Sleep Paralysis

Murdock · Post by **Murdock** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:43 pm

Does anyone here get sleep paralysis? According to what I've read, the brain gives off a chemical during REM to keep us from acting out our dreams. Sleep-walkers don't get enough. Sleep paralysis people get it too soon before they are in the unconscious state. I get it about 4x a year and it is quite unnerving. Don't like it at all....

I have just gone back to my cpap. I used it for a couple of months, then gave it up, about 3 years ago. I'm only on day 3 and I my energy level is great. I feel like the newly converted.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:40 pm

No, thank goodness, I've not experienced that.

Glad to hear that you are back on CPAP and that this time you've slept good and woke refreshed in the morning. We just might make a believer outta you yet!!

Welcome to the forum.

Susanm · Post by **Susanm** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 4:21 pm

Yes, I have sleep paralysis when I kick into a dream before I get to sleep. My family is pretty thankful that I have started having the paralysis, as I used to scream and jump around and try to kill whatever I thought was attacking me when I would get those dreams just before falling asleep. The paralysis is pretty disturbing, but not as much so as trashing the bedroom trying to kill zombies or giant spiders that aren't there. It's a pretty common feature of narcolepsy, (I've got 3 of 4 classic signs) but the sleep docs tell me I don't have it.

Susan M

NomoreCrashcart · Post by **NomoreCrashcart** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 4:52 pm

[quote="Murdock"]Does anyone here get sleep paralysis? According to what I've read, the brain gives off a chemical during REM to keep us from acting out our dreams. Sleep-walkers don't get enough. Sleep paralysis people get it too soon before they are in the unconscious state. I get it about 4x a year and it is quite unnerving. Don't like it at all....

I have just gone back to my cpap. I used it for a couple of months, then gave it up, about 3 years ago. I'm only on day 3 and I my energy level is great. I feel like the newly converted.

laurals · Post by **laurals** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:32 pm

I have had some problems with sleep paralysis, but strangely enough avoiding Taco Bell for dinner helped a lot. I never had it before I was 28. The first episode was nothing scary (strange, but not scary), but some of the other ones have been scary.

BrianRT · Post by **BrianRT** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:51 pm

This is a reason AHI's are higher in REM as the paralysis is affecting the muscle tone of our throat tissue, making it more apt to close up.

NarcoApneac · Post by **NarcoApneac** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:26 pm

I was reading a book yesterday. I think it was Gerard Lombardo's "Sleep to Save Your Life." In it he describes how the sleep deprivation caused by apnea can give rise to parasomnias that just plain go away with CPAP. I was also surprised to learn that certain genetically inclined individuals have sleep paralysis, but are neither sleep deprived nor narcoleptic. I believe that it is most common though in sleep deprived but otherwise normal people.

I have occasional sleep paralysis due to Narcolepsy, and cataplexy too. Cataplexy, which is quite similar to sleep paralysis, is when REM atonia breaks through into relative wakefullness paralyzing anywhere from just a few to most of the muscles of the body. I know how terrifying sleep paralysis can be, but at least one is already lying down before it hits. The first solution for sleep paralysis is better sleep (i.e. apnea treatment for apneacs, and more sleep for the voluntarily sleep deprived). For narcoleptics who may have other REM symptoms too a number of REM blocking drugs are available.

Murdock · Post by **Murdock** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:06 pm

to be amongst others that understand my sleep issues. TMJ, apnea, paralysis, insomnia, GERD, occasional talking....I lead a more exciting life asleep than I do awake! Anyway, happy to be here, happy with my cpap---would be really happy to be amongst those that lose weight with it!

Seriously, thanks to all who responded. It's comforting.

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:27 pm

nope, no sleep paralysis here...the exact opposite problem in fact...just ask anyone who has had the misfortune of sharing a room with me and my crazy nocturnal shenanigans

Sleep Paralysis

Sleep Paralysis

Re: Sleep Paralysis

Feels good

Humidifier

Additional Comments: Satisfied CPAP customer since 04/2000