Does it all add up?

[kriya]

Hi I am a 31 year old female who has suffered from sleep paralysis since I was a child, on and off.  I have only recently discovered this phenomenon and I am relieved!  I have also been diagnosed with partial and/or complex seizures, my doctor said that the medication he gave me for this form of epilepsy also helps with sleep and sleep paralysis symptoms - is there a connection?

I have also suffered/recovered from anorexia nervosa for the past 6 years and have alcohol and drug problems.  I notice the sleep paralysis is worse when I am having sleeping problems for various reasons.  I get it upon sleep onset and waking.  I also suffer from occasional night terrors and waking confusion.

I used to think there was a super natural reason for both the sleep paralysis and seizures and am greatly relieved to find information detailing both as medical phenomenon.  I also suffer from panic/anxiety disorders.  I have also recently come to see my drug and alcohol (cigarettes and caffeine) abuse as a compulsive behavour, not dissimilar from washing hands many times daily.

I am wondering if there is a connection between the seizures, the eating disorder, the sleep paralysis, OCD and anxiety/panic?  I am trying to build a sound medical hypothesis upon which to base my future treatment directions.  Many of these disorders overlap symptomatology.

Thanks from hopeful, in hopeless times.

[Suri123]

Hi kriya, how are you doing? Well, you are right in your thoughts. Most of the illness when occurring together does contribute in overlapping the symptoms and particularly the stress increases tremendously as you may find it difficult to control the progression or treat at the same time. Sleep paralysis or the sleep deprivation could trigger various other disorders as the body do not get proper rest which imbalances the functioning of other systems of body. You may get a complete evaluation from a neurologist and a sleep specialist at same time. Relax and overcome the stress. Share your thoughts. Take care.

[kriya]

Thanks for response.  I have not had a sleep study done but I will look into it.  I'm in Melbourne do you have any idea where or the cost?

[KatEyes]

One other thing I wanted to mention... when I decided I was willing to fight my compulsions, I told everyone close to me to cut me no slack. Told them I would lie to them and make it sound so good they would believe it. Told them to take a hard line with me and give me not an inch of wiggle room no matter how much I squirmed. I had to give my credit cards, cash, and checkbook to family members to hold when I was at my worst. Even then I tried to sneak and lie, but I had far less opportunity.

Find a moment of strength and tell those around you to support your efforts in spite of upcoming protests. Situate yourself for the best chance of change.

[KatEyes]

The brain is so complex, I bet we'd all be surprised how intertwined the functions are. I couldn't scientifically substantiate what you say, but I'm thinking the same way as you.

With your history of sleep disorders, of all people, your brain does need to be bomarded with drugs and alcohol, or even lots of prescribed meds. I actually developed addictive and compulsive behaviors caused by a med I was on. By the way, have you had a sleep study done? It would be real interesting to see what your brain waves are doing in your sleep. If you don't get the right stages of sleep, the brain can become increasingly scrambled.

If you have already faced your eating disorders, there's no reason to think you couldn't face the others also. I think you owe it to yourself to give your brain time to heal without traumatizing it with substances. (Just don't stop taking prescription meds abruptly.) If you could find your brain's best healthy place, give it some time to heal, then see what issues remain, you will be better able to know how to proceed.

I don't take your compulsions lightly. I just know firsthand that what we do to our brains is sometimes with us for a lifetime. Which came first, the chicken or the egg - who knows? We've just got to work with what we've got. Best wishes in connecting the dots for yourself.