Sudden recurring nightmare?

[Seattle_Stranger]

The other morning I was laying in bed by myself, on my back, and I suddenly got this gigantic rush of anxiety, worse than I could have ever possibly imagined experiencing, and I felt like my blanket was tightening around me, I felt paralyzed and couldn't move and all I could think was to say "NO! NO NO PLEASE NO! NO! NO!" and then I eventually 'woke up' when I heard my roommate make a noise elsewhere in the house, feeling just fine, albeit a bit wierded out. 8(

Two nights later, I'm laying in bed with my girlfriend, again on my back, I actually thought I was awake still, and suddenly BAM! That huge rush of anxiety again, the tightening blanket, the paralysis and the begging "NO NO NO PLEASE NO NO". I felt 'awake' the whole time, I knew exactly what was happening and that I was dreaming, I even remember vividly saying my girlfriends name begging her to wake me up. Eventually she felt me fussing around and making noise so she woke me up and it went away again.

I have never experienced anything like this in my life that I remember...

The drugs I've used recently are:

Cannabis and kratom (daily for a very long time)
Coca leaves (daily as of the past ~2 weeks)
Kanna (a couple weeks ago I used it daily for about 1.5 weeks, and only here and there as of recent, never in excess)
A lot of whiskey, almost daily for the past month or so (most probable factor IMO)
Adderall (<20mg over course of a day, 1-2 days a week, past ~2 weeks)
Oxycodone (3 occasions as of recent, <20mg each time)
Mushrooms (1 recent occasion, couldn't possibly be more than 0.5g)
Kava-kava (1 cup shortly before bed on the second night the dream occurred)
Cigarettes (I'm not a smoker, however as of late I find myself 'drink smoking' a lot because I've been drinking a lot...)

Probably unrelated, but I'm currently taking an antibiotic Amoxicilin (for recent dental work).

I should also note that I could probably be taking better care of my health, I haven't been eating as often as I should or as much food, haven't been taking my vitamins, drinking way too much, and stressing out about various things in my life.



All these things here are the only factors I could imagine are contributing to this nightmare. One occurrence was whatever, but the fact that the exact same horrifying dream happened two days later has me thinking. Could this possibly be a symptom of alcohol withdrawal? I don't know how much I drank the first night, but the second night I didn't have much alcohol at all, I think one shot with dinner, so could it have by chance been my body beginning to go into w/d? I had a stiff glass of kava before bed the second night, but I've used kava countless times before, never did it ever have a profound effect. I don't know the first thing about alcohol dependence but I could feel the psychological addiction creeping up, so I decided to stop buying whiskey.

I was tapering off kratom for a while, but then I started using daily again however at a significantly reduced dosage, and strictly only one dose a day. Usually in the morning when I would normally have a cup of coffee, I have my kratom instead, and then throughout the day I usually avoid caffeine and have been for a while now.



Does anybody have any input, advice, experience? These dreams are making me afraid to go to sleep because the feeling is so intense and so horrific and feels like something is getting inside me. I'm not one to buy into things like possession, exorcism, demons, 'Paranormal Activity' and all that, but all the while I can't help but think that it's what this feels like. It feels like something is trying to possess me, and my conscious is instinctively making me involuntarily say "NO NO NO NO" while it's happening. I don't know why I say it but I keep repeating "NO NO NO PLEASE NO" and I feel like something is wrapping my blanket tightly around me and is about to pick me up and haul me away. It's freaky!!!!

I also keep thinking about how external stimuli woke me up both times, even though I knew I was dreaming I couldn't wake myself up until either a noise or my girlfriend woke me up. It scares me to think where this might go if nothing wakes me up...

Help anyone?

 

[Bakka]

There have definitely been a lot of reports of excessive kratom use having some pretty strange side effects, but it's pretty hard to pinpoint what could be causing it with all of the possibilities, it could definitely be a mixture too, i would try and cut back on everything you can for a little while and see if you still have these dreams or not. This is definitely an interesting and odd combination of substances and this could be caused by a lot of things but i don't think you'll really be able to get a very scientific answer to this from anyone, just try to cut back your intake on what you can and try to treat your body better, this could be it's way of telling you it's not feeling too good.

