I keep having a recurring dream where I'm being tortured... in a strange way. I don't really want to get into it on my post here but the pain is horrible. I don't know why my brain would allow me to feel pain like that in my dreams. I've had a violent past and have gone through bad things... and I won't get into that either.

Why would my mind do this to me and if there's medicine to stop my dreams what is it? I am bi-polar schizoaffective. I take lithium and seroquel, pretty heavy doses considering I weigh 140. I don't want to ever have that dream again... what can I do?

No, it's not normal. Both lithium and Seroquel affect dream states for many people. Seroquel especially can produce very vivid, exhausting dreams that stay with you all day. Tell your doctor! There are many choices, and juggling medications is usually based on side effects as much as good results with mood.

It sounds like your medication is causing this, and no it is not normal

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Originally Posted by joypulv

No, it's not normal. Both lithium and Seroquel affect dream states for many people. Seroquel especially can produce very vivid, exhausting dreams that stay with you all day. Tell your doctor! There are many choices, and juggling medications is usually based on side effects as much as good results with mood.

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I've been on these meds for over 3 years though... and they really help. I suppose that the doc has been upping them on a steady basis... the seroquel doubles as a sleep aid for me and when I start to get a tolerance he ups it to help me sleep. Thank you both for your help

An old anti-depressant, Trazodone, has very good sleep aid effects for many people and might reduce the dreams if used with a lower dose of Seroquel. HOWEVER, because you are on lithium, it's quite possible that you should not be taking any anti-depressants, so I am not suggesting this, just throwing it out there for discussion with your doctor.