I am starting to get scared

Question

The other night I was standing at my mirror brushing my hair. The next thing I knew I just fell.  I didn't pass out or anything. I just completely lost control of my legs.   I have had similar experiences but the other rimes I was always walking or going down stairs and always thought I jut lost footing.   This time I was just standing there.  I am strting to fear things are getting worse with me.  Have any of you ever experienced anything like this?   I have also been havin trouble when I first wake up with being able to move at all.  It is like I am paralyzed.  I can't make my arms or legs work no mater what I try to do. The other night in the tub I couldn't move to get out.  I coulnt even yell or help.  Nothing worked. I am really scared and didn't know where else to turn. Thank u for any help.

lu7997 · Answer

Well CM and sleep apnea are realated. Sleep apnea is very common with many disorders though.   Cataplexy is a contion to which th body Locks itself in. And is typically a self defense mechanism for coping of some sort.  Mental not physical even though it has a physical response.   Epelepsy is very possible as the seizure center could be "flooded"

zippyjo · Answer

So interesting that yours has gone away in the months since surgery, Carolyn.  I have been having the opposite - far *more* problems since surgery.  Lots of fatigue and interrupted night-time sleep with lots of daytime fatigue.  I've recently been having the tingling / paralysis issue both when waking or when falling asleep, although if you don't freak out about it I think you end up fine, as you mention - I have found my body still breathes and it goes away.  Doesn't mean something isn't out of whack with your sleep, though.  I also find it happens less if I do not sleep on my back - side or stomach is better.  (FWIW, depending on your metaphysical persuasion, I've been told that this feeling is the beginnings of out of body experiences - description at least seems to overlap with your jumping out of the body feeling. Now, just a trick of your brain or paranormal experience, that's for you to decide.)  

Re: drop attacks - I also had one drop attack (I think) before surgery, and felt very dizzy / vertiginous and queasy after it.

On a non-Chiari note, I wonder if any of the paralysis issues are sleep-problem rather than CM issues - cataplexy (a feature of narcolepsy) sounds a lot like a drop attack, where you suddenly lose muscle tone and drop.  No idea if narcolepsy / cataplexy has been related to Chiari Malformation, but I have read some things that possibly connect CM with sleep apnea - why not other sleep problems?

tattie35 · Answer

I also have Chiari and had surgery last year at the Cleveland Clinic with docotr Di, he is the best NS that I have come accross. The sad thing is I am having reoccuring symptoms like tingling in both arms, headaches at the back of the head, dizziness. I just scheduled an appointment with Di for Sept.9th, hope everything goes well and he finds nothing serious.......but I am scared to death I will have to go through another surgery.

*Stormy* · Answer

Lu--yes it is really freaky and scary..I have just got used to it though b/c I've dealt with it all my life. Funny thing is, many years ago I found out that my dad experiences the same thing..so it's weird..Try the counting thing at 3 you have to "push" yourself awake..the weird thing is is that when it happens, I must have my eyes open and can see everything as it really is. I remember once when I was about 10, my brother and I shared a room and I woke up like that and could see him lying on the floor playing with cars but I couldn't move, scream, nothing...then I did my 123 thing and finally broke out of it and looked and he was doing exactly what I saw him do when paralyzed!! Just too weird...I have to say I am glad I haven't had one in awhile..

gmaldonado- I had really bad anxiety attacks b4 the surgery...I think it is the pressure/compression on your brains stem (which affects heart rate and respiration) combined with the fear and stress of dealing with this condition. I spent night after night lying awake in that state and I would wake up feeling like I was breath holding over and over again. What helped is the realization, that no matter what my panic center was telling me, I was NOT going to stop breathing and I could control my heart rate by deep breathing and relaxation. That's not to say it would always work but I knew that eventually it would subside. When you are panicking try putting you hand on your diaphragm area (under the ribcage) and focus on breathing from that area (don't chest breath) then find a word to concentrate on and replay it in your mind an you inhale and exhale slowly. I would use the word RELAX (lol..creative I know) doing this sometimes would give me some relief.

I feel so sorry for you guys b/c I know how horrible that feeling is...

Carolyn

gmaldonado · Answer

Carolyn, Lu7997: Omg I think I've felt that before..but wasnt sure if I was dreaming or not.Now I think I was awake and that whole sleep paralysis thing happened. Last night I jumped out of bed because I felt I couldnt breathe...I did have my cpap on..which is weird and my arm was tingly. I think I slept on my arm and sub consicously I panicked or something I don't know. I havent been able to sleep lately..I get really anxious and I feel panic attacks wanting to come upon me. Does that happen to any of you?

