I have been taking these for around 5 years now. For the past 4 years I have been having nasty and disturbing dreams most nights with a few proper nightmares. These are bugging me more and more. Does anyone else suffer with these? And could they be caused by my meds? My dreams are mainly anxiety ones. Does anyone know please?
Bev x
Hi hypercat, one lot of meds the nightmares I had were horrific, I would wake up crying or screaming and remembered them in detail. My GP changed my prescription as they left me traumatized, overwrought, new meds rarely have a nightmare (once in four to six weeks). So only 'my' thought, it could be your meds. Have a read of your med instructions it might say one of the side effects is nightmares.
Which gave you the nightmares and what do you take now?
Hi Lucky19, that was about 5 years ago, can't remember. I went through a few different ones before settling on the one I now take. One gave me nightmares, one I couldn't eat or drink, another I couldn't sleep. But fine now on Cymbalta (Duloxotine).
Funny, I've been thinking of asking to try this one as I'm already on Edronax (Reboxetine) which is its precursor and suits me fine and gives me more energy.
Nice to know someone that takes it that it suits.
Hello does edronax work for depression do you get any side effects xx
Hi Bev,
Yes, I have them too but thought it was my diazepam. Last night I woke 3 times with vivid dreams/nightmares. I also take 300mg Venlafaxine, 4mg Edronax, varied amounts of prochlorperazine plus co-codamol and occasional oral morphine and also my emphysema inhalers.
As I am tapering the diazepam, co-codamol and haven't taken the Edronax for 5 days, the prochlorperazine is as required for nausea so intermittent as is the morphine I can only put it down to either the diazepam or Venlafaxine (dosage doesn't seem to make any difference).
The only thing I can say is that I quit smoking last month for 3 weeks and slept solidly without dreams and as soon as I started smoking again they resumed. Strange isn't it?
Nicotine acts on the Dopamine transmitters and I haven't a clue which transmitters cause REM (dream) sleep so basically I'm clueless except that I was using nicotine replacement which makes it even stranger...perhaps something else added to cigarettes???
Will do some research and see what I can come up with,
Lorraine
Hi Hypercat, Just read your post and can say I've suffered the same ever since I started taking sertraline - I've also heard others on this medication say they have vivid dreams.
Lou
HI Hypercat, I tend to have nightmares when I am worried or anxious, but definitely some meds are worse than others for the nightmares. Maybe have a look at the leaflet and see if its one of the side effects. Now I am on Effexor and have no problem. If I cant sleep I take Stilnoct and dont have any problems.
In a nutshell talk to your Doctor and he will note this and maybe change the Meds, also remember our dreams tend to reflect how we are doing emotionally, I suffered a terrible lot all my life with bad dreams, but now as my anxiety is gone and things are much less stressful , I rarely have nightmares. So make a list of what things are worrying you too and see how you can change them bit by bit, this might help. Sorry to ramble on.
Hannah xx
You never ramble Hannah! You always give good advice. I obviously do have my worries but one of my biggest is lack of a job. There are very few jobs in my area I can do physically. I apply when I can but am getting nowhere fast. Not much I can do about it though. Its the same with my other problems - am trying but life seems to be against me at the moment. Thanks for your advice though.
Bev xx
Thanks for your replies everyone. Its much appreciated. I did mention these dreams to my doctor some time ago and she said we can try different medication. But the ones I am on are brilliant in every other way and I am too scared to change them.
Its interesting how many of you have bad dreams and I know now that my meds are probably to blame. Will have to wait and see how it goes. At lease I know now I am not on my own.
Thanks again. Sweet dreams everyone....
Bev xx
8 weeks on sertraline
My Adult Son is a Psycho. 
Fraught relationship with demanding elderly mother
Depersonalization/Derealization
Heartbroken and devestated