 

[Seattle_Stranger]

You could be right. I do plan to cut back on absolutely everything. The substances I use frequently are usually benign natural things like cannabis, kratom, coca leaves, and I rarely dabble in pills like oxy and addys. I like to experiment with other safe herbs like kanna and kava, but I use neither often. I make a strong effort to keep my drug hobby under control and try to only use safe, natural things as opposed to street powders, strong pharms, research chems, etc..

No matter how careful I am though, if I'm using drugs in any capacity, it's going to take some kind of toll whether it be severe or not. I have a trip planned for mid-May, and I plan to cease my daily usage of cannabis and kratom as to prevent going into withdrawals while on vacation. I'm using this as my goal, a milestone to shoot for, and so far I've done well. I went from using 30+ grams of kratom a day, dosing multiple times a day, down to merely 6-8g one time daily, as well as frequently alternating strains. My cannabis usage is way down too, down from bowl after bowl after bowl to 1-2 a day. I also am improving my diet, eating fruits and white meats and almost completely eliminating fast/processed foods as well as caffeine/coffee/soda.

My health is on the up-swing compared to where it used to be, however it can always improve.


I had a cup of kava before bed last night, and it didn't seem to trigger anything. I didn't have another nightmare last night and I actually slept rather well! Hopefully it's just a coincidental stress-related dream, which is extremely possible. My stress levels should be significantly reducing in the coming months though, good things are in store for me from today forward!! :D

 

[alasdairm]

homeless -> tds

alasdair

 

[DeathDomokun]

I don't know where this idea of "natural" drugs being safe came from.
I'd say the things you're using daily, the cocoa leaves and the kratom and the Cannabis and the alcohol, would have an effect.
Not to demean your progress, it's great that you're on the healthier path.
This sort of thing can happen to people irrespective of their drug use, but I'd say it could also be brought on/chances raised/worsened by drug use.
I've been smoking Cannabis quite often for quite some time and haven't experienced anything like this, but that's not to say it isn't having any part to play as this is very subjective.
You could find that after being sober for some time this dream is still occurring. I don't know, I can't tell you.
Eating and sleeping are much more important than taking some vitamins imo. Your daily stresses may also be contributing to these dreams.
I'd say if you can pinpoint that it is alcohol withdrawal, then do a bit of research and try to taper off alcohol.
Metaphysics and paranormal things of that nature aside, the anxiety you experience during the dream, the feelings, are very real. It's natural to feel disturbed/uncomfortable, and to not want to experience it.
Have you told you girlfriend? Maybe ask her to wake you up if she notices you tossing/turning or acting odd during your sleep.

I hope it is the alcohol, and I hope you can get off it without too much trouble, and I hope you can continue doing what you're doing as it's a great improvement. You don't even need to cut out all drug intake, but what you're doing is definitely beneficial imo (bar taking up heavy drinking, smoking and doing Adderall so often)

 

[Missykins]

Could be anything. You are taking a lot of drugs.

 

[Rose Petal]

I don't think you're too sure that there isn't some kind of paranormal thing going on for you. Not sure about possession.. but you are asking for trouble with the chemical cocktail you're on! And I believe that there is a dark side that you move a lot closer to when altering your mind and consciousness with substances. You are at the very least, at great risk of psychosis from the drugs you're playing with, and whether your state of fear is due to chemical or supernatural forces, that last thing you want is to be stuck in that state. Do something about it while you can, before your permanently 'rewire' your brain with the cr@p you're taking.

 

[footscrazy]

It sounds like sleep paralysis. This is actually fairly common - here's the wikipedia entry. When you're asleep your muscles are paralysed so you don't act out your dreams and hurt yourself. Sometimes, your conscious mind will wake up before you body does, and you'll feel that paralysis. The reason you feel that 'tightness' you described is because your chest muscles are also paralysed. A lot of people report feeling like something is crushing them, or sitting on them in their sleep. In fact, in myth sleep paralysis was attributed to the work of demons or incubi who sit on your chest while you're sleeping.

