Tricyclic Antidepressants

Sleepwalking

Question:

Hello Everyone,  I have been trying very hard to keep a low profile in here and post only when I have to. I have a problem and I tried to do a deja search on it without any luck. I had a weird thing happen to me last night and I was wondering what if any of my meds could cause me to do something like this:  I fell asleep on the couch. I have not been getting much sleep lately because I feel bad (sick) and I have been sleeping on the couch to avoid waking my husband up during my nightly trips for water for the sore throat, the porcelin Gods for hehe other things ( yup ewwwwww) and what have you. I remember dreaming last night about something that had to do with fire. I thought I might have been dreaming about buring trash in a barrel but I am not sure. I wake up because my hands are hurting. I look down and there I am standing in the living room of my home with a wad of toilet paper on fire in my hand. I did not know what else to do so I dropped it and stomped the fire out. This completely scared me to death, besides burning a hole in my carpet. I have two small children and I have to look out for them. I am currently taking the following: Oxycontin 40mg 2X per day OxyIr up to 10mg 1X per day Neurontin 400mg 3X a day Tofranil PM 300mg 1X a day I have been prescribed Trazadone to help me sleep. I have not taken it in the last few days because I did not want to be really out of it if I woke up and had to go to the bathroom. Everything that I am on except the Trazadone and the OxyIR, the dosages have been doubled on as of my last visit less than a week ago to my doctor. I called her today on her day off and asked about this happening. She said she would call me back but I guess she got busy or could not find the information on which drug could be causing this. I don’t know what happened really or why she did not return my call. Maybe it was because I was using someone elses’ phone. All I know is that I am sitting here at 11:22 at night with my eyes trying to close on me and I am to scared to go to bed. I am afraid of what I might do in my sleep. If anyone happens to be out there right now please answer as soon as possible if you have had same trouble and been on any of these same medications. I apologise for my bad punctuation and everything. I am so tired I am barely paying attnetion to spelling and grammar just watching the time hoping I get to go to bed soon. Thank you Tammy

Response:

Tammy, At the risk of waking your husband, I would suggest that you try to sleep near him so that you do wake him up if you get up. At least until your doc calls you back. The Oxycontin gave me small spasms in my back and legs, but nothing has made me sleep- walk yet. I have some strange dreams, but I think it’s because I have a terrible habit of eating right before I go to sleep. It might be in my head, but I like to think that it helps calm my upset stomach for the night. Maybe I’m wrong, but the dreams are entertaining for the most part. For you kids sake, sleep next to your husband and hope he wakes up if you get up. John D. —> yes, it’s me. JDOD28, turning over a new leaf. You can e-mail me if you wish.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello Everyone, >  I have been trying very hard to keep a low profile in here and post only > when I have to. I have a problem and I tried to do a deja search on it > without any luck. I had a weird thing happen to me last night and I was > wondering what if any of my meds could cause me to do something like this: >  I fell asleep on the couch. I have not been getting much sleep lately > because I feel bad (sick) and I have been sleeping on the couch to avoid > waking my husband up during my nightly trips for water for the sore throat, > the porcelin Gods for hehe other things ( yup ewwwwww) and what have you. I > remember dreaming last night about something that had to do with fire. I > thought I might have been dreaming about buring trash in a barrel but I am > not sure. I wake up because my hands are hurting. I look down and there I am > standing in the living room of my home with a wad of toilet paper on fire in > my hand. I did not know what else to do so I dropped it and stomped the fire > out. > This completely scared me to death, besides burning a hole in my carpet. I > have two small children and I have to look out for them. I am currently > taking the following: > Oxycontin 40mg 2X per day > OxyIr up to 10mg 1X per day > Neurontin 400mg 3X a day > Tofranil PM 300mg 1X a day > I have been prescribed Trazadone to help me sleep. I have not taken it in > the last few days because I did not want to be really out of it if I woke up > and had to go to the bathroom. Everything that I am on except the Trazadone > and the OxyIR, the dosages have been doubled on as of my last visit less > than a week ago to my doctor. I called her today on her day off and asked > about this happening. She said she would call me back but I guess she got > busy or could not find the information on which drug could be causing this. > I don’t know what happened really or why she did not return my call. Maybe > it was because I was using someone elses’ phone. All I know is that I am > sitting here at 11:22 at night with my eyes trying to close on me and I am > to scared to go to bed. I am afraid of what I might do in my sleep. If > anyone happens to be out there right now please answer as soon as possible > if you have had same trouble and been on any of these same medications. I > apologise for my bad punctuation and everything. I am so tired I am barely > paying attnetion to spelling and grammar just watching the time hoping I get > to go to bed soon. > Thank you > Tammy

