Re: Somebody please respond

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Re: Somebody please respond

Posted by Honest Expert (but only on mattresses!) on January 20, 2001 at 19:26:41:
In Reply to: Somebody please respond posted by WHurricane16 on January 17, 2001 at 23:12:32:
Dear 'Hurricane,
I am currently reading the book "Sleep Rx" by Norman Ford c1994 by Prentice Hall. In today's reading, I came across the following passage on "Sleep Paralysis":
"Sleep paralysis is a loss of tone in the skeletal muscles on awakening. The transition may take several difficult and frightening minutes, during which only the eyes can be moved. Full muscle function usually returns in a few minutes but some sleepers remain in a semi-awake stupor for up to an hour. Sleep paralysis is an inherited condition usually found only in men.
"However, similar symptoms may occur in both men and women during withdrawl from drug addiction, or from a stimulant..."
The book, which is primarily a book recommending alternative (non-medical) treatments for various forms of Insomnia, classifies this problem under "Narcolepsy," (which affects 1 person in 2000, I'm told) with a sub category of "REM Sleep Malfunctions."
(The body goes into almost complete paralysis during REM [Rapid Eye Movement]sleep, which is the time we dream, and is usually the last stage immediately before waking up. Apparently, we can sometimes wake up, but our body is slow to release the paralysis of REM sleep.)
Unfortuantely, neither "Sleep Rx" nor "The Promise of Sleep" by Dr William Dement, c2000 (my sleep Bible!) addresses what kinds of treatments are available for the disorder. I am left with the impression that treatment choices are limited.
Since it is roughly classified with Narcolepsy, you may find it beneficial to check into that forum. I'll bet you find more people with similar problems ... and some answers!
Good luck!

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Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.