Biology question

@wpshooter If you are having stomach problems, you may want to discuss this with your doctor. He/she will probably be up to date on the kind of research you want to see and can also treat your stomach problems if you are having any. The doctor may also want to refer you to a mental health practitioner if you feel your nightmares are so stressful to cause your health to suffer. My dreams are always about being in charge of some important task and having all kinds of obstacles thrown in my path. I do not really call them nightmares and they are really not that stressful, thank goodness. I am retired so really am not in charge of any important tasks other than day to day run of the mill ones at home. I do suffer from lifelong major depression so have been and will be treated for that ongoing. I am very grateful for this and for the support of all of my friends including those here on Connect. You will find that kind of support here, too, so please stay in touch. Take care and Stay strong.

Gray: Thanks for your reply. Hmmmmmmm, yes I am now retired from a CPA firm and my dreams are also in the same vain as yours. One that I have on a fairly recurring basis is about me being in my old office and there are a bunch of other people in there who are keeping me from getting my work done. And like you, since I am retired, it is my opinion that I also have much less stress than I did while I was still working. I have been seeing MANY different healthcare professionals about this problem for years and they all just keep trying the same thing over and over again, that is, trying to treat me for acid reflux - which does NOT work. I have definitely come to the conclusion that this has to be the dreams that are causing the burning in my stomach ONLY while I am sleeping (does NOT occur at all as long as I am awake). Most people (including the doctors) that I talk to about this, seem to believe that the dreams are a result of the stomach burning and not the cause. I think I am going to try to find a therapist who may have a better understand of the cause and effect of the stomach burning and the dreams.

Welcome to Connect @wpshooter,

Sleep plays such a vital role in good health and well-being throughout our life. You've definitely given us some food for thought; thats a great question!

I'd encourage you to view the Sleep Health group here, on Connect: http://mayocl.in/2oVAlwA. Feel free to read through the discussions, and if you wish, post your message there.
Mentors @hopeful33250 @IndianaScott @kariulrich @sandytoes14 along with @jackleg @knoxparalegal have all discussed different "types" of dreams at night that might disrupt sleep, and may cause physical problems, and I'm certain they will join in to share their experiences.

Here is some information from Mayo Clinic about how melatonin, (hormone produced in the brain), may benefit people during sleep, with indigestion and acid reflux disease: http://mayocl.in/2m2Gsxf

@wpshooter, have you noticed if these dreams occur when you may be especially fatigued?

Hello @wpshooter. Very vivid dreams can be caused by many things, sometimes a particular type of medicine (especially heart/blood pressure meds that are taken late in the day) can cause very vivid dreams. Also some pain meds that are taken at bedtime or later in the evening can do the same thing. Individuals with Parkinson's also have vivid dreams. The worst problem with these vivid dreams is that you wake up feeling exhausted because you have been so busy during the night with your dreams. You might consider consulting with a sleep specialist to see if a sleep study might be helpful. I wish you well as you seek out answers to this troubling sleep disorder. Best wishes and keep in touch with us as you get more information. Teresa

No, fatigue seems to play NO part in it. They occur the same whether it's after I have done a fairly hard days work clearing brush, etc. on my hunting property or if I have spent the day just relaxing. The dreams and the accompanying burning in my stomach can happen anywhere from say as little as 1/2 hour after I fall asleep up to say 2 hours after I fall asleep but I would say happens most commonly after being asleep about 1 & 1/2 hours and then repeats again and again until I finally wakeup / get up - stop sleeping. The dreams and burning happen ALMOST every sleeping period (happens even if the sleep might happen during daytime hours) without fail (7 days a week, 365 days per year), i.e. not just occasionally, this has been going on for about 20 years now back to when I was still working, have been retired about 5 years now, so, in my opinion, my stress should definitely should be on a lower level now. All of the dreams have NO relevance to the things I do and think about while I am awake. Many of the dreams are recurring but some are one-timers. The only way that I have managed to get thru all of this is by trying to get up as soon as I can force myself to and eat a small bowl of cereal and milk when I am woken up, which relieves the burning and may or may NOT allow me to go back to sleep for the next round depending how bad the burning from the previous session has hurt me. If I lay there and can't force myself to get up and eat the cereal, I have had it burn me so bad that the next day to three, my esophagus would be burned so bad that it felt like a mule had kicked me in the sternum. Not heart related, the doctors have checked many times.

Teresa: I would not exactly describe the feeling when I am awakened as "exhausted". Yes, I am sleepy from the frequent times that I am awakened during the night but other than that I feel fine except for the burning in my stomach that is there when I wake up each time. Perhaps this is just a difference in terminology. Thanks.

@wpshooter I can tell that it must be hard to know which came first, the dreams or the stomach problem. Perhaps a doctor can sort this all out for you. Have you seen a sleep specialist? Teresa

@wpshooter have you had consulted with a sleep study doctor yet? That would be a great question and one that I would think warrants further work up.

Teresa: No, I have not. My understanding is that what those doctors primarily diagnose and treat are things related to sleep apnea, breathing patterns, etc. Thought at one time that my problem might be related to breathing thru my mouth when asleep but I have eliminated that as the cause. Think I am going to try the therapist route first (to see if this is psychosomatic) and then if that does not pan out, might see a sleep specialist. Thanks.

@wpshooter I have been brainstorming about digestive problems because I also suffer from indigestion, IBS, yeast overload and Colitis. I think some of these are autoimmune problems which run in my family. Then I think some of them are related (sort of like side effects) of other problems such as Sinus infections. When I have a sinus infection which is fairly often, I also have a very painful upset stomach with bad cramping and shortness of breath. I think this is because of the Sinus drainage down the back of my throat. In fact, I am having this now because the oaks and pecan trees are blooming where I live and this is one of my worst allergies. With this I also have headaches, earaches, toothaches and eye aches. You may want to be checked for autoimmune problems. As for the therapy, I am presently undergoing cognitive therapy for my depression which is helping. I used to work in a mental hospital (I am a retired social worker) with two of the best psychiatrists I have ever met. I remember one of them saying to delusional patients, "I know you hear voices but you know they are not real." I tell myself this about my dreams. Of course, the dreaming is real but the scenario that I am in charge of an important task is not real. I am retired. I am no longer in charge and I can be grateful for that. Another thought is hypnotherapy which is very short term. I also meditate which is very relaxing and I have done Tai Chi. Walking in a beautiful park is always recommended for any kind of stress and you can do something called walking meditation, too. This day and age, there are so many different resources to choose from and more being developed all along. And, of course talking with others in a safe place like Connect is one of the best. Let me know how it goes. You may discover something to help me and others with this problem. Stay safe.