Advice please

[sarahjane12]

Hi any advice would be really appreciated so I have been on my montelukast for 2 years for my asthma and allergies it’s just the nightmares am having on them I was just wondering if I could take them when needed Ano it’s says on box take one a night but my nightmares are getting worse thanks in advance x

[TuckBox2]

Hi Sarahjane,

I have been taking Montelukast for 20+ years, I was taking it with my other meds when going to bed, which could be 0.00, 1.00 or later, then taking my other meds again at 7.00 in the morning which was not helping me. I am now taking meds at 7.00 and again at 19.00, I found this helped with my asthma especially meds that I should have 2x a day and it helps me sleep better too.

[sarahjane12 in reply to TuckBox2]

Thanks for advice

[Minushabens]

I've seen quite a lot written lately about nightmare/vivid dreams & montelukast. I know it has sedative properties; I believe the purpose being to help to relax you at night to support better breathing. I've been taking it for a few years now & whilst I think I get some increased level of dreaming, it's not been a major issue for me.

Anyhow, for what it's worth, here's my take on it. I think that not breathing well is a far bigger concern at night than dreams. Although dreams can be traumatic, they are in essence nothing more than your brain processing day-to-day things in a surreal manner. If you can train yourself to simply think along the lines of 'blimey, that was a wild one', you can potentially gain all the benefits of the drug, of which I believe there are many, whilst minimising an unpleasant, but ultimately harmless, side effect.

I know that's easy for me to say & I'm not having to deal with whatever you are having to deal with, but hopefully, there's a little food for thought there to help

[sarahjane12 in reply to Minushabens]

Hi minushabens thank you for advice the tablets are brilliant for my asthma and allergies but once I have the nightmares which is every night almost I can’t get back to sleep then am sleepy all next day and have 4 kiddies to look after trio to doctors I think thanks again for advice

[Minushabens in reply to sarahjane12]

I can imagine that's hard - I've been something of an insomniac most of my life & I know that over the years managing jobs, kids, life & an unhealthy obsession with football have all been made harder by not sleeping.

Oddly, because I have an interest in psychology, I've made a bit of a study of dreams over the years. My family always get me to interpret their dreams & are always hugely disappointed when the explanation is (as it usually is) stunningly dull & mundane!

I guess only you can decide on the balance that you need though & I hope you find a way forward.

[sarahjane12 in reply to Minushabens]

Thanks very much minushabens really appreciate your advice

[beech]

I take mine in the morning, and don’t find it makes me drowsy during the day. I don’t get nightmares either, so perhaps try taking it then, or early in the evening and see if that helps.

[Joan_Public]

Hi sarahjane,

I sympathize with your situation as I had such horrific nightmares taking Montelukast, plus i also experienced really strong suicidal feelings. I also have a history of severe mental health problems in addition to severe asthma (although my asthma wasn't diagnosed as severe at that time). in the end, I stopped taking them. Have you discuss the side effects with your asthma nurse or doc?

Asthma control is a balancing act about weighing up the benefits and negatives, and in the end its up to you to decide what is tolerable in terms of achieving good control over your symptoms while managing the other aspects of daily life. It helps to get advice from a health professional who may be able to suggest other things you can try if you decide that Montelukast is not right for you.

Good luck