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Woken by vivid dreams. Hot, thirsty, high pulse

Over the past three years I have been suffering from what I think might be a sleeping disorder. In that three year period the problem has gradually developed from occasional (say once a week) disturbances, to four or five nights a week.
The symptoms are as follows:
Being awoken from vivid dreams (not nightmares, mostly just vivid) somewhere between 2 and 3 o'clock in the morning after going to bed around 10.00 to 10.30 the previous night.
The symptoms on being awoken by the dream include – high pulse rate, hot, thirsty and griping in the stomach causing flatulence.
It then takes me about half an hour to “calm down”. On returning to sleep the same thing happens again (different dreams) approximately every hour until it is time for me to get up.
I've been to my Doctor a number of times about the problem and he and I have tried to eliminate what could possibly be causing this. I have tried going off the Statins that I was taking but there was no change.
I have also been taking the anti-depressant Paroxetine (10 mg per day) for the past seven years. In an effort to establish whether this medication might be causing the problem, I went off it. There was an immediate change for the better with some waking up from dreams but none of the symptoms mentioned in the second dot point above. Much to my frustration the problem has gradually reappeared over the past few months. This leads me to believe that while the anti-depressant medication was in some way responsible it is not the underlying cause.
Does anyone out there recognise these symptoms and if so I would welcome your advice.
4 Responses
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your very helpful advice.

Berto
Helpful - 0
1355118 tn?1298564879
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi, your symptoms are suggestive of Nightmare disorder, or dream anxiety disorder, which is a sleep disorder characterized by frequent nightmares or vivid dreams. Nightmare can be defined type of a dream wherein the individuals will be left in a situation where it jeopardizes their life or personal safety, usually occur during the second half of the sleeping process, called the REM stage.

It can occur normally in persons but in this disorder it occurs at higher frequency. That is why you are reluctant to sleep and will affect your day to day activities.

Paroxetine is associated with sleep disorders like insomnia or samnolence (sleepiness) and also can be associated with anxiety. Along with that stress, anxiety can be precipitating factors for your symptoms.

This disorder can be managed by self by alleviating the home and personal life related stress particularly before going to bed.  A regular fitness routine, Yoga and meditation can also help to eliminate stress and create a more peaceful sleeping atmosphere and provides a relaxed state of mind. Psychotherapy can also help you to learn how to cope and deal with the various stressors in your life.

Do not worry, follow the above mentioned methods and the symptoms will alleviate soon. I suggest you to consult psychiatrist. Take care and regards.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh, one correction... I take 3 grams not 300 mgs of the Acetyl L Carnatine every day.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Berto,

I would definitely check into the possibility that you may have hyperthyroid. I had almsot the exact same symptoms and this was the cause. I keep me hyperthyroid under control now very well with daily supplement of 300 mg Acetyl L Carnatine, 2 mg copper, and 40 drops twice a day of a bugleweed, motherwort tincture. These have all been shown to work positively to bring hyperthyroid under control and they have worked for me. I got my sleep back.

JT
Asheville, NC
Helpful - 0
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