Hi friends,
I found a link here in the PsychCentral forums. There's no specific sleep board there.
So, I have nightmares due to stress. No psychiatric condition. I work with middle school students with mental illnesses, which is the source of about 85% of my stress.
I started having nightmares when I started my job last September. I had an unsuccessful trial on Cymbalta and requested a referral to a sleep specialist. Here's what he suggested:
1. reduce caffeine
2. careful selection of reading material and tv shows before bed
3. more time in bed
4. switch to new allery medicine
I was supposed to call him two weeks later. It's been a month. I've been so overwhelmed with work and also a little scared to call. Here's what happened:
1. I switched to tea, instead of coffee. It's really hard to reduce caffeine when you get little or crappy sleep, so it's been hard to cut caffeine. Feels like a vicious cycle. I've never had it after 3pm.
2. I stopped reading about mental illness and substance abuse before bed. Those are my favorite premises for novels. I've basically stopped reading because nothing else can hold my attention. I've hardly watched TV for the last 6 months, so I didn't change my viewing habits.
3. This suggestion annoyed me. My issue is that I don't get in bed until I'm absolutely exhausted. That way, I know I won't lay there and worry about whether or not I'll have a nigtmare. If I'm in bed before my eyes start drooping, I'm worrying, which inevitably leads to a nightmare. I told him that I feel like I'm just not capable of going to bed early or on time. He told me to try again. I tried. I can't.
4. The new allergy med doesn't list drowsiness as a side effect. I don't think I've noticed a difference in my alertness, but I'm more stuffy and sneexy than before.
So, I've hardly made any progress. I don't want to call back because I feel like I'll be admitting weaknes. Shouldn't I have more self-control?
He suggested that I try making the lifestyle changes before we try medication. If medication is next, I'm afraid of that, too. My stupid GP put me on Cymbalta when I saw her for my nightmares over the summer. It didn't work, so she just kept upping the dose. That was a terrible experience. Also, it seems like most meds for nightmares run the risk of actually perpetuating the nightmares.
Anyone have a similar experience? I'm in need of some guidance. Thanks.
BBT

I am new here...

Yes, I have have similiar experience -- I am puzzled why the doctors what to "up" the medication.....my sleep disorders when stressed do bring about the nightmares (I have an REM sleep disorder to where they almost seem like they are real)......

The stress can do it ---I too like the "mental disorder books" too --- first thing I thought of when I read your post is that you might have some post tramatic stuff going on --- those are usually the basis of my nightmares...a good "Freudian" psychiatrist might be good for that...but hope things calm down for you soon -- I know with stress you surely don't need the nightmares on top of it.. sleep is suppose to be "refreshing".....take care, E.

You can try L-Tryptophan, melatonin, extended-release melatonin or a combination of them.

To better regulate sleep schedule, you might try dark amber sunglasses while awake at night since light at night interferes with the pineal gland's circadian cycle.

Here are Dr. Mercola's 33 Secrets to a Good Night's Sleep

Hmmm, I did not know that. If you wear glasses at the computer, you can get "prescription" strength sunglasses at the Dollar Tree store.

I'll have to pay more attention next time I wear them to see if I get sleepy earlier.

Deleted my response because this is a very old thread