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Thread: sleep paralysis?

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    Veteran Member Jenn1981's Avatar
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    Default sleep paralysis?

    Anyone ever get this? I used to maybe a few times a year if that, but now its like a few times a month.
    I know its nothing life threatening, but it really scares the Sh*t outta me when it happens!

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    Featured Member Natalllia's Avatar
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    Default Re: sleep paralysis?

    Do you mean that you feel like your brain is awake, but you can't move your body yet?
    I've never experienced this myself, but I had a boyfriend who did on occasion and it sounds terrifying. I actually asked my mom what she knew about it (she's a psych nurse), and I believe she told me this is sometimes a symptom of PTSD. This was a long time ago, so I could be remembering wrong. I don't know if there's any way to treat or prevent it from happening, though.

    I'm sorry you go through that.

    ETA- hmmm, it seems that sleep paralysis (and other sleep disorders) can definitely be brought on by PTSD, but having a sleep disorder (like sleep paralysis) does not necessarily indicate that you have PTSD.
    http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders...leep-paralysis

    It says that there's no treatment for sleep paralysis, but you may be able to figure out why it happens and treat the underlying cause. It might be a good idea to bring it up with your doctor, if you have one.
    Last edited by Natalllia; 01-17-2012 at 06:15 PM.
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    God/dess BlkSharpie's Avatar
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    Default Re: sleep paralysis?

    I have it...Ive had it since I was a little kid and yeah, Im pretty sure mine is related to PTSD, since I have that as well.

    Its a Catch-22 type thing...when Im stressed out and not getting enough sleep, thats when it gets worse and happens more often, but the more it happens, the harder it is to sleep and the more stressed out I get. Its a super crappy cycle. And youre right, even though you know what it is (until I was in my mid-20's, I seriously thought I was being haunted) its still super scary.

    What I do is, when it starts happening, I try to take time to myself for some peace, I drink tea, listen to some really calm relaxing music down low, and just try to clear my mind of whatever is bothering me or whatever is going on atthe moment. Like, I have to make a real effort to ground myself, and try to bring peace. I also find that doing a clean sweep of my home, just organizing it and making sure its totally spotless helps, cause seeing clutter makes me feel cluttered, know what I mean?

    I also make it a point to go to bed early, and get a full nights sleep for awhile. Im also an insomniac, and mild necrolepsy, so its super tough, but I force myself to stay in bed at least 6 hours so that my body can rest. For the most part, I can go a year or so without an episode, but once it starts up, Ill end up going through it a few nights a week for a couple of months. After I started this whole routine though, the episodes may last about a week and then Im good for awhile.
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    Veteran Member babylovexxx's Avatar
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    Default Re: sleep paralysis?

    Yes i have had it, i also would get it in stressful times with little sleep. I really creeps my out and id get really scared. Im usually really scared when im sleeping alone and use a night light lol. My friend who would also get it said shed have a high pitched buzzing noise when it happened..weird.


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    Featured Member sierra.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: sleep paralysis?

    I have episodes allllll the time. Earlier today I was taking a nice long nap and I would say I had at least 3... Last night when I was going to sleep I had at least two... but it was probably more.

    It can be a scary experience, especially if you start getting the feeling of pressure on your chest or have unsettling hallucinations (once I thought I was being raped). Since I have them so often they don't usually bother me, but sometimes I do begin to feel panicky. When this happens, I just try to calm my mind. I focus on my breathing, sometimes I let myself fall back asleep, or sometimes I will focus on moving my arm and wait patiently for that to happen. I remind myself that this feeling WILL pass, and though it might feel like a long time it will probably be over very soon and I just need to stay calm.

    Good sleep hygiene is important for avoiding episodes. I mentioned I have had at least 5 in the last 24 hours... well I have been out of town since Thursday. I was down south working a new club's grand opening, doing 10 hour shifts and sleeping in an uncomfortable hotel bed. I was EXHAUSTED last night and even today. I do have them all the time but that many is above average even for me, and this is probably why.

    Another thing that I have noticed can bring one on is sleeping on my back.

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    Veteran Member babylovexxx's Avatar
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    Default Re: sleep paralysis?

    i thought id add that i also have very disturbing nightmares, is this something you guys have in common as well? as people who experience sleep paralysis ive always wondered if it was related.


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    Default Re: sleep paralysis?

    I have crazy horrific nightmares, but didnt relate that to the sleep paralysis, since that happens when youre either going into or coming out of sleep, not during REM sleep which is when dreams occur.

    Now, almost all the time when Im trying to fall asleep, Ill get the feeling that Im falling down, like off the bed and jolt up, or I get the feeling someone is shaking me or the bed...thats just my muscles being stupid lol its all related,but its not as bad as a full blown episode.

    Mine comes with all the fun stuff, I hear voices, see shadows and figures, footsteps coming towards me, and also heavy pressure on my chest or feel like someone has a grip on my arms and legs. The physical stuff are just the muscles still "sleeping"..stuff you woudlnt be aware of if everything was in sync, and the other stuff are just hallucinations, cause the brain sort of freaks out and goes into a state of confusion cause it doesnt have total control over your body like it should.
    Don't blink. Don't even blink. Blink and you're dead. Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't blink!

