Sleep Paralysis

evilglamcaitlin · 11th February 2008, 11:31am

Every so often I seem to suffer from bouts of this but lately it has become more consistent with at least three cases this week, and that’s only the ones I remember in the morning. Last night I had another episode, and to be honest it can be pretty scary. Last night was made worse by the fact the my duvet was pulled up over my mouth so I had the feeling that I couldn’t breathe properly, and it’s really frightening and frustrating trying to either move or shout for help and being completely paralysed and unable to speak. I’m worried that one night it might happen and I won’t be able to stay in control of the situation and end up having a panic attack or something, which is bad enough at the best of times, never mind when you’ve lost the ability to speak or shout for help.

Does anyone else suffer from this? I’ve never had it so regularly before and I hate that I’m beginning to become scared of going to sleep. I’ve no doubt it’s probably brought on by stress, and I do seem to be having quite a number of nightmares lately as well. Should I bother going to see my GP, or should I just wait and see if it passes?

I'm Your God Now · 11th February 2008, 11:35am

I've had it afew times, freaked me out like fuck the first time.

alice_in_a_maze · 11th February 2008, 12:14pm

I get this too.
Sometimes four or five times in the one night, then not again for a week or so. It started when I moved out of my parents house 6 years ago and it used to really scare the shit out of me. I mean, it still does, but at least now I've got some idea what's happening.
I'm normally dreaming that I can't make a sound, fall over, then can't move or breathe and I'm trying to scream for help but nothing comes out. Then I wake up, or so it seems, only to find it's happening again. I do this dreaming I've woken up a few times before I actually wake up, then I'm aware I'm lying in bed but still can't move or breathe, start to panic, and make this odd kinda wailing/screaming noise, at that point I'm woken up by who ever's there to hear me.
Stress does seem to be a trigger, but not always. It definately happens more if I'm feeling guilty about something, but I do tend to let guilt plague me somewhat.
Recently I've started to consciously realise what's happening when I get to the lying in bed feeling like I'm paralysed and suffocating bit. If I concentrate on my toes, and trying to wiggle them, sometimes I'm able to wake myself up without having to scream for help so much.
Overall I don't think the drugs help.

¡Punk! · 11th February 2008, 12:30pm

I got it once and it freaked me out but in the morning I thought it was cool as fuck.
I get night terrors instead. More fun indeed

hotblonde · 11th February 2008, 2:25pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilglamcaitlin

Every so often I seem to suffer from bouts of this but lately it has become more consistent with at least three cases this week, and that’s only the ones I remember in the morning. Last night I had another episode, and to be honest it can be pretty scary. Last night was made worse by the fact the my duvet was pulled up over my mouth so I had the feeling that I couldn’t breathe properly, and it’s really frightening and frustrating trying to either move or shout for help and being completely paralysed and unable to speak. I’m worried that one night it might happen and I won’t be able to stay in control of the situation and end up having a panic attack or something, which is bad enough at the best of times, never mind when you’ve lost the ability to speak or shout for help.

Does anyone else suffer from this? I’ve never had it so regularly before and I hate that I’m beginning to become scared of going to sleep. I’ve no doubt it’s probably brought on by stress, and I do seem to be having quite a number of nightmares lately as well. Should I bother going to see my GP, or should I just wait and see if it passes?

I suffer from this with varying degree on and off. It's awful and can be terrifying whether you're alone in the bed or not. There's quite a lot of research surrounding what causes it and how to treat it, but nothing terribly convincing or conclusive. If you've been drinking alcohol or overdoing it more than usual it can make the attacks more frequent. I also used to be really bad with them during pregnancy and for a few months after, but again that was probably stress and hormones.

It's the same old advice trotted out I'm afraid; less stress, eat better, etc. Personally, I find that if I am worrying about something, there's a higher chance I'll have an episode but I can pre-empt it with a few techniques that work for me - 10 minutes yoga, listening to calming music before I go to bed and no food within an hour of bed. They might not work for you tho'.

Oskar · 11th February 2008, 2:50pm

I get this on occassions - they are horrifically scary. Normally I can't breathe at all and have to force myself awake - something that I've only been able to do in the last year. Takes a huge amount of effort and leaves me exhausted.

Hate hate hate it.

Eve Bulloch · 11th February 2008, 3:44pm

Had this since I was 12, absolute bane of my life sometimes.

