Paralysis, dreams, can't get up, but I think I'm up? - Sleep Disorders Message Board

siren1024 · 12-16-2004, 11:53 AM

This is strange, and it's happened to me before many times. It's not an every day occurrance, but today it was the first day it really worried me.

I was in a deep sleep this morning when my 17 month old woke up crying. I got up, walked around to find my robe, and walked out the door, and into his room (Or so I thought!!!!!.) I then began to try to speak to him and realized I couldn't move my mouth, then I realized I was actually still in bed and had never gotten up. So I was thinking in my head "I have to get up and get to him" and got up again, and again in my head, only to realize again and again I was still in the exact same position. I couldn't move my arms, legs, anything. My brain was working fine. I realized that I was still in the bed and tried to force my eyes open to wake up and couldn't do it. I felt completely paralyzed, I could feel the heavy numbness in my face and limbs. Tried to move an arm or a leg and couldn't do it. Or I would once again dream I had done it. This went on until my son was absolutely screaming, then I "snapped to" all the sudden and was fully awake.

It this a normal sleep phenomenon? Like I said, this had happened to me before, but it was before I had a child and not that big a deal. I know your body is paralyzed while you dream, and I was apparently dreaming, but my brain felt like it was functioning on an awake level? I still remember everything I was thinking and feeling.

Anyone ever experienced this?

Oh yeah... I used to experience the "floating" sensation in my teens as I was going to sleep that is typical of sleep paralysis.

Steph@nie · 12-16-2004, 04:18 PM

This used to happen to me very often, at times it was even terrifying. I "googled" sleep paralysis and found lots of people went through this and I in fact was not possessed (lol). It doesn't make it any less scary or frustrating to know other people go through it, but more normal.

If you haven't looked it up on the net yet, you should. As far as what to do about it, I have no idea, but wish that I did!

That probably didn't help any, but I guess I still am amazed it happens to other people, so I had to respond!

VoxEgo · 12-16-2004, 05:02 PM

Ths happened to me once,not so long ago.I was in a hotel room,sleeping next to my boyfriend,got up and asked him to switch places with me.Then something weird happened.Again I found myself sitting next to my bf,got up and asked him to switch...and again and again and again.At one point I realised I was asleep and tried to wake up,couldn`t,every time it was the same story,everytime I imagined I was awake I was actually in a dream.I was in panic,started crying but still couldn`t wake up for real.At one point I was able to see myself sleeping in the bed,trying to wake up,as if part of me was sitting in front of the bed.I honestly don`t want to repeat that experience ever again.

siren1024 · 12-17-2004, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoxEgo

At one point I was able to see myself sleeping in the bed,trying to wake up,as if part of me was sitting in front of the bed.

This happens to me too! I see myself trying to get up, trying to force myself to move limbs, open eyes, or something. It's really freaky.

1plumppup · 12-28-2004, 12:52 AM

I think this is what the Matrix referred to as a glitch in the computer programming system!
Yes, it can be the most terrifying thing. when it happens to me, if I can, I try NOt to fight it but rather relax into it. I find that when I relax it goes away much quicker than when I fight it. But, remebering to do that is difficult because it comes over me so unexpectedly, I am usually fighting before I know it & then experiencing what feels like hours of struggle.