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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Sleep paralysis or something more?
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Sleep paralysis or something more?
by Comrade_Jimmy, Apr 05, 2001 12:00AM
I'm a little concerned about some episodes I've been having. Based on what I have researched, it seems that I have sleep
paralysis with hypnogogic hallucinations. However, I just want to be certain about some of the symptoms. Sometimes during the
start of an episode (as I am starting to fall asleep), there is this intense "electrical"-type buzzing in my head. Also, there is what
feels like a violent throbbing inside the back of my head - no pain, just this very fast violent throbbing that feels like my head is
shaking apart. The rest of the sleep paralysis/hypnogogic halllucination stuff that follows seems pretty consistent with anecdotal
experiences I've read about. After the episode, It takes a little while to "recover." Each time my eyes blink involuntarily, I get a
quick buzzing in my head, but not as intense as the long buzzing before the episode. (I tried to see if it happens when I voluntarily
blink my eyes, but it does not.) The intensity of these residual buzzings generally subsides in a few minutes and disappears
altogether, although it still feels like I have been drugged and I can't really think straight. Is this simply part of the sleep paralysis /
hypnogogic hallucination scenario? Or is it something I should have examined further?
paralysis with hypnogogic hallucinations. However, I just want to be certain about some of the symptoms. Sometimes during the
start of an episode (as I am starting to fall asleep), there is this intense "electrical"-type buzzing in my head. Also, there is what
feels like a violent throbbing inside the back of my head - no pain, just this very fast violent throbbing that feels like my head is
shaking apart. The rest of the sleep paralysis/hypnogogic halllucination stuff that follows seems pretty consistent with anecdotal
experiences I've read about. After the episode, It takes a little while to "recover." Each time my eyes blink involuntarily, I get a
quick buzzing in my head, but not as intense as the long buzzing before the episode. (I tried to see if it happens when I voluntarily
blink my eyes, but it does not.) The intensity of these residual buzzings generally subsides in a few minutes and disappears
altogether, although it still feels like I have been drugged and I can't really think straight. Is this simply part of the sleep paralysis /
hypnogogic hallucination scenario? Or is it something I should have examined further?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Neuro[P]-M.D.-RPS, Apr 05, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Jimmy::
Sorry to hear about your sleep problem. The vivid dreaming that occurs and the inability to move is due to rapid onset of REM sleep. This should not cause the head buzz or throb. However, anything is possible and this might be related as it does seem to be coincident with your sleep events. It might be a good idea to see a sleep person and maybe a sleep study with EEG electrodes to rule out the possibility of a seizure event(s). I would doubt it as there should be other findings and it would not be so regular. My best bet would be that it is part of your sleep problem, which ought to be checked out anyway.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Sorry to hear about your sleep problem. The vivid dreaming that occurs and the inability to move is due to rapid onset of REM sleep. This should not cause the head buzz or throb. However, anything is possible and this might be related as it does seem to be coincident with your sleep events. It might be a good idea to see a sleep person and maybe a sleep study with EEG electrodes to rule out the possibility of a seizure event(s). I would doubt it as there should be other findings and it would not be so regular. My best bet would be that it is part of your sleep problem, which ought to be checked out anyway.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD