posted
When my Lyme disease got really bad I started to have what is called, "Night Terrors."
When first fall asleep I start to dream and I realize I'm dreaming. Everything gets dark, I try to wake up, but can't. I scream at myself to wake up. I hit walls and floors in my dream to try to cause pain thinking it will wake me up. I panic big time and still I don't wake up! Then I wake up. I'm sure I'm awake and I'm so relieved! Then the lights dim, go out and I know I'm still asleep. This goes on for hours sometimes. When I finally do wake up for sure, it takes the sun coming up, the TV on, my husband right there telling me I'm really awake before I believe I'm awake.
Sometimes I fall asleep, but I'm sure I'm still awake. I can see my bedroom even though my eyes are closed. I'm sure there is someone in the house thats going to hurt me. I can't move. I hear sounds in the house and in my room and I'm terrified. I then know I'm not awake and I start the process of not panicing, reasoning with myself and forcing myself to come out of it. I feel like I'm somewhere in an altered state, not asleep and not awake.
I have changed my meds around. Stopped them, taking them at different times, etc. Nothing helps. It happens almost every night. Am I being haunted, brain chemicals messed up?
Any thoughts??
-------------------- BOOB00 Posts: 11 | From VA | Registered: Sep 2008
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
OMG BooBoo,
That sounds horrible. this is one of the few things that I have never experienced.....
Can't even imagine! I hope that you are able to find some sort of relief.
Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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Really almost sounds like the stories you hear about alien abductions.
I get the panic attacks that wake me up but I learned how to control dreams a long time ago and got pretty good at it and can wake myself up now but don't ask me to explain it, I've tried and failed many times now.
Good luck with that, maybe a sleeping pill will put you deeper under?
Steve
Posts: 406 | From Rhode Island | Registered: May 2007
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stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
can be both or either what sleep meds are you taking?
i had this for two years before we could find the right sleeping med.
docdave
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
My daughter started them long before she said she had them. I felt horrible she had been suffering for so long.
She started them a couple of years before her bart/babesia diagnosis.
She needs Geodon, and other sleep meds.
She used to say she hated to see the night come. Now, she sleeps like a rock.
You aren't alone.
Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
I wasn't having any recurring nightmares like that, but for a few days I did have some very vivid, very bad nightmares. Nightmares where I was someone else and seeing things I did not want to see.
I typically don't dream, but I think it was a herx from taking augmentin.
I was given augmentin for 6 days for my bad time of the month. I started my normal neck pain and headaches, so I started on the augmentin, and whammo I started getting very vivid very scary dreams.
Dreams that felt so real, and so horrible, that when I woke I didn't want to go back to sleep.
After my 6 days of augmentin, I haven't had the dreams, so I'm guessing that was it.
In matter of fact I'm sleeping better than I have in a long long time.
I know that doesn't answer your question, but that is my experience with the night terrors.
Hope that helps Posts: 158 | From Santa Monica | Registered: May 2007
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posted
It sounds like you are suffering from sleep paralysis and Hypnagogic hallucinations, both which are common symptoms of narcolepsy.
"Sleep paralysis is a condition in which someone, most often lying in a supine (face up) position, about to drop off to sleep, or just upon awaking from sleep realizes that s/he is unable to move, or speak, or cry out. This may last a few seconds or several moments, occasionally longer."
posted
I haven't had terrifying dreams like yours - but stupid ones - mostly ones that made me mad at my poor innocent husband in the morning "Do you really think that woman was prettier than me? Wher did you disappear to?" Those dreams were getting on our nerves. I trained myself to not remember dreams anymore. The same way you can train yourself to wake up at a certain hour in the morning by saying the time over and over till you fall asleep. Tell yourself "I will not remember dreams in the morning" It takes a little while - but it will work for a lifetime. Now - what happens to me sometimes - along these same lines - especially as a passenger in the car - I'll get a sudden panic, startled, and visualize my blood splattered all over the windshield in front of me. I guess the notion is - as a result of a car crash. My mind flashes on blood hitting with the color and splater noise. Weird. It happened once at my desk also. as if a plane overhead crashed into our building was the impression - I felt a sudden startle - then the visual of blood leaving my head and going all over my desk. I'm not on any drugs - so what gives? Anyone else?
