Do you fear sleep?

[Mord]

I've been suffering from sleep disorders likely, a mix of sleep paralysis and night terrors, they're utterly terrifying and it's resulted in me being sleep deprived, I've been trying to get sleep for the last hour or so but every time I try i slip straight into paralysis while staying conscious and start to get epicly terrified, I only just managed to pull myself out of this.

Now I don't dare attempt sleep again tonight, it's too horrific but I don't know what to do, I'll get am emergency appointment with my doctor tomorrow but she's useless so I doubt she'll do anything to help.

[dukebound85]

sorry to hear about your situation. did something happen when you were sleeping once that makes you scared?


personally i love to sleep

[NAG]

Well I've experienced such a thing before but never as a chronic condition like that. Only thing I can think of is the usual stuff like stress or something similar. Have you tried working out/exhausting yourself that way?

[PlaceofDis]

sorry to hear that you're having problems, Mord.

seeing your doctor is a good thing, who knows maybe she will be of some help in some unexpected way. it seems as though its a rather reoccurring thing, so perhaps there is something larger at work.

personally i know i've woken up paralyzed once or twice, but they were rather few and far between and every time i was seriously sleep deprived and jolted from sleep. if its at all like what i've gone through, its not an easy process.

i wish you the best and i hope you can find some restful sleep in the near future. perhaps talking to/seeing a psychologist would help as well.

[Fearless Leader]

No, I just cant seem to manage to get there. Typical sleep pattern, wake up at 6 on weekdays, pass out at 2 to 3. and on weekends\days i do not need to do anything, I wake up at around 10. and sleep an hour or 2 later. Im almost always tired.

[Mord]

What happens is that I'm lying there paralyzed unable to move and if I'm seeing my room I'm hallucinating mildly but I'm just stuck in an absolutely terrified state for no particular reason it's just unadulterated pure terror and I end up stuck like that for what seems like an eternity. The worst ones are where I slip between that state and lucid dreams but as I'm conscious they seem every bit as real as reality and I mean that deadly seriously, I also hear my subconscious which just drones about mundane things during these ones.

There's nothing else like them, I end up scared and paranoid that I'm trapped in these hellish situations forever.

While my life is hardly stress free it's been going rather well lately, I've been happier than I ever have been. the last time I had these I was prescribed a certain progestin, I'm currently on a different one that's far weaker but I seem to have tolerated it well for the last few months up until a couple of nights back.

I'm loathed to quit taking the med.

[spoon man]

yeah it sounds pretty mess up mate i work shifts and i have spaces were i wont sleep for 2 weeks or so but never anythink as bad as that....are you worrid about anythink or is there anythink playing on your mind and what are these dreams about ???

[NAG]

I didn't post this before because it is kind of weird but the way I approach nightmares and the can't move stuff is to enjoy them. Yeah, I know that is easier said than done and the this stuff can actually be a symptom of a much larger problem so you shouldn't avoid treatment by any means. Still, I approach it afterward as kind of a test and try to learn from it. Probably doesn't help you but I do hope this issue is resolved for you.

[Mord]

I didn't post this before because it is kind of weird but the way I approach nightmares and the can't move stuff is to enjoy them. Yeah, I know that is easier said than done and the this stuff can actually be a symptom of a much larger problem so you shouldn't avoid treatment by any means. Still, I approach it afterward as kind of a test and try to learn from it. Probably doesn't help you but I do hope this issue is resolved for you.

The thing is it's not a nightmare, nightmares are a walk in the park compared to this. It's unadulterated uncontrollable fear, if I experienced the paralysis and the lucid dreams without it I wouldn't have a problem, it'd be weird but I've dealt with weirder in the past.

[NAG]

Yeah, I know what you're referring to. You're not entirely there. So yeah, I approach it by how I think of it afterward. So I try not to be afraid of it while I'm conscious, basically, by framing it as something fun (which varies). Again, this is what I do, don't expect it to work for everyone.

