Nightmares In Hospital

[trapped]

I've been having horrible nightmares the past few nights, and it's even worse cuz I can't do anything to really help myself, since I've been in the hospital since New Years Eve (seizures, now kidneys not functioning right). Anyone have any tips to help with this? It's getting to the point where I'm spazzing out each night before bed because I'm becoming terrified of sleep.

 

[KP the nut]

(((Trapped)))

Do you have any grounding exercises to help you?

I have 3 which help me.

1. If you are in a chair, press your feet against the floor, feel how your legs and bottom feel against thechair, how your back is touching the chair. Concentrate on your body and the chair.
2. Breathe. Concentrate on the rythmn. Breathe in for 4, hold it for 2, then breathe out for 4. Continue until your mind feels calmer.
3. Build a happy place, it can be real or imaginary. Think about what it is like, it is calm, it is peaceful, you are safe. Think of 2 words to descrbe you place and in time with your breathing think of those 2 words.

I haven't been sleeping well and waking up after nightmares. I use the first 2 before going to bed, then I use the 3rd to help me drift off to sleep and to ground me from a nightmare. Last night I slept well, prior to bed, I resisted the urge to check out the forum, I felt tired, so did nothing to reactivate my mind except brush my teeth.

I'm not saying the above guarantee sleep, or that they will chase the demons. They mostly work for me, but sometimes not.

Hang in and ask your T for help as well
KP

 

[trapped]

Thanks KP... part of the problem is I'm basically stuck in a f*cking hospital bed. I thought last night about asking one of the nurses if I could just take a walk around the unit hallway a couple times to get out of the room, and "regroup" but wasn't sure that'd be allowed at night and was afraid to upset her

 

[KP the nut]

Hi , bless you, you really are trapped.
Try the first one as to how your body feels lying in bed.

Also, slightly different, but I start major dental work on Wed. I'm terridied and another member suggested downloading an audio book to my iPod to take my mind off what will be happening. My daughter then commented that if she can't sleep she will fall asleep listening to a book on her iPod. Maybe, as you are in bed you could try that.

 

[Heather]

hi I'm sorry you are having such a hard time. I've been having nightmares lately too and I hate the way that I feel when I wake up in the morning. I just want to hide under the covers yuck. It really does suck.

I don't know if this will help or not but my daughter recently told me that she had a bad dream and when I put her back to bed I asked her to think about what she wanted to dream about and we talked about what kind of dream she wanted to have, who was in her dream, what they did, where they went, etc. etc. etc.

Even my therapist has suggested that to me. If you put an idea into your mind right before you go to sleep your subconcious might pick up on it and you will dream about that instead. Just a suggestion. Wishing you a peaceful, sleep filled with sweet dreams! Heather

 

[h2o]

Hi Trapped,

Hope you manage to stop having your horrible nightmares - I also suffer from (recurring) nightmares. It is the same horrible dream of being raped by a poltergeist. I can't seem to get by without something to help me to get back to sleep - usually a sleeping pill which is probably not the best solution but it helps me cope and gives me the sleep I need to cope. Have you asked the hospital staff for medications to help with your sleep/nightmares? I just know I cannot cope without sleep.

Wishing you all the best and hope you get out of hospital soon,

H2o