4 replies to this topic

[Niemie]

Hi, I'm still undergoing testing to determine if I have narcolepsy. Last night, I had an episode that I think may have been sleep paralysis. Experiencing it has made me realize that I've had these episodes many, many times, but I always thought that the inability to move while waking from a terrifying nightmare was emotional, not physical. I was wondering if someone who has been diagnosed could give my their opinion about whether these symptoms sound consistent with sleep paralysis, or if I'm just being a 'fraid-y cat. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I had a terrifying, vivid nightmare where my life was being threatened. I started to wake, and I was paralyzed with fear (for a while, I wasn't sure if the dream was real or not). I couldn't move arms, legs, torso, and I had a tingling sensation over my arms and legs. I wanted to open my eyes. It occurred to me that I might be having sleep paralysis, so I calmed down and focused on trying to move my finger tips. Eventually, I could, and I found that I could move the rest of my body. As I started to drift off to sleep, the fear came back, along with the tingling, and hallucinations. I also had this completely irrational fear that some sort of malevolent being/animal was on the floor.

What does sleep paralysis feel like to you?

[LucidDreamer]

Hi, I'm still undergoing testing to determine if I have narcolepsy. Last night, I had an episode that I think may have been sleep paralysis. Experiencing it has made me realize that I've had these episodes many, many times, but I always thought that the inability to move while waking from a terrifying nightmare was emotional, not physical. I was wondering if someone who has been diagnosed could give my their opinion about whether these symptoms sound consistent with sleep paralysis, or if I'm just being a 'fraid-y cat. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I had a terrifying, vivid nightmare where my life was being threatened. I started to wake, and I was paralyzed with fear (for a while, I wasn't sure if the dream was real or not). I couldn't move arms, legs, torso, and I had a tingling sensation over my arms and legs. I wanted to open my eyes. It occurred to me that I might be having sleep paralysis, so I calmed down and focused on trying to move my finger tips. Eventually, I could, and I found that I could move the rest of my body. As I started to drift off to sleep, the fear came back, along with the tingling, and hallucinations. I also had this completely irrational fear that some sort of malevolent being/animal was on the floor.

What does sleep paralysis feel like to you?

[LucidDreamer]

You couldn't have given a better description to what sleep paralysis is.Just reading your comment brings tears to my eyes. What a horrible feeling these experiences are I'm 23 now but suffered from these attacks from 13 until I was properly diagnosed at 17 and put on meds which has greatly helped prevent them. From my understanding these occur when you first fall asleep or upon awaking, mine I found occurred more while laying on my back,which adds to the feeling of being held down or attacked. I've actually had dreams in which I felt actual pain like finger nail scratches.Until you complete your diagnoses I would prevent sleeping on your back, if they still occur try to remind yourself it's just a dream and shortly it will be over.Good Luck!

[Niemie]

Hi, thanks so much for your reply. This whole process has been so bizarre, and sometimes the symptoms do make me feel a bit crazed (especially when friends and family don't understand). It's great to hear from others who have been there. I was sleeping on my back, and the tip to avoid that is definitely helping. Thanks again.

[HeatherP]

Hey there - also recently diagnosed, but most recently having sleep paralysis episodes. I am really interested in your description of tingling. When I have paralysis, I get the same. Once I woke up (not dreaming), couldn't move, determined that I was indeed awake (b/c I could hear my radio), not dreaming, and went thru the same process....OK, try to move your hands - no go. OK, try to move your feet-no go. try to open your eyelids -no go. Calm myself, tell myself I am still breathing, so i am not dying. Don't know how long it lasts, but feels like I am straining against it, then I get all tingly, then I can move.
Just this past week had my first awake dreaming episode.... it felt more like I was in a movie than a regular dream, sort of more 3-D if you will, and then I thouhgt, "Maybe I am awake. I feel conscious, but I am seeing this dream" I go through the try to move parts, the images go away, can't open my eyes, then the tingling, and I am free. It is incredibly fascinating how REM creeps in at the wrong time, or that we wake up while the REM continues. Thank God I knew this symptoms was a possibility, or I would have thought I was NUTS. I hope one "gets used to it".