recurring dream

[basballguy]

I have this recurring dream where I am apparently dreaming I'm awake in bed but I can't move. Then i struggle to move and sometimes do and find I'm continously trying to force myself to wake up...even though I'm not supposed to be asleep. Its always in the setting of wherever i'm sleeping at the time too. Any thoughts on this?

[Wolfjk]

Hi,
This is a common problem for some sleepers. You are going to sleep in a sleeping position that cause breathing difficulties.
I guess you are sleeping on your back. Try a different sleeping position. You can also get someone to observe you when you are having these dreams. You will sleep restlessly, try to move and your breathing will be irregular.
Cheers Wolfjk

[basballguy]

Ok so its what...2 and a half years later and this is still happening. I've realized that it's likely not me dreaming...i'm somewhat aware of my surroundings and always have the consciousness to try and force myself to breath (i guess because i'm also convinced i've stopped breathing when this is happening). Just this last week i could hear me snoring while rapidly breathing trying to wake myself up...at least so i think.

I know the logical thing to do would be to just sleep on my side....but are there any other remedies for this? I'm phyiscally fit and very active....I don't know why this is such a problem.

Is there a medical term for this?

[IrisRavenstar]

Originally Posted by basballguy

I have this recurring dream where I am apparently dreaming I'm awake in bed but I can't move. Then i struggle to move and sometimes do and find I'm continously trying to force myself to wake up...even though I'm not supposed to be asleep. Its always in the setting of wherever i'm sleeping at the time too. Any thoughts on this?

Hi Baseballguy,

I think you are describing what is termed "sleep paralysis." It is very common! Your mind is awake, but your body is still sleeping.... fun, huh? I had it happen once with my face stuck in the pillow, so imagine the panic when I woke up and couldn't breathe and couldn't move either! Fortunately I had just re-read part of Jeremy Taylor's book, _Where People Fly and Water Runs Uphill_ that had said that the solution to sleep paralysis is not to try to move large muscles like arms and legs, but try to move a small muscle instead, as fine motor movement works better during sleep paralysis. I wiggled my eyebrow, and voila, I woke up! Thank God/dess!!! Just in the nick of time, too!