One step at a time.
Tru here at 5am.

Another 5-installment night of more-real-than-daytime dream experiences of action/horror which are so very common with those who have Lewy Body Dementia symptoms.   These particular installments (much like episodes of a TV show) were figuring strategies to best live with progressive physical and mental disfigurement (literally “dripping away” of physical self, and extreme aggression as most difficult symptom of mental disintegration).  It was universal and progressive, involving all people and animals.  Thru trial and error, in the dream we discovered that best coping strategy was music for humans, and rhythm-vibration for animals.

i was unsuccessful in my dream, in that our strategy did not arrest or even slow progression, but was very rewarding to discover strategy to help continue relationships (even tho it is just in my dream-world).  Then i woke.

Very good chance that when i finally fall asleep tonight, dreams will continue with more episodes from the same environment.  That is often how it goes.

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Several years ago, my psychiatrist pointed out that most of my dreams have a strong consistency; they usually involve me helping others in a disastrous environment.  There is almost always blood and guts, but that is not surprising with gunshot murder, rape, etc in family history.  The primary issue is that i can almost always make a DIFFERENCE in my dreams.  Even when generally unsuccessful, there is some positive impact, whether solo or as part of a team.  As he pointed out, this is very consistent with my life goals.  It makes sense, and, in a way, gives strength to (or reflects) HOPE in my life.

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Unfortunately, all these stressors, violence, and action during the night do not produce restful renewal from my daytime efforts.
i wake simultaneously encouraged … and feeling more exhausted than when i went to bed.

day-time work, then night-time work, then day-time work again, etc.

Sometimes i feel absolutely desperate for energy-giving rest.  Daily nap is crucial.

Gotta take it one day at a time, one hour at a time,
… and one STEP at a time. 

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Not really any tips here, altho very glad i have extensively discussed this with an “expert”.  Gives confidence that i have done what i could to address the issues (and he was surprised even to begin with, stating i had adjusted well to past and current trauma).

UPDATE: Lately if i wake with the horrid night hallucinations, i will
1: get up (actually move location);
2: Take three deep cleansing breaths;
3: breathing meditation for about 3-5 minutes;
4: Take three more deep cleansing breaths.
Then i might try going back to bed immediately afterward, or i might then go into some longer meditation,
again ending with three cleansing breaths, before i try sleeping again.

Perhaps reading this can help someone with similar symptoms see that they are NOT alone,
or help a care-partner better understand exhaustion of the person with dementia.

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Related Links.
Right-click on colored text and selecting “open in new tab”,
will allow you to return to this tab easily (at top of window) when you finish.
Remember, Links are on colored text, NOT the pictures.

Impact of Terror and Dreams >> https://truthfulkindness.com/2016/01/19/impact-terrors-dreams/

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Sleep Problems Again >> https://truthfulkindness.com/2016/03/23/sleep-problems-again/

My most crucial entries are here >> https://truthfulkindness.com/category/important/crucial/

Most recent are here >> https://truthfulkindness.com/

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* Admin issues: SHARE dementia awareness thru buttons below. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the form of comments, but please filter your comments with truthful loving kindness to all concerned. If interested in receiving notice of future blog postings, subscriptions are available through a “follow” button in the upper left corner (MS Explorer) or lower right (Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome). If there is an advertisement below, I have no control over what is shown. My own full legal name is Truthful Loving Kindness. My current diagnosis is still Mild Cognitive Impairment, but my neurologist said I am in a unique position for helping because I have “one foot in each door”. Text Copyright © Truthful L. Kindness 2019Feb04. Graphic was sourced from Natalia Kollegova on PixaBay & a PicsArt sticker.  7hrs invested.  Tags are: dementia, dreams, hope, horror, PLwD, strategy, symptom.

((Previously, i had a notice here at base of each entry with announcement and Logo for HealthLine 2019 Best Alz Blogs.  To my surprise, after HealthLine contacted me in January with fact that i was included in 2019 Best Alz Blogs, then announcing it publically on March 18, ten days later they decided against including writers with Mild Cognitive Impairment, and removed this blog from their listing, leaving only one first-person perspective.  Now i am deleting each of those announcements of my inclusion on HealthLine Best Alz Blogs for 2019.  i hope they soon decide to include at least one other first-person perspective in their “Best Alzheimers Blogs”.)) >> https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers-disease/best-blogs-of-the-year