[kainjow]

Yeah, I know what you're referring to. You're not entirely there. So yeah, I approach it by how I think of it afterward. So I try not to be afraid of it while I'm conscious, basically, by framing it as something fun (which varies). Again, this is what I do, don't expect it to work for everyone.

I don't think it's that easy... it's like telling someone who's addicted to smoking to "just stop".

Mord, I hope you find treatment and can get some peaceful rest.

[lighthouse_man]

Place a card in the room in a position to see it later with calming notices, like "this will end soon". I don't know if this would work, but it's worth a try.

I'd tend to think that getting drunk to bed would stop this from happening. If it works, don't make it a habit, otherwise you'd develop a worse situation; alcoholism.

I usually get out from it by trying to kick my foot and it usually works and I wake up kicking the air.

[NAG]

I know, that is why I wasn't saying that and why I actually admitted as much several times in my posts. I was merely posting a similar experience with the hope that some insight could be gleaned from it (far shot, I know but hey this is just a forum).

[Mord]

Yeah, I know what you're referring to. You're not entirely there. So yeah, I approach it by how I think of it afterward. So I try not to be afraid of it while I'm conscious, basically, by framing it as something fun (which varies). Again, this is what I do, don't expect it to work for everyone.

That simply does not apply while I don't doubt it's validity as applied to other sleep troubles. I've experienced things which scare the absolute bejesus out of most people and benefited from the experience but this is so epicly purely grim and that's all it is. I don't dwell too much once it's happened but when I can't get to sleep without slipping directly into one there's no way I can fool myself into thinking I'll enjoy it.

If there was any way of turning this around psychologically I would have found it already, I'm fairly certain of that for reasons I'd rather not go into here.

Place a card in the room in a position to see it later with calming notices, like "this will end soon". I don't know if this would work, but it's worth a try.

I'd tend to think that getting drunk to bed would stop this from happening. If it works, don't make it a habit, otherwise you'd develop a worse situation; alcoholism.

I usually get out from it by trying to kick my foot and it usually works and I wake up kicking the air.

Already tried drinking, made it worse, I'm also hallucinating so heavily I doubt I'd be able to read anything, especially in the dark, I can't sleep with the lights on.

[JNB]

I'm no doc, but I have a basic understanding of the physiology involved.

The body does become paralyzed during REM sleep, so as to not cause damage flailing about. It almost sounds like something in your sleep sequence is being triggered out of order, and the paralysis is occurring (or not releasing) while conscious. Similar things have happened to me when I was pre-adolescent/pubescent, and you're right, it's absolutely terrifying, but in & of itself part of natural processes. I guess I "grew out" of it, but once in a blue moon, I'll wake suddenly for some reason out of order, and have no ability to do anything but breathe. It passes pretty quickly, but it's still scary. And the perspective shifts, "crawling ceilings", and other hallucinations that went with it passed on their own as well.

Seeing a doc is an absolute must, but I believe that you're going to be fine on the back end of this. Keep us posted!

[lighthouse_man]

What about sleeping on a different bed or in a different room? Sleeping on a different side? I'd suggest on your right side.
Do you believe in any religion? Reading some scriptures or saying some prayer might help if you believe.

[Mord]

I move around and this happens wherever I sleep, tried every position and it happens the same, I'm atheist and my philosophical views are incredibly depressing.

[lighthouse_man]

Sleeping pills? Or playing soothing music and leaving it on while you go to sleep?

[PlaceofDis]

I move around and this happens wherever I sleep, tried every position and it happens the same, I'm atheist and my philosophical views are incredibly depressing.

perhaps try one of the most soothing things you can do. (shower/read a book/incense/etc) before sleep and see if that helps you relax? yeah i know unlikely, but placebo effect perhaps. or endorphins from the 'good' things.

[NAG]

I move around and this happens wherever I sleep, tried every position and it happens the same, I'm atheist and my philosophical views are incredibly depressing.

I hope you aren't serious about your philosophical views. I too am and atheist and instead choose to celebrate life. Again, different boats for different folks. (I love talking philosophy but I'll leave this thread to sleep stuff.)

[Abstract]

I don't fear sleep. I embrace it like I would an old friend.

[Xfujinon]

1. Go to a doctor
2. Ask for a nocturnal EEG
3. If necessary, consult a neurologist or psychiatrist
4. It is possible you are exacerbating the condition by placing your body in a prolonged state of physiologic deprivation of sleep. Doing so causes all kinds of havoc, and undoubtedly can be unpleasant.

I am sure this sucks. I've had similar things happen before, but not in a recurring fashion. Most of the time, I pass out again in about a half an hour, during which time I try to distract myself by thinking about all the women I would want to see naked (or the opposite, which can also be amusing).

While you probably don't think this is funny (I don't blame you), in all seriousness consult a sleep specialist or a psychologist trained in sleep disorders and related counseling. Prolonging the problem WILL exacerbate symptoms and can lead to further torment.

I wish you the best!

[benlee]

I would advise against stopping the medicine without talking to a doctor first. That may have adverse affects. I'm not a doctor but I guess I've just heard you shouldn't do that. Your body is relying on that now and it needs to be weened.

I have never experienced anything like you have. Quite frankly, I'm glad that I haven't.

I have had crazy things happen in my sleep. One that rings similar to your experience is one time I fell asleep on a road trip with my family when I was younger. I was consciously awake but I could not open my eyes, move, or breath for like 10 seconds (that is a long time).

Advice wise I would say to stay up if you can and maybe eventually you will fall asleep, if not definitely go see a doctor in the morning (have someone else drive you--probably won't be too alert).

Try not to develop your own Tyler Durden.

[TimJim]

I had this when i was much younger for a couple days, maybe a week. I could not sleep, but i never went to the doctor for it and it went away after a couple days. I must have just been to tired.

My dream was very hard to describe, sort of me trying to fill like a painting with white, but the harder i tried, the more it filled with black, the black represented like time of my life, the more black, the less time i had to live. It was just pure torture.

That sucks for you, see your doctor, i hope you get better.

[Marble]

I knew someone at uni who experienced waking paralysis every day of his life. I'm not sure if it's exactly the same, but he did say it involved a horrible sensation of helplessness and horror.

This was upon waking up, however, not falling asleep. His solution was to arrange for sunlight to be shining on him around the time he wanted to wake. While the sounds from something like an alarm clock were not enough to break the paralysis, external physical stimulation instantly relieved the effect, and the warmth from sunlight was enough.

I wish we could be of more help. That sounds absolutely horrible.

[Prof.]

That's really bizarre that you are suffering from night terrors. Night terrors generally occur with children usually younger than ten years of age. However, night terrors can occur with adults too. From what I can remember from psychology, night terrors occur during stage four of R.E.M (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.

This is from my old psych book:
"Generally, night terrors occur in adults cause of a recent traumatic incident OR from certain anti-depressant medication. If you are not on any A-D medication, you may be suffering from night terrors cause of Hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia, by definition, means - 'deficiency of glucose in the bloodstream'."

My advice - go see your doctor.

[benlee]

After thinking more about this. I have had some horrible experience when running a fever.

It sounds crazy but a reoccurring condition involved me trying to get every wrinkle out of my pillow before I could lay my head on it and go to sleep. Thing is I could never do it (I was in between wake and sleep mind you). It was some of the most bizarre feelings of stress and anxiety I have ever felt. (and I'm in Law School). All over trying to get wrinkles out of a pillow (which is impossible).

Another one involved me trying to fit giant mattresses in a room. I mean GIANT. Same bizarre emotional feelings involved.

This illustrates that the mind/body do some funky things when the chemicals and electrical wiring is off (see Prof's post-perhaps Hypoglycemia)in some way. Hopefully time, meds, or some alternative remedy can fix the condition (and soon).

Good Luck. If you get bored trying to stay awake an interesting read into the human mind is "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat" by Oliver Sacks. (might as well do something productive while awake). Just don't stay awake too long, could result in bad things. (see prior post: seeing a doctor).

[NAG]

I had one involving sleeping in a new bed. Might have been the smell or something.

