I have often wondered why so many people can remember dreams and I cannot recall anything dreamlike.

I am a heavy sleeper, one of those that a hurricane could pass right by me and I still wouldn't wake up....

I have always and sometimes still do sleepwalk. I know I am told that your body should be paralyzed while unconscious however mine itsn't.

I have woken up in the strangest places without any recollection of how I got there. I have been told I have frequently tried to drive while sleepwalking, to the point where others had to hide my keys because if I knew where they were, I would use them.

I have also found behaviors that I repeat....I empty every cupboard, refridge, you name it and when I wake up, the amount of work and time it must have taken is astrounding....

I also clean, not very well and remove every piece of clothing out of my dresser and don't remember. I can walk upstairs, downstairs, sleep in front of my neighbors door and once I even punched out a window....Not a cut on me which was astonishing....

Sleepwalking tends to occur frequently when I am under alot of stress, but at times I have actually had to tie one of my arms to the bed. those leashes they use on  kids, just so I wouldn't wonder.

I apparently look awake, I make phone calls and many other thinsgs.....

I am on ambien cr 12.5 mg every night but it doesn't stop it.....

Anyone out there have this problem or knows anything about it....

I have done this since I was a small child, and both of my kids do it as well, just not to the magnitude of my escapades.....

Its frustrating....

Hi kldlyn,

I read your post and I'm not so concerned about you not remembering your dreams as much as I am concerned about the sleep walking especially other activities you are doing during your sleep.

I see you are on Ambien and I have no doubt this was prescribed by a Dr I'm wondering, was this your regular MD that prescribed the medication to you, or was it a neurologist who specializes in sleep disorders that prescribed it to you? Also, I am wondering if you have ever been to a sleep disorder facility where they observe you for a few nights or even a week to determine the cause of the disturbances you encounter during the night? Have you ever been referred to a neurologist by your regular MD to rule out other underlying factors? It is most likely nothing other than extreme stress that is triggering it, but you should rule out any medical conditions that could be the cause of it such as partial complex seizures. However, if that's all it comes down to is you have extreme stress or excessive anxiety you need to learn how to manage it to minimize hurting yourself or others while sleep walking.

Sleep walking most commonly happens to children during the ages of 6-12 and it does run in families, which would explain why your children do it as well. In addition, when you are sleep walking, the myth that waking that individual up is dangerous, tell your family to wake you up... nothing bad is going to happen. The worst that will happen is you might be a little confused and disoriented for a little bit. I myself was a frequent sleep walker (and very verbal) as a child and into my early adult years and have been known to walk out the front door and take off; but it hasn't happened in a long while.. at least to my knowledge.

Here are my suggestions and they are by no means to alarm you, but for your well-being and the well-being of others you are living with:

1. See a neurologist if you have not already done so and advise him that not only do you sleep walk, but you walk right out the door, you empty your cupboards, and everything you are aware of that you have done when you wake up the next day. Some studies have found those who have been known to get into their car and drive, one in particular was a non-smoker who frequented their cupboard for peanut butter and her dipping her husbands cigarette butts into it and having it as a snack. In fact there was a case in the US a few years back with a man who was documented as having a severe sleep disorder prior to the incident, who adored his mother in-law, had a sleep walking incident where he got into his car and drove to her house and murdered her having no recollection of it.

2. Modify your environment to minimize safety hazards to your well being. This would include blocking stair wells, adding extra bolts to doors, removing anything sharp object, anything you or your children could trip over right down to unplugging electrical appliances including your oven.

3. Avoid alcohol and drugs, this only aggravates and encourages episodes more frequently

4. Make sure you get enough sleep; lack of sleep will bring on more episodes

5. Learn to manage your stress and anxiety levels, this is guaranteed to set you off as well. Join a yoga class, learn to meditate, exercise regularly, try a new hobby you would enjoy that will take your mind off of things for a while that would help you relax, even see with a therapist if you feel you need to speak with someone.. the suggestions I have listed above are not necessarily ones you have to follow, merely suggestions.

If this was something you had done for the first time, I would say don't worry about it but keep an eye on it... This is something that has gone on for years and it may be infrequent but it's more frequent than it should be.  Please, for your own well being see sleep specialist.

My best to you and I hope this information was helpful.

Angelique