Sleep paralysis and more... please help?

I have been experiencing sleep paralysis several times a month for the past year... unable to move, difficulty breathing, intense fear, mind awake... it's awful. I figured out on my own that I can sometimes break out of this by "telling" my finger or foot to move, usually once I can do this I can get myself out of the sleep paralysis. I read that it's not dangerous or anything, but it's a horrible feeling.

But, I also have this strange sensation that often follows sleep paralysis, although sometimes I do have it on its own. Usually when I am taking a nap, after about an hour or so I wake up and can move my body but my mind is so cloudy and I am still exhausted, no matter how much I tell myself to stay awake I just can't do it. My body just has to fall back asleep even when I don't want it to. This scares me as well because it seems almost as though I am in the state between dreaming and being awake. Does anyone have this problem as well? Any advice or information would be appreciated.

I have heard of these kinds of sleep disorders before. You might first want to check with a medical doctor about this. He may then recommend that you get a sleep study done. During a sleep study, you spend the night in a hospital or clinic, with electrodes attached to you that measure muscle movement, heart rate, oxygen levels and brain activity. You may have a sleep disorder such as narcolepsy. Try doing an Internet search on sleep disorders for more information, if you haven't already. I have experienced sleep paralysis at times in my life too. I also had problems staying awake and it took me forever to get out of bed. I was diagnosed with Excessive Daytime Drowsiness, for which I took medication for that kept me alert.
Good luck! Doc

I used to get that all the time when I was younger. I get it from time to time. Everyone gets it. My great grandmother used to call it " when the witch is riding you" She was superstitious.

Try visiting the Fortean Times message boards. Also, google sleep paralysis.

iv had sleep paraliysis and like you said just move a finger or toe but the other just get out of bed as soon as you know you need to wake up

That has happened to me once before and I can relate to the terror you are experiencing. It is very frightening waking up and your body can't move. Have you been able to see anyone about this. Good luck and I hope you can find some good advice.

The main characteristic of narcolepsy is overwhelming excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), even after adequate nighttime sleep. A person with narcolepsy is likely to become drowsy or to fall asleep, often at inappropriate times and places. Daytime naps may occur with or without warning and may be irresistible. These naps can occur several times a day. They are typically refreshing, but only for up to a couple hours. Drowsiness may persist for prolonged periods of time. In addition, night-time sleep may be fragmented with frequent wakenings.

Four other classic symptoms of narcolepsy, which may not occur in all patients, are:

* Cataplexy: sudden episodes of loss of muscle function, ranging from slight weakness (such as limpness at the neck or knees, sagging facial muscles, or inability to speak clearly) to complete body collapse. Episodes may be triggered by sudden emotional reactions such as laughter, anger, surprise, or fear, and may last from a few seconds to several minutes. The person remains conscious throughout the episode.

* Sleep paralysis: temporary inability to talk or move when waking up. It may last a few seconds to minutes. Often frightening but not dangerous.

* Hypnagogic hallucinations: vivid, often frightening, dream-like experiences that occur while dozing, falling asleep and/or while awakening.

* Automatic behavior: Automatic behavior occurs when a person continues to function (talking, putting things away, etc.) during sleep episodes, but awakens with no memory of performing such activities. It is estimated that up to 40 percent of people with narcolepsy experience automatic behavior during sleep episodes.

Daytime sleepiness, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations also occur in people who do not have narcolepsy, more frequently in people who are suffering from extreme lack of sleep. Cataplexy is generally considered to be unique to narcolepsy.

In most cases, the first symptom of narcolepsy to appear is excessive and overwhelming daytime sleepiness. The other symptoms may begin alone or in combination months or years after the onset of the daytime naps. There are wide variations in the development, severity, and order of appearance of cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations in individuals. Only about 20 to 25 percent of people with narcolepsy experience all four symptoms. The excessive daytime sleepiness generally persists throughout life, but sleep paralysis and hypnagogic hallucinations may not.

The symptoms of narcolepsy, especially the excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy, often become severe enough to cause serious problems in a person's social, personal, and professional lives and severely limit activities. IT COULD BE NARCOLEPSY, I DID A REPORT ON NARCOLEPSY AND WHAT YOU DESCRIBED SEEMS TO MATCH THE SYMPTOMS. HOPE THIS HELPS.