Hey Rob,
You may want to jump on the sleep disorders board. I have narcolepsy and sometimes what you describe is a symptom called sleep paralysis. It happens when you're going to sleep or waking up. It can be scary as hell to some people. Check out the sleep disorders board and let me know what you think.
Also, at least w/ narcolepsy, it's a sleep phase disorder so you hit the sleep phases in different orders, which leaves you absolutely exhausted, and the more tired you are the less your brain functions...or as I like to refer to it as being "stuck on stupid"....makes life hard, yet entertaining at times!
I'll pop back in and check on ya, but the kids are going to drive me nuts if I don't tend to them real quick.
Toodles..................Angel