View Full Version : REM Sleep Disorder (RBD)
Hi All,
Just curious if anyone has any experiences with RBD? Possible from using an SSRI? I'm 37, have had about 5 instances in the past 7 years (2 within the last 4 months) where I've basically enacted my dream (IE: Jumped out of bed, accidentally kicked my wife). I've gone down the Google rabbit hole plenty of times, and this might be the worst one yet. I'm 100% convinced I'm on my way to develop Parkinson's. Primary Doc says it's from 60mg of Prozac and not to worry, but I haven't been able to let this go. I'm a bad place right now, trying to stop the cycle of googling etc. Just wanted to see if anyone experienced this and found it was in relation strictly to their SSRI and not a neurological disorder (grasping for hope)?
Thanks All
The most knowledgeable person regarding SSRIs on our forum is panic_down_under. You can probably get his attention if you post this question in the medications section of the forum.
I do know that SSRIs can cause these sleep disturbances/sleep walking type things. I've had a couple of instances of this over the past 6 years.
Thanks AntsyVee, appreciate your response! I'll definitely do that. Just curious, have you ever had issues where you seemed to re-enact a dream? IE: Kicking/falling out of bed during a dream?
Thanks again
Yeah, one time I woke up my ex husband by singing.
Interesting, thanks for your response. Appreciate it!
No problem! Good luck. BTW, I'm still on 20 mg of Lexapro daily, and I love it. It's definitely worth the odd dream reenactment every so often.
I agree with you. It's helped me tremendously with my anxiety, I tried to go off it once and I never want to feel that way again. I can deal with the side effect, I'm just scared about how to handle what all the articles say referencing this turning into Parkinsons. My instances have been more severe, IE: falling out of bed etc. Should never have looked at Dr. Google
WiseMonkey
25-06-20, 23:12
Hi All,
Just curious if anyone has any experiences with RBD? Possible from using an SSRI? I'm 37, have had about 5 instances in the past 7 years (2 within the last 4 months) where I've basically enacted my dream (IE: Jumped out of bed, accidentally kicked my wife). I've gone down the Google rabbit hole plenty of times, and this might be the worst one yet. I'm 100% convinced I'm on my way to develop Parkinson's. Primary Doc says it's from 60mg of Prozac and not to worry, but I haven't been able to let this go. I'm a bad place right now, trying to stop the cycle of googling etc. Just wanted to see if anyone experienced this and found it was in relation strictly to their SSRI and not a neurological disorder (grasping for hope)?
Thanks All
Hiya, with REM sleep disorder you don't usually leave your bed, you just flail your arms around (or feet) and sometimes shout out.
This disorder affects older men ( 50+), my partner has it and he's 67. He's had it for at least 7 years and has not developed anything neurological but you can have REM sleep disorder for many decades before this happens. I told him about my fears and he says he's not worried at all. My partner doesn't take AD's but he is on some specific heart meds that could be causing it as the REM sleep disorder started a few months after starting them.
In most cases this phenomena is benign and is related to some worrying event that in your subconscious that you act out.
Like someone else said *panic_down_under* is an expert on AD's so hopefully he/she will see this thread and respond, alternately you could PM them.
Hi WiseMonkey,
I really appreciate your response, thank you. It's interesting to read about your husband, I'm so glad he's doing fine and also really admire his attitude towards the whole thing. I wish my brain would work that way! I appreciate your kind works, they're very helpful. I'll definitely try to get in touch with panic down under. Thank you again!
panic_down_under
26-06-20, 03:14
Hi All,
Just curious if anyone has any experiences with RBD? Possible from using an SSRI? I'm 37, have had about 5 instances in the past 7 years (2 within the last 4 months) where I've basically enacted my dream (IE: Jumped out of bed, accidentally kicked my wife).
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder is a relatively common antidepressant side-effect, particularly with SSRIs, with about 6% experiencing it. SSRIs reduce the length of REM sleep and can also lighten it which is why people are more likely to remember vivid dreams while taking ADs. Normally, the brain disconnects the muscles involved in movement so we become paralysed during REM, an adaption which prevented our early ancestors from falling out of the trees they slept in, but ADs can inhibit this which is why you've been able to jump out of bed.
I can't say whether you are likely to develop Parkinson's disease in the future, depression, and to a lesser extent anxiety, do increase the risk, however, the far more likely explanation for your RBD is the fluoxetine (Prozac). Effectively treating depression and anxiety may lower PD risk.
Primary Doc says it's from 60mg of Prozac and not to worry, but I haven't been able to let this go. I'm a bad place right now, trying to stop the cycle of googling etc.
Which could be a sign that fluoxetine is not as effective as it should be. Have your anxiety levels increased more generally, or is it only for the PD fixation?
Yay! Ian showed up! Thanks, Ian! Hope you're doing well, man!