Response:

Babygirl:  CYM-Hope it got out. Mama Deanie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Tammy, > At the risk of waking your husband, I would suggest that you try to sleep > near > him so that you do wake him up if you get up. At least until your doc calls > you back. > The Oxycontin gave me small spasms in my back and legs, but nothing has made > me sleep- > walk yet. I have some strange dreams, but I think it’s because I have a > terrible habit of > eating right before I go to sleep. It might be in my head, but I like to > think that it > helps calm my upset stomach for the night. Maybe I’m wrong, but the dreams > are entertaining > for the most part. > For you kids sake, sleep next to your husband and hope he wakes up if you > get up. > John D. —> yes, it’s me. JDOD28, turning over a new leaf. You can e- mail > me if you wish. > Hello Everyone, >  I have been trying very hard to keep a low profile in here and post only > when I have to. I have a problem and I tried to do a deja search on it > without any luck. I had a weird thing happen to me last night and I was > wondering what if any of my meds could cause me to do something like this: >  I fell asleep on the couch. I have not been getting much sleep lately > because I feel bad (sick) and I have been sleeping on the couch to avoid > waking my husband up during my nightly trips for water for the sore > throat, > the porcelin Gods for hehe other things ( yup ewwwwww) and what have you. > I > remember dreaming last night about something that had to do with fire. I > thought I might have been dreaming about buring trash in a barrel but I am > not sure. I wake up because my hands are hurting. I look down and there I > am > standing in the living room of my home with a wad of toilet paper on fire > in > my hand. I did not know what else to do so I dropped it and stomped the > fire > out. > This completely scared me to death, besides burning a hole in my carpet. I > have two small children and I have to look out for them. I am currently > taking the following: > Oxycontin 40mg 2X per day > OxyIr up to 10mg 1X per day > Neurontin 400mg 3X a day > Tofranil PM 300mg 1X a day > I have been prescribed Trazadone to help me sleep. I have not taken it in > the last few days because I did not want to be really out of it if I woke > up > and had to go to the bathroom. Everything that I am on except the > Trazadone > and the OxyIR, the dosages have been doubled on as of my last visit less > than a week ago to my doctor. I called her today on her day off and asked > about this happening. She said she would call me back but I guess she got > busy or could not find the information on which drug could be causing > this. > I don’t know what happened really or why she did not return my call. Maybe > it was because I was using someone elses’ phone. All I know is that I am > sitting here at 11:22 at night with my eyes trying to close on me and I am > to scared to go to bed. I am afraid of what I might do in my sleep. If > anyone happens to be out there right now please answer as soon as possible > if you have had same trouble and been on any of these same medications. I > apologise for my bad punctuation and everything. I am so tired I am barely > paying attnetion to spelling and grammar just watching the time hoping I > get > to go to bed soon. > Thank you > Tammy

Response:

