Sleeping problems - need advice

Hi everyone

I'm pretty new to ATS. And I have a question that I would like to seek advice from you all here.

About a couple months ago, I had this strange feeling when i was about to fall sleep.

My body seems paralyze. I can't feel anything, not even my feets, hands. But I can move them. I still can think, but it's like a blank state.

Out of fear, I tried to shake myself up. When I gain back full senses of my whole body, I get a headache which last about 10 mins.

This happen to me every couple of months.

What is wrong?

reply to post by wands


It could be a circulatory problem.
I'm not a doctor but you should probably consult one.
If it is circulatory it's something you want to know early on.

Once anything physical is ruled out you can consider alternative explanations.

What you are having is called Sleep Paralysis, and it is very common.

Info:

Sleep paralysis is a condition characterized by temporary paralysis of the body shortly after waking up (known as hypnopompic paralysis) or, less often, shortly before falling asleep (known as hypnagogic paralysis).[1]

Physiologically, it is closely related to the paralysis that occurs as a natural part of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is known as REM atonia. Sleep paralysis occurs when the brain awakes from a REM state, but the bodily paralysis persists. This leaves the person fully aware, but unable to move. In addition, the state may be accompanied by hypnagogic hallucinations.

More often than not, sleep paralysis is believed by the person affected by it to be no more than a dream.[citation needed] This explains many dream recountings which describe the person lying frozen and unable to move. The hallucinatory element to sleep paralysis makes it even more likely that someone will interpret the experience as a dream, since completely fanciful, or dream-like, objects may appear in the room alongside one's normal vision.





Possible causes
Sleep paralysis occurs during REM sleep, thus preventing the body from manifesting movements made in the subject's dreams. Very little is known about the physiology of sleep paralysis. However, some have suggested that it may be linked to post-synaptic inhibition of motor neurons in the pons region of the brain. In particular, low levels of melatonin may stop the depolarization current in the nerves, which prevents the stimulation of the muscles, to prevent the body from enacting the dreamt activity (e.g. preventing a sleeper from flailing his legs when dreaming about running).

Many people who commonly enter sleep paralysis also suffer from narcolepsy. Especially in African-Americans panic disorder often co-occurs with sleep paralysis[2]. However, various studies suggest that many or most people will experience sleep paralysis at least once or twice in their lives.

Some reports read that various factors increase the likelihood of both paralysis and hallucinations. These include: [3]

Sleeping in an upwards supine position
Irregular sleeping schedules; naps, sleeping in, sleep deprivation
Increased stress
Sudden environmental/lifestyle changes
A lucid dream that immediately precedes the episode. Also conscious induction of sleep paralysis is a common technique to enter a state of lucid dreams, also known as WILD[1] .
Artificial sleeping aids, ADD medications and/or antihistamines
Recent use of hallucinogenic drugs

Treatment
During paralysis episodes, patients may be advised to try moving the facial muscles and moving eyes from one side to the other. This may hasten the termination of the attack.

Clonazepam is highly effective in the treatment of sleep paralysis.[4] The initial dose is 0.5 mg at bedtime, while an increase to 1 mg per night might be necessary to maintain potency. Anecdotal reports indicate SSRIs such as fluoxetine markedly decrease the incidence of sleep paralysis. Several people who have been both on and off SSRIs have reported corresponding decreases and increases in sleep paralysis episodes. Others report no effects at all.

Hope this helps, just google it to get more information.............

Diet,stress,and stimulants(tv,computer) can have a big impact on our sleep,even if you are aware of it or not,some even say mobile phones do too.I would consult your doctor if it really bothers you.



[edit on 15-10-2008 by all2human]

Yup, see a doctor. They might know just what it is but if not, you can be referred to a sleep specialist and they almost assuredly will and will be able to help.

I think you'll be happy you did.

Originally posted by wands
I had this strange feeling when i was about to fall sleep.

My body seems paralyze. I can't feel anything, not even my feets, hands. But I can move them. I still can think, but it's like a blank state.

Your mind was awake.

Your body fell asleep.

Your body, as a result of falling asleep, triggered the expected biological phenomenon known as sleep paralysis.

Usually your mind is asleep prior to this occuring. Clearly this was not the case for you. As a result your mind is unprepared for this and gets very startled.

My suggestion to you is to realize this is completely normal. You just happen to be awake and consciously experiencing something you normally don't.

Practitioners of Out of Body Experiences aim to achieve exactly what you are experiencing as a basis for further mystical experience as well. Something to ponder. It's called Mind Awake, Body Asleep.

I think the headaches are either unrelated or are just the aftermath of you being stressed over the experience. Please just take my post as interesting info and not a medical suggestion of any sort. If you have real concern then see a doctor. But in my opinion what you are experiencing is mind awake, body asleep and is normal and healthy.