Night terrors

[BarbH]

Does anyone have experience of night terrors - I have these occasionally and act out by lashing out in my sleep unfortunately ending up pushing my partner. My Parkinsons nurse is recommending a tablet to be taken at bed time - does anyone else take medication for this ?? Were there any side effects??
Thank you
Barbara Heavey

[Reah]

Hi @BarbH,

Seeing as you haven’t received a response from the community as yet, I thought I’d share some information that you may find useful.

People with Parkinson’s may experience a range of sleep conditions which includes night tremors. We have a lot information and tips via the Parkinson’s UK website here: Sleep problems and conditions in Parkinson's | Parkinson's UK

Also, many members on the forum have shared their own experiences with night tremors which you may find helpful and may even find some helpful tips. Please the list of threads below:

Tremor & Sleep

Hi all, Just wondering how your tremor is when you don’t get much sleep. If I don’t sleep well. I notice when I’ve had a couple of nights of not much sleep, my usual very minor tremor is far worse and noticeable to others.

Early signs and tremors

Thank you for your response. Really good advice. I actually noticed a twitch in the instep of my foot last night whilst I was watching television. Like you, I have put down some symptoms to middle age and tried not to focus on it too much. Quite hard to do when you have very young children and end up thinking into the future. Anyway, I will take your advice and live for today/ book the holiday/ buy the dress etc/ and try to get more exercise. Thank you

Sleep

HI everyone   I also do the night shift most nights. Our rermedy was to buy an adjustable bed with separate mattresses and hubby says he doesn't feel me wriggling and tossing trying to turn over. He doesn't even hear the motor whirring when I adjust the bed. I find  raising my legs helps the tremor at night. What does disturb him is the noise I make when I start dreaming as I shout and thrash about. He never knows whether to wake me or not as if he does I might not get back to sleep. If I take…

Lastly, if you’d like to speak to someone about this in more detail or need further support on medication, please give our helpline a call and speak to one of our trusted advisers. Do give us a call on 0808 800 0303.

Best wishes,
Reah

[Lemon]

“tremors” or “terrors” ?

I experience Terrors - (Nightmares) - & have done on and off for years.

What really helps me is to keep things light before bedtime. I watch a comedy on TV, then read some of my book (which contains no horrors), or look about some nice place on Google StreetView just before falling asleep.

I still do a bit of screaming from time to time. I can remember why too. But I shalln’t say in case it seeds some horror in someone else’s mind.

[gordon]

Hi dreamers The best method in dealing with night mares is to take control of them. its difficult, you have to remember all the characters are you. You need( a trigger) to realise it. I have a plate with a couple of teeth on it. l wouldn’t speak without it so as I remove it at night when I talk in my sleep l no it’s a dream. G

[Jillybeth]

Hi I was diagnosed with PD, about 4 years ago and 1 of the symptoms I had was night terrors. The neurologist prescribed Clonazepam 500mg, this stopped the night terrors. Then a few months later I started to have problems going to the toilet, it was odd because I took laxatives but I still struggled as my toilet resembled that of a small cat. I see the gastroenterologist and had several tests colonoscopy etc and nothing showed up. I couldn’t eat, I felt full constantly and I was loosing weight and had lost 3 and half stone.

A year ago I lost my dad, and a week later I woke up In the night with chest pain’s unable to breathe, heart palpitations shaking badly and was taken to A&E, these episodes caused night after night of laying awake, shaking, stomach pains and months of tests nothing found, my arms hands, legs and feet were numb, going black and blue but still no reason found. I was given an appointment for the cardiovascular unit later this year.

The episodes got worse my breathing was so bad I got faint just getting out of the chair. I was prescribed Amitryptaline a few years ago because of difficulty sleeping but they made me drowsy, so I stopped. In desperation I took an amitryptaline to help me sleep, I checked and it is not advisable to take with Clonazepam, so I stopped it for a few days and just took amitryptaline for 2 nights. That was 6 weeks ago, now I can eat, my digestive system is fine, I don’t shake my circulation is almost back to normal. I researched my condition, side effects of Clonazepam and it turns out the only logical explanation is that Clonazepam interferes with your Vagus Nerve causing it to malfunction.
Not many specialists want to consider that option as it is extremely difficult to prove. So I am back to square one with the night terrors, and Clonazepam is not an option for me. So can anyone give me any advice of how to stop these terrors, I have tried all suggestions so far, no change. Many thanks for any help you can give me.

[Lar]

Hi Jilly

I believe melatonin may help