[letsgorangers]

The neurology clinic I go to has a sleep lab. I assume they have a large number of patients, as Fridays are strictly for sleep disorders. Their sleep lab is actually in a hotel so it's not quite home, but it's not a doctor's office either. Try to find a neurologist in your area that specializes in sleep disorders.

[abijnk]

I know exactly what you are talking about. To a 'T'. And, though you might not want to hear it, I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder... I have regular old panic attacks, and night terrors, which sounds like what you are describing. I was diagnosed a year ago, and let me tell you, while medicine might not sound the greatest, that first night of full sleep after a few weeks feels so amazing...

Definitely go see a doctor. You might have to have a bunch of tests, but it will be worth the sleep. Its a very destructive cycle if you don't sleep. You are scared to sleep, so you don't, then when your body is really run down and you finally try to lay down for a little bit the exhaustion just makes it all the worse.

In my particular case, a combination of birth control pills (to even out my hormones) and Zoloft made a world of difference.

I really hope you get help soon. Good luck.

[cycocelica]

Afraid? No.
Hate? Yes.

Sleep is a waste of time.

[Iscariot]

Not anymore, but I had somniphobia for years when I was younger. This sounds more like fear of dreams (oneirophobia) than fear of sleep, which are two different things. If your doctor is incompetent, I really suggest going to a specialist, I know how crippling a disorder it can be.

[EricNau]

That's really bizarre that you are suffering from night terrors. Night terrors generally occur with children usually younger than ten years of age. However, night terrors can occur with adults too. From what I can remember from psychology, night terrors occur during stage four of R.E.M (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.

This is from my old psych book:
"Generally, night terrors occur in adults cause of a recent traumatic incident OR from certain anti-depressant medication. If you are not on any A-D medication, you may be suffering from night terrors cause of Hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia, by definition, means - 'deficiency of glucose in the bloodstream'."

My advice - go see your doctor.
Night terrors are very different from sleep paralysis. With the former the subject is fully-asleep (in non-REM) and while experiencing a very extreme nightmare, cannot be woken, and afterwards, cannot usually recall any part of the event. With sleep paralysis, on the other hand, the subject is awake and aware, but still in the REM sleep cycle, and cannot move. This is often accompanied by hallucinations, which often coincide with one's fears/beliefs. Often, ghost and alien encounters can be directly attributed to sleep paralysis.

Mord - as many other's have said, go see your doctor. As a warning, be consistent: you doctor may not be able to "cure" you right away; medicine is not an exact science, and it can take a few times to reach the most effective treatment. You may also want to ask your doctor to refer you to a specialist.

[njmac]

Mord, when I get sleep paralysis, I completely and totally relax my body while breathing out and I am able to wake up and move right away. I know it sounds simple but until I found that trick, I felt like I was going to be stuck in a nightmare forever. It was terrifying but this works like a miracle for me.

If you try this and it works let me know. It worked for one other person that I know of (the person that told me the trick)

[Prof.]

Night terrors are very different from sleep paralysis. With the former the subject is fully-asleep (in non-REM) and while experiencing a very extreme nightmare, cannot be woken, and afterwards, cannot usually recall any part of the event. With sleep paralysis, on the other hand, the subject is awake and aware, but still in the REM sleep cycle, and cannot move. This is often accompanied by hallucinations, which often coincide with one's fears/beliefs. Often, ghost and alien encounters can be directly attributed to sleep paralysis.

Mord - as many other's have said, go see your doctor. As a warning, be consistent: you doctor may not be able to "cure" you right away; medicine is not an exact science, and it can take a few times to reach the most effective treatment. You may also want to ask your doctor to refer you to a specialist.
LOL

You always correct me.:p

[Mord]

I was referred to a neurologist a couple of months back back for horrific headaches but due to the NHS being the way it is I was told it could be up to 6 months or so, I ended up doing research and solved the problem myself.

I just spent the last hour trying to sleep again but instead of touching sleep I just slipped into paralysis hearing my subconcious and started to hullucinate, I managed to wake myself from this and I'm back to square one.


