Severe head pressure during sleep paralysis

[Jester99]

In the past, I have had many different episodes of sleep paralysis, so I am fully aware of what happens during most episodes.  However, a couple of nights ago, I went to bed late and after about an hour and a half of sleeping, I had sleep paralysis but with a very scary symptom.  When I found myself in that "in between" being awake and asleep condition, as usual, I couldn't move or speak.  All of the sudden, I felt as if the pressure in my brain was increasing gradually (as if being pumped up) until it got to the point that I thought I was definitely going to die of an aneurysm or something similar.  The pressure then stopped, and then rose again, and then I finally woke up FOR REAL.  After awakening, I was scared and my heart was pounding, but I didn't have any headache, pain, or anything.  I went back to sleep immediately and the same exact thing happened again so I stayed up that time.  I have been sleeping on the recliner the last two nights and I haven't had another episode.  I don't have any pain during the day at all.  I feel fine.  I have had issues of dizziness and vertigo in the past few months, but I was diagnosed with Benign Paraxosymal Positional Vertigo.  After about two and a half months, the positional vertigo is now completely gone and other symptoms of this disorder which include lightheadedness, head pressure, etc. have gotten progressively BETTER although they still linger sometimes.  When I had this dizziness, I had a CT SCAN of the brain, and MRI w/wo contrast of the brain, an EKG, an ECHOCARDIOGRAM, a CHEST X-RAY, blood work, etc.  I do have high cholesterol and triglycerides, but I am only 31 years old and have been eating healthy and exercising for a month.  Is there any possible explanation for INTENSE HEAD PRESSURE during SLEEP PARALYSIS?  

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

Sleep paralysis can occur in several different sleep disorders. One being sleep apnea. I mention this condition because it is associated with a severe headache. Sleep apnea is more likely to occur in overweight people who snore but can occur in anyone. Symptoms also include snoring, daytime sleepiness, and lack of concentration. Untreated, sleep apnea can cause many medical problems, and with treatment many symptoms improve. The diagnosis is made by a sleep study, called a polysomnogram, and treatment involves a mask placed over the nose and/or mouth that is adjusted to improve ventilation during sleep.

I would suggest you follow up with your primary care physician. You may benefit from a referral to a sleep specialist.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.

[Jester99]

By the way, ALL of those tests I mentioned above came out NORMAL.