sleep paralysis

[marti]

Has anyone ever experienced sleep paralysis? Not sure if this is a MS thing, but it's really strange. I had another one of these "dreams" this morning where I couldn't wake up or get the blanket off of me. Sam appeared in this one and a little dog. I fought to get up... my eyes were open part of the time and I was actually awake or conscience. When I finally came around I had tears coming down my face.

[loopey]

I am sorry this happens to you, Marti ! I haven't had that happen to me but it sounds terrible.

[pennstater]

I am so sorry you experienced this. I am one who rarely remembers a dream. I did have one experience, after my father passed (he lived with us 18 months after my mom passed). I dreamt he fell, but when I was trying to get up, I couldn't move. I tried to yell for my husband, but no sound. My mom then came to tell me he was ok. After that, I have no idea how/when I moved and came out of it.

Hopefully you don't experience more dreams like that. It can be comforting to see our loved ones in dreams, but the paralysis is frightening.

[marti]

Penn, your experience sounds just like mine. I'm not sure if this is sleep paralysis or something else, but it sure makes you feel paralyzed. I've had this about 4 times now. Very uncomfortable.

[Bobby72]

Hi I don't know about that one but I do know about the paralysis. I'd be stuck where my legs won't work no matter what I do. I have to use one of those leg lift things to get my legs in or out of bed. Then at times when using a blanket I'll be stuck as well. Doesn't matter if it's one of those microfiber ones that are lighter or a regular blanket. Only way I'd be able to get unstuck is to use my Canadian crutch to lift the blanket off of myself. I keep the crutch next to my head to pry myself upright when I have trouble getting up. All in all though that dream is probably something to do with being worried about your MS getting worse. I think a lot of us go through that. Just not a lot of people check in with the forums and take the time to answer.

[VikingKitty]

Marti, I have experienced this many, many times.

As a matter of fact, I just brought this up to a neuro-psychiatrist that was reviewing my MS symptoms and history. She really didn't have much to say about it. I actually used to experience it a lot after a car accident where I had hit my head when I was about 20 years old. Not too long after that, I start experiencing what I call “waking dreams” as I never heard of sleep paralysis at the time and in 1987 the internet wasn’t around.

Sometimes I would feel “stuck” (paralyzed) and how I got myself out of those situations is I would try to move both of my feet. For some reason, it would wake me up. I only rarely experience sleep paralysis/waking dreams now.

When I do have it, sometimes I'll hear a loud noise or I'll feel/hear a crackling electricity sound. Sometimes I'll just feel awake (even though I’m not) and will see different things like colors, etc.

See the link I attached from Wikipedia - it might shed some light. I do know that sleep paralysis is very disturbing and uncomfortable giving you a panic feeling but if you can remember that you WILL wake up and it will be okay.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_paralysis

[marti]

Thank you all so much. Always good to get your thoughts on our subjects.