Mord, when I get sleep paralysis, I completely and totally relax my body while breathing out and I am able to wake up and move right away. I know it sounds simple but until I found that trick, I felt like I was going to be stuck in a nightmare forever. It was terrifying but this works like a miracle for me.

If you try this and it works let me know. It worked for one other person that I know of (the person that told me the trick)

I can pull myself out of the state eventually it just happens every time so I can't get to sleep so I just have to sit up for hours and hope that when I try again I go to proper sleep.

I know exactly what you are talking about. To a 'T'. And, though you might not want to hear it, I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder... I have regular old panic attacks, and night terrors, which sounds like what you are describing. I was diagnosed a year ago, and let me tell you, while medicine might not sound the greatest, that first night of full sleep after a few weeks feels so amazing...

Definitely go see a doctor. You might have to have a bunch of tests, but it will be worth the sleep. Its a very destructive cycle if you don't sleep. You are scared to sleep, so you don't, then when your body is really run down and you finally try to lay down for a little bit the exhaustion just makes it all the worse.

In my particular case, a combination of birth control pills (to even out my hormones) and Zoloft made a world of difference.

I really hope you get help soon. Good luck.

My hormones are chronically messed up, the last time I had them tested I had ~10x the normal level of estrogen and ~5x testosterone. As I said though my doctor is a useless twunt, I was prescribed the med I'm on and had my estrogen levels reduced and I feel and look great as a result, I'm due for bloodwork to see what's going on so it'll be interesting to see the results.

What I'd like to hear or not is irrelevant, I like to be pragmatic about things and I don't doubt that an anxiety disorder or something similar could be the case, My head works in strange and often neurotic ways.

[solvs]

Anxiety disorder is a likely candidate for the cause, if not a symptom of a larger problem. I have issues sleeping as well, and while some of it is mental, some of it is also physical. While it's been thought that I do have an occasional minor chemical imbalance, after my regular doctor couldn't help me with what I was suffering from, I was sent to an allergy specialist who's referring me to an ear, nose, and throat doctor. Apparently I have a breathing problem. Again, might be the cause, might be a symptom. They don't know yet. Check up on that, have your current doctor refer you to someone else, even if it takes time, or find a better doctor. Pills never worked on me, but I still have hope that they can fix it, or at least make things a little better. So far my stomach has been feeling better (was having issues there as well) and the headaches aren't as bad when I do sleep. When I don't, it gets worse. So there's some improvement at least. Once I realized that some of the other symptoms I was having were because of the lack of sleep, that helped narrow down the rest as well.

Your issue sounds like there are some psychological issues you need to deal with that are making things worse even if there is a physical underlying cause (and the lack of sleep making things worse). It's nothing to be ashamed of if you are, and based on what you said about the hormone levels, could be coming from a chemical imbalance. Again, the symptoms making things worse and causing more issues, a vicious cycle. Go see another doctor. Go see a specialist. Go see someone, even if you feel as if you're being brushed off, if they drag their feet, if they can't figure everything out right away. It's only going to get worse, but with a little patience (I know you're frustrated) it can get better. Talking to someone might not fix it right away either, but over time, could also help.

There are pills that can make dreams go away too. They might not work, at least not right away, could even make things worse, but it's all experimentation. Doctors don't always know exactly what's going on, a lot of it can be guessing and waiting to see what happens, if it helps or hurts.

[Mord]

My eyes are burning and i have zero energy but i'm going to zombie my way to my doc in a bit.

[solvs]

My eyes are burning and i have zero energy but i'm going to zombie my way to my doc in a bit.
All the best, please let us know how it goes.

I didn't see it mentioned, but you should probably stay away from caffeine if you aren't already and *gasp* try to take a break from the computer and maybe even TV.

[Mord]

All the best, please let us know how it goes.

I didn't see it mentioned, but you should probably stay away from caffeine if you aren't already and *gasp* try to take a break from the computer and maybe even TV.


Will do, I don't drink coffee or watch TV, I pretty much live behind my macbook though.

[solvs]

I pretty much live behind my macbook though.
The light keeps me awake.

