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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JerryPharmStudent on November 25, 2006, at 0:40:16
I have only horrific nightmares when I sleep. I almost fera sleeping because of this and I dont know what can be done to stop the dreaming. It's tearing me apart.
I am at a very low point and do not think I will last another month. I've been on everything - as many of you know - and am tired of the pain.
I'll be 35 in februray and that will mark 16 years with this darkness. I need to get out. I can't fight it for much longer.
Is there anything to stop the nightmares?? anything?
Please help
Jerry
Posted by blueberry on November 25, 2006, at 5:52:58
In reply to Nightmares and..., posted by JerryPharmStudent on November 25, 2006, at 0:40:16
Jerry,
Since mileage varies so much, I have no idea what would stop the nightmares. I have had evil terrorizing dreams on zyprexa and prozac combo. Last year I tried seroquel for a few nights and was surprised to find my dreams all turned pleasant and enjoyable. But it also made me more depressed during the day. What a cruel challenge all of this is.
Have you tried a benzo or anti-histimine to sleep deeper?
I was reading a lot at remedyfind.com where real people rate their med experiences. The two that seemed to have the highest scores for effectiveness were nardil or modafinil.
Sorry I couldn't be more help. I definitely empathize with you. I have faith you can meet this challenge and I wish you blessings.
Posted by Quintal on November 25, 2006, at 11:26:35
In reply to Re: Nightmares and... » JerryPharmStudent, posted by blueberry on November 25, 2006, at 5:52:58
I think I've read that MAOIs block nearly all REM sleep (so therefore nightmares?). MAOI such as Parnate and perhaps Seroquel at night as blueberry suggested may be helpful for you if you can get a pdoc to prescribe?
Q
Posted by Phillipa on November 25, 2006, at 12:01:09
In reply to Re: Nightmares and... » blueberry, posted by Quintal on November 25, 2006, at 11:26:35
I'm having nightmares on valium and low dose seroquel. Maybe a higher dose. I really would like to know too. Love Phillipa
Posted by Jost on November 25, 2006, at 13:17:34
In reply to Re: Nightmares and..., posted by Phillipa on November 25, 2006, at 12:01:09
I definitely repeatedly found reports that Parnate blocks dreaming in most people.
This wasn't at all true of me-- but I often don't react as expected to ADs.
There are other ADs that are associated with different sleep architectures, including more or less dreaming. But Parnate is quite strongly associated with suppression of REM sleep. (There are also nonREM dreams, but they tend to be much less emotionally laden.)
I was very concerned about that ironically when I used parnate--
Have you used maois in the past?
Sorry you've been struggling for so long, Jerry P. Many of us have-- if that's any small comfort-- and it is often very hard to go on. I hope you keep coming here, though.
Jost
Posted by Racer on November 25, 2006, at 13:38:25
In reply to Nightmares and..., posted by JerryPharmStudent on November 25, 2006, at 0:40:16
Jerry, I'm so very sorry to hear you're suffering so much. Nightmares are terrible, and do cause huge problems in life. I had years of constant nightmares, and my quality of life went straight down into the sub-basement levels.
Anxiety affects my dreams, so a medication that can lower anxiety might help.
Serotinergic medications tend to bring on much more vivid nightmares for me, so a medication review might at least give you some ideas.
Perhaps a drug which blocks some serotinergic effects would help, like Periactin? It's an anti-histimine, so that would also help sleep.
It's possible that a mild beta blocker, like Inderal, might help relax you and lower the risk of nightmares?
Behavioral therapy to help lower anxiety, or biofeedback, something like that can't hurt, and might possibly help.
The only thing that helped me, when I was in my own private bedroom in Hell, was learning to wake up when the dreams went south. I can't tell you how I managed to learn that, and I can't offer any advice about how to learn it yourself. I can only tell you that, once I learned to wake up when the dreams went bad, the nightmares began to taper off. It's not always effective -- and there are times I will still have periods of vivid nightmares, although they're not nearly as horrific as those from years back.
I know it won't help you to hear this, Jerry, but I'm older than you are, and have struggled with depression for many more years than you have. Sometimes I look back on my life, and I think about how much of it has been destroyed by depression, anxiety, anorexia, etc, and it's terribly hard to see any point to going forward. I would give nearly anything to have Mr Peabody show up with the Way Back Machine, and give me a do-over. Since that ain't gonna happen, the best I can do is try to make realistic assessments of what I can do to improve the quality of my life going forward. Many times I think the answer is "not enough so's you'd notice..." (Doesn't that sound like depressive thinking to you?) It really does seem, sometimes, as though the amount of effort required is far out of proportion to the potential returns. You know what, though? I may as well put in some of that effort, 'cause it ain't like I'm doing anything else, you know?
I know it's not a lot of comfort, telling you that it could be worse. But in and amongst the "worse," there's also a fair amount of life that's good -- even in my depressive world. My little cat finds innovative spaces to sleep -- often causing great hilarity in the humans around her. My big cat's efforts to be as close to me as possible as constantly as possible often make me feel a sense of inner contentment. I live in a world that includes some very special people, including my husband, GG, SLS, my best friend from college, and others I won't name just now. Heck, Jerry -- even the Fall TV schedule offers a fair bit of enjoyment! (Save the cheerleader, and all that...)
I'm very sorry you're suffering, Jerry. I know it's been going on for you for a while, and I was so pleased when you announced you were heading back to school. Perhaps the stress of school was a bit much? I know that stress is wearing me down just now, and I'm not doing anything like as ambitious as you are.
Best luck to you.
Posted by JerryPharmStudent on November 25, 2006, at 18:52:25
In reply to Re: Nightmares and... » blueberry, posted by Quintal on November 25, 2006, at 11:26:35
> I think I've read that MAOIs block nearly all REM sleep (so therefore nightmares?). MAOI such as Parnate and perhaps Seroquel at night as blueberry suggested may be helpful for you if you can get a pdoc to prescribe?
>
> QSeroquel causes the nightmares if I take it. I take Remeron and Ambien CR. I cant stand the nightmares
Posted by Phillipa on November 25, 2006, at 19:32:28
In reply to Re: Nightmares and... » Quintal, posted by JerryPharmStudent on November 25, 2006, at 18:52:25
Jerry that is miserable. What else do you feel comfortable in taking at bedtime? What have you discussed with your doc. I'm sure you have. Love Phillipa ps I get them too and hate them. Ruins the next day for me.
Posted by greenhornet on November 26, 2006, at 13:00:04
In reply to Re: Nightmares and... » JerryPharmStudent, posted by Phillipa on November 25, 2006, at 19:32:28
> Jerry that is miserable. What else do you feel comfortable in taking at bedtime? What have you discussed with your doc. I'm sure you have. Love Phillipa ps I get them too and hate them. Ruins the next day for me.
Jerry,
I am a lifetime dreamer -- every night pretty much regardless of what I do or dont do. I tried Ambian once and it was as though Stephen King had moved into my head!!!
A great threapist once told me "dreams are just that -- dreams. The wisest thing you can do is learn to accept them and just chalk them up to what they are, and get on with the day".
What I have found that works to minimize (note I say minimize) the nightmares is a small dose of Ativan 0.5 mgm and a cup of warm milk -- the old tryptophane thing really works.
I will pray for you Jerry Hope things improve
Posted by Caedmon on November 28, 2006, at 1:03:35
In reply to Nightmares and..., posted by JerryPharmStudent on November 25, 2006, at 0:40:16
Perhaps something like desipramine?
- Chris
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