Does anyone else get this? *Sleep related*

[Muddy4paws]

It doesnt happen every night it happens every so often.

I will be drifting off to sleep when Im slightly woken up by a feeling of being paralized, I cant move or breathe properly and I start seeing dots in my eyes, Its really strange. Its like when im struggling the most to get a breath and i really put all my effort into getting any part of my body to move it slowly goes away. Its so scary! This normally happens more than once when it does happen.

I wanted to know if its anything to be concerned about, its scary but no ones seems to understand what I mean.

[catnapper]

You could very well have sleep apnea. Its when your body actually stoips breathing while you're alseep. The symptoms you're describing is your body's reaction to a lack of oxygen. Have you mentioned this to anyone else? The test for it is easy and could save your life. Many people have died from sleep apnea.

Do you snore by any chance? Thats one "symptom" of sleep apnea.

[mike001]

Why haven't you seen a doctor to see if he could understand. Your symptoms do point to a few things it might be, your doc would be the best to confer with. I'll pm you.

[Muddy4paws]

You could very well have sleep apnea. Its when your body actually stoips breathing while you're alseep. The symptoms you're describing is your body's reaction to a lack of oxygen. Have you mentioned this to anyone else? The test for it is easy and could save your life. Many people have died from sleep apnea.

Do you snore by any chance? Thats one "symptom" of sleep apnea.

Omg thats so scary. I didnt even know that exsisted, I get so scared because I cant breathe and its like when you pass out the dots appear in my eyes if that makes any sense? Its such a scary thing to experience because it like such a last minute response and I do feel so light headed its unreal. It does paralize my body and I struggle to move any part even moving my toe or finger is such a difficult thing to do. Its physcially not possible for me to do it until the last minute when I think the adenaline kicks in. God I feel like crying!

[Karen]

Actually, that is perfectly normal. I read about this recently. Part of the sleep cycle is an effective "paralyzation" of the body, it's uncommon, but not unheard of, to be slightly conscious during this. As scary as it is, it isn't anything to worry about.

[Muddy4paws]

Ive just checked with my boyfriend, apparently I "baby snore" but its hardly snoring at all.

I think I will get it checked out just incase, I been feeling very down lately so I want to see my doctor anyway so I think I might mention this to him.

[Hellow]

I do that too, i just lay there and drift off to sleep. I sometimes get like that then i just fall asleep.

[crow_noir]

It could be different, but maybe it's a mild form of sleep paralysis?

I didn't even think of apnea until i read catnapper's post. (Which is odd since i live with someone with sleep apnea... Then again his symptoms are very different.)

Like Karen said though... It could be absolutely nothing to worry about.

And yes, it would be a very good idea to mention it to your doctor.

Good luck!

[Pam]

My son has experienced this a couple of times and so has my husband's sister. It happens very rarely to both of them but they report similar symptoms. They don't have the breathing problems or see the dots that you experience. On their part it is an inability to move a few seconds after awakening. I Googled it for you.

http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/paralysis.html

[wombat2u2004]

Yeah....I get that every now and again.
And told a doctor about it once, he said it's normal for some people.
Wom

[smokey the elder]

Sleep paralysis can happen to some people; if you have a "active" dream it's supposed to keep you from moving around. I'm not convinced; I punched my SO in my sleep more than once when I dreamed about karate lessons!

[Alysser]

I'm thinking Sleep Paralysis. It's a very common thing and yet it's VERY scary. I am an avid weird NJ fan so I read this type of stuff all the time. Many reported cases report seeing ghosts and apparitions during sleep paralysis. They also feel like someone is holding them down and they are just as you described, paralyzed! Seeing dots is also something I've heard of. It's perfectly normal, so I wouldn't worry.

Found this article for ya:

Sleep Paralysis
The Scientific Explanation...

The medical establishment is quite aware of this phenomenon, but has a less sensational name than "old hag syndrome" for it. They call it "sleep paralysis" or SP (sometimes ISP for "isolated sleep paralysis").

