Nightmares?

[Guest BellyTimber]

Gabrielle and Sally,

Dialogue with your "dream faculty" (not in front of people!) and ask it to not be so scary, but more witty and entertaining.

I did and mine are now full of plays and words and concepts, which I enjoy ...

A vivid dream still stays with me rather strongly but I feel more in control.

Best wishes

[AshleyJWU2005]

I've been having horrible nightmares since I went gluten-free. The other night I woke up choking and was wondering if other celiac patients were having the same problems. So I did a google search and found this website. Now I know that I'm not going crazy! I had horrible dreams. Dreams of drowning, ax murders chopping up my family and then my friends then coming after me....and the nighmares keep coming! I'm going to the doctor today to see if he can do anything about these nightmares. I'll keep everyone posted on what happened at the doctors.

[gfincolorado]

I've had nightmares my entire life.  Very vivid and very violent, to the point where I couldn't go back to sleep and I was sure it was real... And VERY violent... Since going gluten-free I haven't really noticed a difference, maybe they've lessened... Did anyone have nightmares before discovering that they had celiac?

Smith

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have always had very vivid dreams and nightmares and night walking ever since I was little. I figured out that BHT and chocolate are the main items that cause my nightmares. My nightmares are absolutely horrible!!! I have only been gluten-free for 2 weeks, along with my 3 children. We have not been diagnosed, but I have basically self-diagnosed myself and my children. We do so much better gluten-free, CF, nut free, corn free. By the way, even if I do gluten-free items that still contain BHT or chocolate I still get nightmares and/or sleep walking.

Hope this helps!

[dogear]

I've suffered from not only bad dreams, but also an extreme startle respoonse and severe anxiety all my life.

To a large extent my anxiety levels have calmed down-which I always attributed to the fact I cut out the excitotoxin additives only a few months before the gluten. But now my dreams have turned from horrible nightmares to simply bizarre.

[Ursa Major]

I've had terrible nightmares all my life, there have been times when being under extreme stress that I'd have ten nightmares a night, and would be afraid of going to bed.

When I came off gluten, lectins and salicylates (everything I'm intolerant to), those nightmares stopped completely. When I tested for those intolerances this past week, I started having disturbing dreams again.

So, I definitely believe that food intolerances and nightmares are connected. Any of you who are taking antidepressants for nightmares may want to look into this, and test yourself for intolerances other than the ones you already know about.

[Silver-naki]

On the subject of Nightmares & bad dreams here... gee, I'm glad I'm not the only one who goes thru these "horrors!" But, I've always been one to dream vividly, but in the past 6-months or so, my dreams & Nightdmares are tremendous!!

I've only been gluten-free for a short time now, but the other night, I had a dream that my Horse was talking to me, and it was just as "common & real" as it could get!! He told me all of his inner thoughts! Laugh! {Hmmmmm--- wonder if anybody can beat that type of a Nightmare?!!.... "Balam & the Donkey" in the BIBLE maybe?!!!!!!}

I'm still trying to get my diet "leveled-out," and still doing the Science with it, to determine what I really CAN & CAN'T eat....... so I'm sure this is a major factor. I'm glad I'm not alone with this subject here!

"Sweet dreams" everyone!

[gabby]

A talking horse is pretty scarey. I once had a nightmare about these huge black furry spiders that made big webs in the corner of the room up near the ceiling. and these spiders would look at me and then they would laugh. Laughing spiders. Now there's a nightmare I'll never forget.

But my nightmares and bizarre dreams all stopped once I went gluten free. Now, I usually don't even remember my dreams. They fade away as soon as I awake.

Now, it's just restful sleep zzzzzzz

[jerseyangel]

I almost never have a nightmare, although I do remember my dreams more often now. But last night, I had a dream that a certain neighbor that I don't get along with was at my house when I got home and was redecorating my family room. I didn't want any more trouble, so I let her do it! Even in my sleep, I can be a wuss sometimes

[Silver-naki]

Whoa~

"Talking Horses, Laughing Spiders, & neighbors re-decorating your Family Room," WOW!! This is so awesome that some of your folks are sharing your vivid dreams here! I got a good chuckle out of the stories, & some of this stuff almost sounds like it would make a good Movie "plot" for Star Trek or something, huh?

I am still having some really "bizarre" dreams, and so far, with being "gluten-free," my dreams have NOT diminished any. But of course, I think everyone is different, so I may just be the type that will possibly "dream my Life away~"

... as long as they aren't real horrific dreams, I guess I can handle it. { I haven't had any nightmares about trying to eat out in a "Wheat-infested" place or anything yet!! } Laugh!!! Thanks for sharing!

[Rusla]

Talking horses would not bother me but hairy spiders would.

The other night I dreamt I was mad at everyone over environmental pollution, the year was 2046. I got so mad at all the countries for continuing to pollute that I declared it was time for me to die.

[Silver-naki]

Talking horses would not bother me but hairy spiders would.

The other night I dreamt I was mad at everyone over environmental pollution, the year was 2046. I got so mad at all the countries for continuing to pollute that I declared it was time for me to die.

WHOA Rusla!!.... the year 2046???? WOW!.... just think, I don't think any of us will have to worry about "gluten" that far in advance, huh? (giggle!)