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    Default Re: sleep paralysis?

    Ive had sleep paralysis since I was probably 13... it usually happens when Im napping but could be anytime. I haven't experienced anything really stressful in my life - Ive put it down to a fucked up reticular activating system (the part of your brain that monitor consciousness). I often have an overwhelming urge to fall asleep sometimes so figured it was all related. I also get horrific nightmares sometimes 4-5 times a week, sometimes not for a month or so, but also had those my whole life. I'm not sure but I think I could have sleep apnoea as well... a few times I have woken up gasping for air where it feels like Im not breathing, but thats less than 3 times a year and only started about 3 years ago. I should probably get a sleep test lol... but being a bad hypochondriac I try not to think about my "problems" too much in case Im exaggerating them.

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    God/dess 4everresolutions's Avatar
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    Default Re: sleep paralysis?

    Theres another thread about it kicking around here on SW somewhere. Yes, I get it too, and it sucks. It's fairly common, more so for me if my sleep patterns are irregular or if I'm sleeping too much. We call it "The Old Hag" where I'm from.

    Hope it stops happening and abates soon. It's terribly frightening. If it gets really bad there are medication that have been shown to be successful in treating it.



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    Featured Member Natalllia's Avatar
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    Default Re: sleep paralysis?

    Quote Originally Posted by 4everresolutions View Post
    Theres another thread about it kicking around here on SW somewhere. Yes, I get it too, and it sucks. It's fairly common, more so for me if my sleep patterns are irregular or if I'm sleeping too much. We call it "The Old Hag" where I'm from.

    Hope it stops happening and abates soon. It's terribly frightening. If it gets really bad there are medication that have been shown to be successful in treating it.
    You're right. Actually, it turns out there's several:
    http://www.stripperweb.com/forum/sho...leep+paralysis

    http://www.stripperweb.com/forum/sho...leep+paralysis

    http://www.stripperweb.com/forum/sho...leep+paralysis

    There's some interesting stuff in these threads. If you have this problem, I'd say it's worth at least skimming through them.
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    Featured Member rareaspasia's Avatar
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    Default Re: sleep paralysis?

    I've had them for as long as I can remember. I think it's related to my having bipolar disorder, though. My brain ain't quite right, lol. Like everyone else said, it's more common when you're stressed and haven't slept enough. I've noticed that alcohol makes it happen a lot more, and sleeping on my back. I usually get them when I'm having a lot of anxiety attacks, too. I've been pretty stable for the past few years so it's rare for me to have it happen now but they still sneak in sometimes and honestly, I find that I'm usually aware enough to kind of know what's going on and I just relax back into regular sleep. It weirds my boyfriend out, though, because I'll actually open my eyes and he says I look like I'm dead.

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    Default Re: sleep paralysis?

    I was told that by my roomate too, when I was in the army. Back then when I didnt know what it was, I would start trying to scream..and she would see me in bed with my eyes wide open and making noises but completely motionless. Totally wierded her out...didnt help that she thought I was a total fruit of the loom anyway lol
    Don't blink. Don't even blink. Blink and you're dead. Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't blink!

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    Default Re: sleep paralysis?

    My sleep paralysis started around age 12. Sometimes awful hallucinations have been involved. It feels like I'm suffocating, and I must fight for every breath. Then I think if I can just open an eye, or lift a finger, maybe it will bring me out of it... But I never can. Eventually I fall back asleep, but sometimes it happens several times in a row. Oddly enough, Xanax seems to make it worse. It hasn't happened much lately, though. Maybe I grew out of it or have just been less stressed out over the last few years.
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    Veteran Member Jenn1981's Avatar
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    Default Re: sleep paralysis?

    wow i didnt realize so many people had it.
    I have noticed i do get it more often during the day if im sleeping (i rarely nap, so its only if im SUPER tired)
    Usually it does not happen at night, but it depends. I used to be able to open my eyes and actually see my room when it happened but just couldnt speak or move. But now i cant open my eyes. I can still hear everything though(sound of my fan, tv etc)
    I have only felt a presence once and that was the other day. It was as if someone crawled in my bed and spooned me. It didnt scare me, in fact it felt oddly comforting. Until they poked on my stomach. At which point I was jolted awake. No one was in my room with me to have done this.
    I had been very upset the past few days and sick, so i was extra sleepy which is when this happened. I do have alot on my mind. I am prescribed ativan but it doesnt seem to do diddly squat for my anxiety. I should see if the dr can prescribe something else. I read antidepressants can help with it. I dont think I am depressed. I mean I am going thru a rough time currently, but im generally not an unhappy person.

    Thanks for all the support though everyone. Nice not to be alone, although it stinks we all have it. I wish I could embrace it and not panic when it happens but im a scaredy cat by nature.

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