Body sometimes "locks up" while trying to sleep?

Question

Does this happen to anybody else?

sometimes when im trying to go to sleep, and when im in a semi-conscious state (like when i wake up in the middle of the night and try to go back to sleep, but still somewhat aware), my body, i dont know how else to describe it, it "locks up" and i can't move it. its such a scary and frustrating feeling.

like, i'll want to move my left arm to get more comfortable, but it wont respond. i cant move any part of my body when im like this. only my eyes. it takes the most will-power and concentration ive ever had to use, and just to move a part of my body! id estimate it takes about one minute to three minutes to regain control of my body. once i can control one part of my body, then the hold relinquishes and i can move any part again. just a few days ago i realized that if i do this weird mouth thing, i get control back faster. but i dont even know how to describe the mouth thing, so thats kind of irrelevant i guess.

but the feeling i have during the time im trying to move, its the most frustrated ive ever felt. the first time it happened, i thought i somehow became paralyzed. it usually happens when i sleep earlier in the day, then try to sleep a few hours later when im still groggy. and also when, as stated above, i wake up but try to go back to sleep. so pretty much, it happens when im groggy. im 16 years old, male, play tennis frequently, but thats about all i can think that would affect it.

so if anyone out there can explain this, or can relate to his happening to them, please tell me and help me out here. thanks in advance!!

Answer 1

you really need to see a doctor hun.  it could be signs of epilepsy or something like that.  

Answer 2

You need to consult a doctor because we are not qualified to figure that one out. LOL

Not many medical experts on this line .

See a Neurologist . It could be serious if it involves the brain . I had a compression fracture  of the spine once  because of an accident . I understand you when you say it is hard to describe . There was no pain but a very terrifying cramp like feeling just before waking up . It took a long time to go away, but eventually it did . Good Luck and please don't wait too long . Have it looked at .  

Answer 3

I have heard that it does happen to many people, that's it a natural part of the sleeping process.

The body kind of shuts down, goes into hibernation mode, because it expects you to be in a deep sleep.

But I can imagine it's scary. I experienced it once, a long time ago, was kind of in a semi-conscious state, felt like I was sleeping, but couldn't move, but I soon fell back asleep.

Answer 4

This has happened to me before. go to www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?art... I have looked it up on the net, it is nothing to worry about

Answer 5

It is night terror.  

I don't know of any solution other than maybe liquid valerian root to sleep deeper.  

Answer 6

It's called sleep paralysis.  You can google it to find out more.  What's freaky is that sometimes it can also feel like there's someone else in the room, or that someone is holding you down and THAT'S why you can't move.  I don't know of any cures for it.  I just do what you do and try to break out of it.

Answer 7

I don't know about "Night Terror" and he may be correct.

But, I've had a similar problem. I obviously 'THINK' I'm awake in bed and all seems fine BUT, like you I cannot move an Arm, hand or leg I squirm (I think I do but, I'm really not)  everything seems so real but, I FORCE with all my might to speak/yell/scream out AND I 'wake' myself up and then I'm able to do everything....ALL that time I thought I was awake, positive I was awake, sure as h**l felt real, I was still in some sort of Sleep stage. At that point I'm now fully aware...get up get a glass of water and return to bed.........

WEIRD, huh! I have no Idea what it is and i'm 27yo.!  lol...lol...

A Weeeird 'Twilight Zone'!

Answer 8

Liz is right, and it happens to me.