1. < Sleep Health

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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sallyharper | @sallyharper | May 17, 2018
In reply to @dandy "I'm glad this was brought up. I've been having dreams where I'm soaked in sweat, wake..." + (show)
@dandy

I'm glad this was brought up. I've been having dreams where I'm soaked in sweat, wake up with a headache on the left side of my forehead. My husband says I do a lot of talking in my sleep. When I wake up out of one of those dreams, I feel drugged, dizzy, disoriented and fatigued all day. Getting tired of it...no pun intended.

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I understand! Totally bizarre.

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Sharon | @cornishrex | May 21, 2018

Have you seen a neurologist for your headaches? I suffer from chronic migraines and terrible dreams. After years of doctors and medications that made me non-functional Dr. Ward at Dartmouth, who is a headache specialist, said the nightmares and headaches are related. He put me on Trazadone and Benazapril and it really helped control the headaches, I still get them but not as often and I only have nightmares occasionally now. Trazadone is used as an antidepressant and will help you sleep.

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3 replies
JK | @contentandwell | May 21, 2018
In reply to @cornishrex "Have you seen a neurologist for your headaches? I suffer from chronic migraines and terrible dreams...." + (show)
@cornishrex

Have you seen a neurologist for your headaches? I suffer from chronic migraines and terrible dreams. After years of doctors and medications that made me non-functional Dr. Ward at Dartmouth, who is a headache specialist, said the nightmares and headaches are related. He put me on Trazadone and Benazapril and it really helped control the headaches, I still get them but not as often and I only have nightmares occasionally now. Trazadone is used as an antidepressant and will help you sleep.

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@cornishrex Is Trazadone addictive? I, thankfully, no longer have migraines. I used to have horrible ones that lasted 3 - 4 days but they ended with menopause. My daughter has them now. She does have some good medications for them so she usually does not have to suffer for days. Imitrex came out while I was still having migraines but they said if you had any heart problems you should not take it. I have not had heart problems but since everyone in my family has died from heart issues I thought it was best to stay away from it.

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Sharon | @cornishrex | May 22, 2018
In reply to @cornishrex "Have you seen a neurologist for your headaches? I suffer from chronic migraines and terrible dreams...." + (show)
@cornishrex

Have you seen a neurologist for your headaches? I suffer from chronic migraines and terrible dreams. After years of doctors and medications that made me non-functional Dr. Ward at Dartmouth, who is a headache specialist, said the nightmares and headaches are related. He put me on Trazadone and Benazapril and it really helped control the headaches, I still get them but not as often and I only have nightmares occasionally now. Trazadone is used as an antidepressant and will help you sleep.

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It is not a narcotic but when you stop taking it you’re supposed to reduce the dosage as there’s some belief it can cause seizures if stopped suddenly. Imitrex and all the triptans caused rebound migraines. I was in a vicious cycle. I no longer take a Triptan, I take dihydroergotamine. It is available in a nasal spray.

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Cherbear | @cherbear | May 28, 2018

Sometimes when I take a Benedryl or watch violent shows before sleep I get bad dreams. I have sleep apnea so sometimes the nightmares of me having frightful dreams wakes me up and usually wake up choking or with a headache. Get a sleep study done to make sure no sleep apnea. Your Dr. will refer you to Resp. Dr. if any issues with snoring or headache. Seems like a couple of weeks bad dreams then it clears up. Hope you get better

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2 replies
sallyharper | @sallyharper | May 29, 2018
In reply to @cherbear "Sometimes when I take a Benedryl or watch violent shows before sleep I get bad dreams...." + (show)
@cherbear

Sometimes when I take a Benedryl or watch violent shows before sleep I get bad dreams. I have sleep apnea so sometimes the nightmares of me having frightful dreams wakes me up and usually wake up choking or with a headache. Get a sleep study done to make sure no sleep apnea. Your Dr. will refer you to Resp. Dr. if any issues with snoring or headache. Seems like a couple of weeks bad dreams then it clears up. Hope you get better

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Thank you

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jun 2, 2018
In reply to @cherbear "Sometimes when I take a Benedryl or watch violent shows before sleep I get bad dreams...." + (show)
@cherbear

Sometimes when I take a Benedryl or watch violent shows before sleep I get bad dreams. I have sleep apnea so sometimes the nightmares of me having frightful dreams wakes me up and usually wake up choking or with a headache. Get a sleep study done to make sure no sleep apnea. Your Dr. will refer you to Resp. Dr. if any issues with snoring or headache. Seems like a couple of weeks bad dreams then it clears up. Hope you get better

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Hello, @cherbear -- thanks for sharing some factors that can prompt bad dreams and a bit about your experiences.

You mentioned having sleep apnea. Do you use a CPAP to help manage it?

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 21, 2018
In reply to @suzmay "I too dream very vividly and a lot of action often. My counselor is a Jungian..." + (show)
@suzmay

I too dream very vividly and a lot of action often. My counselor is a Jungian analyst and they’re big into dream interpretation. Many of mine have been scary and fearful, signifying danger. This has been common in my sepsis recovery. It has been recommended that my dreams tell me I’m pushing myself too much and it just amazes me the till this illness has taken on my body, and just how much rest it needs. As I treat myself more kindly and compassionately as prescribed above, my dreams are less fearful. Rest, prayer, meditation all healing. Today I was encouraged to take fish oil which helps with inflammation. This may help the brain

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Hello @suzmay

It has been a while since I heard from you. In May, you mentioned you were being treated at Univ. of Michigan's Pulse Clinic for Sepsis. How is your recovery going?

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Aug 31, 2018

Hi, @cherbear - wanted to thank you for your input about violent shows and medication that you've seen prompted some bad dreams, plus your suggestion of getting a sleep study. You mentioned sleep apnea. Not sure if you use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, but if you do, you may want to check out this active and interesting conversation in the Mayo Clinic Connect Sleep Health group on sleep apnea and CPAP, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cpap-and-sleep/. Have you experienced any more bad dreams lately?

@cornishrex -- did you find that switching from fluoxetine (Prozac) to sertraline (Zoloft) helped your scary dreams at all?

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Dec 4, 2018
In reply to @cornishrex "Have you seen a neurologist for your headaches? I suffer from chronic migraines and terrible dreams...." + (show)
@cornishrex

Have you seen a neurologist for your headaches? I suffer from chronic migraines and terrible dreams. After years of doctors and medications that made me non-functional Dr. Ward at Dartmouth, who is a headache specialist, said the nightmares and headaches are related. He put me on Trazadone and Benazapril and it really helped control the headaches, I still get them but not as often and I only have nightmares occasionally now. Trazadone is used as an antidepressant and will help you sleep.

Jump to this post

Hi, @cornishrex - wanted to check in with you and see how things are going. How are your chronic migraines and the terrible dreams you were having? Have the trazadone and the benazapril and the trazadone continued to help with these?

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