[katejones]

Hi Mord, sorry to hear your problem. I have trouble sleeping also, all to many times I look on the computer and it's 8am. I have horrible nightmares also on a regular basis. If i wake during those (wich i usually do when i die in my dreams) im to scared to lay back down. Im not sure i have any advice other than try to relax your mind before sleep. No mackbook no movies etc

My awake time has officially gotten worse than being sleep due to injurys and illness so lately i'd rather be asleep to avoid the pain. GL do a see a doctor and don't do what Heath Ledger did.

[Mord]

I don't want to sleep because I can't sleep I remain conscious, my body is paralyzed I get terrified and I hallucinate, I get no rest from this and I end up coming out of it in 5-10 minutes or so.

I know i'm stating the same thing again and again but people don't quite seem to get it, I'd love to sleep I just can't because I actually can't.

[katejones]

I don't want to sleep because I can't sleep I remain conscious, my body is paralyzed I get terrified and I hallucinate, I get no rest from this and I end up waking up after 5-10 minutes of it.

I know i'm stating the same thing again and again but people don't quite seem to get it, I'd love to sleep I just can't because I actually can't.

Yes something is very wrong, I am also suffering hormone imbalance and acute anxiety, no point any of us giving advice on something so serious. Hope your doctor can help you swiftly, all the best.

[Chaszmyr]

Since you can't actually sleep, it's not really technically false to call it a sleeping disorder. At the same time, it sounds like there's really more to it than that, and calling it a sleeping disorder might be downplaying a larger problem. I really recommend doing whatever you can to see a doctor, psychiatrist, and any other sort of specialist that you can as soon as possible until something resolves the problem.

In addition to being I'm sure thoroughly unpleasant, having disorders that prevent you from sleeping can potentially lead to serious health problems.

[Mord]

it's not really technically false to call it a sleeping disorder.

I agree, it is a sleeping disorder as i'm experiencing well documented symptoms of sleeping disorders, not being able to sleep properly is a disorder of sleep because you can't do it, calling it a not-sleeping disorder would be silly.

[doubleohseven]

Why not try sleeping with a bit of light such as a nightlight or a small table lamp? It might relieve your anxiety a bit.

Also, when you build up some energy, try taking some yoga or meditation classes; that may calm down your nerves and make you feel more relaxed. But first, I recommend you should see a doctor or a person that specializes in sleep disorders.

I had a night terror once when I was eight- I got scared that this monster would come in my room at any moment; I didn't fall asleep until 4am (got put to bed at 8pm):rolleyes:.

Still, I find it hard to fall asleep sometimes; usually by being worried on what's going to happen the next day, particularly if a big exam is on. I tend to get lots of thoughts on my mind when I'm trying to fall asleep.

[biturbomunkie]

i've been experiencing sleep paralysis for 10+ yrs and i hate it. it's worse than the worst nightmare and it can happen even if i'm really tired. it's a torture as you are fully awake and your eyes may be open, but yet you have no control over your body. when it happens, i feel like there's this heavy creature sitting on my chest and i'd feel like i can't breath. occasionally, that creature would also touch every part of my bod, and then it'd somehow raise me to the ceiling. if i sleep on my tummy, that heavy creature would be on my back and i'd feel like i'm getting dicked. :mad:

from my experience, i think it's best not to fight it. it seems that the harder i try to regain control of my body, the longer i'd be paralyzed. i usually just tell myself, "this isn't real, it'd be over soon." but sometimes i wouldn't even realize what's going on and would try to fight it. and i'd end up waking up/scaring whoever's next to me. i usually try to sleep in a different position after having a sleep paralysis, but it can come back again and again on a bad night. :(

[nikopolidis]

I don't. Well I have nightmares but rarely.. If I have one I realize that this is just a dream as far as it gets for the most fearful episode and I just open my eyes and try not to think about this nightmare for 5 minutes.. Then I fall asleep again and it is all ok.
Try to find out where do these nightmares come from...
Dreams are the reflections of our real life...

[Mr_Brightside_@]

I'm so tired of never sleeping...

[Mord]

Got prescribed Zopiclone tablets, hopefully they'll do the trick.