Many people experience hallucinations with sleep paralysis - it's basically a lucid dream. I experience sleep paralysis a lot and my most common hallucination is that someone bad is in the room, coming towards me, and I can't move to get away from them.

The solution to these is to understand they're not harmful at all, which can reduce the anxiety associated with them. Once you know what they are, they'll often become less anxiety provoking. These days sleep paralysis doesn't scare me at all, it's just an annoyance sometimes. There's even a benefit to them - if you wake up in sleep paralysis, you're at the perfect starting point to begin a lucid dream. If I want to get out of it, I'll take a few deep breaths, letting myself sink deeper into sleep, then suddenly jerk myself out of it.

I have noticed that I tend to get sleep paralysis more often after using mdma particularly.

 

[n3ophy7e]

It sounds like sleep paralysis. This is actually fairly common - here's the wikipedia entry.

The solution to these is to understand they're not harmful at all, which can reduce the anxiety associated with them.

I have noticed that I tend to get sleep paralysis more often after using mdma particularly.

Yes, yes, and yes.
My points exactly. Thanks footscrazy


Seattle_Stranger, sleep paralysis can be terrifying at the time, but it's actually nothing to be afraid of. It cannot harm you. As others have said, I would also suggest that you cut back on the drugs you're taking and see if that helps. I suspect it will
How are your anxiety levels when you're awake?? Any issues?

 

[ihatepipes]

It sounds like sleep paralysis. This is actually fairly common - here's the wikipedia entry. When you're asleep your muscles are paralysed so you don't act out your dreams and hurt yourself. Sometimes, your conscious mind will wake up before you body does, and you'll feel that paralysis. The reason you feel that 'tightness' you described is because your chest muscles are also paralysed. A lot of people report feeling like something is crushing them, or sitting on them in their sleep. In fact, in myth sleep paralysis was attributed to the work of demons or incubi who sit on your chest while you're sleeping.

Many people experience hallucinations with sleep paralysis - it's basically a lucid dream. I experience sleep paralysis a lot and my most common hallucination is that someone bad is in the room, coming towards me, and I can't move to get away from them.

The solution to these is to understand they're not harmful at all, which can reduce the anxiety associated with them. Once you know what they are, they'll often become less anxiety provoking. These days sleep paralysis doesn't scare me at all, it's just an annoyance sometimes. There's even a benefit to them - if you wake up in sleep paralysis, you're at the perfect starting point to begin a lucid dream. If I want to get out of it, I'll take a few deep breaths, letting myself sink deeper into sleep, then suddenly jerk myself out of it.

I have noticed that I tend to get sleep paralysis more often after using mdma particularly.

I get sleep paralysis from time to time myself even during periods of little to no drug use. There doesn't seem to be any particular reason as to why it occurs, but for me it is always when I am trying to fall asleep. Like footscrazy I have learned to "jerk myself out of it" (I do it by turning my head and the rest of my body seems to follow) also, and I have gotten to the point where it does not cause me anxiety anymore when it happens. What helps me is getting up and having something light to eat, and then I am able to go to sleep without any problems. I wouldn't be too worried about it and hopefully now that you know what is happening you will be able to learn to deal with what is happening to you.

 

[pikkledtenk]

I was once laying on the couch in a quiet basement and feeling very relaxed, i was not far from falling into good sleep but i definitely was not there yet.

My eyes were still open when all of a sudden i felt a sharp pain on my left cheek. I immediately jerked wide awake and actually jumped a foot or so it seemed(basically lifted up but still in my horizontal postion on the couch.)

It felt exactly like someone had walked over and full arm slapped me on the left side of my face, HARD. My face even hurt for about 5 mins afterwards and then felt numb for about 15. I know for 100% certainty that no one was in the room during this period.

I felt no fear or anxiety either during the event or at any point since it has happened and i really am almost positive that at no point beforehand did i fall asleep. Right after it happens i am wide awake and adrenaline flowing and my thoughts were simply "Wow! that was crazy wht the hell happened?"

