topic Nightmares as side effect of medication in Treatments, health professionals and therapies

Nightmares as side effect of medication

Camembert — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 06:49:21 GMT

Hello,

I started medication a few months ago, and every singe night I have been getting terrible nightmares. I mean really bad ones that affect me the rest of the day 😞 I'm not on a particularly high dose and I take it every morning. I read that this is a normal side effect, but it's getting really bad. What could I do to stop this? I really don't want to switch the mediation, because it seems to be otherwise working. I tried writing a dream diary, but it's not helping.

Any advice is appreciated!

Camembert.

Nightmares as side effect of medication

Ggrand — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 12:57:15 GMT

Hello Camembert,

Welcome to the forums..

I was just surfing the forums when I read the title of your thread..and I thought wow..sames happening to me..

I started new meds now only a few nights, but I'm waking in the middle of panick attacks 4,times last night.li also tried to write my dream out but couldn't remember what it was..

I will be going back to my gp so she can contact my psychiatrist to change my meds...I really don't think they are doing good if they continue to do this to me...

Maybe Camembert just speak to your gp and let him/her know, maybe an adjustment will be needed.. but in my opinion only..I really would go back to your gp..just for a check in with them..

Do you meditate at all before sleep?

Sorry I wasn't much help but just wanted to let you know that your not alone...

Grandy..

Nightmares as side effect of medication

geoff — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 19:41:39 GMT

Hello Camembert, thank you for posting your comment and sorry that you are having this trouble and perhaps you could ask your doctor/psychiatrist if you could take your medication at night time, and that's only a suggestion as I'm not qualified to say.

It must seem to be a catch-22 because the medication is working but you're having nightmares, however, these may still be caused by your original condition and why you needed to begin taking this medication.

Sometimes by having CBT you are able to figure out why they do occur or how they would like to take place.

I also have nightmares and have had them for years, now when I wake up I can see the funny side to them knowing that they aren't going to happen and most times people from years ago appear, people who I've had no contact with for years, that's why I know they aren't true.

Try and rationalise what you have dreamt and consider if they could possibly be true in the situation you're in and realise they that this can't physically be done.

You're safe.

Geoff.

Nightmares as side effect of medication

Camembert — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 05:14:29 GMT

Thank you Grandy and Geoff!

Grandy - yes I told my Dr but there apparently isn't much I can do apart from the dream diaries... I don't mediate before sleep, so maybe I'll give that a go! Thanks

Geoff - can I ask what do you mean CBT, is that writing 'nightmare diaries'? And also, when you say I could ask my Dr about taking the medication at night time, does that seem to help people? I swapped to mornings as I thought the medication concentration in my system would be less at night, and thus less nightmares! 😕 Maybe I was wrong!

Thanks again to you both!

Camembert.

Nightmares as side effect of medication

geoff — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 18:04:54 GMT

Hello Camembert, thanks for replying CBT is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and what it means '' is a method of treatment for psychological disorders, that takes a practical, task-based approach to solving problems.''

It's designed to change negative thoughts and behaviours by providing more positive and fulfilling solutions.

In basic terms it's to resolve difficulties and change the client's negative emotions.

Geoff.

Nightmares as side effect of medication

Camembert — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 05:00:36 GMT

Thanks Geoff! I will discuss this some more with my Dr.

Camembert.