Posts: 641 | From So. CA | Registered: May 2008
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Lyme can cause that I had them.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
posted
My daughter has really bad nightmares. Always someone is after her trying to hurt her or kill her. Really takes a toll on her. It's got to be this disease doing all of this. But why all the terrible stuff? odd We don't watch scarey movies - can't even imagine this stuff (well, normally). We should dream "Little House on the Prairie" type dreams.
Posts: 641 | From So. CA | Registered: May 2008
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posted
I was on trazadone 200mg before bed to help me sleep. It worked really well with the feeling of doom and panic I get every night about 4 hours before I go to sleep and it made me sleepy. I only take it now if I absolutely need it.
Now I have learned ways to relieve the feelings of doom and panic at night and can fall asleep on my own.
Unfortunately I have to sleep on my back. It is the only position that relieves my back pain enough so I can sleep. I take percocet for my pain, but don't like to take it too close to bedtime 'cus it perks me up instead of making me drowsy.
I try meditating, but I tend to go into alter states instead of sleeping. Out of body kinda stuff.
I also think it might be the Lidoderm patches I use on my shoulder blades for arthritis pain. The patches numb the parts of the body you put them on. Maybe some of the numbing chemicals are getting to my brain?
I'm just not sure anymore. These night terrors have been around before any of these meds.
It's nice to know I'm not alone with this. Most likely it is the Lyme, meds. and the complications. Thanks for the suggestions and support.
-------------------- BOOB00 Posts: 11 | From VA | Registered: Sep 2008
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adamm
Unregistered
posted
Any chance you're on tricyclic antidepressants? I know that when I was going off of them I had night terrors (and a lot of other crap as well--those drugs seriously need to be classified as physically addictive substances.)
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posted
BOOBOO Percocet is famous for causing uneasiness, hallucinations and nightmares in SOME people. I can't take it. Check with your doctor about this. The Lidoderm patches are great for relieving localized pain. I don't think they would cause such problems... Have a restful weekend everyone. Peedie
Posts: 641 | From So. CA | Registered: May 2008
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posted
Never had problems with the Percocet. Was on Fentynal and had massive problems with those! Went down from Fentynal to Percocet.
Over the years with other docs I've been on every pain reliever known, the controlled as well as non-controlled. Now with this doc over the las few years have found that the lydo patches, with anti-inflamatory, neuroton and percocet are the best combo for me. Best pain control with least side effects.
Maybe the trazodone is making the problem worse. I havent' taken any for about 4 days and last night I slept pretty well. Only time will tell.
-------------------- BOOB00 Posts: 11 | From VA | Registered: Sep 2008
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
oh boy, i had one of those. i dreamed someone was in the house and was coming to the bed. i tried to wake up and warn mike but i couldn't and i was frozen and couldn't move...
mike says i woke him up and i was whimpering, making all kinds of noises. he said he patted me and tried to calm me down and apparently it worked. i rolled over and went back to sleep, but the next morning i was exhausted.
only happened one time but you're right, i was absolutely terrified...
i'm on low dose elavil and my llmd gave me ambien 5 mg.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Cass A
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11134
posted
Lack of B VITAMINS--caused by the disease or the treatment--can lead to nightmares, thinking about things so unable to sleep, etc.
Try B Complex and/or brewer's yeast and B 1 (about 250 mg extra of B 1) plus some C and Calcium and Magnesium. Calcium and magnesium also help with nerves and relaxing enough for sound sleep.
Any drug eats up B vitamins. Many diseases do, also.
Hope this helps.
Love,
Cass A
Posts: 1245 | From Thousand Oaks, CA | Registered: Feb 2007
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