jj23
05-27-2003, 02:51 PM
Lately, when I start to fall asleep I wake up kinda shocked. I think I always had it and seem to remember I used to get dreams of falling off the sidewalk which would cause me to wake up suddenly. But lately it's been getting worse and I've been smacking my wife as I wake up because my arms just fly everywhere.
Is this a disorder? Is there a medical explanation for this? It only happens just as I fall asleep.
Thanks!
Is this a disorder? Is there a medical explanation for this? It only happens just as I fall asleep.
Thanks!
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confusedbody
05-27-2003, 03:18 PM
I believe what you are experiencing is called "sleep starts". I don't know if there is any treatment for it, but other than disturbing you they're harmless. Sorry I can't tell you more.
bradford54
05-28-2003, 08:06 AM
To get an informed answer to your question call a sleep lab. ( most hospitals have them) and ask your questions. You need to remember these people are not doctors only tech.( they do and read the sleep labs) and only give out general information. The sleep lab people in my area are nice people who love there work and like to talk about it. They can steer you to a doctor and or see your famil doctor.
LeeT
06-02-2003, 02:09 AM
I'm no expert, but i have the same thing happen to me now and then. No where near as badly as you're saying yours is (was, i hope!)jj23. I would be dreaming deeply of riding a bike, and i would go over a bump and the next thing i knew, i was WIDE AWAKE!! So, i went to my GP and he told me that it was the body's way of naturally releasing stresses from the day. At the time, my job was very stressful, so it made sense to me. I ended up doing stress relieving breathing and stretches before i went to sleep and it helped a lot for me. My doctor suggested sex, since it is supposed to be a big time stress releaser, but sadly, it was at a time in my life when i was unattached. Now that i don't have the stressful job, i am married. Go figure. Anyway, i do hope yours is better now, jj23 and if it isn't, i hope my suggestions help. :O)
Karony
06-10-2003, 02:36 AM
jj - is it possible that you have sleep apnea? I have just been diagnosed with it and I, too, have had episodes (although not very often) of feeling like I am falling off a building or something. I wake up with a start and have the feeling that my arms and legs have flinched (I think that's what wakes me up).
Have no idea what causes this, but I have apnea and it could possibly be from stopping breathing. don't know? I had not thought about it much until I read your post.
Have no idea what causes this, but I have apnea and it could possibly be from stopping breathing. don't know? I had not thought about it much until I read your post.
blackbarf
06-11-2003, 05:43 PM
Could I postulate that the reasons your arms and leg flinch is beacuase I loud bang has startled you and your body's response short circuits your conciousness to react for you? I often awake to find my head flying from the pillow as the ground shakes beneath it :( when I return home this does not happen, such are the perils of leaving with students.
bazza
bazza
blackbarf
06-11-2003, 05:47 PM
Edited by blackbarf, deleted undesirable suggestion.
[This message has been edited by blackbarf (edited 06-18-2003).]
[This message has been edited by blackbarf (edited 06-18-2003).]
jj23
06-11-2003, 05:59 PM
Here's what typically happens, I've been keeping an eye on it the last few nights and I think I have an answer. I've found that it happens more when I am sleeping with my girlfriend. When I sleep alone, I am only aware of a slight twitch before entering sleep. Now I can time exactly when I fall asleep. I wait for either my leg, or arm to twitch and I know I am going to be asleep within minutes after..strange.
But when I'm with my girlfriend, in her bed, it's almost as if it's a subconcious attempt to stay awake and fight the sleep and thus causing the sleep start, or violent awakening (which is a better description). I still don't know what is the cause. I don't think it's stress related and it certainly does not go away after sex. Last night I tried tylenol PM, three of them actually. Took them a couple of hours before bedtime. I lie there, arm around my girlfriend watching TV when I feel the affect of drowsiness. I turn off the TV and wait. Leg twitches. Then next thing I know I'm whacking her on the back and waking her up. Apologize, then fall into deep sleep.
Weird huh?
But when I'm with my girlfriend, in her bed, it's almost as if it's a subconcious attempt to stay awake and fight the sleep and thus causing the sleep start, or violent awakening (which is a better description). I still don't know what is the cause. I don't think it's stress related and it certainly does not go away after sex. Last night I tried tylenol PM, three of them actually. Took them a couple of hours before bedtime. I lie there, arm around my girlfriend watching TV when I feel the affect of drowsiness. I turn off the TV and wait. Leg twitches. Then next thing I know I'm whacking her on the back and waking her up. Apologize, then fall into deep sleep.
Weird huh?
blackbarf
06-11-2003, 06:07 PM
Thanks for the prompt reply, jj. I know what you mean now, I get drowsy in lectures and then my left arm flails wildly, probably annoying anyone nearby, this only happens when sitting upright in lectures though. It could be related to by left shoulder injury (see my contribution to TMJ & vision in TMJ section, if you would). Hopeful nights of instantly forgotten drunken stoopers have not caused me damage to my brain... I don't drink in public now.