Sleep Paralysis

[MrFoley]

Over the past few months I have been suffering from this and it's scary! I obviously can't move but at times I see illusions and this is obviously not normal.

What could be causing this? Does any one else suffer from this?

Will be booking to see G.P soon but he's booked up so I thought I would try and get some help on here.

Hope you all had a good New Year!

[jno]

it's not nice

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/sleep-paralysis

[Buenchico]

From the NHS website:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Sleep-paralysis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
(click through Symptoms/Causes/Diagnosis/Treatment).

[MrFoley]

It says " temporary " but it feels like a really long time

[jno]

well, like any dreams they come with their own time frame which doesn't necessarily bear any resemblance to what your clock tells you. I can't give you much advice - I have very occasional incidents but they usually just amount to more-frustrating-than-usual bad dreams. See your GP when you can for better advice.

[nohorn]

I used to get these quite often. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, I use a CPAP, as long as I use it I have never gotten a sleep paralysis. Good luck!

[NoMercy]

I suffer with it too, but only during times of great stress.

Do you ever get a vibrating sensation to accompany it? If so, Google "visceral buzzing".

My solution when it happens now is to just let my whole body relax until the episode passes.

[nohorn]

In response to Mercy's solution, it would never work with me. The paralysis is usually tied with me trying to get away from a monster or other evil, and I cannot move. The only thing that results is eventually I awaken. It always results in the next day that I am very tired. I wonder if my blood pressure is elevated because of the stress or I wonder if I could have a stroke.

[ummmm]

I used to get it and it was stress related. I couldn't let my body relax because I wasn't quite awake enough.

It's awful, one of the scariest things I've experienced. Everytime it happened it was the same dream, so realistic.

I don't think there's much a GP can do about it.

[China Doll]

I have and occasionally still get it. There's not much can be done really. Once I knew what it was and read up a bit about it, then it got to the point where I was able to repeat a mantra in my head which essentially just reminded me that it was just a moment in time and it would pass so they don't really scare me any more after the initial split second 'I can't move' thing. But I don't suppose this approach works for everyone. One of the weirder aspects of it is when I think I am up doing my normal routine and part of me is screaming 'you're not brushing your teeth, you're lying in your bed!'

I guess just look at your life, if there's stresses and such things that can be reduced then probably best to get them under control and that'll likely have an impact. I don't think I've had an episode for the best part of a year now...

[Kiki-frog]

NoMercy raised a similar question a while back, but experiences seem to differ:

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Question1144701.html

It's a horrible and frightening experience. For me it has usually been stress-related, but I suspect it's not really as simple as that. I hope your GP offers some help.

[jno]

when I have bad dreams it's almost always because I'm too hot. Remove a blanket, dreams go.

[Smowball]

Its absolutely terrifying so I totally sypathise. Havent had it for a long long time though.

[wolf63]

I get it when I am stressed and, also, when starting some new medication. Alas I take so many drugs that I can't remember which one(s) cause it.

It is terrifying but knowing what it is does help - a little.