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Three Times In The Last 6 Months I Have Acted
Question: Three times in the last 6 months I have acted out an action in a dream for a moment upon awakening (either a kick or punch). I've never gotten injured or fallen out of bed. It's just a brief movement. Prior to six months ago, something like this did happen but only about once a year. Note that I have had a lot stressful events in the past six months.
I'm reading conflicting things online about this. Some articles seem to say it's normal to have something like this occasionally happen and others say it's idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder. Some studies then say idiopathetic RBD is a big risk factor for neurological disorders. Note that my father and uncle both developed spinocerebellar ataxia at around age 50.
Do I need a sleep study? Given the above, how concerning are the symptoms I described? Are they closer to normal or RBD? I'm not aware of doing extensive dream enacting behaviors but I've read that many people with RBD do not have awareness of their DEBs. So the possibility that I'm doing them and not aware of it is worrying me.
Note that I am 39 years old and in good health other than what I've described above. I do have a minor hand tremor, but that began about 20 years ago. I also for many years have been grinding my teeth at night and use a night guard. My dentist doesn't think I need to worry about sleep apnea, though, since I'm thin and I don't have other symptoms of it.
I'm reading conflicting things online about this. Some articles seem to say it's normal to have something like this occasionally happen and others say it's idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder. Some studies then say idiopathetic RBD is a big risk factor for neurological disorders. Note that my father and uncle both developed spinocerebellar ataxia at around age 50.
Do I need a sleep study? Given the above, how concerning are the symptoms I described? Are they closer to normal or RBD? I'm not aware of doing extensive dream enacting behaviors but I've read that many people with RBD do not have awareness of their DEBs. So the possibility that I'm doing them and not aware of it is worrying me.
Note that I am 39 years old and in good health other than what I've described above. I do have a minor hand tremor, but that began about 20 years ago. I also for many years have been grinding my teeth at night and use a night guard. My dentist doesn't think I need to worry about sleep apnea, though, since I'm thin and I don't have other symptoms of it.
I just wanted to add I'm on Wellbutrin (100 mg twice a day) and a very low dose of Celexa liquid (1 mg a day). I've been on these medications for at least a decade. Also, I've read there is such a thing as "subclinical" RBD and I wonder if that's what I have.
Brief Answer:
Evaluation is necessary for a correct understanding.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.
I have read your query and here is my advice.
It is true that REM behavior disorder may be linked in some cases with neurological conditions such as Lewy-body dementia, Parkinson's, etc.
Periodic follow up with your Neurologist is necessary in such a case.
But, antidepressant drugs use also may cause such disorder.
In my opinion, in order to clarify your condition, a sleep study is necessary.
Also, getting off the antidepressants that you are using, gradually, it is necessary to understand better the potential role of the adverse effects in your symptoms.
Discuss with your Neurologist about these issues.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Evaluation is necessary for a correct understanding.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.
I have read your query and here is my advice.
It is true that REM behavior disorder may be linked in some cases with neurological conditions such as Lewy-body dementia, Parkinson's, etc.
Periodic follow up with your Neurologist is necessary in such a case.
But, antidepressant drugs use also may cause such disorder.
In my opinion, in order to clarify your condition, a sleep study is necessary.
Also, getting off the antidepressants that you are using, gradually, it is necessary to understand better the potential role of the adverse effects in your symptoms.
Discuss with your Neurologist about these issues.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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