A similar incident happened to me a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been on 20mg bid of Methadone for about 3 months now and have never been a sleepwalker prior to taking this med. Now in recent weeks my girlfriend reports that I frequently sleep with my arms in the air..very bizarre. Anyhow, on this particular night I was dreaming that I was in a church passing around the collection plate. When I awoke (came to?) I was standing in the corner of my bedroom holding out a large glass ashtray which I then dropped and shattered into a million pieces in my surprise.  Needless to say I was wide awake then! All I can recommend is what the others have said. Sleep in the bedroom so that your husband can keep an eye on you if you happen to go firefighting in the middle of the night again. It seems like the stronger time-released narcotics can bring on these sleepwalking instances. Best to have someone available to steer you back to bed. BTW, I’ve always heard that you should never wake up a sleepwalker. Why is that? Anyone know? TIA TK – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello Everyone, >  I have been trying very hard to keep a low profile in here and post only > when I have to. I have a problem and I tried to do a deja search on it > without any luck. I had a weird thing happen to me last night and I was > wondering what if any of my meds could cause me to do something like this: >  I fell asleep on the couch. I have not been getting much sleep lately > because I feel bad (sick) and I have been sleeping on the couch to avoid > waking my husband up during my nightly trips for water for the sore throat, > the porcelin Gods for hehe other things ( yup ewwwwww) and what have you. I > remember dreaming last night about something that had to do with fire. I > thought I might have been dreaming about buring trash in a barrel but I am > not sure. I wake up because my hands are hurting. I look down and there I am > standing in the living room of my home with a wad of toilet paper on fire in > my hand. I did not know what else to do so I dropped it and stomped the fire > out. > This completely scared me to death, besides burning a hole in my carpet. I > have two small children and I have to look out for them. I am currently > taking the following: > Oxycontin 40mg 2X per day > OxyIr up to 10mg 1X per day > Neurontin 400mg 3X a day > Tofranil PM 300mg 1X a day > I have been prescribed Trazadone to help me sleep. I have not taken it in > the last few days because I did not want to be really out of it if I woke up > and had to go to the bathroom. Everything that I am on except the Trazadone > and the OxyIR, the dosages have been doubled on as of my last visit less > than a week ago to my doctor. I called her today on her day off and asked > about this happening. She said she would call me back but I guess she got > busy or could not find the information on which drug could be causing this. > I don’t know what happened really or why she did not return my call. Maybe > it was because I was using someone elses’ phone. All I know is that I am > sitting here at 11:22 at night with my eyes trying to close on me and I am > to scared to go to bed. I am afraid of what I might do in my sleep. If > anyone happens to be out there right now please answer as soon as possible > if you have had same trouble and been on any of these same medications. I > apologise for my bad punctuation and everything. I am so tired I am barely > paying attnetion to spelling and grammar just watching the time hoping I get > to go to bed soon. > Thank you > Tammy

Response:

TK I do that too! Sleep with my arms in the air. My husband says when he asks me about it I tell him that they are more comfortable and I’m in balance:) I guess sometimes tho my arms fall and smack him, lol. I’ve always thought sleeping would be far more comfortable if I could just unscrew my arms and set them on the floor beside the bed for the night. It’d be tricky getting them back on tho I’ll bet. love, catherine

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A similar incident happened to me a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been on > 20mg bid of Methadone for about 3 months now and have never been a > sleepwalker prior to taking this med. Now in recent weeks my girlfriend > reports that I frequently sleep with my arms in the air..very bizarre. > Anyhow, on this particular night I was dreaming that I was in a church > passing around the collection plate. When I awoke (came to?) I was > standing in the corner of my bedroom holding out a large glass ashtray > which I then dropped and shattered into a million pieces in my surprise. >  Needless to say I was wide awake then! All I can recommend is what the > others have said. Sleep in the bedroom so that your husband can keep an > eye on you if you happen to go firefighting in the middle of the night > again. It seems like the stronger time-released narcotics can bring on > these sleepwalking instances. Best to have someone available to steer > you back to bed. > BTW, I’ve always heard that you should never wake up a sleepwalker. Why > is that? Anyone know? TIA > TK > Hello Everyone, >  I have been trying very hard to keep a low profile in here and post > only > when I have to. I have a problem and I tried to do a deja search on it > without any luck. I had a weird thing happen to me last night and I > was > wondering what if any of my meds could cause me to do something like > this: >  I fell asleep on the couch. I have not been getting much sleep lately > because I feel bad (sick) and I have been sleeping on the couch to > avoid > waking my husband up during my nightly trips for water for the sore > throat, > the porcelin Gods for hehe other things ( yup ewwwwww) and what have > you. I > remember dreaming last night about something that had to do with fire. > I > thought I might have been dreaming about buring trash in a barrel but > I am > not sure. I wake up because my hands are hurting. I look down and > there I am > standing in the living room of my home with a wad of toilet paper on > fire in > my hand. I did not know what else to do so I dropped it and stomped > the fire > out. > This completely scared me to death, besides burning a hole in my > carpet. I > have two small children and I have to look out for them. I am > currently > taking the following: > Oxycontin 40mg 2X per day > OxyIr up to 10mg 1X per day > Neurontin 400mg 3X a day > Tofranil PM 300mg 1X a day > I have been prescribed Trazadone to help me sleep. I have not taken it > in > the last few days because I did not want to be really out of it if I > woke up > and had to go to the bathroom. Everything that I am on except the > Trazadone > and the OxyIR, the dosages have been doubled on as of my last visit > less > than a week ago to my doctor. I called her today on her day off and > asked > about this happening. She said she would call me back but I guess she > got > busy or could not find the information on which drug could be causing > this. > I don’t know what happened really or why she did not return my call. > Maybe > it was because I was using someone elses’ phone. All I know is that I > am > sitting here at 11:22 at night with my eyes trying to close on me and > I am > to scared to go to bed. I am afraid of what I might do in my sleep. If > anyone happens to be out there right now please answer as soon as > possible > if you have had same trouble and been on any of these same > medications. I > apologise for my bad punctuation and everything. I am so tired I am > barely > paying attnetion to spelling and grammar just watching the time hoping > I get > to go to bed soon. > Thank you > Tammy