Thanks for your response panic, I really appreciate it. Everything you said makes sense. To answer your question, I’ve been doing great until this occurred. For the most part it controls my symptoms, I’ve just gone down a bad spiral here. Thank you again
To clarify, a bad spiral with the pd fixation. General anxiety and panic has been greatly reduced with fluoxetine.
Midnight-mouse
26-06-20, 07:48
I’ve struck out in my sleep more than once and kicked more times than I can count, it’s always happened for me, one of the reasons we moved the bed away from the wall! Not particularly frequently but always a good handful of times in a year, I’ve even woken sat right up in bed too.
My husband has hit me and kicked me and he talks in his sleep too, he’s jumped out of bed ‘late for school/work’ a few times and I’ve talked him back into bed without him waking too.
My best friend is the worst for it though, when I’ve shared a bed with him I’ve had to build a wall of pillows to protect myself! None of us have any neurological disorders, or taken SSRIs when this was happening, although my best friend did take them for a while, same one as you. Although during that time he wasn’t any different while asleep.
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WiseMonkey
26-06-20, 08:58
When I looked into my partners REM sleep disorder, I went into a mini depression because I felt I couldn't share with him what I'd found out. This was shortly before he was due to go the the UK with his elderly mother and I didn't want to 'ruin' his holiday by saying anything. However, it became obvious to him that I was really low, crying etc so I ended up telling him! To my surprise, he wasn't worried at all, he was more worried about me!! His attitude was 'we'll deal with it if something happens." My depression cleared very quickly after that, plus he was away for 6 weeks which gave me time to just accept what happens to him. My partner doesn't have HA like me.
A few months ago he went through a bad patch with it and I went to another room to sleep (I'm a poor sleeper) and since then have slept much better. I'm not stressing myself wondering if he will have an episode or not :huh:
panic_down_under
26-06-20, 12:20
Hope you're doing well, man!
I am, Vee and best wishes to you.
My only problem is the threat of developing terminal mould. It's been raining almost constantly for a week and the orchard surrounding the cabin is now a lake. Cold too. I might have to call for an airdrop of essential supplies if it doesn't let up soon. Where's <expletive> global warming when you need it?!! :mad:
panic_down_under
26-06-20, 12:31
To clarify, a bad spiral with the pd fixation. General anxiety and panic has been greatly reduced with fluoxetine.
Good! :) Just as with liberty, the price for being mostly anxiety free is eternal vigilance. The sooner blimps like this are nipped in the bud the better. Banning Dr Google would be wise too. I've not met a single person who has correctly diagnosed their illness with the aid of that quack.
Couldn't agree more! Thank you again, really appreciate your advice and information
I am, Vee and best wishes to you.
My only problem is the threat of developing terminal mould. It's been raining almost constantly for a week and the orchard surrounding the cabin is now a lake. Cold too. I might have to call for an airdrop of essential supplies if it doesn't let up soon. Where's <expletive> global warming when you need it?!! :mad:
LOL According to the scientists, this is global warming!
I'm having an ant problem. They've invaded. And a whole month of fighting the fight myself with ant traps, home remedies, even the chemicals have me at my wit's end. I'm about to give up and call the exterminator :/
You need me to send you a life raft?
panic_down_under
28-06-20, 11:52
According to the scientists, this is global warming!
Nah, I've just read the temp in some parts of Siberia has hit 100 Fahrenheit :ohmy: It's that darn Mr Putin stealing our heat. Rum lot those Ruskies! :mad:
When are you going to extract the digit and take over the world, Vee? It badly needs someone to sort these buggers out!! :buttkick:
You need me to send you a life raft?
No, but thanks for the offer. It's been very windy which has stirred up the water, all 3 inches of it, and I get seasick real easy. :emot-puke: I'll wait for the air-drop.
When are you going to extract the digit and take over the world, Vee? It badly needs someone to sort these buggers out!! :buttkick:
.
So I am working on that, Ian. Did you see what I did to Kim Jong Un? However, now I have to get rid of his sister... Sigh :/ It never ends. I'm still working on Trump. I can't divulge my plans on here, but you'll soon see if they're working. As always, thank you for your support of the new regime ;)
panic_down_under
29-06-20, 12:02
As always, thank you for your support of the new regime ;)
Support? I think you might misunderstand my motives. Universal domination has long been my ambition, but instead of doing the hard yards I've decided to let you do them and then I only need to take out one body, not half a dozen. :byebye:
panic_down_under
29-06-20, 12:05
:ohmy: OMG did I just type that out loud and post it.... :oopsie:
Hi - I have this disorder, began as a child but likely made even worse with antidepressants (not SSRI). It's exhausting, but I can take a medication to help when necessary.
:ohmy: OMG did I just type that out loud and post it.... :oopsie:
I think it's time we had a long talk, Ian ;)
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