Triggering (Substance Abuse) - nightmares through butane gas?

freigeist · 07-04-2010, 08:01 PM

Hello everyone,

I notice that my boyfriend is having heavy nightmares at the moment and he can't really sleep. I usually sleep in his room but that's not really possible as sometimes he wakes up in the middle of the night and hits me and doesn't even realise that I'm not someone who wants to harm him.
I know he's been struggleing with nightmares and insomnia for most of his lifetime but it seems to get worse. I know that it is normal to have bad dreams from time to time but I'm a bit worried about the reason why he is having them now again. Since we've been a couple (which is only for a few months) I haven't seen him as anxious and jumpy as he is at the moment...

The first time I realised that he must have really bad dreams was last Sunday, when we stayed in another house for Easter. I know that he occasionally inhales butane gas (lighter gas) which I absolutely hate and he knows exactly how I think about. It's horrible for me how he changes and how he starts behaving like a retarted little kid and it's already freaked me out quite a lot and I had one of my worst dissociations ever caused to his behaviour after using the gas.
Anyway, he used it again last Sunday and fell asleep afterwards. He'd been asleep for almost 5 hours and I was really worried, I thought he would have died. I tried to wake him up and when I came near to him and he woke up he screamed and nearly jumped out of the bed and wanted to get away from me. I know how it is to be woken up when you're caught in a nightmare but I think I can say that I never reacted like that.
Since then, he's been having a lot of nightmares, sometimes he falls asleep right after he comes home from work, sleeps for a couple of hours and when I try to wake him up for dinner, he screams and yells at me and I don't know what to do.

I know it does not necessarily have to do anything with the butane but I find it a bit strange that it has become so bad since he used it again.

Is there anyone who has some information or who had similar experiences?

hoping for help,
freigeist

-Asphyxia- · 17-04-2010, 04:45 AM

I am sorry, but I don't know what to say. I have never dealt with anything like this, but I just wanted to give you support. My initial thought was that it was something like REM Sleep Behavior Disorder - where you "act out" your dreams in your sleep, but considering his substance use, I don't know...

How are you doing? *hugs*

freigeist · 18-04-2010, 11:53 AM

Hello Asphyxia (huh, what a name *smile*),

I haven't heard of REM Sleep Behaviour Disordner, but it actually sounds a lot like what I experience sometimes...

At the moment, I don't notice any "strange" behaviours but that's probably because I have to deal with my problems as well... But I realised that he is a lot more relaxed now and he seems to have better nights. He still sleeps a lot, at one day last week, he came back from work at 4.30, went to bed, was asleep at 5ish and slept 16 hours!! I couldn't even wake him up the next morning for work!
I know that he hasn't used that gas so far and I really believe that it was because of the substances in it. The times he used it before were similar and the days after were always like he had a f****** awful hang-over.

Concerning this problem, we're (or I am?!) doing pretty good, but there are lots of other things I have to deal with, mostly because of his drinking behaviour.

I actually think that he used the lighter gas because he didn't have to buy alcohol and stuff instead...

-Asphyxia- · 25-04-2010, 09:02 PM

Melatonin or Valerian Root. You can get them at health food stores/pharmacies. I'd go the "natural" route before getting an Rx, just considering his substance abuse problems and such. Also, certain sleep meds can give you f*cked up dreams/vivid dreams as well...I know from experience. :-/

Yeah, my name is kinda ridiculous. Honestly, it's after a purple nail polish I like/purple is my fav color. lol God, I'm a dork.

HarryMonk · 17-05-2010, 11:42 AM

Without wishing to sound cold bin the f***king idiot & come & live with me. I won't hit you in the night or let my insecureties get in the way. Red card the idiot.

freigeist · 31-05-2010, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryMonk

Without wishing to sound cold bin the f***king idiot & come & live with me. I won't hit you in the night or let my insecureties get in the way. Red card the idiot.

I hit people at night as well although I don't abuse substances... Should I bin myself? o_O