Response:

      I have had similar incidents of "sleepwalking" since I was prescribed methadone in 1993.  While the doctor was titrating my dosage upwards to control the pain, I did not have any problems, however, once I reached a maintenance level of about 80 – 90mg per day, I began to do some really weird things at night – its like you are in a fog.  One incident involved a large glass bowl of wooden fruit on my kitchen table – I poured honey nut cheerios on top of the fruit – added milk  & sat down to eat.  As I was sitting at the table – my brain is telling me that something doesn’t quite look right & thankfully I went back to bed.  (that could have been a nasty dental bill)  Once I opened a can of cat food – placed it in the toaster oven – the smell was horrendous – that was enough to jar me fully awake. I’ve fallen asleep in the bathroom while sitting on the "hopper/commode/john/toilet" – & even taken a couple of tumbles off – now that was truly embarassing. In addition to being comical at times – it was serious concern for both of us.  In my case, it was a simple solution as we divided up my dosage of methadone – currently I am at 140 mg & take 70 mg around 6 am or 7 am & then 70 mg around 4 pm or 5 pm plus roxicodone 5 mg for breakthrough pain prn.        Hang in there – talk to your doctor – your husband has probably become a "light sleeper".  (any noise out of the ordinary brings my hubby to check on me) Take care! Deborah

Response:

I >remember dreaming last night about something that had to do with fire. I >thought I might have been dreaming about buring trash in a barrel but I am >not sure. I wake up because my hands are hurting. I look down and there I am >standing in the living room of my home with a wad of toilet paper on fire in >my hand. I did not know what else to do so I dropped it and stomped the fire >out.

Tammy,please be sure to test your smoke alarms,often Lem

Response:

I know what you mean about trazadone putting you out.  It sure knocks me out.  Maybe sleeping near your husband is the answer.  I know I’d want to know if my wife was trying to burn the house down while snoozing.  Good luck. John K. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello Everyone, >  I have been trying very hard to keep a low profile in here and post only > when I have to. I have a problem and I tried to do a deja search on it > without any luck. I had a weird thing happen to me last night and I was > wondering what if any of my meds could cause me to do something like this: >  I fell asleep on the couch. I have not been getting much sleep lately > because I feel bad (sick) and I have been sleeping on the couch to avoid > waking my husband up during my nightly trips for water for the sore throat, > the porcelin Gods for hehe other things ( yup ewwwwww) and what have you. I > remember dreaming last night about something that had to do with fire. I > thought I might have been dreaming about buring trash in a barrel but I am > not sure. I wake up because my hands are hurting. I look down and there I am > standing in the living room of my home with a wad of toilet paper on fire in > my hand. I did not know what else to do so I dropped it and stomped the fire > out. > This completely scared me to death, besides burning a hole in my carpet. I > have two small children and I have to look out for them. I am currently > taking the following: > Oxycontin 40mg 2X per day > OxyIr up to 10mg 1X per day > Neurontin 400mg 3X a day > Tofranil PM 300mg 1X a day > I have been prescribed Trazadone to help me sleep. I have not taken it in > the last few days because I did not want to be really out of it if I woke up > and had to go to the bathroom. Everything that I am on except the Trazadone > and the OxyIR, the dosages have been doubled on as of my last visit less > than a week ago to my doctor. I called her today on her day off and asked > about this happening. She said she would call me back but I guess she got > busy or could not find the information on which drug could be causing this. > I don’t know what happened really or why she did not return my call. Maybe > it was because I was using someone elses’ phone. All I know is that I am > sitting here at 11:22 at night with my eyes trying to close on me and I am > to scared to go to bed. I am afraid of what I might do in my sleep. If > anyone happens to be out there right now please answer as soon as possible > if you have had same trouble and been on any of these same medications. I > apologise for my bad punctuation and everything. I am so tired I am barely > paying attnetion to spelling and grammar just watching the time hoping I get > to go to bed soon. > Thank you > Tammy

