sudden scare or drop feeling when falling asleep

[mary ann mac]

I am new to the CPPA family and world. So much of this is very new but yet making so much sense..in my history of problems.
I was wondering if any of you have or know why when I fall asleep sometimes I have a sudden loss so to speak...like I am sinking quick, passing out... (very scary) then I jolt from it? This especially happens when I am extremely tired or sick. I can't quiet explain it very well ~ but maybe some of you will know what I am talking about.
Thanks,
mary ann
newbie

[Spirit]

Hi Mary Ann,
I experience the same exact feeling, never could find an answer. Would be nice, if someone had an explaination for the mystery. Hope the feeling passes for you.

[MoneyGal]

Here you go, an answer.

[Spirit]

Here you go,

Thank you !! I do have a irregular sleep pattern & sleep deprived

[kteague]

I have felt that sensation you describe from time to time. I assumed it was just a rough transition either from wake to sleep or from stage 1 to stage 2 sleep. Like when slowing to a stop on skates - sometimes it's smooth, other times not so much. There have however been a few times that concerned me. In one I felt "overcome" and faded out as I fought the sensation to no avail. That was scary as I was fighting to turn off the stove and sit down in those brief seconds. Another time was in a dream yet the physical sensation felt real, and I was sinking behind the wheel of a car and could only see the sky as I collapsed. It was the same sensation I felt once when I took a muscle relaxer for my back. It scared me, so I told the nurse at the doctor's office. She laughed and said that was how I was supposed to feel - that it was the moment the muscles released their tension. Maybe the sleep thing is the same, the point of release at which we yield to sleep.

Sorry no answers for you. Just some discussion of possible similarities.

Kathy

P.S. Just read the above link. Thanks MG.

[Mary Ann Mac]

Thank you so much..that explains it perfectly!
And it even has a name. I had this for so many years, and it really bothered me.
I also was said during my sleep study to have periodic limb movement..with a label I can't recall at the moment.
Thanks so much for the informative link.
Hopefully with my CPAP I will sleep better and have less of those...they sure are startaling. As long as my heart keeps healthy and working during those I can twitch away...but worry about the lungs and heart beat / rate.
Mary Ann

[kteague]

About those limb movements - read up on whatever the label was they gave to the limb movements. Limb movements can cause odd sensations if you wake during the end of a movement as it releases.

[spacetoast]

Just be glad you didn't have one of tattooyu's Exploding Head Syndrome moments at the same time!

[mary ann mac]

Spacetoast....you are so right.
I have never heard of Expolding Head Syndrome...sorry tattooyu...that would be annoying.
I am glad I found this site, it has been very informative, helpful, and even a bit entertaining in
a kind sense of the word. Some of this would drive us nutty if we didn't make lite of it.
I wish you all a good nights sleep.
Mary Ann

[BlackSpinner]

I found this to be much reduced by the cpap. I didn't know what it was either and I simply assumed the ones I got after I got the cpap were HI episodes as I was falling asleep and since the machine would handle it I no longer felt I was having anxiety attacks.

[Daffney_Gillfin]

Just be glad you didn't have one of tattooyu's Exploding Head Syndrome moments at the same time!

OMG! I have exploding head syndrome! I always just thought it was something that happened to everyone, and that I was dreaming, but couldn't remember. It doesn't happen often, so I guess I won't worry about it.