I'm always unable to breathe or move and when I was younger I would completely panic. Now I'm usually able to jerk my head back into a breathing position after about 60 seconds of thinking i'm going to die.
My sister gets it as well, except instead of being unable to move she feels that there is someone in the room with her and she can't get away. Bit freaky.

It's absolutely awful. Really scared me when I was younger as I used to get it literally ALL the time but it comes and goes now. I think it's quite common actually.

Syxx · 11th February 2008, 4:00pm

Used to get these all the fucking time, not so much nowadays though. Absolutely fucking terrifying.

-=GothKenny=- · 11th February 2008, 4:13pm

Oddly, this has come up in conversation a few times this weekend. Apparently, lucid dreaming techniques can help. Wee Sam swears by peppermint tea before bed, but that is her answer for everything.

Joe Spinebuster · 11th February 2008, 4:21pm

Somewhat unrelated, but on Friday night my griflriend said I woke her up by screaming at the top of my lungs in my sleep, then stopped breathing. She says she had to shake me to get me to start breathing again.

I've had sleep paralysis a few times. Oddly enough, come to think of it, only ever at my girlfriend's house. Absolutely horrible experience. I remember being able to see my girlfriend lying asleep beside me, and trying with every ounce of energy in my body to wake her up so she could help me figure out why I couldn't move, but all I could get out was the quietest little "uhhhh".

*LesMTS* · 11th February 2008, 4:28pm

It's only happened to me once or twice. It was immensely unpleasant at the time but once it had went away I wanted to experience it again, but at a time and for a duration of my choosing, just because it was such a strange experience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Spinebuster

Somewhat unrelated, but on Friday night my griflriend said I woke her up by screaming at the top of my lungs in my sleep, then stopped breathing. She says she had to shake me to get me to start breathing again.

When I was having bouts of insomnia I used to entertain myself in the small hours by putting on a hat and stuffing my hair under it, adopting a wide eyed, lips slightly parted, vacant expression, then putting my face about two inches from that of my then girlfriend. Then gently rousing her. To her utter terror.

anglarna · 11th February 2008, 4:28pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Spinebuster

Somewhat unrelated, but on Friday night my griflriend said I woke her up by screaming at the top of my lungs in my sleep, then stopped breathing. She says she had to shake me to get me to start breathing again.

I've had sleep paralysis a few times. Oddly enough, come to think of it, only ever at my girlfriend's house. Absolutely horrible experience. I remember being able to see my girlfriend lying asleep beside me, and trying with every ounce of energy in my body to wake her up so she could help me figure out why I couldn't move, but all I could get out was the quietest little "uhhhh".

i've only ever had them at an ex-girlfriend's house. twice. terrifying.

Tacky · 11th February 2008, 4:32pm

Just reading this, so is sleep paralysis when you are sleeping and wake up but cant move? Isnt that technically paralysis? Or does your body still thinks its sleeping and your eyes open?

Ive dreamt that i couldnt move before and was screaming in my head to wake up and eventually woke up...is it like that? I didnt even think there was a term for that, i thought i was just having a bad dream and dismissed it!

*insert "oooh, everything is a medical condition nowadays" type thought*

*LesMTS* · 11th February 2008, 4:41pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tacky

Just reading this, so is sleep paralysis when you are sleeping and wake up but cant move? Isnt that technically paralysis? Or does your body still thinks its sleeping and your eyes open?

Ive dreamt that i couldnt move before and was screaming in my head to wake up and eventually woke up...is it like that? I didnt even think there was a term for that, i thought i was just having a bad dream and dismissed it!

*insert "oooh, everything is a medical condition nowadays" type thought*

It's when you wake directly from REM sleep and, yeah, you're properly paralysed.
Your brain effectively shuts down somatic motor neurons during REM sleep to (it's assumed) stop you acting out your dreams, sleep paralysis occurs if you wake before this wears off.

Tacky · 11th February 2008, 4:46pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by LesMTS

Your brain effectively shuts down somatic motor neurons during REM sleep to (it's assumed) stop you acting out your dreams.

Aaaah - so THAT's why my dad used to sleep-drive to work at 11pm - his brain couldnt shut that bit down! Its rather scary when you call someone who doesnt know what time of day it is....

"Dad, its 11pm, where are you going in the van"
"Going tae work"
"Its 11pm"
"oh - right y'ar hen"

hehehe - and he doesnt remember! ANd he used to agree with the telly in his sleep....that man was so funny.