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hello Everyone, > I have been trying very hard to keep a low profile in here and post only >when I have to. I have a problem and I tried to do a deja search on it >without any luck. I had a weird thing happen to me last night and I was >wondering what if any of my meds could cause me to do something like this: > I fell asleep on the couch. I have not been getting much sleep lately >because I feel bad (sick) and I have been sleeping on the couch to avoid >waking my husband up during my nightly trips for water for the sore throat, >the porcelin Gods for hehe other things ( yup ewwwwww) and what have you. I >remember dreaming last night about something that had to do with fire. I >thought I might have been dreaming about buring trash in a barrel but I am >not sure. I wake up because my hands are hurting. I look down and there I am >standing in the living room of my home with a wad of toilet paper on fire in >my hand. I did not know what else to do so I dropped it and stomped the fire >out. >This completely scared me to death, besides burning a hole in my carpet. I >have two small children and I have to look out for them. I am currently >taking the following: >Oxycontin 40mg 2X per day >OxyIr up to 10mg 1X per day >Neurontin 400mg 3X a day >Tofranil PM 300mg 1X a day >I have been prescribed Trazadone to help me sleep. I have not taken it in >the last few days because I did not want to be really out of it if I woke up >and had to go to the bathroom. Everything that I am on except the Trazadone >and the OxyIR, the dosages have been doubled on as of my last visit less >than a week ago to my doctor. I called her today on her day off and asked >about this happening. She said she would call me back but I guess she got >busy or could not find the information on which drug could be causing this. >I don’t know what happened really or why she did not return my call. Maybe >it was because I was using someone elses’ phone. All I know is that I am >sitting here at 11:22 at night with my eyes trying to close on me and I am >to scared to go to bed. I am afraid of what I might do in my sleep. If >anyone happens to be out there right now please answer as soon as possible >if you have had same trouble and been on any of these same medications. I >apologise for my bad punctuation and everything. I am so tired I am barely >paying attnetion to spelling and grammar just watching the time hoping I get >to go to bed soon. >Thank you >Tammy

Well, from http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-t03.html Adults: Initial dosage: 25 mg 3 times daily. This should be increased gradually as required and tolerated up to 150 mg/day. Dosages over 200 mg/day are not recommended. 300mg might be a bit high. I’m not sure this has anything to do with what happened to you, but all the other medical doses are well within a reasonable and accepted range. It also adds (under dosage): In severely ill, hospitalized patients, initially 100 mg/day in divided doses, gradually increasing to 200 mg/day, if required. If no significant response is observed after 3 weeks, dosage may be increased up to 250 to 300 mg/day. Elderly and debilitated patients: 30 to 40 mg/day, in divided doses, gradually increasing dosage if necessary, and tolerated; it is generally not necessary to exceed 100 mg/day. Maintenance dosage: Dosage during maintenance therapy should be kept at the lowest effective level. Medication should be continued for the expected duration of the depressive episode in order to minimize the possibility of relapse following clinical improvement. When a maintenance dosage has been established as described above, imipramine may be administered in a single daily dose at bedtime, provided such a dosage regimen is well tolerated. So, it says that 300mg *can* be taken, but that seems to definitely be the upper ceiling dose. Maybe a high dose like this, combined with the other meds, contributed to your episode. I’d alert my physician and let him(her) know exactly what occured to you. Good luck. ~alex      