So what causes it? Dr. Max Hirshkowitz, director of the Sleep Disorders Center at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Houston, says that sleep paralysis occurs when the brain is in the transition state between deep, dreaming sleep (known as REM sleep for its rapid eye movement) and waking up. During REM dreaming sleep, the brain has turned off most of the body's muscle function so we cannot act out our dreams - we are temporarily paralyzed.

"Sometimes your brain doesn't fully switch off those dreams - or the paralysis - when you wake up," Hirshkowitz told ABC News. "That would explain the 'frozen' feeling and hallucinations associated with sleep paralysis." According to his research, the effect only really lasts from a few seconds to as long as a minute, but in this half-dream half-awake state, to the victim it can seem much longer.

In her article, "Help! I Can't Move!," Florence Cardinal, About.com's Guide Sleep Disorders, writes: "Sleep paralysis is often accompanied by vivid hallucinations. There may be a sense someone is in the room, or even hovering over you. At other times, there seems to be pressure on the chest, as though someone or something perched there. There may even be sexual attacks associated with the hallucinations. The sound of footsteps, doors opening and closing, voices, all can be a very frightening part of sleep paralysis. These are known as Hypnagogic and Hypnopompic Experiences and they are what make people dread an episode of sleep paralysis."

- For all their explanations, however, the sleep experts still do not know what causes the brain to screw up like this, or why some people experience it more than others. But there are some theories:

- "Episodes of paralysis can occur when the body is in any position, but happen most frequently when the sleeper is lying flat on his or her back. Intense fear is common, but sometimes other strong emotions, such as sadness or anger, are present," says Florence Cardinal in "The Terror of Sleep Paralysis."

- For some, SP is often brought about by not getting enough sleep or being overtired.

- Likewise, disrupted sleep schedules or circadian rhythm disturbances can produce an episode of sleep paralysis.

- It is more common in people who suffer from severe anxiety or bipolar disorder.

- Some research shows that SP is five times more likely to occur with people who are taking such anti-anxiety drugs as Xamax or Valium.

- A study found that 35 percent of subjects with isolated sleep paralysis also report a history of wake panic attacks unrelated to the experience of paralysis.

How can you prevent sleep paralysis? According to clinical research, you may be able to minimize the episodes by following good sleep hygiene:

- get enough sleep
- reduce stress
- exercise regularly (but not too close to bedtime)
- keep a regular sleep schedule

"For some people this may not be possible, however," says Florence Cardinal, "so instead let's look at ways to escape from the grip of sleep paralysis. The best remedy is to will yourself to move, even if it's only the wiggling of your little finger. This is often sufficient to break the spell. If you can manage it, scream! Your roommate may not appreciate it, but it's better than suffering through a long and fear-filled episode. If all else fails, seek professional help.

"Sounds like good advice. The bottom line is that you really have nothing to fear, in a paranormal sense, from sleep paralysis. That old hag you feel perched on your chest may be nothing more than the anxiety of living in a stressful world.

Thanks to About.com for this helpful article!

[Muddy4paws]

Thanks everyone, it happened twice last night. I will see the doctor soon.

[anna_66]

My son has experienced this a couple of times and so has my husband's sister. It happens very rarely to both of them but they report similar symptoms. They don't have the breathing problems or see the dots that you experience. On their part it is an inability to move a few seconds after awakening. I Googled it for you.

http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/paralysis.html

Thanks Pam. I've had the same thing happen and I see from the site you posted that it happens when dreaming. Often when I sleep in my chair I will dream that I can't lift my head and can only see the ceiling. I wake up and I'm on my back sleeping and can just see the ceiling Makes sense!

I've never seen the dots or had the breathing problem though.
Hope all turns out fine when you see the Dr.

[cyber-sibes]

I've never heard of sleep paralysis, but now that I'm reading these post, I know I've had this happen a couple times. I don't see dots, but I can't breath or move for a couple seconds - it is scarey! Seems like I wake up pretty quick when it happens.
If it's frequent, you should mention it to your doctor. If it turns out to be sleep apnea, you may need to follow up on it.