Nightmares and sleep paralysis

[JodieG1]

I haven't suffered these in a while but managed to have both last night. I woke up from the nightmare very groggy and scared but thankful for ds2 for waking me up to feed as it was a horrible dream. Something about being killed and how a castle was killing someone.

Odd I know, in my dream it was Audley End but I've never been there and I woke up with the feeling that if I ever went I would die. Stupid again but it felt so real! In the cold light of day it doesn't bother me but last night I was getting quite panicky and couldn't get back to sleep.

I didn't even check my phone for the time (no clock in that room) in case it was earlier than I thought which would be even longer until morning. Then I dosed back off and "woke" with sleep paralysis, tried to move but couldn't and then saw a tall, dark shape next to the cotbed which I know is normal for sleep paralysis thankfully but it was still frightening as it started to move towards me.

I tried to scream but couldn't and then to "wake up" I always have to do the same thing, try to fling my arms and legs about and that gets me out of it. I think I made some sort of noise too as I was still trying to scream but not very loud.

This all makes me sound like a nutjob I know! I used to get them very frequently but thought it was all over as it's been ages now. I get little enough sleep as it is (ds2 still bf in the night) without this keeping me awake so does anyone have any advice or tips for dealing with them?

I know it's silly to scared when I wake up from them but it's so difficult as they feel so real.

I didn't want to go back to sleep right away either as I have a tendancy to go right back to the same dream.

Hi Jodie - I get the same thing (sleep paralyis) - its awful isn't it. I do the same thing - try to fling my arms/legs to get out of it. I also sleepwalk sometimes.

Actually I have had awful nightmares in the last couple of days - dd being kidnapped etc. Not sure why. Like you I am bf-ing during the night.

No tips, but I do find if I am relaxed before bed I sleep better. I do breathing exercises etc.

That sounds awful.

I used to dream a lot that dh was leaving me/sleeping with someone else etc and last night one of my normal dreams was he didn't want to have sex with me anymore. I think that was promted by a thread I read on here before bed though to be honest!

I usually go to bed relaxed and I'm still co-sleeping with ds2 and it's lovely seeing him all cosy and asleep.

I've never sleepwalked, that must be difficult.

I just wish I had some control over it, it's horrible waking up feeling like that.

Thanks for the reply.

I've had the paralysis tjing and remember tryingot shout dh's name, and nothing ould come out.
Even though you kind of know whaT IT IS, IT IS STILL SCAREY.
Oops, sorry ofr caps.

I've had the paralysis tjing and remember tryingot shout dh's name, and nothing ould come out.
Even though you kind of know whaT IT IS, IT IS STILL SCAREY.
Oops, sorry ofr caps.

I've only had the sleep paralysis thing once after a nasty incident. I do however sometimes get nightmares which throw me off my step for the whole day and leave me feeling wobbly and a bit upset. Have you considered hypnosis?

Wobbly was definitely how I felt for a while! I've had a couple where they threw me off for a long time after waking up espcially the ones where I woke up actually sobbing and felt so sad but didn't know why.

I worry about hypnosis that they don't really know enough about it.

I had hynosis to give up smoking (totally different I know) but I found it such a pleasant and relaxing experience I would seriously consider it for other problems. i was also deeply sceptical of it beforehand, but worked like a dream (no pun intended).

.

I used to get the sleep paralysis thing too, when I was much younger. I used to concentrate all my energy on wiggling my little toe, once I had done that I could move again. It is terrifying. Also saw a scary face in front of me once when it happened
Sorry, no real advice, but just wanted to sympathise.