Selma...I'm so gona look that up! I think I heard it in "I love Lucy"..being that Lucille Ball is in that movie..maybe i did!

lu7997 · Answer

Carolyn yes that us exactly it.  Lol. I scream an scream and then all of a sudden it blurt out an I scare anyone close.  This is the first time it happened not sleeping. But I was so tired after the yard sale it is possible I dozed off in the tub.   I will hve to try the counting it would sure scare less people. Lol.   I have always thought it was from waking up during rEM sleep but I guess that is when u are paralized. So it might be connected.     Thank u so much.  I don't feel as scared knowing it isn't just me. And it isn't a sign I am going paralyzed.  I too think I am having drop attacks. This damn brain hemmroid is progressing fast.   What a pain in the ***. Lol.

selmaS · Answer

I think it is called Stage Door...it is a boarding house for girls/woman wanting to break into show business...Lucille Ball is in it and  Katherine Hepburn is a socialite that her father pays for her to get a part and she wasn't ne good....he did that so she would come back home and be sensible...however, the girl that expected the part committed suicide just b4 she goes on stage...she is told and delivers her first line flawlessly...which is,...."the calla lillies are in bloom again, such a strange flower....here is the link from her entrance...BTW she was great, it back fired on her dad...lol...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNtz0r5pmXo

*Stormy* · Answer

I've never had one, but it sounds like you had a drop attack from everything I've ever read about it. I would be really careful with what you do from now on and I would definitely report this to your Dr!!

The sleep thing struck a note with me....I have had this happen to me since I was a little girl. When it happens it is usually in the morning or when I wake up from a nap. I will be awake (so I think) but I can't move at all and I will get this really loud vibrating and buzzing in my head. It has happened to me for so long that I didn't even think about connecting it to Chiari...but it DID get really bad and happen more often when I was waiting for surgery. Plus, I don't think it's happened to me in months since the surgery...

I looked it up and to me it looked like I have sleep paralysis...google it sometime. Basically, when you go to sleep, your brain sends a signal (or hormone) to shut off your nerve function so that you don't act out your dreams. With Sleep paralysis, your conscious mind wakes up before your brain has sent a signal to start your nerve function again. It is really interesting...I wonder how many others of us have had this? I know with me, I've had to close my eyes, count to three and burst myself out of it (literally, I feel like I'm jumping out of my body). It is very scary but I have got used to it over the years and I know what do when it happens. The worst is when it keeps trying to drag you back down into the dream again. Anyhow, I guess this sounds a little weird to you all..but I am really interested if anyone else has had this experience.

Carolyn

gmaldonado · Answer

Oh I see! It sounds familiar but I can't remember what movie!  Its nice for you all to have a something to share that makes both of you smile. I call my 4 year old little weirdo..and she says "Mommy, I'm  a BIG weirdo!" (cause she's a big girl, she says ) so If I want to make her laugh I call her Little weirdo...lol

selmaS · Answer

It is a line from a old movie we like and when ever some one says lilly...we say it...lol....DD is funny...I join her...lol...it was one thing  that I knew would help her relax : )

gmaldonado · Answer

Lu7997: I hope it gets approved too. Hang in there. You'll be in our prayers. I know its hard with kids especially when they arent old enough for you to explain whats going on..and even if they were the fear in their eyes would break your heart...Just trust in God that He will bring you through all this. =-)


SelmaS:you're so silly..with the calla lillies..lol

selmaS · Answer

Oh ok...a good dr at that : )

I know what u mean...I was with my DD when I had a drop attack...it scared her soooooo much, I hated that...just as I hated how scared she was when I went into surgery...that is y I made sure the first thing I said was " the calla lillies r in bloom again"...lol....I knew she would know I was ok....lol...

lu7997 · Answer

Thank u both.   And yes Selma. I was so sick afterwards. I crawled to the couch and did everything in my power not to throw up. (I hate getting sick in front of my kids).   Loss of control is the scarest thing.   I hope my insurance approves my MRI soon. I new to have it bedore I can get bak in to the NS.  ( I go to Dr Di at Cleveland clinic).

selmaS · Answer

Hi Angie...sounds like u may be having drop attacks....u lose control, but r aware u r falling, but can not react to try to stop??

Passing out u feel the sensation and hear that fuzz/buzzing static.....this u r up one moment and the next u r down....I felt nauseated after I had my drop attacks, sprained an ankle and tore the meniscus in my right knee.So, do be careful...no driving !!!

U deff have a blockage that is affecting signals....do u have a chiari dr?..sorry, I can not remember.

"selma"

gmaldonado · Answer

I'm so sorry that you're going through this. Do you have help? When was the last time you've seen your doc? I have a 35yr old friend who couldnt walk or sit a certain way because she would pass out or feel faint. She had a pinched nerve or something related to that. I posted a question about her on the neurology forum i believe...they can't find whats wrong overall but they know that she has issues w/her nerves. Please let us know what your doc says if you do get seen. I'll be praying for you.