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Original poster

To never want to go to sleep again

55 replies

Edenviolet · 05/05/2015 13:22

Went to bed last night as usual, had a dream, nothing out of the ordinary.

At some point I was aware of waking and hearing someone walking around outside my room but when I opened my eyes it was just black, I couldn't move and tried to open them again, still nothing just blackness and a sense of absolute fear and falling backwards???

Tried to call out but couldn't make a sound, tried to reach out to grab dh but couldn't. Absolutely terrifying.

Suddenly I jolted awake in panic, could see again but felt awful. What on earth happened?
I never want to go to sleep again it was so terrifying

OP posts:
Stripyhoglets · 05/05/2015 19:54

I get this. First started in my final year at uni and was terrifying. Don't get it as often now but it's still horrible when it does happen. Knowing what it is helps but the presence in the room feeling is really terrifying every time.

MintJulip · 05/05/2015 20:18

this is really really odd, I have also had this - Once I thought I was levitating up the wall with my legs crossed I could feel my knees pressing against the wall, another time I could feel my bed shaking.

I was a student at the time, reasonably stressed I suppose but nothing major.

Now I have had two dc, been massively stressed like never ever before, and sleep driprived like never before, and yet never had it since touch wood, so I am not convinced its due to be over tired, or stresssed.

MintJulip · 05/05/2015 20:19

I felt presence too.

MintJulip · 05/05/2015 20:19

I also felt like somoene was sitting on me once

ginmakesitallok · 05/05/2015 20:24

I don't get sleep paralysis, but do have hypnopompic hallucinations. I think I'm awake and will see people or things in the bed room and wake DP to get him to sort it. I'll get out of bed to check curtains etc and then gradually realise that it's not real. One memorable one was when I was at my mum's, sleeping with dd2. I some up and there was a woman hiding behind the curtains. I went (naked apart from pants) to my mum's room and told her she had to come straight away. She jumped out of bed, terrified that something had happened to dd. She was HmmConfused when I brought her to our room and explained that someone was hiding behind the curtain.... I find it embarrassing rather than scary.

hamiltoes · 05/05/2015 20:31

Oh I get this all the time it really is horrible isn't it?

I find it gets worse if i'm stressing over something, over-tired, or have interupted sleep/ short bursts of sleep. Happened every two or three nights with my newborns!

Concentrate on trying to move, sometimes trying to wiggle my toes helps but its a method you kind of have to perfect, so hopefully this is a one off and not the start of a re-occuring thing!

I suffer from night terrors too, maybe once or twice a month. Similar to sleep paralysis apart from you can move. I usually wake up sweating, absolutley terrified with a feeling of dread/ impending doom in my tummy. I try to stay awake and get myself out of it but my eyes stay heavy and I fall back into the dream. This can happen like 5 or 6 times.

So OP i feel your pain! Its made me fascinated with all things sleep though, and the occurance of sleep paralysis is actually where todays word "nightmare" for a bad dream comes from. To be visited by a nightmare used to mean exactly what sleep paralysis feels like, someone is there watching you! Have a google.

LittleIda · 05/05/2015 20:39

Apparently you are more likely to get sleep paralysis if you are overtired and don't have good sleep habits of regular bedtime

feebeecat · 05/05/2015 20:55

Had it once when dtds were little & I'd fallen asleep downstairs. It was not long after we'd had mice & I heard the scratching noise, but couldn't move and felt like I had huge weight pinning me down. I just remember thinking, if that really is a mouse, we are screwed Confused

chickenfuckingpox · 05/05/2015 21:03

ive had it i couldnt breathe and i passed out again (i think)

ive also had a vivid dream thinking ive fallen out of bed im wrapped up in the duvet so tight i cant move or breathe eventually i pass out and i wake up in my own bed

its scary as fuck and i never want to sleep again i usually wake up with an aching chest because ive obviously not been breathing or panicking to the point of pain

i went to my doctors they told me to try to relax Hmm i resisted telling him he was a wanker (because he isnt but that is how i felt) smiled nodded and left i ended up on kalms which helped a little

TheRestofmylifeiswaiting · 05/05/2015 21:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Happyyellowcar · 05/05/2015 21:13

I used to get this a lot when I was a teen/early twenties but now it doesn't happen very often. Weirdly I have been getting auditory hallucinations rather than visual ones - I hear all sorts of strange excited chattering a bit like a radio tuning in and out!

