Big dream night

[englandsf]

So, three months in and suddenly I had a night of major dreaming for the first time in years. Couldn't see much difference in my reports from Sleepyhead but felt like I had 2-3 really big REM episodes.

When did other folks find dreams kicking in? These are the first big dreams for several years.

[webbie73]

So, three months in and suddenly I had a night of major dreaming for the first time in years. Couldn't see much difference in my reports from Sleepyhead but felt like I had 2-3 really big REM episodes.

When did other folks find dreams kicking in? These are the first big dreams for several years.

I dream a lot during sleep. I dream in all stages of the sleep cycle.

I had nightmares and night terrors prior to Cpap use. Since I started on cpap (5 1/2 yrs ago) I have only had 1 nightmare. Not bad for someone who would have nightmares and night terrors on a weekly basis.

So I guess my answer is I never stopped dreaming but my dreams now are "normal".

[chunkyfrog]

Now my dreams are normal, but infrequently remembered.
Before cpap, my apnea woke me up to remember many--mostly strenuous, scary, and bizarre.

[Semily]

So far I've noticed some change, but not a lot. It's probably been since my teens that I was able to really remember any details about my dreams. As I got older, I would just have a general sense that I'd been dreaming, and maybe a vague idea of the subject, but no details. The last few years, I really hadn't been having any sense of having dreamed. But within just a couple weeks of starting therapy, the recollection of having been dreaming has returned. I've even remembered a few details! I'm thinking I may continue to notice a change as I get improved comfort and sleep quality.

[cathyf]

I dream a lot during sleep. I dream in all stages of the sleep cycle.

I do too. It was my endocrinologist who suggested that I should be tested for narcolepsy that led to my sleep study, and when he suggested it I went out and researched narcolepsy. I found out that it is not just being sleepy and falling asleep at all sorts of inappropriate times, but a very specific defect in sleep stages where you spend all or almost all of your time in REM sleep rather than the normal 25% or so. Since I ALWAYS am dreaming when I wake up, whether it's a 30-second doze at my desk or in the morning after a full night's sleep, I figured yikes! I've got narcolepsy for sure! In my sleep study, however, I only spent 18% of my time in REM (I actually spend too much time in Stage 2 Sleep), and so was quite relieved that I DON'T have narcolepsy, and apparently just dream in every stage of sleep.

I had nightmares and night terrors prior to Cpap use.

Ever since I was diagnosed with hypothyroid five years ago and had to take pills every day I've had this recurrent nightmare where there is some prescription that I've forgotten to fill and now I can't breathe and am having a heart attack. I thought that this was the stress of having to remember to take pills every day. After realizing that I have apnea, I think that this is not really a dream so much as an arousal where I can't breathe, and my mostly-asleep brain is trying to impose some order and meaning on what's happening.

[Krelvin]

Lots of dreams for many years. Dream in many stages not just REM. There was a decent SciShow youtube about dreams once that talked about how they think dreams work and what they are for, was interesting. Guy talks fast. Will see if I can find it.

Most of my dreams I am walking somewhere for long distances in places that I have worked, or just places... kinda funny.

Found it. The Science of Dreaming (SciShow Youtube) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB7HqZc2p2Y

They have several other sleep related videos as well.

[ecolligan624]

Before BiPap...I would constantly dream I was either choking, drowning or going to heaven...now I know why. Kind of scary! Dreams are much more pleasant now!

[PlinkerCraig]

I used to dream a lot that I was swimming under water but not needing scuba gear. Now that makes sense looking back on it.

Started CPAP a week ago and now I dream of my wife and fun things. If I dream of work now it helps me solve real engineering problems. Previously dreams of work were all very depressing.

[Semily]

Found it. The Science of Dreaming (SciShow Youtube) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB7HqZc2p2Y

"Our brains aren't here to make friends; they're here to win." <+1000000

[lifeisbetterwithcats]

At some point I stopped dreaming and now I know why. During my sleep study I never went into REM. I can't wait for the dreams to start! I was told that might be a side effect of using a CPAP.