REM Behavior Disorder

[livingwith]

First, my heart goes out to all who suffer from or love someone with RBD. I know all too well the emotional and physical pain it can bring to all involved.
And while I empathize with all of you and your stories, at this moment, I feel relieved beyond words to have found this website. I’ve been searching for what feels like forever to find a forum that doesn’t contain outdated posts written 2 or 3 years ago. That said…
My Dad is 64 and was diagnosed with RBD about 6 years ago. ...Read the full article

[Den00336]

Tell your father to try zoloft. It worked for me and I have been dealing with rem disorder for over 30 years. 100milligrams before bedtime.

[sleepy+grumpy]

Thank you for sharing your story. I too am concerned about my father. I began to look up sleep disorders by books in the library and came upon a brief mention of REM Behavior Disorder. The single paragraph discribing RBD spoke volumes to me and I immediately began an internet search to gain more info. In reading your story on your father I can completely realate to your pain and concern. We are just begining this journey and are incouraged to find something that atleast tells us he's not crazy. This began for my dad when he was about 56 and has been getting worse the last 2 years. His episodes are almost nightly and the only help from Dr's has been to tell him to lose some weight and exercise on a more regular basis. They are saying possible sleep apnea, but we know this is something more since he actually caused damage to my mothers eye, by punching her one night. Since then, most nights my mother ends up moving to the couch but my father will eventually wander out to get her and bring her back to bed. Like many, my father remembers the dreams and talks of being chased or chasing someone in a violent manner, but never remembers the physicallity and violence of the dream.
I am wondering how long your father showed symptoms before he was correctly diagnosed? Was he in his mid 50's at the time or younger? Has the violence always been the same or does it increase with time?
Again, thank you for sharing your story! Praise God for the people like you that are willing to share their lifes challenges so that we can all benfit. As they say "knowledge is power."

[wandaful]

Your stories are all too familiar. Until I read them I was realy feeling sorry for myself and my husband who has RBD. I didn't realize until I read your stories how it also effects our children. My husband is 63 and has suffered with RBD for several years. Drs. have given him many meds to try. Clonzepam works the best. About every 6 months he has to increase the dose. He also is on lexapro and seizure meds. I would really like to find a dr. that specializes in RBD. Bless you boys!

[rpda]

[quote="Den00336"]Tell your father to try zoloft. It worked for me and I have been dealing with rem disorder for over 30 years. 100milligrams before bedtime.[/quote]

Thanks for the suggestion and glad to hear it's working for you, but my Father has been on Zoloft in the past and it has not helped. In fact, there is recent research claiming that the SSRI's (Zoloft being one of them) can actually exacerbate RBD symptoms in some people.

[rpda]

Sleepy+Grumpy... So sorry for this belated reply. I gave up checking on these boards since there seemed so little activity. But I'm glad I checked tonight!

In answer to your questions...

Yes, my Father began showing symptoms YEARS before he was correctly diagnosed (if I had to identify the earliest symptoms I'd say it began with leg kicking and thrashing).

Yes, he was in his mid 50s.

Yes, the violence greatly increased over time.

I would urge you to check out Dr. Carlos Schenck's work. He is the authority on RBD and his books, DVD (called SleepRunners) and research were helpful beyond words for my Dad and our family.

I do also want to add that since my initial post I was able to get my Dad a referral to a specialist in our area and he is presently doing better than ever with the new treatment plan. So please, please, please don't give up hope. There is help out there. And please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.