For years the doctors have asked if I have weird or distressing dreams. I've always answered No. But I do have enjoyable dreams. If they bother me it's only that I worry that I enjoy them too much. Generally the dreams take me back to my old life as a veterinarian in Wyoming. Plus my hobby of restoring old VWs from the 1960s. Last night was a long dream of me finding an old VW and starting a restoration project. I noticed long cracks in the front hood that would require welding. Then I noticed the left rear wheel was missing even though I'd been able to drive it. My other main hobby was long distance running. Sometimes I dream I'm back on the Pikes Peak Marathon in Colorado. Best part about dreaming about racing is I don't get tired.
I'm not too concerned. But is this a sign of worsening dementia? Before getting sick, I hated going to sleep. Such a waste of time. All through college I learned to live on a couple hours of sleep per night. Now I look forward to going to bed knowing I'll have enjoyable dreams. If I were having nightmares it would be different but I don't have distressing dreams. Or if I do I don't remember them.
Written by
kaypeeoh
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I too have mostly enjoyable, usually vivid, and often strange dreams but I think I always have. If I've had a few beers I can talk in my sleep - incoherent nonsense according to my partner.
I'm not sure if this is related to PD. I was only diagnosed this year and it's early days for me.
I've had episodes of sleepwalking in the past but I'm talking about 30 years ago so maybe it's unrelated, or maybe a precursor. Impossible to say I think.
I think the concern is whether you act out your dreams (physically), because many people with the disease develop REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, where the part of their brain that paralyzes our bodies when we dream so we don't act them out in our sleep doesn't work properly. It can often predate diagnoses by years - even decades! This usually causes very poor sleep and can lead to injuries from the thrashing about.
If your dreams don't cause you distress or interfere with the quality of your sleep, I'm jealous! And I wouldn't be worried about it. Just mention it at your next visit and see what the Doc thinks.
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