Deep Dreams, Remembering Them

Hi everyone. I am curious if anyone's had problems with dreams causing problems. I recently switched jobs after working the 8 to 5 shift for nearly 12 years. I had a "biphasic" sleep cycle, in which I'd often crash right after getting off work for anywhere from as little as none (very rarely) to 3-4 hours. I would then stay up, do my night routine, and go back to bed between 2-3 AM, to get up around 7:30. This seemed to be the sleep schedule that worked best for me as when I got too much sleep in one setting, I would often get into a dreamy state, awakening often, and each time it would seem like I was more tired than before. I'd go right back to sleep (after sometimes getting up, going to the bathroom, getting a snack, etc) and do the same routine all over again.

Now that I have a new job, I am allowed to stay up later as I don't start work until noon. I am more sluggish and tired than ever because I am getting all of my sleep in one setting, and I am waking up every day recalling countless dreams. Sometimes I wake up with a headache, dizziness, and often my eyes are red/bloodshot. I know there are all kinds of possibilities here, and without going into further detail, has anyone experienced this problem?

Your problems may sound similar to those of others, but are not the same, and their origins (together with your own med history) won't be exactly the same. So don't get in the trap of comparing yourself to any and everyone in cyberspace . Won't help anyhow, though 'belonging' feels good. In any case, it does sound to me like you're not being treated effectively - if you're even on Cpap - so it would help us to help you if you provided some info, like ... are you on C- or Apap? At what pressure settings? How much sleep do you get at one shot? Do you take any meds that might have any bearing on things? How about alcohol? You do sound like you need some kind of help, but vivid dreams are a sign of lack of treatment, so let us know more.

I apologize as I am not actually on cpap. Before switching jobs, I was seeing a sleep doctor, and as you may have guessed, it wasn't very productive. My insurance would not approve a sleep study, so I had to do the at home test. Every time I woke up, which was frequently, the thing that went over your nose to measure breathing was either on the bed or the floor. Somehow, the doctor determined that he had enough data to diagnosis me with a small case of sleep apnea. The next step was to see about something like Cpap, but scheduling was difficult as I had to drive to a location over an hour away to pick up the device and then take it back the next day. Scheduling this with work was difficult, and it never happened. I switched jobs, switched sleep patterns, and figure I need to start all over with someone else as I don't feel I got anywhere with who I was seeing.

I recorded my sleep on video for several months. While I can't determine if I have sleep apnea, I know I have frequent movements. I often bend my knees and move my legs back and forth - both when on my stomach, back, etc. I talk, though I don't have audio in the video - I can tell I was talking in some of the dreams. During the nights I could recall having a lot of dreams was when the movements seemed to be the most and when I seemed to be the most tired.

I guess I know what my next step is, and that's schedule another appointment with a sleep specialist. I was just wondering if what I am dealing with was in any way normal as I've never heard of a problem like this. Typically, from what I understand, deep dreaming is REM sleep, which is a good thing. It seems to be the opposite with me.

As far as going back to the biphasic sleep cycle - I have considered doing it. It just seems strange taking a nap at 8:30 or 9:00 PM

Ok, so you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea but are not being treated. In regards to sleep stages, the greater concentration of REM sleep happens later in our sleep session. It is not uncommon for some people's sleep apnea to be worse during REM. If your sleep was once split, you likely weren't getting that concentration of REM sleep. While we can dream in all stages, REM is when we are thought to do our most intricate dreaming. If one's apneas are worse during REM and causing wakings, it makes sense that sleeping in a single stretch would result in more REM, more dreams, more apneas, and more wakings that make the dreams easier to remember. Whether you are on CPAP or not, this would hold true for a person with sleep apnea. It may be the long stretch of sleep is getting the blame for how you feel when it's not actually to blame. Also, I would imagine it could take some time for the brain to devlop its new normal and know when to be asleep. Your description of your leg movements make me wonder if you could have Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD). However, there are often movements associated with efforts to breathe that could resolve with CPAP treatment. A sleep study should differentiate that. I encourage you to move forward with CPAP treatment. After getting settled in and getting effective treatment, if the legs are still an issue we can talk then. Just don't let a doctor talk you into taking meds before you do some research on the subject and do some basic things to give yourself your best chance at successful treatment. Good luck going forward.

Kteague,

Thank you so much for the input. The periodic limb movement definitely does describe me. I am glad this in theory at least makes sense. I know my next step is to see a sleep specialist, which I am going to follow through on soon.