Sleep Paralysis + Anxiety/Medication

[SidewaySuns]

Hi all,

The other night, I went though what I believe to have been a moment of sleep paralysis. It was in the morning when I had woken up too early and tried to get back to sleep for another hour or so. I can't really describe, but I felt like I had a concious control over my dream, like I was aware of what was going on during it. Well, it turned into a nightmare where I was drowning and the next thing I knew I felt as though I was paralyzed. It only lasted for maybe two or three seconds, but it completely freaked me out. It was odd though, because I was telling myself to relax and I don't feel as though I was consciously telling myself that...it happened so quickly.

I may want to mention that I rarely sleep on my back, but that night I did. And, I had a small anxiety attack before I tried to fall back to sleep that morning. I am also currently taking .5 mg of Ativan before I go to sleep and during the day when I need to. I've only been on it for four days after I started to become a hypochondriac about everything (my mother passed away a few weeks ago)

Last night I had no problem sleeping; I was completely exhausted and I even slept more after I woke up in the morning. The only reason I'm freaking out about this now is that those two days I was with my boyfriend and now I'm alone at night. I understand that it's not harmful, I'm just wondering a few things;
Did this happen purely because of stress? and If I were to set and alarm in the morning, would that get me out of the paralysis if it were to happen again? Should I even be worried about it?

Thanks!

[sleepywithdancinglegs]

Yes, you described it perfectly. I have narcolepsy and my sleep paralysis is getting better..My sleep study showed that I do not go into REM  sleep very long..and when I get hit with intense sleepiness, I start dreaming as I am closing my eyes. When you dream with eyes open/ awareness, you have a hard time distinguishing reality from dreams.
I also have RLS, Involuntary Limb movement, and it is pretty much ruining my life. I was put on all the typical drugs and slept 24 hours..I could  not wake up. I read that people with narcolepsy are very sensitive to these meds?
Anyway, I have found nothing that will give me a good nights sleep and enough REM for me to feel rested. The OTC meds knock me out also. I am currently researching nootropics. Anyone know about them? I need help! I am 60 years old and missing out on life.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

The symptoms you are experiencing could be as indicated due to an entity called sleep paralysis. When this happens in sleep the person has difficulty moving his hands or feet. This is the symptom of a sleep disorder called Narcolepsy. This sleep disorder is characterized by excessive day time sleepiness, sleep paralysis, cataplexy where the person has episodes of loss of muscle function while awake, hypnogogic hallucinations and automatic behavior. You will need to consult your primary care physician, who may refer you to a sleep specialist if indicated.

Hope This Helped and Do Keep Us Posted.

[DreamNaut]

I use to have heavy sleep paralysis issues.. its very difficult to narrow the problem though. My issues have waxed and waned over the years although I am happy to report no more sleep paralysis.. Sleep paralysis is associated with narcolepsy to some degree. I feel it can often be brought about by stress/panic. Try sleeping on your stomach instead, this may resolve your sleep paralysis completely. Personally, I didn't like the things I saw or felt, so I would wake myself up as fast as possible...

God bless.