Very vivid but very strange dreams ( not in a good way )

[Shyandretiring]

Hi everyone

Shy here.

Since recieving my first and only steroid injection to date last Tuesday and being diagnosed with RA for the first time, I have noticed the above happening almost every time I manage to get some sleep. (i.e. Unsettling dreams ).

To the point that although tired, I am reluctant to sleep because the dreams are upsetting and or downright weird !

Can anyone else relate to this, or it it just me being subconsciously upset or maybe the drugs in the injection just working through my body ?.

Kind regards

Shy

[Neonkittie17]

I think the bad dreams will wear off. I haven’t ever had bad dreams with steroid injections but I do when I’m on antibiotics. Hope you are soon back to sweet dreams!

[Shyandretiring in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thanks NeonkittieMay be subconcious then, like depression.

Kind regards

Shy

[helixhelix]

I don’t have a problem with steroid injections, but I do with oral steroids (a slightly different drug) which make me go loopy! Plus I can’t sleep and turn into an emotional roller coaster,

Just being diagnosed is a horrible time, so don’t underestimate the shock that is to you. It may well me that this is your body’s way of dealing with it, and it will wear off soon. But be nice to yourself.

[Shyandretiring in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you HHI am aware as I can be regarding the psychological toll of being diagnosed with a potentially ( early days ) life changing disease

manifesting itself in so many different ways for different people.

I am trying to be as nice to myself as I can ( slice of Battenburg and a nice cup of tea ! ) when I am aware of it.

It's just getting to grips with the disturbing dreams at the moment.

Kind regards

Shy

[medway-lady in reply to Shyandretiring]

I like your solution and take heart RA is a challenge but it does have medications which work very well. I've achieved remission twice now and have no real issues, no pain or swelling just pop the pills and do the jab every week. But its taken time. I know it sounds daft but could the current state of things with Covid be worrying too, as I know I've had some strange dreams and frightened my husband by waking up crying. And I've no issue with RA so wondered if I've watched too much news.

[Shyandretiring in reply to medway-lady]

Thank you medway-ladyMay I ask how long you have been living with RA and when you say remission how ling did the first one last ( I know it's different for everybody ).

And when the 1st remission came to and end was the RA worse or better if you can remember.

I do not really know why I have asked this, perhap's it's purely from a skewed view of some hope !!!

I hope I have not been to intrusive.

Kind regards

Shy

[medway-lady in reply to Shyandretiring]

About 20 years in total, it was just a sore finger for years then it bit and I had a sore hand and they blood test was positive. So referred to a consultant ( I had insurance from work) he said treat aggressively and was put on MTX. That was about 10 years ago it was fine except my hair fell out in handfulls and it was like being set alight starting in the tum and going to my head. So stopped and put on LEF with Omeprazole to protect the tum, remission after about 3 months and felt great then I had a very, very rare reaction and kidney failure. So the LEF stopped along with the Omeprazole, it is believed to be down to the Omeprazole but I stress it's very, very rare only happened to a few other people and the Consultant is writing about it for a medical journal. . After some months and yes it hurt like hell I was put on Azathyoprine and all was well but the RA increased in strength and Benapali was added at the start of 2020, It took some 3 months before that really worked and now no swelling or symptoms at all. Obviously with kidney issues I still have fatigue but its not due to the RA and my blood proves that as the CRP is great but the eGFR is bad which tells them that the RA is controlled but the kidney is still not working. I'd really stress that you must not worry about the risk of a med. re action like Omeprazole as its widely prescribed and very safe. It was just bad luck its happened to so few people and it was picked up by blood test. I was lucky an RA registrar got me a bed and even visited me every day for 2 weeks so its vital to keep up the regular blood tests and be optamistic that it might take time but the medications do work, it just takes time. And it wasn't intrusive I'd rather encourage someone, than say its so awful etc .as life is precious and you can never get RA to go away on its own , but it can be, and is treatable. Before the AKI I rambled, swum, bird-watched, gardened and danced a lot, now obviously life is limited but its still good and so never give up. And I do think that Covid played on my mind then I decided it mustn't. And I stopped watching the news at 10 as it was always bad.