[JNB]

It may also be used as another diagnostic tool, as in, if it doesn't work as hoped, that's another clue to the underlying problem. Don't read too much into these working or not (but I hope they do!). It's all process.

FYI (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zopiclone)

[Frisco]

Got prescribed Zopiclone tablets, hopefully they'll do the trick.

Well glad to hear that you got something. Hopefully it will work for you. Hopefully you are asleep right now ;)

Let us know how things go.

[abijnk]

Hey mord, its been a few hours since you posted saying you got some meds to try to help. I hope that means you are sleeping soundly right now. Let us all know how things go.

[ErikCLDR]

I get night paralysis occasionally, usually just if I am in an uncomfortable position that's painful. I try to move but I cannot. It really sucks. Eventually i can move and I fall right back to sleep.

I've only been afraid once, the first time it happened. I woke up and it was very dark in my room. I had no idea where I was for some reason. I didn't realize I was paralyzed. My right arm and been propped up and numb but it fell on top of my other hand. It was so scary because I regained movement, but my right arm was still numb so I thought it was someone elses arm. It scared the **** out of me until I realized it was my arm. haha.

Maybe say friday or saturday night you could talk to a close friend of yours about the issue. Have them watch you sleep (as weird as that sounds) and they could comfort you if you become scared/paralyzed. Just a suggestion.

Good luck! I couldn't imagine what life would be like if I feared sleeping.

[spoon man]

hey mord heres a site that you mite like to look at i have a look sometimes i.e if i keep have the same dream or ive had a really messed up one it make sense some of time or it just helps shine a light on things that just seem strange let me know if its any help.

http://www.dreammoods.com/

[Mord]

Got 12 hours of blissful sleep :)

I'll try without the tabs tonight to see if I've broken the cycle or what

[JNB]

Good for you! I fell asleep in front of the tube, so it's shower & real bed for me now.

Hey, maybe a mid-day nappie?

[lighthouse_man]

Cheers!

[cfo3074]

Man it sounds like you have a lot of anxiety about getting to sleep. There are tons of natural sleep aids (http://www.snoozeease.com) out there that can help you get to sleep and reduce anxiety and stress. I would recommend something with valerian, chamomile and 5htp in it. I personally take a product called SnoozeEase and it works great for me. Anyway, good luck and I hope this helps.

[eluk]

Got 12 hours of blissful sleep :)

I'll try without the tabs tonight to see if I've broken the cycle or what

That is very good. I wish you the same again tonight.

[klymr]

Afraid? No.
Hate? Yes.

Sleep is a waste of time.

INDEED!!! I second every word in your post!

[Aranince]

I move around and this happens wherever I sleep, tried every position and it happens the same, I'm atheist and my philosophical views are incredibly depressing.

No surprise there. Why not change that?

[Naimfan]

Got 12 hours of blissful sleep :)

I'll try without the tabs tonight to see if I've broken the cycle or what

Great news! :)

To answer the question--no. I love it, but not to excess.

[bassist51]

sorry about your condition, embrace sleep and think of it as a reward for what you've done during the day

[Frisco]

I think the original poster is still sleeping.

[Buttercookie]

no

[Jade Cambell]

I used to fear sleep. The idea that I lay there with my eyes closed, and then all of a sudden, at some unpredictable, unavoidable moment, i'll become unconscious, used to freak the hell out of me. But there's no pain or even the opportunity to resist it when it's about to come. In fact, there's a point where your eyes are closed, but you're still awake, but you are no longer able to open them. You can't even try. That's what freaks me out. Or, used to at least.

[solvs]

Got prescribed Zopiclone tablets, hopefully they'll do the trick.

Got 12 hours of blissful sleep :)
Good to hear. I had to look that up, but now that I know what it is I have to throw out a warning. While it's a decent medication in small doses, it can become very addictive and you'll need more and more just to get by. Also, watch your emotions. If you start to feel like they're are all over the place, and/or if things get more surreal for you even if you've had sleep, go back to the doctor. That's a bad sign. You might taste metal too. That can be worrisome, but usually isn't a big deal. Watch your breathing too, make sure you aren't getting winded and don't wake up with headaches feeling like you're gasping for air.

