posted May 29, 2003 05:29 PM         

Since my sister reached her teen years, she has been plagued with horrible nightmares - mainly of people she loves dying gruesome deaths.

She also does not go into REM sleep (not sure if it's because of the dreams or not) and as a result in a constant state of ill health. Her memory is also starting to be badly affected, and she's having trouble keeping up in college (she's 21) - as your brain processes the things you learned during the day while in REM sleep. Since she never goes into it, she isn't healing or doing any of the repairs the body does in that state.

The doctor's don't know what to do for her. They say sleeping pills will only make her sleep deep - not get REM sleep - and maybe trap her into her nightmares. They've put her on anti-depressants, but I just don't think that's the answer to everything!! What would make her have such horrible nightmares, and such messed up sleep? Is there any natural way she could try to help this? Even the doctor's seemed stumped, so she's feeling very discouraged.

Thanks

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The unseen, the unknown, the mystery - this is what drives me; propels me forward on new journeys as dark corners of my mind are lit with the evergrowing bright light of my enlightened soul.

posted May 30, 2003 09:48 PM         

Anti-depressants actually reduce the ability to go into REM. What type of doctors has she seen? She should definately consult a sleep/dream specialist.

I am most certainly no specialist of any kind, but I do have some ideas that would be relatively easy to implement. My first reaction to your post was "dietary".

I do not know what your sister's eating habits are, so I can only make a couple of general suggestions. It would not hurt for her to try and eat foods that are high in vitamin B-3 or niacin, which helps to increase the effect of tryptophan in the system (which is converted into serotonin in the brain) and extends the REM stage of sleep. Foods like eggs, milk, turkey/chicken, fish, peanuts, and certain beans could be helpful, but do not eat too much just before bedtime - allow a couple of hours in between eating and sleeping.

There could also be a shortage of copper or iron in the system, which is known to effect sleep patterns. Make sure that both of these are in good supply within the body.

Any other information concerning your sister's diet and medication could be helpful, with your sister's permission of course.

I hope we can at least lead her in some helpful direction.

posted June 02, 2003 08:16 AM         

My sister has a horrible diet - she's one of those extremely picky eaters. Her main foods are pizza, cheeseburgers, caffeine-free diet cokes, toast, fish, and sphagetti. She doesn't eat much of anything besides her regular, small menu of items she "likes". She hates fruits and veggies. For her to get any kind of extra nutrition in her diet, it would have to be in pill form.

She is seeing a sleep specialist, oddly enough.

What would be the best way to get copper, iron and the other vitamins you mentioned into her system? She takes no other medications that I know of right now.

Thank you so very much, again.

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The unseen, the unknown, the mystery - this is what drives me; propels me forward on new journeys as dark corners of my mind are lit with the evergrowing bright light of my enlightened soul.

posted June 02, 2003 12:29 PM         

Glad to be of help, but like I said, I am not a sleep specialist, or a specialist of any kind for that matter.

She IS seeing a specialist? Are there any dietary suggestions?

Well, there are a few items from her limited menu that could help (I can make no promises). Fish is good for B-3 as well as many other natural relaxants, like calcium. It also has a small amount of iron. If she can eat toast of a WHOLE GRAIN variety, this would give her the copper, and so would shellfish if she eats that. Her best bet for iron would be from beef (if only she liked green leafy stuff!).

There are probably more possibilities, but that is all I can come up with at the moment.

Best of luck to her! Do you think she will try any of this?

Let us know!

posted June 02, 2003 05:40 PM         

Her actual specialist has said nothing at all about anything dietary; I don't think he has even considered such a thing.

I think she will try some of those foods - if she wants to feel better, I guess she will realize she is going to have to change her eating habits. I will definitely keep everyone posted. Thanks so much!!

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The unseen, the unknown, the mystery - this is what drives me; propels me forward on new journeys as dark corners of my mind are lit with the evergrowing bright light of my enlightened soul.