hodori

has anyone had this happen before? as i'm trying to fall asleep at night, it feels like i'm starting to dream while i'm still awake. my body feels paralyzed and occasionally i feel my entire body will feel like it's "vibrating" for a few seconds. i wake up frequently, sometimes with the sweats. my dreams are vivid, but not unusually vivid (for me), and not frightening. i don't feel particularly anxious (what anxiety i had came from wondering wtf was going on).

the first time happened on the third night after i'd stopped drinking, and it didn't really happen again until this past thursday. then i had a few normal nights sleep, and it happened again sunday night, and every night since. last night it happened again, but i expected it and was able to (kind of) sleep through it. the night before that i took an ativan to ensure a reasonable night's sleep (i was exhausted after not really sleeping the night before)

i stopped drinking about three weeks ago. prior to that i drank every day for about a month.

CarolD

3 weeks since your last drink?
Are you aware of PAWS?

Post Acute Withdrawl - Relapse Prevention Specialists - TLC The Living Center

Perhaps seeing a doctor would ease your mind.
It's never a bad idea.

Sorry this is happening to you...

kevinv

It's called sleep paralysis, and I concur...its ABSOLUTELY AWFUL.

When I was trying to dry myself out so I could work during my relapse, I remember nights where it would happen so much I'd just stay awake.

It did go away, partially because I did a medical detox and was on phenobarb during the day and restoril at night for 48 hours, and partially because I got some distance between myself and the bottle. I've been on quetiapine (Seroquel) for anxiety and that stuff knocks me out at night...

A doctor might be able to help.

AFAIK it's caused by your brain dropping into a half-sleep state - your body paralyzes the muscles during REM sleep, and from what I hear that's what the initial feeling is related to. I can relate - it's absolutely terrifying, especially if the paralysis is accompanied by hallucinations.

Best of luck to ya, and it does go away after awhile.

Dime

FYI,
I had the exact same thing happen to me years ago when I was in my teens before I had ever drank alcohol. It scared the tar out of me and I will never forget not being able to move even a finger. It never occurred again in my years of drinking or withdrawal.

Ready to Change

This is my regular Sunday night routine.

Kallista

Sleep disturbances are common in early recovery. I didn't fully get over all my problems with sleep until I was more than a year sober. It was better after a few months, though.

hodori

thanks guys - that's very reassuring. it actually has gotten better these past few days. i'd say most of my paws symptoms have lifted at this point (like i said, i was only hitting it hard for about a month), except that i still feel vaguely dizzy much of the day (does anyone else get this?). it was frightening though - i think i'd much rather be kept awake by anxiety like a 'normal' person -

TiredofTired

Hi Hodori - I am just now on day 3 of my detox and I know exactly what you mean. That is how I found this site, I was looking for symptoms of detox as I thought there was something very wrong. I have gotten alot of good info from people on SR regarding good methods, seeing a Dr. number 1, I am unemployed currently and no insurance so I had to lock myself in, drink lots of water, and vitamins. My appetite was nil but made myself snack or juice. I was finally able to sleep last pm but took over the counter sleep aid and it was still an "iffy sleep". Yesterday, day 2 ate candy like I had never seen it before and then got a massive headache (may not be a good idea).

Day 3 has always been my "hardest day" of quitting so keeping busy, this is a great way to do it but the vacuum is calling....lol!

Good for you!

Wallace

I don't know if its because of my years of heavy drinking but i have all kinds of sleep disturbances...leg spasms..whole body spasms when i'm about to fall asleep. i have these weird episodes where i wake up and i'm frightened of something but i dont know what.

CarolD

Wallace....

Have you talked to your doctor about this?

Welcome back to SR...

Wallace

hey carol

yeah Dr gave me a prescription for a restless leg syndrome medication called requip but it made me feel ill. It did stop the leg movement though. One of the side effects of the med was some people feel the urge to gamble. Sounds like a weird side effect. I have never been a gambler but after being on that medication for like 3 weeks i opened on offshore gambling account and started gambling on womens tennis. (i don't even watch tennis)

so after getting off the requip i stopped gambling on womens tennis but now i i have the leg spasms

CarolD

Wallace...
I'm glad you quit gambleing
it's eventually a no win activity.

Try an OTC product for leg spasms
and put a pillow under your legs
that might help...I

Blessings