’s a new book out by Dr. William Dement which is about sleep disorders in general. It’s called "The Promise of Sleep." It’s an excellent book. (I brought it to an appointment with my doctor, and he said he was going to buy a copy for himself.) It has a section in the back with a complete listing of all the sleep disorders clinics in the country. It also has another section with a list of the most common sleep disorders, giving the name, and a short description. (I haven’t counted, but I would guess there are about 30-40 disorders listed.) Good luck, -Bret Wood -bretw…@cs.uoregon.edu

Response:

Join the club jriggs and get it checked out by a sleep specialist. Sleep docs take it very seriously if you have ever hurt yourself or others. Before medication I’d have many episodes, both in and out of the house. I’ve started again even with medication so please keep us posted as to solutions "they" may come up with. Marg – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -jriggs wrote: > I recently stumbled upon this newsgroup and I’ve noticed some posts > regarding REM-BD. I’ve had several odd sleep experiences over the past > few years and they’ve made me wonder if I’ve got some treatable > condition. I get the impression that most ASSD readers are not physicians > but I’m just trying to get opinions on whether I should get this > diagnosed further. I am in my early thirties and am not taking any > medications. I generally fall asleep very quickly and have heard that I > often talk within an hour or so of doing so. Here are a few of my more > bizarre episodes: > One of my first episodes happened a few years ago. I don’t remember much > about what I was dreaming about but I do know that I was trying to get > away from something terrifying in my dream. I was apparently screaming > and running around my bedroom until I ran in my bathroom and turned the > light on. That’s when I started to wake up. A moment later, my roommate > timidly knocked on my door asking if I was alright. He thought that I was > being attacked in my room and was about to call the police. > Last year I was visiting an out of town friend with my girlfriend and > scared her half to death in the middle of the night. All she knew was > that she was woken by me looking right at her, screaming horribly like I > was being killed or something. I was sitting up in the bed during all > of this. In my dream, I vividly remember seeing her as a strange being > and being terrified by her. She was cowering and whimpering in the corner > when I finally woke up, not knowing what was going on. Apparently, I was > talking in a really creepy, very low voice as I was waking up. My poor > friend, who was sleeping in the next room, also thought I was being > attacked. > Recently, I moved into a new house and I had some sort of waking dream > the other night where I swore there was a two foot bug running across my > wall. I remember saying something out loud because I thought someone was > with me. I slowly came out of my sleep still staring at the wall where > the bug was. It really took me a while before I realized that > there was no bug! Needless to say, it took me a while to get back to > sleep after that one. > Some of these episodes sound funny but they’ve got me worried. I don’t > want to accidently hurt myself or someone else in my sleep. I brought up > these episodes to my physician last year and he brushed it off as stress > induced and told me not to eat within a few hours of going to bed. I was > disappointed at his response but didn’t know where else to go to get > answers. I’m really happy I stumbled upon this newsgroup and appreciate > any suggestions you may have. I’d also appreciate it if anyone could > suggest books or websites that address this problem. Thanks! > BTW-I’m not using my real name or email address since this is an awkward > topic for me (sorry if this annoys anyone).

Response:

I recently stumbled upon this newsgroup and I’ve noticed some posts regarding REM-BD. I’ve had several odd sleep experiences over the past few years and they’ve made me wonder if I’ve got some treatable condition. I get the impression that most ASSD readers are not physicians but I’m just trying to get opinions on whether I should get this diagnosed further. I am in my early thirties and am not taking any medications. I generally fall asleep very quickly and have heard that I often talk within an hour or so of doing so. Here are a few of my more bizarre episodes: One of my first episodes happened a few years ago. I don’t remember much about what I was dreaming about but I do know that I was trying to get away from something terrifying in my dream. I was apparently screaming and running around my bedroom until I ran in my bathroom and turned the light on. That’s when I started to wake up. A moment later, my roommate timidly knocked on my door asking if I was alright. He thought that I was being attacked in my room and was about to call the police. Last year I was visiting an out of town friend with my girlfriend and scared her half to death in the middle of the night. All she knew was that she was woken by me looking right at her, screaming horribly like I was being killed or something. I was sitting up in the bed during all of this. In my dream, I vividly remember seeing her as a strange being and being terrified by her. She was cowering and whimpering in the corner when I finally woke up, not knowing what was going on. Apparently, I was talking in a really creepy, very low voice as I was waking up. My poor friend, who was sleeping in the next room, also thought I was being attacked. Recently, I moved into a new house and I had some sort of waking dream the other night where I swore there was a two foot bug running across my wall. I remember saying something out loud because I thought someone was with me. I slowly came out of my sleep still staring at the wall where the bug was. It really took me a while before I realized that there was no bug! Needless to say, it took me a while to get back to sleep after that one. Some of these episodes sound funny but they’ve got me worried. I don’t want to accidently hurt myself or someone else in my sleep. I brought up these episodes to my physician last year and he brushed it off as stress induced and told me not to eat within a few hours of going to bed. I was disappointed at his response but didn’t know where else to go to get answers. I’m really happy I stumbled upon this newsgroup and appreciate any suggestions you may have. I’d also appreciate it if anyone could suggest books or websites that address this problem. Thanks! BTW-I’m not using my real name or email address since this is an awkward topic for me (sorry if this annoys anyone).

