Why can't I stop dreaming?!

[Aruba417]

Here is some history: I'm 24, I have Anxiety/Panic disorder. I have been taking Effexor XR since April, and it seems to help with my symptoms. I also take Xanax as needed for panic attacks. This also helps. However, I have not been able to have one night's sleep without dreaming in 8 months! I told my psychiatrist, and she prescribed Ambian, which helped me fall asleep fast, but I still had dreams all night. Then she suggested taking the Xanax every night, starting with .5 mg. When that didn't work, she told me to try 2. Nothing helps. I dream all night long. Nightmares, stupid dreams, ex-boyfriend dreams, vacation dreams, high school dreams, etc. All freakin' night! I wake up in the morning feeling like my brain hasn't rested! It is getting really annoying. This happened to me a few years back when I was first diagnosed with Anxiety/Panic disorder. But it went away after about a month. This has been 8 months now!!! Does ANYONE out there know what is causing this and if there is some kind of medication out there that would help this?

[Aruba417]

Thanks all for your comments! Graystreet, I think you're on to something with the Effexor. Although, I THINK I started dreaming like this BEFORE I was on it. I can't remember anymore. But I also sometimes can't tell if something really happened, or if I dreamed it! While I don't mind remembering my dreams once in awhile, this is really starting to ruin my daily life! I also fall asleep right away, but it's like I can't get passed that REM sleep. I wake up EXHAUSTED, like I haven't ever fallen asleep. And if I talk about someone during the day, I dream about them all night. If I have a bad day at work, I dream about it. I'll even dream I'm still working at places I haven't worked at in years. It's so weird! I'm getting so sick of it. I can't even take a 1/2 hour cat nap without dreaming very vividly!

[girlwithproblems]

dreams is stuff you think sbout subconciously you dont even realize you think about these things because there in your subconcious thoughts hope its some kind of help

[The Wolf]

I haven't ever dreamt since my prepubescent days. I am 52 now and have been bipolar for years. I take multiple medications and was having dream-less sleep(ah, I miss it) until my dose of Seroquel was adjusted to 300mg in the morning and 700mg at night.  I think this dosage is correct, but I'm tired of dreaming. Any
feedback would be greatly appreciated.


                                                                     The Wolf

[thedreamer]

A few years ago i was on high blood pressue meds for about 7 months without having high blood pressure. I tensed up when the doctor took my pressure that gave a high reading. After 6 months  with severe side effects resulted in an anxiety disorder caused by fear of the unknown. About 3 months in i started dreaming every night. This has been going on for the last four years and i cannot stop the dreaming. There is one way that worked for me that i do not understood. Whenever i get a headache i take advil pain reliver. I fall into a deep sleep without dreaming. This works but if you took this nightly you will be soon hooked on pain killers. I think this medication relaxes the nervous system to the point where it is not on high alert. You fall into a deep sleep. I also read that the only way to remember dreams is if you awake during rem sleep. Maybe the nervous system is so hightened that dreaming is enough to wake you during the hightened state of rem sleep. These are all just theories i came up with during my research. Most professionals just tell me dreaming is normal. I say yes but not everyday for years on end. If anyone has an answer please let me know. Thanks.  

[lucille dees]

Wow! It's interesting to read everyoneone's comments, at least I know I'm not alone. As someone diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II, I take Effexor and have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and also take Xanax but frankly I feel I have dreamed vividly for years before taking these medications. Usually I'm okay with the vivid dreams but now and then they seem problematic because I am very tired when I awaken and carry the "dream residue" throughout the day. Plus, I don't seem to get a break from the dreaming so sometimes I feel I never sleep but am always living various lives. My psychiatrist and general practioner don't seem to feel it is a problem, but rather a side effect, that i must accept along with the good of the medicine. Perhaps so. I appreciate others sharing their comments. I think one day, more will be revealed.


Lucille.

[Govanrd]

I agree with your doctors.  Dreaming is a fact of life and I think that those of us who maybe more sensitive than others,  dream more.  While some dreams can be disturbing, they must be regarded as the brain clearing up all the random thoughts of the day and trying to make sense of them at the same time. Its a function of the brain and should be regarded as such. Meaningless trivia.