Dreams

[Doug Carpenter]

I think I’ve always dreamed a reasonable amount, with the usual problem of not being able to recall most of them on waking.

Since diagnosis, I don’t think the frequency of dreams has changed much, but I do try to remember them more. This was partly in response to a psychologist at the hospice, who I no longer see because he seemed fixated on analysing my dreams rather than talking about how I was feeling. (I never told him the best ones anyway to avoid making him jealous!)

But I’ve realised, three years down the line, that in all the recent dreams I can remember, I am walking perfectly normally – I do not have MND. The disease has never figured in any of my dreams.

Strange, eh?

Doug

[kd1]

I often dream of walking again, only to have the unconscious brain kick in and add, "Really funny that, because you can't walk any more." The other night I dreamt I was in the wheelchair, bowling along, and somehow tore off the joystick. I shudder to think what a Freudian would make of that.
Kate

[Lynne K]

I have almost always remembered dreams and can alter what’s happening in dreams if it’s drifting into something scary or otherwise not what I’m comfortable with. I have mostly always dreamt of normal daily life things and family holidays and adventures. I haven’t been in a wheelchair yet in my dreams. When I was learning to play the fiddle for about four years up until my fingers couldn’t do it I used to practice new to me tunes in my sleep. Then when I played them during the next day I’d improved. Hence I believe our dreams are useful as well as being biologically necessary. I enjoy my dreams particularly much these days and it helps me stay positive. Lynne

[Deb]

I have regular vivid dreams in which I am walking, running or dancing. Like Lynne I enjoy these dreams. I also regularly dream about our daughter who we lost when she was a little girl and these dreams are always beautiful.

OK Doug , what are you dreaming about that could make a psychologist jealous?

Love Debbie x

[Barry52]

I was told that some of the medications I take can cause dreams to become vivid. As yet I always appear to be able to walk and talk normally so I wonder if our dreams protect us from reality.

Barry

[Doug Carpenter]

Thank you for your interesting replies folks.

It’s clear we dream in very different ways, but often with no reference to our MND.

Lynne – your ability to control your dreams is amazing!

Debbie – if you really want to know, naughty girl, you’d better PM me.

Stay safe!

Doug

[Hayls]

My dreams haven’t caught up with my lack of physical ability but often reflect my and mirror my feelings, I often wonder if it’s my brains way of preparing my mental health to tackle or enjoy what has or will happen and try and keep me smiling

[Olivia H]

In my dreams, I can walk or even run, but am always aware that this is something special, and I am getting better in the dream. When I wake, I always feel I can move around a bit better that day...perhaps dreams reinforcing positivity?