Hitting while sleeping

[ladderfruit]

My husband suffers post traumatic syndrome. He was prescribed Citalophram.  He cut his medication in half and in just a couple of months he attempted suicide. His medication was increased as well as Lorazepam.  He takes Ambien CR to sleep. About 2 months ago, while in REM he stated acting his nightmares. He has pulled my hair, punched the back of my head, and kicked my leg. He has thrown the bedside lamp and punch the mattress. He abruptly wakes up after acting out, remembers what  he had done but vaguely remembers his nightmare. I feel I am in danger. Could this possibly be happening because of his medication? Is this a sleeping disorder? What can I do to help him? Thanks!

[Jaybay]

I'm in the same boat with my husband with no real answers yet than a firm diagnosis of PTSD.  One thing I can tell you for certain is that ambien made the nighttime "Fight Club" episodes far worse.  As psychotherapy has now begun, I can count on a few bad nights in a row after a session.  That means one of us has to head to the guest room.  Not that it helps that much since he screams and yells all night too.

We both wish there was a magic pill for this problem, but so far every medication has only made it worse.

[ladderfruit]

Thanks for your response. What I am doing now is administer his medication Citalophram, and half a dosis of Clonazepam a couple of hours prior to sleeping. Then, 30 minutes before actually going to bed I give him Ambien CR. The regular Ambien was not working at all. Ambien CR on the other hand seems to calm him down and there has been less action.  I also placed a body pillow between us and that seems to curtail some of the aggressiveness. It gives him less space to move around and I feel safer. Yes, he speaks while he is asleep, (more of gurgutal sound than words) but it has come down a bit. I am afraid that if I leave the bed to go sleep in a guest room it will strain our relationship further. He is trying to stable himself and doing the best he can. Good luck to you!