[KaylaDee33]

After a recent med change from Trazadone for sleep to Tamazepam I had a terrifying experience which I now know and can identify as sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis can happen when you are just falling asleep but do not reach REM so you're neither here nor there. This was my second experience with sleep paralysis but this one was way more real than my previous one.
I could see my bedroom just the way it always looks and I could see my husband sleeping beside me. Problem was, I could not move or speak. Then there were suddenly two teenage boys in the room with us. I immediately thought someone had broken in, as I thought I was awake. They continued to laugh over me and take pictures of me in my bed. Then, over my shoulder a young girl laid her hand on my shoulder and said plainly, 'I'm Ashley, can I go now?' I tried to nod a yes in her direction. At this point, I'm staring at my husband's back, hoping I can get him to wake.
Following Ashley, were some bright lights and demon like figures. I began to panic, thinking I must be awake and hallucinating. I tried calling for my husband but received no response. Last to appear was a short, red haired Irish fellow who had on a backpack and was carrying a map. He simply began to ask me for directions as if we were in a crowded street. At this, I got furious and began fighting the experience even harder. Screaming for my husband but making no sound.
Eventually, I must have woken my husband with my screaming because next thing I knew the room was empty and my husband was asking if I was alright.
The experience was terrifying and after a few more days of taking the Tamazepam and continuing to have debilitating nightmares, I knew the medicine was not going to work for me.

Has anyone else experienced sleep paralysis? What was the experience like for you?

[lowinmood]

When I was experiencing a period of high stress and depression, I wasn't getting as much sleep as I should be, and when I did, I was having vivid nightmarish dreams. During this time I too was dreaming that someone was in my room, and I was half asleep half awake at the time, and I tried to call out, 'go away' 'leave me alone' but no words would come out, and I was also trying to open my eyes, make my body move so I could kick him off me, but I couldn't I was like a dead weight, frozen, unable to scream and unable to move - and then I'd wake up properly, and see that I was only dreaming, but it didn't feel like a dream, it felt more like I was awake in my mind, but my body was still asleep.

This has happened quite a lot, but not so much anymore, but i'll probably experience it again, as it has happened on quite a few separate occasions over the years, I now have my house rabbit sleep in the same bedroom as me, and haven't had these kind of experiences since.

[Daphnelover]

Yes!!!! When I was young, this would happen dozens of times every single night. It is completely and totally terrifying! I will PM you some suggestions.

[Thunder Bow]

These were parts of yourself the were coming and going in your dream. They probably brought up some anxiety in you.

[ChipperMonkey]

Yes, its happened to me many times. Most were in my own bed....terrifying, but at least some part of my mind knew that it was sleep paralysis. The worst one was when I fell asleep on a train and experienced sleep paralysis and the "halucination" part involved a train wreck. Now THAT was SCARY!

[Quarter life]

Yes this is 'Sleep Paralysis'....Or what is often termed 'The Hag'

Quite possibly one of the most terrifying sleep related disorders that affects more people than previously thought. Tales of an “old hag” coming into somebody’s bedroom at night and pinning them down while they struggle to breath from the enormous pressure they feel smashing down on their chest, are way too common. There are so many tales from all over the world related to this phenomenon....these tales span from different races, continents and religious backgrounds.

My last experience was very violent...as several entities dragged me kicking and trying to scream from one end of my house to the other. I haven't experienced it for some time....but when it occured in the past, I had to sleep with the light on for several nights after.

[Shoe]

You guys might want to check out this 10 part interview with David Hufford.
He is probably the best expert on sleep paralysis.

https://www.youtube.com/view_play_li...3DD&feature=iv

Originally Posted by Quarter life

Yes this is 'Sleep Paralysis'....Or what is often termed 'The Hag'

Quite possibly one of the most terrifying sleep related disorders that affects more people than previously thought. Tales of an “old hag” coming into somebody’s bedroom at night and pinning them down while they struggle to breath from the enormous pressure they feel smashing down on their chest, are way too common. There are so many tales from all over the world related to this phenomenon....these tales span from different races, continents and religious backgrounds.

My last experience was very violent...as several entities dragged me kicking and trying to scream from one end of my house to the other. I haven't experienced it for some time....but when it occured in the past, I had to sleep with the light on for several nights after.