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hello Everyone, > I have been trying very hard to keep a low profile in here and post only >when I have to. I have a problem and I tried to do a deja search on it >without any luck. I had a weird thing happen to me last night and I was >wondering what if any of my meds could cause me to do something like this: > I fell asleep on the couch. I have not been getting much sleep lately >because I feel bad (sick) and I have been sleeping on the couch to avoid >waking my husband up during my nightly trips for water for the sore throat, >the porcelin Gods for hehe other things ( yup ewwwwww) and what have you. I >remember dreaming last night about something that had to do with fire. I >thought I might have been dreaming about buring trash in a barrel but I am >not sure. I wake up because my hands are hurting. I look down and there I am >standing in the living room of my home with a wad of toilet paper on fire in >my hand. I did not know what else to do so I dropped it and stomped the fire >out. >This completely scared me to death, besides burning a hole in my carpet. I >have two small children and I have to look out for them. I am currently >taking the following: >Oxycontin 40mg 2X per day >OxyIr up to 10mg 1X per day >Neurontin 400mg 3X a day >Tofranil PM 300mg 1X a day >I have been prescribed Trazadone to help me sleep. I have not taken it in >the last few days because I did not want to be really out of it if I woke up >and had to go to the bathroom. Everything that I am on except the Trazadone >and the OxyIR, the dosages have been doubled on as of my last visit less >than a week ago to my doctor. I called her today on her day off and asked >about this happening. She said she would call me back but I guess she got >busy or could not find the information on which drug could be causing this. >I don’t know what happened really or why she did not return my call. Maybe >it was because I was using someone elses’ phone. All I know is that I am >sitting here at 11:22 at night with my eyes trying to close on me and I am >to scared to go to bed. I am afraid of what I might do in my sleep. If >anyone happens to be out there right now please answer as soon as possible >if you have had same trouble and been on any of these same medications. I >apologise for my bad punctuation and everything. I am so tired I am barely >paying attnetion to spelling and grammar just watching the time hoping I get >to go to bed soon. >Thank you >Tammy > Well, from > http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-t03.html > Adults: > Initial dosage: > 25 mg 3 times daily. This should be increased gradually as required and > tolerated up to 150 mg/day. Dosages over 200 mg/day are not recommended. > 300mg might be a bit high. > I’m not sure this has anything to do with what happened to you, but all the > other medical doses are well within a reasonable and accepted range. > It also adds (under dosage): > In severely ill, hospitalized patients, initially 100 mg/day in divided doses, > gradually increasing to 200 mg/day, if required. If no significant response is > observed after 3 weeks, dosage may be increased up to 250 to 300 mg/day. > Elderly and debilitated patients: > 30 to 40 mg/day, in divided doses, gradually increasing dosage if necessary, > and tolerated; it is generally not necessary to exceed 100 mg/day. > Maintenance dosage: > Dosage during maintenance therapy should be kept at the lowest effective level. > Medication should be continued for the expected duration of the depressive > episode in order to minimize the possibility of relapse following clinical > improvement. > When a maintenance dosage has been established as described above, imipramine > may be administered in a single daily dose at bedtime, provided such a dosage > regimen is well tolerated. > So, it says that 300mg *can* be taken, but that seems to definitely be the > upper ceiling dose. > Maybe a high dose like this, combined with the other meds, contributed to your > episode. > I’d alert my physician and let him(her) know exactly what occured to you. > Good luck. > ~alex >I read the insert to the medication. It lists all of the usual

possible side effects – and more as usual.      Then in smaller type at the bottom;  * a small percentage of patients have experienced awakening with a  flaming roll of toilet paper in their hands. Please consult your  physician immediately. Seriously Tammy please let us know what he says, that’s pretty scary. codeee

Response:

I have also had unusual "dreams" like this periodically even before I was on all the meds. My walking around in the room really scared my sister when we were younger! I recently read about this in a sleep book my hubby got at the library, but I can’t remember what the exact term is. It isn’t regular sleepwalking and it isn’t regular dreaming, meaning that it occurs at a different level of sleep than REM. During REM, our muscles are paralyzed, so to speak, so that we DON’T act out the things in our dreams. But at other levels of sleep, it can happen. And during regular sleepwalking, we don’t usually remember a dream or doing anything. I really wish I could remember the term for this type of thing. I think it has something to do with improper arousal from deeper sleep stages. Rather than going up slowly, we go from stage 4 directly to stage 2 or something like that. It isn’t sleep terrors or nightmares, either. Perhaps a posting on the Sleep Disorders group can help. If I’m not mistaken, some antidepressants can cause weird dreams. Acting them out is another story. I wish all of you the best luck in finding out what’s happening. And I hope that nothing serious happens in the meantime. But definitely let your doctor know! Good luck! Carly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >A similar incident happened to me a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been on >20mg bid of Methadone for about 3 months now and have never been a >sleepwalker prior to taking this med. Now in recent weeks my girlfriend >reports that I frequently sleep with my arms in the air..very bizarre. >Anyhow, on this particular night I was dreaming that I was in a church >passing around the collection plate. When I awoke (came to?) I was >standing in the corner of my bedroom holding out a large glass ashtray >which I then dropped and shattered into a million pieces in my surprise. > Needless to say I was wide awake then! All I can recommend is what the >others have said. Sleep in the bedroom so that your husband can keep an >eye on you if you happen to go firefighting in the middle of the night >again. It seems like the stronger time-released narcotics can bring on >these sleepwalking instances. Best to have someone available to steer >you back to bed. >BTW, I’ve always heard that you should never wake up a sleepwalker. Why >is that? Anyone know? TIA >TK > Hello Everyone, >  I have been trying very hard to keep a low profile in here and post >only > when I have to. I have a problem and I tried to do a deja search on it > without any luck. I had a weird thing happen to me last night and I >was > wondering what if any of my meds could cause me to do something like >this: >  I fell asleep on the couch. I have not been getting much sleep lately > because I feel bad (sick) and I have been sleeping on the couch to >avoid > waking my husband up during my nightly trips for water for the sore >throat, > the porcelin Gods for hehe other things ( yup ewwwwww) and what have >you. I > remember dreaming last night about something that had to do with fire. >I > thought I might have been dreaming about buring trash in a barrel but >I am > not sure. I wake up because my hands are hurting. I look down and >there I am > standing in the living room of my home with a wad of toilet paper on >fire in > my hand. I did not know what else to do so I dropped it and stomped >the fire > out. > This completely scared me to death, besides burning a hole in my >carpet. I > have two small children and I have to look out for them. I am >currently > taking the following: > Oxycontin 40mg 2X per day > OxyIr up to 10mg 1X per day > Neurontin 400mg 3X a day > Tofranil PM 300mg 1X a day > I have been prescribed Trazadone to help me sleep. I have not taken it >in > the last few days because I did not want to be really out of it if I >woke up > and had to go to the bathroom. Everything that I am on except the >Trazadone > and the OxyIR, the dosages have been doubled on as of my last visit >less > than a week ago to my doctor. I called her today on her day off and >asked > about this happening. She said she would call me back but I guess she >got > busy or could not find the information on which drug could be causing >this. > I don’t know what happened really or why she did not return my call. >Maybe > it was because I was using someone elses’ phone. All I know is that I >am > sitting here at 11:22 at night with my eyes trying to close on me and >I am > to scared to go to bed. I am afraid of what I might do in my sleep. If > anyone happens to be out there right now please answer as soon as >possible > if you have had same trouble and been on any of these same >medications. I > apologise for my bad punctuation and everything. I am so tired I am >barely > paying attnetion to spelling and grammar just watching the time hoping >I get > to go to bed soon. > Thank you > Tammy

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Kinda stupid, but it might work: I was watching a Pokemon episode, where Brock had to put a bell around his little sisters wrist so he could hear her when she would sleepwalk. I don’t know how someone could hear a little bell, but if nothing else works, maybe this will. Gee, I watch too much tv. (sigh) Sara

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> Kinda stupid, but it might work: I was watching a Pokemon episode, where > Brock had to put a bell around his little sisters wrist so he could hear > her when she would sleepwalk. I don’t know how someone could hear a > little bell, but if nothing else works, maybe this will. Gee, I watch > too much tv. (sigh) > Sara

lol  And it says a lot that you only watch kid’s shows too.  :-} It might not be a bad idea to tie a bell or something to the door knob of the child’s room. That way if they get the door open you would hear it.  (See, it wasn’t so silly after all Sara. :-}) Sharon

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Coming in a week late on this, sorry.  But My brother did the same thing.  He was a BIG one for talking in his sleep, too.   One night my dad was up late watching TV, and My brother Kenny (I think about 7 or 8 yrs old then) came out of his room, down into the utility room, opened the upright freezer, and peed into it.  Then promptly went back to bed, and didn’t remember a thing in the morning.  My Dad was too dumbfounded to stop it while it was happening.   I think he grew out of the sleep walking, (he passed away at age 19 — not related to sleep walking) but he never did stop talking and yelling in his sleep.  I also recall that he was a VERY heavy sleeper. I would make certain that she cannot leave the house during her evening strolls, and that your home is basically safe.  Maybe you could put a gate at the kitchen, or any other room that would be particularly dangerous for a less than alert child to stumble into.  Maybe a talk with your Ped would be comforting to you, and provide information. Krystal If evolution really works, then why do mothers have only two arms?       Eat the "treat" in my address to e-mail me.

