waking from dreams

[[Ma...]]

Hi, everyone --

 

It's been a while since I've posted.  Things have improved a bit in the past few months, and I now seem to have only a few lingering issues.  This is down from a long list only a few months ago. It seems that once I hit the 15 month mark, things started to speed up with me feeling better.  (About time, right?!)

 

I was recently to a doctor appointment (I'll stress here that serious medical concerns should always be addressed by your doctor -- not the Internet) and I asked her about the following:

 

Most nights, I'll be dreaming of something with elevated intensity**, and I'll wake up with a slightly rapid heart rate and feel a bit on edge.  A few deep breaths and I can get my heart rate back to the low 60s but I'm on edge another 30 to 60 minutes before falling asleep again.

 

I've had lots of diagnostic testing and of course examined by a doctor.  The verdict is that it's just "bad dreams" coupled with anxiety.  I won't disagree with this diagnosis for the most part.  But I can't help but think there's perhaps a bit of benzo withdrawal here.

 

However, I'm curious if anyone else experiences waking up from dreaming in an excited state only to eventually (and quickly) calm down?  Keep in mind, this has been going on sporadically for about 6 months, and seems to be less severe lately but more frequent.  Does that make sense?  It happens maybe 3 or 4 times a week, but I'm not a trembling wreck like I was when I only got 1 a week previously.

 

Anyway, thanks for reading and taking time to give your thoughts.

 

-----

 

** This dreaming of elevated intensity would be things like: Dreaming I was in a terrible storm, Dreaming of an awful TV show I saw, or Dreaming a car I'm driving nearly goes off the road.

 

 

[[...]]

Hi all. I have that but it is several times a night, every night. I didn't have it before, so I believe it's withdrawal. Mine is slowly getting better. I am not as far out as you.

Bear

[[Be...]]

I had vivid often disturbing dreams that caused me to wake up revved up as you describe.  I seldom get them any more so I think there was a bit of w/d going on as well.  I'm glad you can get back to sleep.  Sometimes I would be afraid to go back to sleep because I didn't want to slip back into that dream.