This is the only time i can think of that somehting like this has occurred where i really don't have an explanation. Anyway just wanted to share this small story.

 

[NotQuiteAnonymous]

I got sleep paralysis (which i am pretty sure you are describing) every time i tried to quit smoking or when i would taper down on my nicotine intake. It also happened a lot more frequently when i was younger and still in college.

 

[Seattle_Stranger]

It sounds like sleep paralysis. This is actually fairly common - here's the wikipedia entry. When you're asleep your muscles are paralysed so you don't act out your dreams and hurt yourself. Sometimes, your conscious mind will wake up before you body does, and you'll feel that paralysis. The reason you feel that 'tightness' you described is because your chest muscles are also paralysed. A lot of people report feeling like something is crushing them, or sitting on them in their sleep. In fact, in myth sleep paralysis was attributed to the work of demons or incubi who sit on your chest while you're sleeping.

Many people experience hallucinations with sleep paralysis - it's basically a lucid dream. I experience sleep paralysis a lot and my most common hallucination is that someone bad is in the room, coming towards me, and I can't move to get away from them.

The solution to these is to understand they're not harmful at all, which can reduce the anxiety associated with them. Once you know what they are, they'll often become less anxiety provoking. These days sleep paralysis doesn't scare me at all, it's just an annoyance sometimes. There's even a benefit to them - if you wake up in sleep paralysis, you're at the perfect starting point to begin a lucid dream. If I want to get out of it, I'll take a few deep breaths, letting myself sink deeper into sleep, then suddenly jerk myself out of it.

I have noticed that I tend to get sleep paralysis more often after using mdma particularly.

Thank you! This sounds like it could be it.

I want to be clear, the drugs I listed are simply everything I have used very recently, not of habit. My only habits are daily cannabis and kratom, both which have proved benign for years to me. I am currently tapering off both anyway. The adderall was a very short term thing as I got my hands on a couple tabs from a friend and spread out my use of them, same goes for the oxy. That's not a habit and is all gone now. The coca leaf tea is also something brand new that I've been experimenting with, and I have much reason to believe that it too is very benign, more-so than caffeinated teas and coffee which I used to have daily. Kanna is also a come-and-gone thing as well. In conclusion, I understand as of lately I have quite a bit of substances on my record and it very well could be a factor, but I just want to make it known that this is not an on-going thing and is simple coincidence that I obtained a variety of things in a similar time frame. I'm a curious experimenter, and I'm experimenting. I'm trying to be careful though.

The dream has not occurred again and I have not used anything like adderall or oxy in a while, and I've cut down alcohol, cannabis and kratom consumption. I've also been making sure I eat steady meals and been drinking a lot of water and gatorade.

I'll report back if it happens again. Thank you all for your advice!

 

[blight12]

Same here

Sorry to bump this but I had the same sorta experience last night.

After taking way to much Kratom for my first time the night before last.
To be exact i re dosed up to about 25g of Green Malay powder over a 4 hour period the night before, for my FIRST time and with NO opiate tolerance, yes retarded i know)

As im trying to fall asleep the next evening, on the verge of sleep i get this sudden full body spasm and it sounds like all the sounds in the room (like my fan) suddenly amplify like 100 times for a second. It had slight similarities to the feeling of trying to fall asleep when on SSRI withdrawals.

After putting up with this for a bit, eventually I fall asleep and then some other shit happens. Now as i fall asleep i enter this dream where i am having a terrifying conscious seizure and shaking in my bed (still within the dream) and then id wake up after a few seconds and realise im not in fact shacking in "real life). Its like im having a seizure mentally only not physically if that makes sense.

I have had sleep paralysis many times before and i often use this for lucid dreaming but this shit was different and fukin unpleasant.

Any thoughts?

 

[Alex000]

Sorry to bump this but I had the same sorta experience last night.

After taking way to much Kratom for my first time the night before last.
To be exact i re dosed up to about 25g of Green Malay powder over a 4 hour period the night before, for my FIRST time and with NO opiate tolerance, yes retarded i know)

As im trying to fall asleep the next evening, on the verge of sleep i get this sudden full body spasm and it sounds like all the sounds in the room (like my fan) suddenly amplify like 100 times for a second. It had slight similarities to the feeling of trying to fall asleep when on SSRI withdrawals.

