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Have Problem Of Sleepwalking And Depression, Taking Seroquil Helps Sound Sleep. Have No Memory Of Doing Things. Advise?

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Posted on Wed, 4 Sep 2013
Question: I need a doctor who treats sleepwalking, or at least has a specific interest in sleepwalking as part of sleep disturbance. I have a very serious problem with this and my sleep doctor in my hometown doesn't know what more he can do for me.I have had 5 sleep studies and non show sleep apnea. I'm 5'10" and 165lbs. I exercise. I take Seroquil 100mg at night that provides 4 straight hours of sleep then Im awake. I manage to get 1 or 2 one hour naps in the morning if Im lucky enough to actually drop off to sleep. It is during these 4 hours that I am getting up and usually preparing food, or just moving things around in the kitchen. Sometimes I'm very slightly awake while doing these things and sometimes I have absolutely no memory of doing them. I have all the fall out problems of sleep depravation, memory problems, day time sleepiness (for which I take Ritalin 10mg TID. And I am actually on total disability secondary to my depression. I was a nurse for 34 years.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ram Choudhary (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Antidepressants and sedative hypnotics may be helpful

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX
Welcome to healthcare Magic!
The sleep walking is called somnambulism and is a risky sleep behaviour, may lead to hazards to self and others.
You should remain under watch of some body. Say you can tie a loose muffler with your partner hand so that he gets awake to awaken you. It is a misconception to think that sleep walking patient should not be aroused.
Mostly the disease can be resolved by ensuring sleep hygiene. Ensure a peaceful sleep- have a work out, long brisk walk in the evening, take meals 2hours prior to bed, switch off the lights and ensure calm environment.
Reducing weight to healthier range may be quite helpful.
Medicine like new generation antidepressants can help both sleep walking and depression in your case.
I hope the advise would be informative and useful for you.
Take Care!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ram Choudhary (26 minutes later)
I don't sleep with my husband because of his restless sleep and my light sleep and we only have a queen size bed so I sleep in the next room with my adjustable bed that is easier on my back pain which I am awakened by if sleeping on back. So would it help to tie, say, one wrist lightly to the bed frame tight enough so that it would wake me up enough to have to get it untied? I'm trying wearing my CPAP again to see if that will "tie" me to the bed a little or at least wake me up enough to get it off if I'm going to sleep walk. I got the CPAP because one of my sleep studies was marginal when I weighed nearly 100lbs heavier than I do now. Oh yes and I have restless legs disorder.
for which I take gabapentin 300mg prn which works wonders. the new generations antidepressants you speak of are they the SNRI? or what. I've been on several if you could tell me which ones you're talking about it would be helpful because then I would know if I've already tried it.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ram Choudhary (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Regular medicines are recommended rather than prn

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX
Welcome back to Healthcare Magic Physician's Desk!
The sleep walking takes place in the deep sleep phase and tying to bed is not advisable because it can result in falls and associated injury.
applying CPAP is a good idea, it will improve the quality of sleep if you are obese and snorer, it will help improve the severity of sleep walking by quality of sleep.
Weight reduction is worthwhile.
gabapentin is a drug which very helpful for restless legs and neuropathic troubles, you should take this medicine on daily basis and not 300mg prn. This drug is slow acting and needs to maintain a level is blood.
You can not feed once and no meals for next 3days, and then when you are in absolute need then you take the meal again- taking gabapentin prn is similar example. Your nerves need gabapentin on regular basis just like you need meals regularly.
Yes I meant SSRIs and SNRIs of new generation which are very helpful, eg. Sertraline, Mirtazepine etc to name a few.
They must be taken regularly and need long time to start their effect and must be taken under supervision of an experienced physician.
Wish you a great health!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ram Choudhary

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 2270 Questions

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Have Problem Of Sleepwalking And Depression, Taking Seroquil Helps Sound Sleep. Have No Memory Of Doing Things. Advise?

Brief Answer:
Antidepressants and sedative hypnotics may be helpful

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX
Welcome to healthcare Magic!
The sleep walking is called somnambulism and is a risky sleep behaviour, may lead to hazards to self and others.
You should remain under watch of some body. Say you can tie a loose muffler with your partner hand so that he gets awake to awaken you. It is a misconception to think that sleep walking patient should not be aroused.
Mostly the disease can be resolved by ensuring sleep hygiene. Ensure a peaceful sleep- have a work out, long brisk walk in the evening, take meals 2hours prior to bed, switch off the lights and ensure calm environment.
Reducing weight to healthier range may be quite helpful.
Medicine like new generation antidepressants can help both sleep walking and depression in your case.
I hope the advise would be informative and useful for you.
Take Care!