[Shyandretiring in reply to medway-lady]

Wow Thank you so much for your very comprehensive reply.

You really have been through it and have come out the other side with such a great attitude, you are truly inspiring !

I am so glad that you are in a better place with everything I truly am. x

I am absolutely with you all the way with the news and have cut back on it recently, not because of the scary side of it but because the journalists seem to have the same stories although very sad and real night after night and seem to dramatise a situation that does not need dramatising any more to the point of frightening and depressing people ( especially people who are living alone).

Apologise for having a bit of a rant but the journalists are almost justifying their own jobs reporting on other people's misery ( I realise that is an essential part of the job spec ) but it's the way that they go about it, it's irresponsible in many ways and any mental illness or death's that they may have contributed to, they will then report on too, but without any blame attributed to them.

Phew !

Another rant following on after the apology for the first rant 😖

Kind regards

Shy

[medway-lady in reply to Shyandretiring]

And I agree with every word. I'm not unsympathetic but can't cope with its morbid fascination every night. I'm frightened enough to have shopped on line since February last year mind you I've got £45 of points to use still. And I love shopping . lol My sister is a nurse and has had it, I know its serious costing a lot of lives and is truly awful but watching before going to bed it just prays on my mind.

PS my attitude is when life gives you lemons you make lemonade and its a journey with RA with some stations, a bit of an uphill journey and then the destination of remission. I have pANCA which is a particular type of antibody so always tested positive but to me its just like being blue eyed thus I can't change it so not going to think too much about it.

[Marionfromhappydays]

I was absolutely the same, ive only ever had 1 steroid depo injection and I would wake up crying because of a really vivid dreams. Did wear off though, it does make you wonder whats going on !

The oral steroids I have the same reaction as Helix stated above, I thought I was having a mental breakdown ! Nobody really said that could be a potential side affect and when I told my consultant she wasn't surprised! Wish she had told me before .

Take care x

[Shyandretiring in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Hi Marionfromhappydays

I am really taken aback that no-one would mention the potential emotional/mental side effect that a medicine can have, poor you.

I am so glad that you contacted me to let me with this !

I think that I will pass on the oral steroids as that would I am sure ruin me.

😭Kind regards

Shy

[allanah in reply to Shyandretiring]

Some people dont do well on steroids so I think you are correct but I would discuss it with your rheumy as if your inflammation is high it might be a great short treatment that is necessary . However if its affecting your mental health or particularly if you feel depressed you should contact the rheumy asap to discuss your treatment. Feel better soon, keep chatting here if it helps xx

[Shyandretiring in reply to allanah]

Thanks Allanah I am not feeling helpless yet , but thank you, it hasn't quite been a week yet so very much in the foothills of all of this at the moment.

I will take your advice though about the Rheumy people rather than make myself worse with the mental side.

I must say though people in this site have been wonderful with there advice. 🙂

Kind regards

Shy

[allanah in reply to Shyandretiring]

Glad you are able to say it as it is, by that you are helping others too !

[Hidden]

Definitely the steroid injection it will settle down . Oral steroids really effective me mentally

[Shyandretiring in reply to Hidden]

Thanks J1707

[oldtimer]

I have weird dreams when I have to increase the steroids. It's very disturbing to wake up disorientated and often very afraid irrationally. And not want to go back to sleep in case of going back into the scary dream. I make myself focus on something pleasant like a view I remember or looking at a rose flower to try and get the previous images out of my mind. I hope you find a way of dealing with the dreams.

[Shyandretiring in reply to oldtimer]

Thank you Old-timer

This is something I will try from today and see if it works for me 🧐

I will defiantly let you know how I get on !

Many thanks

Shy

[Vonnie10]

Hi I'm.the same there horrible it does go away just try and ignore it..the Joy's of RA for some some get side effects of steroids some dont im unlucky like you but it will.get better x

[Shyandretiring in reply to Vonnie10]

Thank you VonnieKind regards

Shy x

[AgedCrone]

Tell your rheumy team...there are some steroids that do have CNS symptoms...hopefully they will be able to change the type of steroid you were given!