[floridanative]

Only been gluten-free for 6 days. Very rarely do I remember my dreams. So yesterday at 5:30 am I awoke from a horribly vivid nightmare. It involves my two grown siblings, my parents and me. I have never dreamed about my parents since I've been grown that I remember anyway. So we are in a hotel which inside evokes memories of the house I grew up in. During this trip my dad who is in the car business somehow sold my car behind my back (excuse me it's not even paid off). In the dream the only material possession that was from real life was my car. In return for my car my dad gives me a check and some cash and a trade in car (life sized plastic thing that doesn't even run!) and all that added together is much less than my car is worth. So I start screaming at him and he keeps saying he's really sorry, he couldn't help it. So then my mother chimes in for me to stop yelling at my dad and I turn my venom on her. This screaming went on until I started to lose my voice and then I woke up with a racing pulse.

After calming myself down, I tried to think why had I acted so hatefully in the dream. I have never yelled at my dad in my life and was a typical bratty teen who did yell at mom sometimes, but never like in this dream. I love my car in real life but would not value it over my family or any person ever needless to say. Then finally it hit me. The car represents my old way of life which was taken from me in an instant. Everything about the way I go through my life has to be relearned - like I'm in kindergarten almost. I feel like a freak in a sea of 'normal' people. And I know that one parent had to give me the gene for this lovely condition. But I don't of course know which one, and may never. On a subconsious level I'm obviously blaming them which I'd never do in real life. The only thing that was odd is regarding the money my dad gave me, the check amt. and the cash amt. were $500 different. I could not figure out if those figures (and the fact that they were different amounts) had any meaning. Anyone out there who likes to interpret dreams?

[TestyTommy]

For years and years, I never had any dreams while I slept. After going gluten-free, I started having dreams again/ Some were 'nightmares', some were just weird.

For those of you post, have your dreams changed and gotten scarier, or are you just having/remembering more dreams.

My guess is that I'm sleeping more soundly, so I'm (happily) spending more time in the deep sleep state necessary for dreaming.

[Silver-naki]

My guess is that I'm sleeping more soundly, so I'm (happily) spending more time in the deep sleep state necessary for dreaming.

....Hmmmm, this is interesting here, because since I have gone "gluten-free," my Sleep patterns & dreams have actually gotten WORSE! This is no kidding. I'm wondering if anybody else out there is having this same problem???

I'm hoping my system will adapt to all the changes, & perhaps "settle down" later on? Maybe I'm just having "Wheat-withdrawals!"

[Kim UPST NY]

Nightmares Yes ! I totally understand I have them Alot and they stick with me all day, The images aren't a scary as the emotion I fell during them. I have Axiety also acctually since I was 11 and now I'm 34 I was ok for about 10 yrs but I got very very sick a month ago and was finally diagnosed with Celiac and the Panic has kicked back in! I also have Food Phobias which now makes sence cause I always did . I would Eat , feel sick , Think the food was bad or tampered with , then I would panic and throw up , It's awful.

[jerseyangel]

Hi Kim, and welcome! What caught my eye first was your name--are you in upstate NY? I'm from Syracuse. Anyway, I totally relate to the dreams. Before I began the diet, I rarely remembered my dreams--now, they are more vivid and I remember them (too) often! Weird combos of people and places from very different times in my life. Strange

[Kim UPST NY]

Thank you , I am acctually in Waterford NY near Saratoga and I am trying to find any information or any support groups in my Area. I am so scared of changing my life , but I am also happy that I finaly know whats wrong with me. I was really sick of having Doctors tell me it's all in your head. Now I know it was all in my Tummy!!

[Rusla]

I have always had nightmares but my worst one to do with gluten was being held prisoner in a room. The had me tied to a chair and were trying to force donuts and bread into my mouth. I wasn't that crazy about donuts before going gluten-free.

[Lynxear]

Nightmares that seem real for a while when you wakeup may indicate narcolepsy

Only about 10% of the population that have Narcolepsy are ever diagnosed for this disease. My GP had to look up cataplexy (loss of muscle control) in his medical dictionary when I suggested I had it. I diagnozed myself after reading a newspaper article on the subject. I had problems with falling asleep and I had cataplexy...the latter scared the H3LL out of me as I thought it was Parkeison's or something like that.

I posted this in another forum area but I think it should be posted here too. It will help you know if Narcoplexy is a possibilty

I am borderline narcoleptic. I have undergone a sleep study to prove it. During the study I got 10 hours of very light sleep....relatively normal....but following this sleep every hour for 5 following hours you are asked to fall asleep....after 10 hours of sleep I could do this within 5 minutes of being asked....this is not normal.

Hence I am borderline and have to be very careful driving distances...there are various tests to decide if you may be narcoleptic, prior to being subjected to a sleep study...they include:

1. Have you ever fallen asleep at a movie theatre or in front of the TV when you REALLY wanted to watch that show?

2. Do you dream and wake up from a terrifying dream...but not realize that you are awake and live the dream for a while?

3. Do you drive your car on a highway but don't know where you are until the next signpost goes by?

4. Do you intend to drive to the mall, but suddenly realize you are driving to work? (automatic behavior)

5. Finally....and this was the confirming condition for me....do you have cataplexy? This is the condition where you lose muscle control when excited....literally "fall down laughing" or paralized speech lasting several seconds. I have this....very embarrassing...for me it happens unexpectedly when I find something funny or crack a joke...rarely but sometimes when I am angry.

So that is how you suspect you have narcolepsy....most GP's have no clue how to diagnose this disease.