Lifelong nightmares?

I've had nightmares for as long as I can remember (2 years old). They are often extremely violent and deal with death (I don't watch horror films or anything scary). I remember them all. I wake up drenched in sweat (my sheets, too), my joints hurt from tensing, I'm exhausted from having them and feel like I haven't slept at all. I've had upwards of 5 in one night -- I've had to call out from work the next day because it's made me feel like I was hit by a truck. Lately, even, I've bruised myself in my sleep from my body stiffening. I sometimes have flashbacks during the day to nightmares I've had years ago. I saw a sleep specialist who insisted it was not a sleep disorder but just anxiety-based. I'm not sure I agree with his diagnosis.

I got terrible nightmares from taking Seroquel for schizophrenia. I dreamed wild dogs ate my friends and I could actually smell their dead bodies, what was left of them. That's just one example. I can relate to your problem. I was afraid to go to sleep, even during the day.

My psychiatrist prescribed Imipramine 50 mg just for nightmares. After a few weeks my nightmares were gone. Now I only get them about twice a year, which is normal instead of every night.

Perhaps you could ask your doctor if this medication would help you and maybe you would need a higher dose. I didn't have any side effects, but you could ask your pharmacist for a printout of the possible side effects, so you would be aware of what to watch for. Good luck!