sleep paralysis

[misi95]

I've had this happen to me twice now within a few months apart.  The first time it happened, I could not move at all, I kept wanting to reach over for the phone to call my husband I was so scared.  I felt as though I was trying to push myself across the bed.  I kept hearing noises like little voices saying she's waking us, she's waking up.  I was terrified.  From what I can remember I either went back to sleep or was finally able to move.  It was almost like I woke up to thinking it was a dream but I know it wasn't.  The strange thing also is when I checked the clock I wouldn't have been asleep more the 15 - 20 minutes.  
This week it happened again for the 2nd time.  It was windy outside and my windows were open.  I could hear acorns falling on our shed roof and banging noises but I could not move and I don't know if my eyes were open all the way, because everything was white and fuzzy.  Its a terrifying experience, I wish I knew why its happening to me now all of a sudden.  I'm 32 and do not recall this from before.

[mej1981]

This supposedly happens when you're having alot of stress in your life.

[Stellatum]

It's terrifying, but it's not serious or dangerous. Next time it happens, try moving your eyes rapidly back and forth--you'll find that even if you can't move anything else, you can move your eyes, and the motion will break the paralysis. Another thing that works for some people is moving their tongues.

I keep posting this bit of advice because I suffered from sleep paralysis episodes for years before I found out what to do about it, and I wish I had found out sooner.