After putting up with this for a bit, eventually I fall asleep and then some other shit happens. Now as i fall asleep i enter this dream where i am having a terrifying conscious seizure and shaking in my bed (still within the dream) and then id wake up after a few seconds and realise im not in fact shacking in "real life). Its like im having a seizure mentally only not physically if that makes sense.

I have had sleep paralysis many times before and i often use this for lucid dreaming but this shit was different and fukin unpleasant.

Any thoughts?

Are you currently taking any other drugs, whether prescribed or not?

 

[blight12]

update

Yes 50mg paxil and 150mg Seroquel daily for sleep. I have now in fact posted this post right now as a result of the same annoying thing happening a few minutes earlier while trying to fall asleep.

What i noticed is that if you keep the fear at bay you can remain in this weird limbo state as long as you like until you eventually "mentally shake" yourself awake for lack of a better term.

What i also noticed while in this state there is this constant loud buzzing grinding sound, which i still think is an amplification and distortion of sounds around you like my fan i have going.

And yes i took Kratom earlier today again.

 

[panic in paradise]

I don't think you're too sure that there isn't some kind of paranormal thing going on for you. Not sure about possession.. but you are asking for trouble with the chemical cocktail you're on! And I believe that there is a dark side that you move a lot closer to when altering your mind and consciousness with substances. You are at the very least, at great risk of psychosis from the drugs you're playing with, and whether your state of fear is due to chemical or supernatural forces, that last thing you want is to be stuck in that state. Do something about it while you can, before your permanently 'rewire' your brain with the cr@p you're taking.

Possession is what have inside you do not want to face...sounds simple and it is, but not one of the least comfortable things to do, this is instinctual from birth and for this reason alone that much more difficult to overcome. The non mystical physiological reaction, theory, and function of the kundalini is conveniently for someone not mentioned in the west, but the theory alone is utilized to perfection in all functions of our culture art and industry. The symptoms you are listing are all the most common symptoms that people who take awareness of this reaction note as most prominent initially.

The shock of the reaction trying to take place is plenty enough to drive someone to drug use, downers are the most common as the energy is difficult to contain, especially if unaware! There are many ways to make use of this process, simple ways like observing the similar gentle movement in nature and expressing what you found in the same pace.

Start stopping the drugs and go take up Yoga or Tai Chi, get out and appreciate the world, begin to shed that junk built up over the years. We all want to hold onto past reservation because then there is a-void left which is difficult to fill, that stuff as much as it drags one down is a sense of identity for the ego, a sense of comfort only because that past negativity allows for layers of distraction from the present.

one of the most helpful things for me is to take slow intentional breaths in ratio and ryhtm of: inhale for 1: hold for 3: exhale for 2. Its works if you work it !

 

[panic in paradise]

.. sorry

this void mentioned is best filled with the new beauty you allow yourself to perceive.

just a suggestion

 

[izzy66]

i've had episodes of sleep paralysis/ night terrors for many years. the one common thread i've discovered is disturbed sleep/sleep patterns. certainly many substances, esp alcohol for me, can cause disturbed sleep but irregular sleep patterns, like when working various shifts, also can bring on repeated episodes. also back sleepers seem to be more prone to sleep paralysis.

haven't totally been totally free of occasional nights of terror but at least one tiny fiber of my brain knows what's happening, that i am actually safe, no one is creeping up on me.
best of luck
-izzy

 

[panic in paradise]

There are many diagnoses that are based strictly on a clustering of symptoms, which do not address any sort of cause, and the treatments as you have seen are of equal validity as an assumption.

All the drugs need to stop. Could they be the cause, or could you be using so much lately to help try and regulate or dumb-down rather your sense of awareness?

Alcohol w/d can cause a whooole lot of problems rest assured of that...although, what is this reoccurring dream??

________
it is a relative, technically personally i am supposed to be insane, sick, in progressive pain, addicted and useless but something happened, it always does.