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Sleep Paralysis vs. Epilepsy

Wed, 04/23/2008 - 13:03

Okay, the deal is that I went to a doctor to get a second opinion about what's going on with me.  The first one I saw had me go take an EEG (turned out normal) and told me it was epilepsy.  The second (doctor) told me it definately wasn't and that he believes it is sleep paralysis and I'm dreaming while I'm awake.

Here are the comparisons I made (I will only list the symptoms I have):

Simple Partial Seizures -
-How long do they last?  Only a short time, usually less than 2 minutes.
-A change in muscle activity. For example, a person may have abnormal movements such as jerking of a finger or stiffening of part of the body.  (For me it is my jaw, and it is very violent as my hubby says.)  The person may or may not be aware of these movements.  (I wasn't aware of them until after he told me about it.)
-May hear clicking, ringing, or a person's voice when there is no actual sound; or feel a sensation of "pins and needles" or numbness. Seizures may even be painful for some patients. They may feel as if they are floating or spinning in space. They may have visual hallucinations, seeing things that aren't there (a spot of light, a scene with people).
-May cause changes in the part of the nervous system that automatically controls bodily functions. These common seizures may include strange or unpleasant sensations in the stomach, chest, or head; changes in the heart rate or breathing...  (all me)
-Some may feel as though they are outside their body (my couselor thought I may be schizophrenic there.)
- Most of the time the cause is unknown.

Sleep Paralysis -
-Sleep paralysis is a condition characterized by temporary paralysis of the body shortly after waking up (known as hypnopompic paralysis) or, less often, shortly before falling asleep (known as hypnagogic paralysis).
-This leaves the person fully conscious, but unable to move. In addition, the state may be accompanied by terrifying hallucinations (hypnopompic or hypnagogic) which cause an acute sense of danger
-There may be some body movement, but it is very unlikely and hard for a person to accomplish. (This is where I disagree with doctor number two.  My jaw violently moves, shakes...)

That's what I found on-line.  Sometimes I'm not even paralyized during my episodes.  They'll start, I'll open my eyes, and then they will stop. I'm always fully conscious of the people's voices around me.  Doctor number one believes i have epilepsy.  Doctor number two disagrees strongly and calls it sleep paralysis and he wants me to take antipsychotic meds.  We decided to wait until I saw a nuerologist (I'm on a waiting list), and he wrote me a perscription for valium, and I'm not sure I want to get it filled...

Anyway, I just want to know what everyone else thinks about this.  Do you think I have E or Sleep Paralysis?  Or something else?  I think I have E, because I have so many other things happen that aren't even related to sleep paralysis.  Oh, and also, my hubby says that I'll usually stop breathing for a few seconds before it begins.  And the hallucinations happen even when I'm not paralyzed...  What would you do in this situation and what do you think?  I want to know your opinions.  Thanks!

Comments

Re: Sleep Paralysis vs. Epilepsy

Submitted by GCRICH12 on Thu, 2008-04-24 - 01:13

By no means what so ever am I a dr. but I was diagnosed 4 years ago with E.  I fought that diagnosis for years but am now coming to the realization that I do have it.  About 2 months ago I had an episode in the early morning.  It was like no other I was 1/2 awake and thinking this is so weird because I can't move.  I tried but couldn't.  (When I am about to have a seizure I get this underwater whoosh whoosh sound that gets faster and louder until I loose consiousness.)  Then the sound started and the next thing my husband was sitting over me.  Then the other night I got the most intense pins & needles just on the left side of my body that went from my toes and slowly moved all the way up to my face the sounds started and the next morning my tounge was bruised and my head hurt.

 Long story short you sound like you have E.  Sometimes I do feel like I can't move as well but all your other symptoms sound like a seizure.  Hope this helps a little.

By no means what so ever am I a dr. but I was diagnosed 4 years ago with E.  I fought that diagnosis for years but am now coming to the realization that I do have it.  About 2 months ago I had an episode in the early morning.  It was like no other I was 1/2 awake and thinking this is so weird because I can't move.  I tried but couldn't.  (When I am about to have a seizure I get this underwater whoosh whoosh sound that gets faster and louder until I loose consiousness.)  Then the sound started and the next thing my husband was sitting over me.  Then the other night I got the most intense pins & needles just on the left side of my body that went from my toes and slowly moved all the way up to my face the sounds started and the next morning my tounge was bruised and my head hurt.

 Long story short you sound like you have E.  Sometimes I do feel like I can't move as well but all your other symptoms sound like a seizure.  Hope this helps a little.

Re: Sleep Paralysis vs. Epilepsy

Submitted by JayBrick13 on Sun, 2008-04-27 - 00:28

Thank you so much for replying!  I have the sounds happen to me too, but I don't always lose consciousness.  I mostly stay concious.  It seems like sometimes, it will get worse, and I seem to lose conciousness, then I hallucinate during the seizure (like I'm not there, so I guess that would be unconcious since I have no sense of being there where I am at the time?)  I had the pins and needles thing only once and it was around my mouth, then I opened my eyes and it stopped.  I think if I kept my eyes closed and "let it take me" then I would have had a seizure.  Its very difficult to explain.  Your response helped me very much, again thank you!

Thank you so much for replying!  I have the sounds happen to me too, but I don't always lose consciousness.  I mostly stay concious.  It seems like sometimes, it will get worse, and I seem to lose conciousness, then I hallucinate during the seizure (like I'm not there, so I guess that would be unconcious since I have no sense of being there where I am at the time?)  I had the pins and needles thing only once and it was around my mouth, then I opened my eyes and it stopped.  I think if I kept my eyes closed and "let it take me" then I would have had a seizure.  Its very difficult to explain.  Your response helped me very much, again thank you!

I have to say I understand

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2015-01-27 - 00:50
I have to say I understand almost Completely of what you are experiencing! I've had Epilepsy for about 10 years now and they are partial complex type coming from the memory section of the brain. The reason I looked up information on sleep paralysis today though was because sometimes I get confused on if I'm actually feeling a seizure in the morning and night or not! Weirdest part of my feelings is getting to where I feel as if there is metal under me in the ground! I also hear strange language that seems to echo and get louder, heart race, lose breath, and visualize awkward shapes. 

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