Posted by ksyzysk on October 12, 2008, at 14:41:47
In reply to Re: Does anyone have cronic nightmares? » Extreme, posted by cactus on October 12, 2008, at 13:12:20
Thank you for all your posts! I am glad I have finally had the courage to take the active step of becoming a part of this community! I have done a fair bit of personal research regarding my sleep disorder. I think this is primarily why I am so scared because my symptoms do not seem to fit into any category. The closest I have come is "nightmare disorder" but I have practically found no information about it. I am pretty sure I do not have any of the disorders that you have mentioned. My nightmares (or rather awakenings due to them) have a regularity which you could set your clock after: four hours after sleep onset, 1.5h? after second sleep onset etc. This plus many other factors indicate REM sleep but I do not relate to sleep paralysis. I also do not relate my disorder to hypno* hallucinations. My nightmares seem to be "normal" dreams but with an extremely negative charge (anxiety). My best guess up to date is that the prolonged periods of intense and sustained stress which I have experienced have damaged my brain's anxiety circuitry and the nightmares are simply one of many manifestations of this. I just do not understand why I seem to be so alone in this?! My primary diagnoses are shared by many people whose experiences I have read about on the web. My past history of drug abuse may be the culprit?!
Also, in my case the nightmares do not cease when I am medication free. The idea of taking control of your dreams (allowed by for instance the technique of lucid dreaming if memory serves my right) is a really good one! I have also looked into image rehearsal therapy (IRT) indicated for PTSD dreams. Unfortunately I have not had the discipline, motivation?, memory? etc to pursue any of these alternatives yet. The Nardil daytime sedation is another stultifying factor that makes any kind of endeavor a tall order when I am free after work hours. Some of the meds I have tried:
* the benzodiazepines (oxazepam, diazepam and clonazepam) I have tried have been great for sleep onset but do not keep the nightmares at bay. However, they are the single most effective means of allaying the distress once the damage has been done. Nitrazepam made me sleep like a baby but its less beneficial effects would persist way into the day.
* 30mg of Mirtazapine (Remeron) was effective for 8 months but severely reduced overall quality of life.
* Nardil was great for 5 months.
* A small dose of 25mg of Seroquel (quetiapine) was effective and I used it for a month. However, for some reason I am very uneasy (have a bad feeling) when it comes to antipsychotics and discontinued. I automatically think extrapyramidal symptoms...is my paranoia unfounded?
Currently small doses (7.5mg) of zopiclone and diazepam (2.5mg) seem to have the best trade-off ratio and allows me to function during the day.
I am however afraid of tolerance setting in and need to find alternative meds which I can bounce between. Any ideas!/ksyzysk
poster:ksyzysk
thread:857011
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081006/msgs/857078.html