REM Behavior Disorder

[livingwith]

My husband was diagnosed with RBD about 3 years ago. I knew that that is what he had years before but couldn’t find a dr. who understood what is going on.
A year ago he was waking me up on average 3 times a night, with his screaming, punching yelling, swearing, and many nights him falling out of bed. He has put a hole in the wall, cut his hands, head, gone head first into the dresser, but only once ever left the room.
Just lately his loud nights have come back, his nightmares are becoming...Read the full article

[johnson4013]

Hi,
My husband also has this syndrome. He has just started breaking through 1 mg of Clonazapam and is not willing to go any higher because it makes him so sleepy. We have just decided that we need separate bedrooms. This syndrome is so sad because they have no control over what they are doing, and as much as we feel sorry for them, we must also protect ourselves. We have decided that until a better solution comes along that lets us sleep together, we will just have to make better use of the daylight hours. This is such a shame though, because unlike mental illnesses, they are fully aware of the dysfunction that they have during their sleeping hours. My husband is currently seeing a neurologist in San Diego who specializes in sleep disorders, but who has little to offer other than an increase in dosages. I'd love to talk with you further.

[wandaful]

We are on our way to another specialist on sleep disorders in Des Moines. Will let you all know how it turns out. My husband continues to have awful nights on 4mg. of clonazepam, drowsy days and times of daytime dizziness and confusion.

[johnson4013]

I hope that the specialist can give you some good news, and a treatment that you both can live with. I am very surprised that there are not more comments on this site - this problem affects the entire household and I think that spouses need the support of one another. Although I know that some are embarassed to talk about it, I am sure that there are many people who are trying to cope with this situation and could use some comaraderie. Maybe RBD needs some publicity to get funding for more research as well as to enable sufferers and their spouses to talk about it and know that they are not alone. My father had Multiple Sclerosis and it became a disease that the entire family deals with. It was amazing, looking back, that no one ever asked my mother how she was coping with it all.

By the way, have the waters receded from most areas? I can sympathize with the plight of the Midwest - we lost our home in the October 07 wildfires that hit San Diego and Ramona. Our insurance company was wonderful (Auto club), but the disorganization and disruption was difficult to deal with. We are now nearly rebuilt (same sight) and are hoping that neither we or anyone else will never wake up to fire at the back door again. Best Regards , Janet

[wandaful]

Thank you for the words of encouragement. We have not been affected by the floods but by a wind storm last week that took our trees down by the roots. I thought it was a tornado.
I know what you mean about your father having MS and it being the concern of the whole family.
There is not enough out there about this disorder and not enough on the media either.
I just found this sight 2 weeks ago. I have been on the web for a year trying to get anyone to tell me that they know what we are going through. I will post how our doctors appointment goes next week. Wish us luck!!!!!!!!