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Sleep problem: Vivid dreams & waking up exhausted

Posted , 98 users are following.

zeroX14
zeroX14

Dear all, 

Im experiencing the following situation which perhaps some of you can advise me better. 

History 

Back in 2005, I experienced a sleep disorder condition that lasted everyday for almost a year. I would sleep with ease, but would remember my dreams very clearly and wake up feeling not rested and tired through the day. Prescribed medication did not help. I tried all means i.e. exercising, meditation, melatonin etc, all did not work. But after a year of torment, the condition just randomly left me after a year when I started full time work & undergrad studies. 

Over the years 

I do still get this problem especially when Im overseas for short / long trips. It seems quite random as sometimes it happens, sometimes it don't. 

Present 

The same issue revisited me and its Day 6 already. Same thing, I would go to sleep but having very vivid dreams (not nightmares) and wake up feeling tired / unrested. Sometimes halfway through the dream, the ringing of telephone etc (in reality) would suddenly wake me up and it feels as if someone had just pulled you out of the dream. Can anyone advise? Im out of ideas 

 

7 likes, 172 replies

172 Replies

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  • carole28488
    carole28488 zeroX14

    Posted

    Hi, zero:

    i have the very same thing happening to me. It starts and each night for an undetermined amount of nights, I have very vivid, very tiring dreams.. finally, it goes away for a while, but always comes back. I walk through my day exhausted and kind of depressed... I honestly don't know how to stop this from happening.. you are not alone!!

  • Mary_Charice
    Mary_Charice zeroX14

    Posted

    I am not really sure what to say since you are reffering to dreams, etc. But, im guessing maybe you have a Sleep Apnea. Do you snore when you sleep or if your roommate had observed that you are snoring while your asleep? Also, maybe you have a health problem or condition. If it distracts your sleep and life as a whole, better yet to seek medical help or consult your doctor already. One thing also, i suggest you need to have a room mate always or someone with your side in case you will have a nightmare, someone will gonna wake you or help you out.
  • Mary_Charice
    Mary_Charice zeroX14

    Posted

    I am not really sure what to say since you are reffering to dreams, etc. But, im guessing maybe you have a Sleep Apnea. Do you snore when you sleep or if your roommate had observed that you are snoring while your asleep? Also, maybe you have a health problem or condition. If it distracts your sleep and life as a whole, better yet to seek medical help or consult your doctor already. One thing also, i suggest you need to have a room mate always or someone with your side in case you will have a nightmare, someone will gonna wake you or help you out.
  • leslie23197
    leslie23197 zeroX14

    Posted

    Hi

    Today was the worst that I had this dream thing happen to me. I slept at night and I woke up and I had a dream and the same, I have woken up to tired that I want to go back. So I went back and another dream and I woke up worse. Then I went beck to sleep because surely it couldn't happen 3 times and I was mistaken because it happened. Now I'm up, my eyes are hurting because I'm tired and I'm so weak. I don't know what this is but I'm so confused. I've been documenting my dreams for a few months now and I've only dreamt 9 times this year, 3 are from today so I've dreamt a total of 6 times besides today in a year. If anyone has answers or I'm just insane, please just tell me.

    • apu91247
      apu91247 leslie23197

      Posted

      Hi Leslie,

      You hv dreamt only 9 times in a year.

      I am dreaming every minute if I attempt to sleep.I am using olanzapine to sleep.But early in the morning olanzapine fades away and I am dreaming.

      Comparatively you are very normal.

    • kaasi50253
      kaasi50253 apu91247

      Posted

      Hi apu,

      Dear what s your current condition???..did you follow any test withregarding this issue...same like you I am always dreaming like you I think those are called Hallucinations ..

    • apu91247
      apu91247 kaasi50253

      Posted

      Dear kaasi

      I tapered olanzapine 10 mg ,7.5mg,5mg,2.5mg within 4 months period.As soon as I reached 0 dreams came back and I was unable to sleep.

      But I came to know that olanzapine is working for this REM sleep disorder.

      So from last 2 months I am using 5 mg of olanzapine steadily.

      I am getting good sleep without dreams.After doing some research on line,I got this conclusion that,

      Risperidone cold turkey permanently altered by brain.I have discussed with people who got same problem.Even after so many years their dreams not go away.After waiting 4 years people started using benzos.

