Unable to wake up...?

[Slater]

Hmm... This is something I've been wondering about for a while now.

It started about 4 or 5 years ago when my father was driving the family up to Sacramento. It's a bit of a long drive, and I fell asleep in the car while he was driving. I was out for about an hour, and then started waking up. The thing was that I was having trouble continuing to wake up. I managed to open my eyes slightly and could see around in the car, but that was about it.

This has happened on occasion ever since then... sometimes when I fall asleep in a vehicle, sometimes if I fall asleep in a chair or on a sofa... never if I'm in an actual bed tho.

It's kinda scary, because when this happens, I literally cannot wake up. My arms and legs feel like they weigh a hundred tons when this happens, I can't move at all. But I can see, hear, and feel things perfectly well, as if normal (tho, when this happens, I can't move my head). Nor can I speak... when this happens, I just wanna call out for someone to pinch me or something, but it's like my tongue's not there.

Eventually, I do manage to fully wake up, but not without going through this stage for at least a couple minutes. I'm wondering... has anyone else had this before? What does it mean?

[Cognitive Gear]

It sounds like you are experiencing sleep paralysis. I have had this occur occasionally throughout my life. I don't think it's anythign to be too concerned about. I have gotten used to it, more or less. It's become more of an anoyance than anything.

If you want information about sleep paralysis, you can view the wikipedia entry here

[Shinja]

ive sorta had that, sometimes if im having a nightmare ill force my self awake and ill get my eyes open and try to move or slap my self to wake up, its allmost painfull like being trapped or somthing, its like being awake traped in a sleeping body

[Mr. SmartyPants]

It's most likely sleep paralysis. Also, is your breathing autonomous? If so, then I'm inclined to say that's what it is.

I've experienced sleep paralysis numerous times. It's pretty nifty, if you ask me.

[Slater]

Wow, the Wiki sounds just about right... pretty much what I go through... Thanks!

[Stephen]

Whoa. I had this happen to me like a week ago. Twice in the same night, I would wake up unable to move. It is scary as all heck!

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Whoa. I had this happen to me like a week ago. Twice in the same night, I would wake up unable to move. It is scary as all heck!

Yeah it's pretty scary at first. But after you learn what it is, it can get kind of fun.

Well... I find them pretty fun...

[Stephen]

Ryan, you worry me somtimes.

[mitsuki lover]

Sleep paralysis is common so there isn't anything to worry about.I think though if it worries you that you should go and see a neurologist.

[Kaligraphic]

As has been said, that's just sleep paralysis. It's basically a persistence of the same function that's designed to prevent sleepwalking. Just as it can occasionally fail to block the movement signals, it can also be a little too effective and may take a moment to wear off.

It's really more of a problem if you are, say, in the military, or are otherwise in a situation where you may be awakened in a state of mortal danger, such as being prone to assassination attempts.

[ADXC]

Yeah, this might have happened in the past as well for me.


I have a question. It doesn't really have anything to do with sleep or not waking up, but occasionally I will feel on my shoulder an electric shock. It feels weird, like Im getting up to go to my next class and on my shoulder I feel as though Im being shocked. Its really weird because it never happens anywhere else on my body and as far as I can see theres no reason for it do that, like say a television screen when you touch it sometimes you receive an electric shock. It can even happen when Im walking as well. So does anyone know what this is?

[ChristianKitsune]

OH GOSH! XD I have this a lot, it's really freaky and I hate it! but I know that I will wake up eventually... isn't kind of connected to the REM cycle too? Just curious! You aren't alone, Slater, no worries!

AnimeDude do you wear a heavy backpack on your shoulders? Maybe you are cutting off circulation?

[ADXC]

It might be just that. But at all the times that has happened I wasn't even wearing my bookbag. And these times when it did happen, it would just happen right out of the blue. At no particular time either. But I do have a heavy bookbag because of all the books I have.

[Tenshi no Ai]

I have mine in a different form... Instead of being half awake and not able to move, my eyes will open (kinda) and my body moves and rolls over on its own! Now THAT is something odd! Not as if I subconsciously was moving, but my body just... went on and did it for me :/ I roll around on nights that I wake up often too, just after dreams.

Soo that's my form of it^^ Usually after I move I can fully awaken fine...