Anyone wake feeling exhausted after seemingly dreaming all night?

Posted by mazeppabob @mazeppabob, Jul 26, 2022

I never wake refreshed/rested. It has been like this for as long as I can remember and I am 77 now,
My sleep medicine DR called it EPIC dreaming. A rare disorder with no known cause or treatment. His only suggestion was to prescribe Modafinil (a stimulant) taken in the morning to perk me up.
I have tried CPAP and other meds to no avail.
I wonder if this is really that rare.

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gussie | @gussie | Sep 21, 2025

I have no idea who to even tell. I mentioned it to my neurologist (specialist in migraine) and she never heard of it. Very frustrating.

Barco@2194 | @wgatap21 | Oct 5, 2025

I am 76 and baffled at my dreaming every night. Not that it’s vivid or epic dreaming anxious, but I know it has some effect on my sleep. It seems too much. I haven’t found a remedy yet. Most doctors are lost. Good luck.

lizjlb | @lizjlb | Oct 7, 2025

In reply to @wgatap21 "I am 76 and baffled at my dreaming every night. Not that it’s vivid or epic..." + (show)

@wgatap21 whats wrong with dreaming? why does dreaming make you sleepy next days

Barco@2194 | @wgatap21 | Oct 7, 2025

I never said anything was wrong with it. I’m wondering if you can dream too much. Couple of dreams every night. At times, I believe it can disrupt your circadian rhythm. But I’m not a Sleep Doctor. Many times I don’t wake up like I would like to.

smsscs | @smsscs | Jan 5 8:35am

I too have had vivid dreams since childhood. Now as an older adult, I can “tell” myself while dreaming to wake up from an upsetting or bizarre dream. Sadly when I go back to sleep, I just start a different dream which is equally as vivid. Process can go on throughout the night. Rarely do I ever have restful sleep. Took a sleep study test which came back negative for sleep apnea. This constant tiredness is really affecting my lifestyle. Like someone else commented, tired of being tired. I read recommendations in this thread about going to a naturopath. Can you share some examples of what was done to help?

aforadham | @aforadham | Feb 15 1:03am

Hello guys, are there any updates or new research about epic dreams, or anything that has worked for you?

hoping25 | @hoping25 | Feb 16 11:28am

There is a good podcast under DOAC with information from m a sleep expert Dr Bruce

margydavis | @margydavis | Feb 16 1:38pm

In reply to @hoping25 "There is a good podcast under DOAC with information from m a sleep expert Dr Bruce" + (show)

@hoping25 what is DOAC?

hoping25 | @hoping25 | Feb 17 4:16am

In reply to @margydavis "@hoping25 what is DOAC?" + (show)

@margydavis hi it’s Diary of a CEO Stephen Bartlett interview with sleep expert Dr Bruce podcast two hours long. Talks about all areas of sleep and environment if you google DOAC or go on u tube you should get it

anandajoy | @anandajoy | Mar 24 1:20pm

In reply to @mazeppabob "The DR who made the diagnosis of Epic dreaming described it as non-REM dreaming. I can..." + (show)

@mazeppabob This is me! It feels like I dream all night some nights and then I am exhausted and just want to sleep more.
I start to dream or have these dreamlike thoughts as my eyes start to drift to sleep. It is worse lately and is affecting my life. Any relief?