[Tessie08]

I've had what I'm guessing is REM sleep disorder since I was 6, which doesn't seem to really fit the older male demographic that seems the most common.
Anyway, although there seem to be sleep clinics galore in the States, there doesn't seem to be a lot in NZ. I wanted to know if anyone here was from NZ and had sought medical attention for REM sleep disorder? I would be really keen to talk to you.
Also I am a writer and I am interested in writing an article on my own sleep problems and would be interested in hearing other people's stories.

[mik_12]

Hi,

I am based in NZ and have some experience of this disorder, would be interested to hear more about your story

Cheers

[Tessie08]

Hi Mik,
After a bit more research I think it's more likely that I suffer from a combo of night terrors and sleep walking rather than REM sleep disorder. For instance I always have my eyes open during episodes, whereas REM sufferers don't, and I tend to do it right after I've gone to sleep whereas REM sufferers do it later at night.

Have you been diagnosed with REM? I'd be interested to hear if you have gone through any treatment. As I said in my earlier post, there really isn't much around in terms of specialists in NZ.

Cheers,
Tessa

[mik_12]

Hi Tessa - Thanks for your fast reply. My husband suffers from something similar; have not had formal tests so may be RBD or may be something else like pseudo-RBD sleep apnoea.
He's had it since his teens and Im interested that there is almost no research on RBD in young people.

Also interesting that you say they dont normally have their eyes open; I would have thought that would be necessary for dream-enacting behaviour! Haha. My husband always has his eyes open when acting these out. My thoughts are that there are so many more people out there with these experiences than the literature shows. Glad to find these forums; will keep an eye out if you post any more replies! Where in NZ are you based?

[linseygurl]

Hi there! I am in the same boat... but with some perserverance with my GP I have been put onto Chris Drennan in Christchurch. To get things done on the public system faster I paid $275.00 for a private consult and now I am under the public system just waiting for a date for my sleep study and MRI. Feeling a bit lost... but finally there is a slight light at the end of the tunnel!!