[hurley21]

At least 6 nights of the week I have extremely vivid dreams. I dream in color and when I wake up, my body feels like I have actually experienced the things I dreamed about.

I have had constant dreams about my ex. For the longest time, I was always back in his life, trying to get him to love me and he would do something awful to me. Lately, the dreams have shifted. Now, I am with him in the dreams and happy. I kiss him and interact with him like the good old days.

Anyway, all that is besides the point. I find that I am just exhausted all the time because even 10 hours of sleep won't make me feel refreshed if I had a single vivid dream during the night. Any suggestions? Anyone ever actually get rid of them all together?

[billieJ]

Dear Hurley ~ Welcome to PC! The only response to your extreme dreams that I can think of is that it could be a side effect of some medication you might be on. I take a med called Requip for restless leg syndrome which has that effect. Like you, I used to have frequent dreams about my ex. These have essentially stopped since I got up the nerve to call his brother and inferred, from the brother's tone, that the odds for reconciliation were rediculous. I guess I finally faced reality about the situation. This is not to same that your situation is this way. It's not certain that your fatigue on awakening is due to poor quality of sleep, is it? This is not to say that that is not the cause, but it could be something else, such as depression ~ ?? [that is providing that you have that]. I understand that dreams have the purpose of helping us to work through unresolved issues, but I hear what you are saying ~ enough is enough! I think your best bet would be to consult a psychologist about the problem if you can. Therapy can be the best way to work through issues, possibly keeping them from intruding so much on our sleep life. Just a Thought ~ billieJ

[hurley21]

I am not on any medications.

[CChick]

Hi hurly21,
I also have vivid dreams, but about my estranged family (always of them when I knew them, never who they are now).
Almost every night I'l dream a different dream, but of the same flavour.
It will be me trying to get myself and one or more of my siblings out of a dangerous situation. This responsibility always falls unwelcome onto me, but if I don't do it, no one else will. Often we'll be trying to run away or escape. Often betrayed by an authority figures neglect, tyranny, or obtuse consideration for our concerns. Often I'll be searching for something else at the same time.
I always wake up before the 'adventure' is over (which is really annoying because by then I feel like everything I 'did' has gone to waste).

I take this as a sign that although I have my own life now, part of my heart exists very much in the past, a very hurting part.
Regardless, there is nothing I can do to improve my situation. It's something I've learnt to live with. Sometimes it annoys me that my subconscious is still actively involved in living out the past, when I have my own life here and now.

I take from it; that no matter what paths we take, there is an importance (even a gift) in having loved. Even if a reality can no longer exist, part of our heart still acknowledges a present meaning and place, which those who we loved, have in our life.