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I Am Having A Sleep Study In Mid December For
Question: I am having a sleep study in Mid December for possible REM sleep behavior disorder. Up until about a week ago, I was having just a minor symptom of dream enactment once every few months. I might do one kick that corresponded to a dream, for example. Then I read about RBD and have been very worried. I've read a lot during this past week and have been immensely stressed out.
During this past week, I have also woken up many times during a dream each night. It is typically jumping up - my head/neck jump up a few inches but the rest of the body doesn't jump. It doesn't seem to correspond specifically to the dream. I'm not necessarily having a bad dream or startled in the dream. I don't think it's specifically dream enactment but I thought muscles were supposed to be paralyzed during dreaming.
First, I'm wondering why this is happening and second is it likely to be permanent. Regarding why it's happening, I'm worried that it might mean I have had a lot of neurodegeration in this past week although I assume that doesn't happen so fast. Or could it be just stress? I recently increased my Melatonin from 1 to 2 mg a night because I thought that would help. But I've been more tired during the day and this has been happening more at night. Could it be a side effect of the Melatonin increase? Is this considered an RBD symptom even though it's not related to the content of the dream? Thanks!
During this past week, I have also woken up many times during a dream each night. It is typically jumping up - my head/neck jump up a few inches but the rest of the body doesn't jump. It doesn't seem to correspond specifically to the dream. I'm not necessarily having a bad dream or startled in the dream. I don't think it's specifically dream enactment but I thought muscles were supposed to be paralyzed during dreaming.
First, I'm wondering why this is happening and second is it likely to be permanent. Regarding why it's happening, I'm worried that it might mean I have had a lot of neurodegeration in this past week although I assume that doesn't happen so fast. Or could it be just stress? I recently increased my Melatonin from 1 to 2 mg a night because I thought that would help. But I've been more tired during the day and this has been happening more at night. Could it be a side effect of the Melatonin increase? Is this considered an RBD symptom even though it's not related to the content of the dream? Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Not related to degeneration, no reason for panic, stress may be a culprit.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
It is true that muscles are supposed to be paralyzed during dreaming. However since you are acting dreams out and are suspected of having REM behavioral disorder it means that your issue would be precisely that the paralysis which normally occurs during REM sleep, the dreaming stage, does not take place. So if the diagnosis of RBD is confirmed it would be expected to have movements during sleep, it may be considered a RBD symptom.
I believe that the reason these movements have appeared on top of the previous acting out is simply due to the stress you mention to have been experiencing during these past weeks which may exacerbate your movements during sleep. I do not believe it is due to any neurodegeneration taking place, as you say yourself it doesn't happen that quickly. I do not think it will be something permanent as stress diminishes it should improve too.
As for feeling tired during the day that is more likely due to the bad quality of your night sleep. Regarding Melatonin I don't think it's the cause, it usually is beneficial for RBD (is used at times as a second choice medication).
Not related to degeneration, no reason for panic, stress may be a culprit.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
It is true that muscles are supposed to be paralyzed during dreaming. However since you are acting dreams out and are suspected of having REM behavioral disorder it means that your issue would be precisely that the paralysis which normally occurs during REM sleep, the dreaming stage, does not take place. So if the diagnosis of RBD is confirmed it would be expected to have movements during sleep, it may be considered a RBD symptom.
I believe that the reason these movements have appeared on top of the previous acting out is simply due to the stress you mention to have been experiencing during these past weeks which may exacerbate your movements during sleep. I do not believe it is due to any neurodegeneration taking place, as you say yourself it doesn't happen that quickly. I do not think it will be something permanent as stress diminishes it should improve too.
As for feeling tired during the day that is more likely due to the bad quality of your night sleep. Regarding Melatonin I don't think it's the cause, it usually is beneficial for RBD (is used at times as a second choice medication).
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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