Wannabe2015 · 05/05/2015 21:28

I get this too. But only if I sleep during the day time. No lie in for me!

But yes, it is horrid. Very scary.

BettyCatKitten · 05/05/2015 22:39

I have had this too numerous times and it's terrifying! I think it's linked to stress, maybe because you're anxious about the ivf. Good luck Flowers

UngratefulMoo · 05/05/2015 22:47

Yup, Sleep Paralysis. I've had it a fair fews times - most of the time just annoying, but I've had a few really freaky incidents - one where I heard someone say my name right next to my head, and I was convinced there was someone standing next to the bed, but I couldn't move to see, and one where it felt like someone's arm was wrapped around my neck - I could see it wasn't my husband as I was awake enough to see him lying next to me, but I couldn't move and it just felt like someone was gently throttling me. Until I woke up.

namechangewontchange · 05/05/2015 23:27

My partner get this various different theories its more likely to happen when you are overtired and fall asleep on your back. It's to do with the pressure applied on the nerves in your back that creates the paralysis. The heavy feeling on your chest or feeling of someone else in the room is the Hag (a demon) sitting on you. Apparently sleeping on your right side can prevent it from happening.

maroonedwithfour · 05/05/2015 23:31

Yes its a dream. Had it once, terrified.

drbonnieblossman · 05/05/2015 23:35

I've read this thread with interest. I think I may have had this happen. What people are describing sounds familiar. 15 years ago soon after my grandfather died, I woke up with a start and he was standing at the end of my bed. I remember looking at him but feeling totally paralysed and watching him leaving through the door. It seemed so real at the time. I've never been a believer of ghosts, and looking at him, he was so there and solid and real. I convinced myself that fear had paralysed me, but maybe not?

MrsBungle · 05/05/2015 23:37

Oh me too. I've only had it once. I felt like something was sitting on my chest and I felt I couldn't breathe or call out. My eyes were open though and I could see a black cloud right at my face. This was years ago and I've not had it again since. I feel awful for those of you who suffer this regularly. It's terrible.

Trumpton · 05/05/2015 23:49

I give you this painted in 1781 , it's called the nightmare . Been happening a long long time and is horrible.
Sleep well. And sweet dreams .

To never want to go to sleep again
BettyCatKitten · 05/05/2015 23:58

I think some people refer to this as night terrors? I have that heavy feeling on my chest, like I'm being held down when I get them.
Great (freaky!) painting btw

umbongoumbongo · 06/05/2015 00:47

Ooh yes, I had this happen twice in a time of massive stress in my life. Was like I woke up in a pitch black industrial unit and could sense someone was hunting for me to attack me and I didn't know where they were in the dark. Have always assumed if I ever got attacked I'm definitely a fighter but I was paralysed, couldn't breathe and totally unable to call out. The 2nd time it happened the guy I was seeing was sleeping over and eventually I apparently managed to make some weird squeaky sounds and he woke me up properly. Makes your heart race horribly. Really scary and made me wonder if I'd just get paralysed with fear in reality if I got attacked?!

TheOrchardKeeper · 06/05/2015 06:49

Oh poor you. It's so scary the first time!! I watched Hannibal when I was a bit too young (13) and then had a experience where I was sure I was awake and Dr Lecter was looming over me, just leering at me and I couldn't move or scream etc. Now only happens when I'm very stressed. Hope you don't get a repeat anytime soon Thanks

Blastoffonetwothree · 06/05/2015 07:38

I had it when I had IVF both times, when inwas down-rigging. I'm convinced the stuff you sniff does something to affect your dreams.

Re the One Last Time type dreams during grief, I had one about an old boyfriend. I could smell him, and I touched his dressing gown. It was so vivid and I was so pleased to see him but of course when I woke he wasn't there. Sad SadSad
Thing is though, he wasn't dead, he had just left me for someone else and I was beside myself with heartbreak. I think it's the mind's way of coping with grief.,Sad

badtelephonevoice · 06/05/2015 07:40

i got this too the last couple of nights, never had it before but read about it alot. it's so frightening but i think there's a ghost following me, so probably not the most balances post from me.

Dawndonnaagain · 06/05/2015 07:47

Dd1 has narcolepsy, the sleep paralysis/hypnogogic/hypnopomic hallucinations happen five nights out of seven. She's used to it now and takes it in her stride. She too says try not to stress too much, makes it worse (she knows, she's currently doing A levels), bed time routine, keep it calm, no screens before bed, cup of hot chocolate all help.
Good Luck!