Has anyone ever had the feeling of you wake up and you know you're awake, but you can't move or open your eyes? I've had it happen several times to me. I know I'm awake, but it takes (it seems longer) like around 20 seconds before you can move or open your eyes? It feels like I'm paralyzed. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this besides me. (This happened once when I was younger (before meds) and is happening more and more frequently. It's a scarey feeling. TX in advance. Dawn2

On the Sleep Disorders Board, you will find a post by rainb0w that reads, "can't move or open your eyes?" In this post, it talks about sleep paralyzation, which is very similar to what you described. There are also some other references to other threads on sleep paralyzation within that post. You can read them, as well. Hope that helps! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

P.S. I've experienced this, too. In my case, it is related to my Restless Legs Syndrome. I'm not saying that you have this syndrome, but it (and other sleep disorders) is closely related to fibromyalgia, so you might think about talking to your family doctor or rheumatologist about getting a referral to a sleep clinic. Good rest is crucial for someone with fibromyalgia. Now that I've gotten my Restless Legs under control, my sleep has gotten better, and my fibromyalgia pain has decreased. It's worth considering, and in my case, my insurance paid for my sleep study and my visits to the doctors at the sleep clinic! Good luck! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hi, yes I have had that same experience also. The first time when I was about 10 years old and polio was very active. I think because there were so many people afraid of getting polio it caused a psychosomatic fear! I cannot remember if that started after I had my polio vaccines when I was a child. When I was in my twenties and extremely exhaused and slept "hard" I would wake up feeling the same way. I Also had the same feeling of being paralyzed for about 1/2 minute when I was on Flexeril. I have not had the feeling for many years and after stopping the flexeril. It was a scary feeling! Hope you get over it or find out the cause. Dawnsmist

I had read a long time ago about what you said on sleep paralysis but had forgotten about that. I just read that RLS could be caused by lack of iron on a fibro-news-letter today. Dawnsmist

Anon/Dawnsmist:
Thanks for the response. That's interesting cause I do have restless leg syndrome and I am on meds for sleeping. It was a night that I was extremely tired too. The meds for sleeping (clonazepam) sp? also helps with restless legs. I couldn't believe how much it helped. My legs wouldn't stop even before I fell asleep. I will check out that sleep board and see what they have to say. Sounds like something to do with the central nervous system which fibro attacks. All these things that keep coming up with fibro. What next?! Thanks! Dawn2

RLS can be aggrevated or even caused by vitamin deficiencies, and vitamin supplements can be an effective treatment of RLS for those who are deficient.

Unfortunately, RLS isn't always caused by vitamin deficiencies; I wish it was!! I had all the appropriate blood tests run after I found out about my RLS. We checked every vitamin under the sun, including calcium, magnesium, and iron, which have all been linked to RLS. I was so disappointed when the results came back. My RLS is a classic diagnosis of the syndrome that is not caused by deficiencies. I'm glad I didn't assume that I had deficiencies. If I had tried to self-medicate by using vitamin supplements, I would have risked ingesting too much of certain vitamins, which can sometimes be as harmful as too little of a vitamin.
Thus, I encourage everyone who suspects that they have RLS to have a sleep study done. I also encourage everyone who has RLS to have a bunch of blood tests run as well. If you can decrease your RLS symptoms through vitamins, then you are one of the lucky ones!! Still, (as we all know)it is better to determine the proper amount of vitamin supplements for you with a doctor. Good luck!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Anonymity (edited 01-09-2003).]