Posted by srogers on August 06, 2007 at 03:35:56:Sometimes, as I'm falling asleep or waking up (I'm often not sure which it is), I experience a very strange sensation. First I become very aware of my body, and suddenly I feel as though I have blood rushing into my head and my hands. That's the best way to describe the feeling -- as though my head and hands are suddenly becoming very heavy and full. In the seconds before the "attack," I seem to be aware that it is about to happen, and I experience a feeling of dread. Sometimes I also get a very vague impression of being short of breath and dizzy, or of needing to move and not being able to for about a second. I always come out of it quickly, and usually fall back asleep. It is always frightening and I always remember it when I wake up fully, sometimes hours later.
From experience, does anyone else think this could possibly be sleep paralysis? (My sleep is continually being interrupted by the people I live with, unfortunately, and I suspect that my REM cycle being disrupted is the trigger if it *is* sleep paralysis.) It always feels like something more dangerous -- especially the strange light-headedness and the suffocating feeling. I know that many people with sleep paralysis feel like there is someone in the room with them, but I have never had that experience. I just feel like the circulation is abruptly being cut off to my head and hands.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.