Your brain does paralyze your body in rem sleep. Its a normal protective measure. I saw a documentary about it where they took out some part of a cats brain and it was running and playing and jumping asleep, basically acting out its dreams, so that wouldn't be good for you to have happen. But being conscious while in that state I've never heard of.
Could it be you need a med adjustment? The brain chemistry changes when you get sober.
Beyond that, I'm no doctor, I'm sorry to hear. Sounds scary!