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My son has ended up in some weird places as well…the bathtub, corners, etc. Most generally, the living room somewhere.  My pediatrician said that some of it is caused by stress.  Although it doesn’t seem possible for a child to have stress, they do.  Namely, school.    You aren’t supposed to wake them up.  Just redirect them into bed and most generally, they won’t do it again that night. Just make sure paths are clear of any obstructions.  Of course, keep doors unaccesible. Michelle…mommy of 3

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>If it were my child, I’d at least get deadbolts locks (the kind with both >sides >needing a key) for the doors, so she never ended up outdoors

I have thought of this as well.  I make sure the alarm is on every night so it will go off if the door is opened.  I also put a deadbolt up at the top of the door that goes to the back yard because we have a pool. I tried the monitor thing but since she talks so much in her sleep, I was not getting any sleep. You had some great suggestions.  Thanks Jackie "Single parent…..who not only is happy about it, but proud of it…."

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>Do you notice that she sleepwalks when she is really really tired, and is >sleeping >soundly?

I do think she is more "active" when she is more tired.  She goes to bed at 7:30 on school nights and 8:30 otherwise.  She is up between 6:30 and 7:00 am. Some nights she sleeps soundly though.   Tonight this just concerned me because it was so dramatic. I hadn’t thought about calling her doctor….i will in the morning. Jackie "Single parent…..who not only is happy about it, but proud of it…."

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >My 6 yr old has been a sleepwalker since she could walk ! She is also very >"vocal" while sleeping, sometimes even shouting out. >When she sleepwalks, usually I just redirect her into bed and there is no >problem. Tonight I heard a crash in the laundry room and go in to find that >she >is in the laundry basket that was on the floor, peeing!  She was complaining >that there was no toilet paper!  She finished, got up, pulled up her panties, >looked around puzzled for a minute and then went to bed. >I am now concerned that she could actually do something to hurt herself and >that I may not wake up in time.  Our house is a one story so I don’t ahve to >worry about the stairs. >Anyone have anything to tell me about sleep walking?  Anything I should be >concerned about?? >Thanks >Jackie

I really don’t know what to tell you because I’ve never had this problem or known anyone who has. I would be quite concerned though, if I were you…I saw on an Unsolved Mysteries show once where a young man in his twenties was sleepwalking and went outdoors and was killed by a train. I’m not trying to frighten you, honestly…but I would be worried. If it were my child, I’d at least get deadbolts locks (the kind with both sides needing a key) for the doors, so she never ended up outdoors. I would also get a baby moniter for her room and keep it turned up as high volume as it can go, so you can hear her rustling around and getting out of bed maybe. It might not work, but it’s worth a try. Josie–mommy to Sarah (10), Lynne (6), and Parker (4)….. (by the way, the name is Dieu Vous Garde)…… I hope that someday we can put away our fears and prejudices,and just laugh at

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Hi.  I don’t know if this topic has been covered before or not…so here goes. My 6 yr old has been a sleepwalker since she could walk ! She is also very "vocal" while sleeping, sometimes even shouting out. When she sleepwalks, usually I just redirect her into bed and there is no problem. Tonight I heard a crash in the laundry room and go in to find that she is in the laundry basket that was on the floor, peeing!  She was complaining that there was no toilet paper!  She finished, got up, pulled up her panties, looked around puzzled for a minute and then went to bed. I am now concerned that she could actually do something to hurt herself and that I may not wake up in time.  Our house is a one story so I don’t ahve to worry about the stairs. Anyone have anything to tell me about sleep walking?  Anything I should be concerned about?? Thanks Jackie "Single parent…..who not only is happy about it, but proud of it…."

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Do you notice that she sleepwalks when she is really really tired, and is sleeping soundly? I use to sleepwalk as a child, and I ended up doing silly stuff, like talk on the phone, bring my parents a toy and then walk back to bed, ect… My parents just made me go to bed earlier if they noticed that I was tired than normal, that way I wouldn’t sleepwalk. I grew out of it by age 12 or 13. You might ask your doctor what he would suggest. Momalot – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi.  I don’t know if this topic has been covered before or not…so here goes. > My 6 yr old has been a sleepwalker since she could walk ! She is also very > "vocal" while sleeping, sometimes even shouting out. > When she sleepwalks, usually I just redirect her into bed and there is no > problem. Tonight I heard a crash in the laundry room and go in to find that she > is in the laundry basket that was on the floor, peeing!  She was complaining > that there was no toilet paper!  She finished, got up, pulled up her panties, > looked around puzzled for a minute and then went to bed. > I am now concerned that she could actually do something to hurt herself and > that I may not wake up in time.  Our house is a one story so I don’t ahve to > worry about the stairs. > Anyone have anything to tell me about sleep walking?  Anything I should be > concerned about?? > Thanks > Jackie > "Single parent…..who not only is happy about it, but proud of it…."

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