Disturbing, detailed dreams

Posted by sallyharper @sallyharper, Apr 13, 2018

Anyone else have disturbing, detailed dreams every time you go to sleep even for a nap? I wake up screaming sometimes which is horrific. This has been going on for several years now and makes me dread sleeping. Also, often accompanied with horrible headaches which has been a lifelong issue. Would appreciate any input. Thanks!

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bernese53 | @bernese53 | Apr 13, 2018

I do not know what medications you take ( if any) but sometimes the side effects may include disturbing, vivid dreams. Check with your doctor or pharmacist. Also consider being checked for sleep apnea.
All the best,
Helen

JK | @contentandwell | Apr 13, 2018

@sallyharper I have read if you take melatonin that it is best to not take more than 3mg because any more than that can cause nightmares. Are you taking that by any chance? I do use it often but I keep it to 3mg or less and have no problems with it.
JK

sallyharper | @sallyharper | Apr 13, 2018

In reply to @bernese53 "I do not know what medications you take ( if any) but sometimes the side effects..." + (show)

Thanks!

sallyharper | @sallyharper | Apr 13, 2018

In reply to @contentandwell "@sallyharper I have read if you take melatonin that it is best to not take more..." + (show)

Thank you!

Gary, Alumni Mentor | @gman007 | Apr 13, 2018

@sallyharper Hi, Sally! That sounds horrible and would make it difficult to go to sleep if you have that expectation. Because of chronic pain, I am varying doses of opioids and if I am at or below my average, I don't notice, but on really bad days, the extra medication does cause vivid dreams. Not always bad, but difficult to wake up after the effects of medication. I am guessing that is not your issue, but many meds will have that listed as, at least, a rare side effect.
Gary

sallyharper | @sallyharper | Apr 13, 2018

In reply to @gman007 "@sallyharper Hi, Sally! That sounds horrible and would make it difficult to go to sleep if..." + (show)

i understand. Thanks for your input!

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Apr 19, 2018

Hi, @sallyharper -- wondering how you are doing and how it's going with the disturbing dreams and headaches?

sallyharper | @sallyharper | Apr 20, 2018

In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @sallyharper -- wondering how you are doing and how it's going with the disturbing dreams..." + (show)

Thanks for asking. Still dreaming, but started on Lithium and seems to help moderately with the screaming.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Apr 24, 2018

In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @sallyharper -- wondering how you are doing and how it's going with the disturbing dreams..." + (show)

Hi, @sallyharper -- I thought you might also like to meet some of the other members on Connect who have talked about disturbing dreams or nightmares, like @suzmay @efexfreeforever @parus @macjane @muriel66 @robbinr and @lafaye. Hoping they might share some of their experiences with nightmares and have some insights on what they've learned and what has helped them, if anything.

@peach414144 @jimhd may also have some thoughts on this.

Thanks for mentioning the Lithium, @sallyharper. Are you finding you are experiencing any side effects from it so far?

Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Apr 24, 2018

In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @sallyharper -- wondering how you are doing and how it's going with the disturbing dreams..." + (show)