Weird sleep behavior - Sleep Disorders Message Board

jj23 · 05-27-2003, 11:51 AM

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!

confusedbody · 05-27-2003, 12:18 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, 05:06 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 · 06-01-2003, 11:09 PM

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 · 06-09-2003, 11:36 PM

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.