Weird and dangerous sleep problem...

First let me state that my husband is a wonderful, gentle, thoughtful man.  He doesn't drink and would never hurt a fly.

My husband has had this problem but it hasn't happened in many years until last night.  In the middle of the night, he would suddenly sit bolt upright and yell something at the top of his lungs.  I would tap his arm and he'd wake up not realizing anything had happened.  On other occasions, he's kicked me or punched the bed while sleeping.  He is sound asleep when it happens, when I wake him, he always remembers having a violent nightmare and he was hitting, kicking, or punching someone/something in the dream.

Last night, he punched me in the eye so hard, my head flew back.  I immediately woke him up and he got me an ice pack. I am amazed that I don't have a black eye today but it feels sore and tender.  He was dreaming he was in a fight.  He is an absolute wreck over this and is afraid to sleep in our bed.  Our couch is old and uncomfortable, there is no where else for him to sleep.  I'm not looking forward to tonight, it will be a long time before I am comfortable sleeping again.

Do you think a doctor would be able to help?  I've heard of sleep walking but never sleep fighting.  I'm afraid our doctor may think it's domestic violence and think I'm lying about my physical problems.  I really do walk into things and get bruises.

I offered to handcuff him to the bed so he can't move much but we realized that's not a practical solution.  I am seriously considering bunk beds but I'm afraid if he sat up in his sleep quickly, he'd knock himself out on the ceiling; and with my fibro, I don't want to climb a ladder every night.

I hate to say it but I'm one of those "physical" sleepers too. Once day many many years ago my brother and i were traveling, he laid down in the queen sized bed next to me and I ended up cracking him square between the eyes.

Luckily the older that I've gotten the more I've slowed down in my sleep. But I still sleepwalk a lot. My brain apparently knows that going outside the house, or trying to cook are dangerous, so it doesn't do that. But it's not uncommon for me to wake up standing in my bathroom or (literally) wandering around my living room looking for a tv remote.

The solution that we had to come to was that we are each on our own edges of the bed. We have a king and I always had a tendency to sleep on the edge anyway cause I dangle a foot over. I wish I had some better suggestions for you though. The only thing that I can see is the twin beds with yours being just outta arm's reach so that you're safe.

Dagger,

I agree with the others, twin beds and maybe a night stand between you.  You would be in the same room but out of reach of any swinging arms.  I also think that your husband needs to talk to his doctor, he could have something serious going on.  My daughter used to sleep walk every night and was very combative.  She would be screaming and swinging her body about.  Every night I new she was going to go through this.  I talked to her doctor and he could not explain why she was doing this.  This went on for two years.  Then because she was having allergies her doctor put her on an inhaler.  The day she started the inhaler the sleepwalking stopped.  It seems she wasn't get enough oxygen when she was sleeping. We have not had another problem with the sleepwalking.  Maybe a sleep study for your husband would shed some light on problem.

I hope you find a solution for this, your husband sounds stressed about it and the stress may be making it worse.

Meggie

I have been known to punch my hubby or kick him in a very sensitive area in my sleep. I take Trazodone, so I don't remember it at all. Usually on those nights, though, I vaguely remember dreaming about my ex.

You said that he used to have those dreams years ago...did something happen to him? It could be a psychological thing. Sometimes, our subconscious tries to work things out in our sleep. It comes alive, so to say. A sleep study might be a good thing, or possibly hypnosis by a licensed therapist or doctor.

As for right now, is there any way you can get an air mattress? Some of them aren't that expensive, and it would be better than your couch...just a suggestion. Good luck sweetie.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Years ago, he used to play "Tomb Raider" (a video game) after work and most of his nightmares or vivid dreams were from the game. He stopped playing games and the night problems stopped.

He is a very restless sleeper so I'm going to make an appoinment with our doctor, maybe there is something that can be done. I measured our room and there is no way we can fit two twin beds with any space between them.

Thanks again.

My first husband drove semi trucks across country and upon running a non-stop trip across several states...his first few nights home were relentless. He'd dream he was shifting gears..grab a hold of whatever body part of mine that was available and kindly hurl me off the bed onto the floor. Divorce cured the issue for me but for your hubby I would suggest a sleep study also. Good luck and sweet dreams!