unable to speak or move

[neeva147]

i have a hard time going to sleep and staying asleep. last night i was tired...i went to bed i woke up unable to move and speak... and i had a hard time breathing.... it took several deep breaths for me to be able to move and talk.... i got scared and didn' t want to go to sleep... it happened 5 more times.... is this something serious?... could this be due to  back problems... i have a posting in orthopedics for a back problem....

[Suri123]

Hi krislor, how are you doing? Sorry to know you are suffering from the sleep paralysis for a long time. I really appreciate the positive attitude you carry towards coping with the sleep problems. Stress plays a major role in combating the sleep disorders, hence try to relax and overcome your stress. Getting a sleep study done is good idea and get evaluation by a sleep doctor. I would not suggest you blindly to volunteer unless you are left with no other options. Hope you will find this link to be helpful in knowing more about the sleep paralysis - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_paralysis
Keep updating and share your thoughts. Take care.

[krislor]

I am pretty sure i have sleep paralysis.  Ever since i was a kid i have regularly had night terrors. they seemed to go away for a while, but lately for the past year or so, i have had episodes almost every night. The incidents feel so real and me and my sheets are drenched in sweat when i eventually wake up. I don't have health insurance anymore, so I  really try not to go to the doctor, unless i feel that an issue is life threatening. I would love to mange my stress better, but not much seems to help. I take antidepressants regularly and i don't usually eat before bed. I would love to find some random sleep study and volunteer as a guinea pig or whatever. Then i wouldn't have to pay for more random drugs and exam fees. Or maybe I'll just move to Canada and join the rest of the world in socialized health care?

[Suri123]

Hi neeva147, how are you? Relax! Can you give some details as to when and how frequently you are suffering from these episodes? I feel you might be probably suffering from a kind of sleep disturbance known to be sleep paralysis, which occurs when you go to sleep or tend to wake up. It is a temporary phenomenon where in you feel incapable of moving your body or part of it physically but keep trying to shout loudly or seek someone’s help. This may last for just a few seconds to minutes and can repeat once again if you sleep. This does not cause any physical injury to body, but you will be probably frightened with sweating, increased heart beat, feel shortness of breath or air hunger. Sometimes night terrors can aggravate it further. You need to reassure yourself nothing has happened and nothing is going to happen. Try to change your sleeping position to sleep on side avoiding sleeping supine, and it is better to go to sleep as early as possible. Particularly at night try to avoid alcohol, smoking, coffee, too spicy large meal and going to bed late night. Alprazolam taken minutes before sleep can be helpful. Most important thing is to get rid of stress. Exercise and meditation can be helpful. Get evaluated by a neurophysician and sleep specialist; also ask for a sleep study. Take care and share your views.