Waking up in REM cycle every day
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi! So I have a Fitbit that tracks my sleep for me (with all of the sleep cycles and whatnot) and I've been noticing I'm waking up during my REM cycles on a daily basis. I've done some research and I know that waking up in REM can cause sleep inertia, which I experience daily. It effects me all day long and my job requires me to be fully aware of what I am doing. Driving is also a little scary when I'm experiencing sleep inertia.
For example, if I go to bed at 1030pm on Tuesday night, I have to be up at 7am Wednesday morning. 9 times out of ten, my Fitbit tracks that I am in a REM cycle at 7am leaving me feeling groggy the rest of the day. I do use an alarm but most of the time my body wakes me up right at 7am while I am still in a REM cycle. That doesn't make sense to me.
So, I was wondering if anybody else has experienced this and I am looking for any suggestions.
Thank you!
0 likes, 8 replies
apu91247 cocoanemo11
Posted
Are you experiencing any dreams while in REM sleep.?
Did you discontinue any medicines which led you to wake up in REM sleep.?
How many hours do you sleep and how is your sleep quality?
Are you using any medicines for any reason at present?
cocoanemo11 apu91247
Posted
I experience many dreams while I sleep and I remember most of them.
I've been on the same medications for about 6-7 years now. I take lexapro (5mg once a day), vesicare and elmiron (I have interstitial cystitis), omeprazole (for acid reflux) and birth control.
On average, I get 7 hours of sleep and I'd say the sleep quality is decent. I did, however, forget to mention I have mild sleep apnea. I've been using a cpap since August 2016.
lily65668 cocoanemo11
Posted
I'm not entirely sure what the problem is, apart from the fact you're feeling tired of course. It's normal for REM sleep to take up more and more of each one-and-a-half-hour sleep cycle as the night wears on. I therefore don't see anything wrong with waking directly from REM sleep. Also, it's normal to wake fully or partially at the end of each REM period anyway. Most people aren't aware that this is going on, but it can be proved in a sleep lab, and a few of us wake fully after each cycle throughout the night.
It's also worth pointing out that drowsiness is one of the common side-effects of escitalopram (Lexapro).
If you're concerned about this, you should ask your doctor to refer you to a sleep clinic for assessment.
cocoanemo11 lily65668
Posted
Thanks for your reply!
I am only concerned because I am experiencing sleep inertia on a daily basis and it doesn't go away with rest, eating, etc.
I had my sleep evaulated for sleep apnea last summer. Would I have to go to another sleep clinic for a different kind of assessment or can that assessment be done during apnea testing?
Thanks!
lily65668 cocoanemo11
Posted
It depends where you are in the world, or even in the country in the case of the UK, I believe. You'd need to ask your doctor about this.
Are you quite sure the Lexapro isn't playing a part in your symptoms? You shouldn't stop taking it, of course, but perhaps you should consider tapering it under medical supervision.
cocoanemo11 lily65668
Posted
I am in the USA. I recently saw my primary doctor (about a month ago) and she didn't mention anything about the Lexapro having a factor in this. I do believe Lexapro could definitley be playing a factor. I've been on it since I was 17 and I'm 23 now. I will have to ask the prescribing doctor about this for sure.
When I was first put on Lexapro, I started off at 20mg and over the years, I have decreased the dosage and am now taking 5mg. Maybe I don't even need it anymore. Who knows!
apu91247 cocoanemo11
Posted
Coco,
I totally understand your situation and my heart aches for you.
I can understand how disturbing waking up at REM sleep .
I am facing same problem
I was ignorant what it is to use brain medication.
Unfortunately I went to a psychiatrist for a simple paranoia
He prescribed risperidone,within one month my paranoia cured .But I didn't know the tapering system.That doctor didn't warn me not to stop risperidone without seeing him again.
What a mistake I stopped risperidone without tapering.
That is when dreams started.
First they were night mares.After a month
They were dreams.
Again I did a blunder.
Went to same doctor to complain about disturbing dreams.
What a mistake
He put me on olanzapine.
Which has so many side effects.
At present I am tapering olanzapine
As soon as I have reached 2.5 mg dreams started appearing early in the morning
I am waking up exausted every single day
I have clueless what will be my sleep and REM sleep condition after stopping olanzapine.
Praying to God is the only solution left it seems.
cocoanemo11 apu91247
Posted
apu, that's all so horrible!
It's just hard for me because I am a dental hygienist and that requires me to be alert all day and it's extremely hard to stay alert when I feel like I am still sleeping. And like I said before, driving makes me nervous!