      So I am scared to wait and suffer with dreams, breath and heart problems while dreaming.

      So I am depending on olanzapine.which is working for me.

      I am using 2 mg of pacitane after breakfast for not to have any side effects from olanzapine.

      My best wishes to you.

  • saurabhskashyap
    saurabhskashyap zeroX14

    Posted

    Guys as @apu91247 suggested, how many of you have tried olanzapine? Is it working ?please inform me 
    • apu91247
      apu91247 saurabhskashyap

      Posted

      Now at the dose of 5 mg olanzapine,I am sleeping almost without no dreams, peacefully.At present I am settled with olanzapine 5 m.g ,which is a low dose.I am using olanzapine for night time.I take it regularly by 7.30 p.m.By the time of 9.30 p.m I am getting sleep.The reason I have sticked with olanzapine is,it will work on same dose for several years or much long time,As my brain permanently altered for risperidone cold turkey.If I opt benzos,my sleep would be limited and dreams are not fading away.Also benzos will develop tolerance and I have to increase the dose eventually.

      Olanzapine is an antipsychotic ,how will I cope up with side effects?Yes for coping up with side effects,I am using Pacitane 2 m.g for breakfast time.My doctor is a very good doctor he saved me by prescribing even b vitamins (all neuron plus)for good strength of the brain.

  • esther13095
    esther13095 zeroX14

    Posted

    I've been following this discussion for a while and I feel like I finally found solutions that work for me.  I fit the category of having vivid dreams and waking up exhausted.  I have no trouble falling asleep - that part is easy!  1) I set two alarms - one for taking medicine and the second, a half hour later, for getting up. 2) My psychiatrist told me to take my anxiety medicine at night (Celexa).  I also take Gabapentin 300mg at night. It helps with restless legs (not that bad in sleep study, but I do kick a little and toss and turn).  It also helps with sleeping deeper, so that I'm not in the light REM state most of the night. One more thing I add: half a caffine pill (100 mg.), which is like 6oz. of coffee.  3) I sleep with the curtains open, so the natural sunlight hits my face and my body starts to produce the natural serotonin, while I'm sleeping.  The only problem now, is the sun isn't rising as early and I have to get up early.  I am looking into getting a SAD lamp, so that it can do the job the sun has been doing! 4) having my alarm play music I like.  I use my ipad as an alarm and there's many apps that allow multiple songs to play. 5) My eyes are dry, which causes a "tired feeling", so I apply eye drops when my second alarm goes off. 6) I stretch my legs and arms out, take a couple of deep breaths, and sit up to let my brain wake up more. 7) I've been trying to stick to a strict schedule for going to bed and waking up at the same time to regulate my wake/sleep clock. 

    These have all helped me a lot!

    • esther13095
      esther13095

      Posted

      I take the caffeine pill in the morning during my first alarm for medication along with my ADD and depression medication and supplements for the brain.
    • girl-charley
      girl-charley esther13095

      Posted

      Esther, 

      That's so great to hear! These all sound like great steps that you're taking, as well as great suggestions for everyone keeping up with the forum. Keep us updated! smile 

  • Ms._Sunshine
    Ms._Sunshine zeroX14

    Posted

    I have the same struggle. I'm glad I just happened to find this site. I have had vivid dreams on and off my whole life, but as an adult with a demanding job it's more difficult to deal with. My dreams can be good or bad. They are so real I could tell you what it feels like to be shot in the head and die, and I can tell you what it feels like to fly. Regardless of if they are good or bad, I will always toss and turn all night long and wake up feeeling exhausted. It gets so bad at times I will have to take a nap during the day but I won't wake up for at least four hours.

    My meds dont work to stop the dreams, I have tried so many meds. I'm currently taking lorrazepam, citalopram, and trazidone. My doctor and I both thought the dreams were due to anxiety, so I started lorrazepam. Then we added citalopram for depression, and trazidone to help me fall asleep and stay asleep regardless of the dreams.

    My anxiety and depression are completely under control now. I'm still exhausted everyday, and everynight I'm still dreaming crazy dreams. I'm not sure what to try now.

    How are you now?

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