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What Causes Recurrent And Continued Nightmares Even After Waking With A Start?

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Posted on Tue, 15 Dec 2015
Question: I have already talked to you . I have one more question!In last 10 nights i started to have horible dreams . I will wokeup screaming and go to sleep again and continue the same nightmare again.I dont know what to do because im scarring my kids! Is there any particular medication for that or what should i do? Thank you very much.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Need some details.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.

Yes, I remember that we had a conversation earlier.

I understand your suffering.

But can you please give some details:
Did you change any of your medications/doses in recent past?

Can you remember the contents of you dreams?

Is is just from last days or it has increased in severity from last 10 days but was present earlier also?

Any recent stressors?

Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (26 minutes later)
I didnt change any medication. The only thing i can think off is that holidays are coming and i lost my dad and brother in last couple of years actualy in 9 month period. That turned my life upside down and i have hard time around holidays and birthdays. But nothing changed and the nightmares are gory bloody atack of some creatures and whats most disturbing is even after i woke up or somebody in my family will woke me up from this when i fall asleep again the dream just continues like i paused it. Sometimes i just sit in living room and try to be awake or watch tv for 10 minutes to break the cycle. Im exausted day after and think about it all day. Im trying to stay awake til i cant hold it any more just hoping that i will not dream anything because im so tired. I have those terors at least 3 times a week. Thanks

And yes the dreams are about my family members dying or trying to kill me or its their funeral but only i can see they are alive and everybody else is puting them to the ground and i see they are looking at me! Or some black blob is always trying to get me under the furniture and i cant kill it or run away and sometimes i know im dreaming but i cant wake up. Always im hiding or runing from somebody who wants to do me harm or i cant save my kids from being killed . Lot of blood and flood of water.Or im faling from somewhere into a tunel. Im plain and simple just hopeless anymore!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Prazosin will help.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the details.

I feel that the loss of your father and brother has made you anxious and depressed.

You have developed pathological grief reaction which has extended for so long.

The nightmares which you are experiencing need drug treatment in my opinion.

The strongest evidence is for drug prazosin (prescription drug). It is started at low dose and dose of gradually increased depending on response.

Also practice relaxation exercises like deep breathing and meditation.

Kindly discuss this with your doctor.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2145 Questions

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What Causes Recurrent And Continued Nightmares Even After Waking With A Start?

Brief Answer: Need some details. Detailed Answer: Hi again. Yes, I remember that we had a conversation earlier. I understand your suffering. But can you please give some details: Did you change any of your medications/doses in recent past? Can you remember the contents of you dreams? Is is just from last days or it has increased in severity from last 10 days but was present earlier also? Any recent stressors? Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks.