Waking up during a dream....

[Don1]

I have noticed something happen to me over the last few months and I can't explain it.

When I wake up during or directly after a dream, I am really dizzy. I have a pulsing in my inner ears (not relating to my heart rate), and I am slightly confused.

There is no correlation to alcohol or prescription drugs. During this time I have gone through a few bad colds, but I am fine now. I am powerfully built slightly overweight, but exercise and diet is slowly dropping that.

Any thoughts please?

[V8mate]

Is any part of your body in paralysis when it happens?

[Don1]

No, no other issues to report.

I've done reading around this - they do talk about inner ear issues (I was deaf for six years as a child, grommets sorted that out), but I'm not affected any other way.

I have had heart issues and ear problems in my life, but nothing really fits. I don't have sleep apnea, it's a mystery.

[Steve Campbell]

I have to say I haven't had a dream for years...at least not one I remember ... but considering dreams occur during REM sleep which I think occurs after deep sleep, are you not just describing the symptoms experienced by anyone who is woken "with a start" from that level of sleep ?

I know if I am woken from deep sleep quickly, I am dis-oriented for a little while.

[mybrainhurts]

What was this woman doing to you in your dream?

[Don1]

Ha! Nothing like that - I remember the one last night though.

We have a Doberman puppy that is desperate to lick me any chance she gets (submissive display). I dreamt that she ran over to lick my face, and a calf was near - the calf wandered over and licked the dogs face.

I woke myself up laughing at the look of disgust on the dogs face.

As for the normal thing - I have always woken totally alert for my lifetime. So this is a real change for me.

[mybrainhurts]

I reckon the calf kicked your head...

[King Herald]

V8mate said:

Is any part of your body in paralysis when it happens?

Many years ago in Thailand I was heavily drinking for weeks at a time. Once morning I woke up unable to move, just solid, felt like I was trapped inside a dead body. It was absolutely terrifying, but eventually I managed to make a wierd high-pitched scream without even moving my mouth. That not only scared the shyte out of my girlfriend but also seemed to shake this paralysis thing immediately.

It really was a scary few minutes.

I've watched that movie, 'The diving bell and the butterfly' and it must be truly horrific.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diving_Bell_an...

[V8mate]

King Herald said:

V8mate said:

Is any part of your body in paralysis when it happens?

Many years ago in Thailand I was heavily drinking for weeks at a time. Once morning I woke up unable to move, just solid, felt like I was trapped inside a dead body. It was absolutely terrifying, but eventually I managed to make a wierd high-pitched scream without even moving my mouth. That not only scared the shyte out of my girlfriend but also seemed to shake this paralysis thing immediately.

It really was a scary few minutes.

I've watched that movie, 'The diving bell and the butterfly' and it must be truly horrific.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diving_Bell_an...

Yep. My son had a pretty serious car crash about 18 months ago. No obvious damage (aren't modern cars great?) but he has clearly done something to his neck as, from time to time, he'll wake during the night, completely paralysed and unable to speak - his eye lids are the only thing he can move - and, to top it off, he often thinks that there is someone in his bedroom.

I can't imagine how scary that must be - takes 1-5 minutes to wear off and return normal functions.

[King Herald]

V8mate said:

Yep. My son had a pretty serious car crash about 18 months ago. No obvious damage (aren't modern cars great?) but he has clearly done something to his neck as, from time to time, he'll wake during the night, completely paralysed and unable to speak - his eye lids are the only thing he can move - and, to top it off, he often thinks that there is someone in his bedroom.

I can't imagine how scary that must be - takes 1-5 minutes to wear off and return normal functions.

'Locked in syndrome', it is called. Scary stuff.

[Don1]

Interesting. Dementia does run in the family, I have fractured my skull and taken some monster blows to the head - rugby and MMA. Something to be mindful of maybe?

I get the feeling if I bother the doctor with this sort of thing I will be laughed at.

[King Herald]

All over the news last week about trying to stop people heading balls in football, or bumping heads in some other sport. Detailed how they believe it could cause dementia. Seemed to forget boxing for some reason, no mention of it....