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scotty8750

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Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Posts: 2

sleep paralysis ? Posted: 02-28-08 21:02pm


Hey everyone I have a bit of a problem and I'm hoping to find some insight as it's starting to effect me worse each month. My problem is this: ------------------------------ Sometimes when crossing the threshold from asleep to awake or vice versa, I get the feeling that my mind is slipping away from my body. It's not like an out of body experience as such, it's more like sleep paralysis only with other side effects thrown in. I struggle to breathe, and my mind starts disengaging from my body. This is an extremely distressing sensation and I panic. I try to fight it by shaking my head (whether I'm actually physically shaking it is beyond me). This brings me around after a couple of seconds. This feeling repeats itself every minute or so when i begin to lose conciousness again, and can go on for what seems forever. Sometimes during cycles I'm able to text, or prop myself up to stay awake. I tried this the other night but it did no good. I merely sat there like I was sedated, with my head lolling around on my shoulders. The cycle repeated itself about 10 times whilst sat up. I remember saying "no, no, no" over and over again because I felt something else was beginning to take hold of my mind. The feeling abated when I banged my head against the wall, this wasnt intentional and my head dropped too quickly for comfort. Afterwards I go light headed, which isn't a bad feeling but it must be connected to my other experiences. I've had sleep paralysis in the past, and I've been violently dragged out of bed (amongst other things) before as punishment for failing to regain control over myself. Struggling to pull yourself upright into a sitting position to find you're not getting anywhere isnt fun. Whether or not I speak the words I try to speak, or move when I try to move I don't know. It all seems too much like a dream the next morning. For all I know it's all a dream, I just have the notes I'm making on my phone as proof. -------------------------------- I know these notes are vague, and they may raise more questions than answers, but I've put them up in hope that someone can shed any light onto my condition (if I have one). Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Sara Thursty

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Joined: 14 Feb 2008
Posts: 4

Sleep Paralysis Posted: 02-28-08 21:10pm


I can't believe there is someone with the same problem. My husband experiences the same problems and it scares me terribly. It happens during times of stress and he is usually between the sleep and asleep stages. He is totally aware of where he is and what he is doing, but he can't move or speak. Eventually he will get my attention by twitching his foot. His breathing also becomes shallow and really fast. I was talking to a professor a while back about this problem and he said that it could be linked to a small problem with sleep apnea. I'm not sure if that's true or not because honestly, I have only known one person to have the problem and that is my husband. I would look into doing a sleep study. I hope you get everything figured out.

scotty8750

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Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Posts: 2

Posted: 02-28-08 21:20pm


Thanks Sara Yeah it is an odd one. I can relate to some symptoms of sleep paralysis but there is much I have (and haven't) felt. So I have my doubts. I just don't know. What I can say is that it's extremely difficult to describe, and your husband probably finds it just as difficult. It's almost a spitual expereince and I'm a skeptic. Could you ask your husband to read my account of things? If he finds describing it difficult this may help him. EDIT: One last thing. Last night, I brought this feeling on on purpose. I dunno how I did it, but I did. Because I knew it was happening I stopped it in time. After a ew cycles it went and it was then I made notes on my phone. It came back though, stronger. I couldn't get rid of it then.

iamonlyme1967

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Joined: 13 May 2008
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Posted: 05-13-08 11:33am


I was just in another forum on this site and there was a tremendous amount of information regarding sleep paralysis. For the first poster in this forum, it sounds as if you have a bit of sleep apnea that causes you to wake up with a choking feeling...In most of the posts I read about sleep paralysis, this was not a symptom. Although sleep apnea will make you awake gasping for air and is much more dangerous than sleep paralysis and you should get a sleep study done. I do know that sleep apnea may "cause" the sleep paralysis but can be deadly on its own....which would require a breathing device when you sleep...please go get a sleep apnea test for that choking feeling... I finally was able to get to the doctor. I was scared out of mind...I am 40 and during the past year have had these episodes at least 30 times....from what I have read...it is rare to have sleep paralysis after the age 30...it happens more frequently with young adults.... Everyone's experiences seem different but closely related. In my case, I would be sleeping on my stomach (most episodes are supposedly happening to people when on their back). My entire body would paralyze and then my brain would feel like it was on fire. After a few seconds of sheer terror of not being able to move and a burning sensation in the brain....I would try to call out to my husband doug right next to me and nothing would come out....I would try to kick my foot to his to wake him and I could not move..... Although feeling like an eternity....I believe the episode only lasts for a few seconds.... In my case, I have been suffering from these episodes quite frequently, once every night for a week...I thought I was going to die when the burning sensation filled my head... After a few episodes I realized that I was indeed conscious because I could feel myself trying to speak and trying to move....At first I thought it might be a dream but after it happened several times more...I knew it wasn't. Also in the other forum people describe having sleep paralysis shortly after falling asleep...while going into REM sleep...others have it right after they awake... While reading the other forum (which I can't find now that I registered) several of the sufferers of sleep paralysis also suffer hallucinations of evil things...such as ghosts and devils....I have not had this..THANKFULLY...the episodes are scary enough. IN any event....my doctor told me that although very scary....these episodes are not dangerous - wherein...sleep apena which can accompany sleep paralysis can be deadly. After speaking to my doctor he prescribed elavil and antivert for me to take an hour before sleeping....I am rethinking using these medicines now knowing that what I am experiencing will not hurt me....I think the doctor prescribed these meds to make me less anxious ...and TO KNOCK ME OUT FOR THE ENTIRE NIGHT SO I WOULDN'T WAKE UP TO EXPERIENCE THESE EPISODES. From what I have read...no one takes meds for this and I don't think I want to start taking an anti-depressant to eliminate the episodes. From reading others posts....you can actually take the fear away by having some fun with the sleep paralysis...some say that if you can turn your body or try and you will have an out of body experience.... All I know is I feel very relieved knowing I am not going to die in my sleep with the sleep paralysis.....I know now that each time it happens it will also pass...and relaxing will make it go away sooner..... I also feel very relieved because I know I am not weird and losing my mind... Trying to explain this to my family doctor was not easy....She was smart and sent me to a neurologist who sat for an hour with me finding a diagnosis. Once he found the diagnosis he asked me questions which completely fit my episodes...except for the hallucinations which not everyone has.... Now if I was having the hallucinations of evil ghosts and the devil ..I might reconsider taking the meds..... I hope this entry helped...as I didn't see anyone describe the burning sensation in their brain ..which scares me more than the paralysis.... To everyone...a good night sleep..

5star

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Joined: 02 Jul 2007
Posts: 28

Posted: 05-15-08 18:23pm


It happens to me and is freaky. Some people think it is a hag demon attacking you sitting on top of you over powering you or what ever. When I have it, I feel like somthing is standing long side the bed by me. When I have it every single time theirs a freaky demon after me and it makes the scariest sound and the lights wont turn on in my house and it normally comes up behind me. I got so thet up that one time when it was happning I made my self in my dream come after it not scared no more I was peed off that it kept happning. After that I stopped having them. One time I went into sleep poralisis and in my dream was walking down the stairs. I knew the demon was down their but I could not wake my self up and my self in the dream kept walking down the stairs. I actually sat up in my bed and was saying "no" and could not keep my eyes open and could not keep my self sitting up I kept falling back down. Scary stuff. But normally sleep poralisis will only happen if you are sleeping on your back.