Otherwise, if it's working for now, at least you can get some sleep. I just worry that there's a underlying issue. I hesitate to recommend more therapy, mostly because people tend to get offended. But there might be something else going on. Just be careful if they want to throw mood stabilizers at you or something. Even if there's some sort of chemical imbalance, the first thing some of them want to do is throw medicine at you, and in my experience, it seems like they're just guessing on what will work. I'm glad you're able to help the symptoms, but worry that there's more to it that might be overlooked if the current treatment is helping.

[Mord]

My tolerance to the sleeping pills is shot, did four last night and I had my worst night yet, I've stopped the med so now we just wait until it leaves my system, if that doesn't fix things I've probably gone insane.

[EricNau]

My tolerance to the sleeping pills is shot, did four last night and I had my worst night yet, I've stopped the med so now we just wait until it leaves my system, if that doesn't fix things I've probably gone insane.
I'm sorry to hear that, but as I said before don't give up!

At this point, prescriptions are used just as much to diagnose as to cure.

[Mord]

20mg Temazepam did it for a couple of hours, now I'm awake again.

:(

[Kashchei]

20mg Temazepam did it for a couple of hours, now I'm awake again.

:(


Mord, sorry to hear that you are having these problems. I just want to add my two cents. I'm not a physician, but I do have experience with this family of medication (xxxazepam). It is not surprising that you got only hours of sleep with this medication since its benefit is a quick action (you probably didn't have to wait long before falling asleep). The downside is that these drugs are not long lasting, which is why you are up again. How frequently did your doctor say that you could take these pills? You might need two doses per night to begin. I hope your doctor sorts this out soon so you can get some proper rest.

[Frisco]

20mg Temazepam did it for a couple of hours, now I'm awake again.

:(

I am surprised that your doctor hasn't put you on a tricyclic anti-depressant in addition to what you are taking now (benzodiazepines).

I would seek a Psychiatrist at this point.

[Mord]

I took some more and it didn't work, I drifted off but straight into paralysis.

[UltraNEO*]

I've been suffering from sleep disorders likely, a mix of sleep paralysis and night terrors, they're utterly terrifying and it's resulted in me being sleep deprived, I've been trying to get sleep for the last hour or so but every time I try i slip straight into paralysis while staying conscious and start to get epicly terrified, I only just managed to pull myself out of this.

Now I don't dare attempt sleep again tonight, it's too horrific but I don't know what to do, I'll get am emergency appointment with my doctor tomorrow but she's useless so I doubt she'll do anything to help.

Ah.. Needn't feel alone mate.

A few years ago I had a rough time trying to sleep, every night for a long time, I had this recurring nightmare, I remember lying down and having this odd feeling of been physically attached to the bed, paralysed and unable to move or incapacitated? It was a horrid feeling, couldn't even lift my arm to push away the bed.

For a long while I just avoided sleeping in bed, kinda found myself falling asleep on the couch, at work and on the train. Eventually through shear fatigue, I ended up in hospital... I dunno what happened or how i got there! It's just odd. Now, sleeping still isn't easy, however, since leaving England and moving into new surroundings I don't seem to have the same problems, it seemed to have vanished for the time being.

I hope you can find a solution.

[solvs]

I took some more and it didn't work, I drifted off but straight into paralysis.

Sorry to hear that. Wore off pretty quick. There's an underlying issue that needs to be dealt with. I'd say find another Doctor. Mine is doing the same, tossing pills at me and just guessing without really helping. Keep us updated.

[Mord]

The drug I was prescribed is out of my system now, I got a nice nights sleep last night.

I talked to my family and it turns out my sister had the same issues I did when she was on the pill so it all makes sense :)

[JSpence]

I could admit to 'fearing' sleep. For me, it's the thoughts that drift across a restless mind at night, that don't occur during the day because my mind is pre-occupied. Hence why I'm still awake at 5:30 a.m. and it's nothing out of the ordinary for me. been like this since high school, years now..