This story is entirely a work of fiction. All characters are over 18 years of age. They all have a consenting relationship.
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After examining Jake, the doctor motioned for him and his mother to sit down at her desk.
"What's wrong with him?" Debbie asked.
"He was diagnosed with sleep apnea by his previous doctor, but it's not that," Dr. Crick replied. Her voice sounded tired and disappointed.
Debbie looked at her son worriedly who seemed scared and confused.
"I'm sorry but there is not much more medically we can do for your son's insomnia. We've tried basically everything known to medical science, and nothing is working." Dr. Crick explained.
Jake looked exhausted; he hadn't slept in weeks. He felt like he was starting to go insane. "Doctor, please, is there anything else? I'm so tired I can't even think straight."
The doctor reached into her drawer and pulled out a jar of pills.
"This is a new drug that was just approved for insomnia. This is the last resort, maybe it can help with your condition, but I'm not sure." she said.
"Why didn't you suggest this before?" Debbie asked.
"Well, I don't want to risk giving my patients any drugs that haven't been fully tested yet. I've read some articles on this medicine and there are some known side effects. The main one, is that in male patients, they become extremely...aroused during sleep."
Jake blushed at the thought of his mother thinking about his erection. He had never been with a woman before and was still very shy talking about sexual activity, especially in front of his mother.
Debbie couldn't believe her ears. She had never heard such a thing in her life. "So, what are the chances that my son will become aroused during sleep? And how bad would it be for him?"
"The last article I saw stated that approximately 70% of all men taking the drug reported an erection during sleep. They also reported having vivid dreams about their sexual fantasies. So, I would say it is definitely possible."
Debbie's face turned red. She wasn't sure if she should look at her son or turn away. How could this be happening to her son? "I guess we have no other option. Let's try the pills and see how it goes." Debbie took the pills from the doctor and put them in her purse.
"That is a week's supply. Let's try it for a week, and then at your next appointment we can reevaluate if the medication is working or if we should send your son to a neurologist for possible brain surgery." Dr. Crick said sternly.
Jake was scared, he and his mother both prayed on the ride home that the medication would work, and he could finally get some sleep.
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Jake was too exhausted to do much of anything. He sat on his bed and watched tv for a few hours, while his mom did some chores around the house. Jake was supposed to go to college this year but could not attend due to his insomnia problem. His mother hated seeing him home all the time and felt terrible for him. She was all he had after his dad passed away a few years ago due to a sudden heart attack. Luckily the inheritance left them in a good place financially, so they could focus their resources on solving Jake's medical problem.
"Jake, come to dinner before it gets cold." Debbie called up the stairs to her son.
"Yeah Mom, I'll be down soon." he answered.
Jake got up off his bed and walked down to the kitchen. Debbie forced a smile at her son as he entered the kitchen. "Hey baby, you look so tired, after we finish dinner, why don't you take a shower and then try the new pill from the doctor?"
Jake nodded and smiled back at his mother. "Thanks Mom, do you really think it will work?"
His mom pretended like she was sure the medicine would help. "Yes baby, I am so excited for you, it will feel so good to finally get some rest!"
Debbie grabbed a plate and handed it to Jake. "Eat something first, I'm sure that your body is hungry."
She knew that the medicine would make him very sleepy, so she wanted to keep him awake until dinner so that he wouldn't fall asleep right after eating.
Jake ate slowly, trying to enjoy the food and conversation between him and his mom. "I just don't know what to think about the, uh, side effects caused by the medication. What do you think the doctor meant?" Jake asked.
"I'm not sure honey, you're the one who will have to live with those dreams." Debbie said giggling.
Jake looked at his mother, and then back up to the clock. "Mom, I better get upstairs, I really want to try and sleep."