Response:

Don't know what I have..please help!!!!

admin — Mon, 10 May 1999 00:00:00 +0000

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

Response:

REM behavior disorder

admin — Sat, 07 Feb 1998 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

i have this problem called REM sleep behavior disorder where i act out my dreams physically. i do things like jump out of bed because i’m flying in my dream, or hit or claw at my partner. (this is distinct from sleepwalking, which doesn’t occur during REM sleep.) does anyone know anything about this? what causes it? is there an accepted way to treat it? (benzodiazepines did not seem to help much, if at all.) -elizabeth

Response:

H. Elizabeth Shapere wrote: > i have this problem called REM sleep behavior disorder where i act out my > dreams physically. i do things like jump out of bed because i’m flying in my > dream, or hit or claw at my partner. (this is distinct from sleepwalking, > which doesn’t occur during REM sleep.) > does anyone know anything about this? what causes it? is there an accepted > way to treat it? (benzodiazepines did not seem to help much, if at all.)

REM Behaviour Disorder is a relatively recently recognised condition, where the normal motor inhibition during REM sleep does not occur. Hence the acting out of dreams. I have only seen one person with this curious condition. There is a real lack of literature on its treatment (at least when I last checked it out several years ago) Benzodiazepines were the main mentioned teatment. Theoretically, other REM suppressors, like the tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine, amitriptyline) might work,, too. — Larry Brash – mailto:la…@brash.net ————————————– What a Brash Idea for a Home Page – http://brash.net/larry Microsoft Jokes Page – http://brash.net/msjokes ————————————– "Life is a sexually transmitted disease with 100% mortality." RD Laing

Response:

Its interesting to note that the Navy has done the most extensive studies on sleep movement disorders Naval Research Sleep Management Manual Countermeasures …a bunch of guys on a ship jumping around in their sleep causes all sorts of morale problems. I’m not sure if its available online (it was a pretty big book). In article <6bh71m$…@senator-bedfellow.MIT.EDU>, shap…@mit.edu (H. Elizabeth Shapere) wrote: > i have this problem called REM sleep behavior disorder where i act out my > dreams physically. i do things like jump out of bed because i’m flying in my > dream, or hit or claw at my partner. (this is distinct from sleepwalking, > which doesn’t occur during REM sleep.) > does anyone know anything about this? what causes it? is there an accepted > way to treat it? (benzodiazepines did not seem to help much, if at all.) > -elizabeth

—–== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==—– http://www.dejanews.com/ Now offering spam-free web-based newsreading

Response:

I have had REM behavior disorder, though I believe it was in my case mostly related to a change in antidepressant medications causing an excess of REM activity. My doctor prescribed Klonapin (clonazepam), an anticonvulsant benzodiazepine, 0.5-1 mg at bedtime, with good effect. I do not believe all benzodiazepines are equivalent in this respect. Another avenue would be antidepressants which typically suppress Rapid Eye Movement sleep, especially the noradrenergic antidepressants such as desipramine and imipramine, or the monoamine oxidase inhibitors, probably the most potent but usually too much for most doctors to handle. Kerrin Leon White, M.D. E-mail: kerri…@ix.netcom.com or WhiteKe…@aol.com URL: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/4752/index.html A Doctor with Sleep Apnea Reviews Recent Research for Fellow Patients