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Sleep paralysis and fragmented sleep

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Posted 8/30/2012 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Diagnosed-babesia duncani, lymes, bartonella, erlichia....been in treatment for 4 months. I can't sleep right, always wake frequent, regular nightly sleep paralysis. Many other extreme brain symptoms but I'll try to stay on topic. I'm scared to sleep, vivid dreams I confuse with reality, dreams within dreams within dreams, and sometimes paralysis can last what feels like forever(gf has reported 2-3 min and it looks like a siezure.)says my eyes are closed but I can see so vividly. Having sleep paralysis very regular for over year and a half now. Am on azithromycin, mepron, doxy, and bactrim.. Just last Lyme doc visit doc wanted me to try Valium before bed... I sleep longer but paralysis is worse. but It has helped with my hours long panic sessions. I feel like I'm losing my mind/dying. No one understands except doc and frustrating. Any advice w sleep.. Tried not napping, melitonin, bach remedies, Valium.. Scared to get on ambien or lunesta I just don't want things to get worse. But if it's worked for some it's worth a shot.
Posted 8/30/2012 8:26 AM (GMT 0)
All of us on here understand! That is what is so great about these forums. Anyways, I also went through a short period with sleep paralysis and honestly the only thing that helped was giving up on the "magic" pill or remedy that would work. I also stared using a foot detoxing system that seems to help all around and if I eat too late at night it happens. I know that's not the best advice but with this crazy disease you never know.... One more thing you have a lot of co infections and i'm assuming a lot of die off from the meds! Do you detox?
Posted 8/30/2012 12:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there

I know how desparate you feel since good sleep is essential to healing.  I have fragmented sleep issues,not paralysis. For some reason the sleep issues for me returned after 3 months of good sleep and I am perplexed.  I also found out that one of my antibios, Cipro, can interact with caffeine so the body can not metabolize it. I do drink a little bit of caffeine in the am. so I will cut back on this

Have you tried Magnesium...Natural Calm is a good product. Seems to help relax me but I still have some sleep issues while taking it.  I guess also detoxing is the ultimate too

Well, I know a lot of these issues are so individual. I guess you have to keep trying things to see what works for you. I hope things improve for you. take care

Posted 8/30/2012 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
I'm being a broken record today, but are you detoxing? I would suggest that you have a look in our "New to Lyme? Start Here!" thread that stays at the top of the forum - it has all kinds of important info there, and a post about how to detox with these infections. It really is quite simple and easy to do.

As these bacteria die off, they release toxins. These toxins are what drive the symptoms, so detoxing will help calm the symptoms. Be sure to start off slow though!! Even detoxing can bring on a herx!

As was suggested already, magnesium is usually needed by those who have tick-borne infections, and can be helpful with sleep, as is melatonin. You could look into using valerian as well.
Posted 8/31/2012 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
I've dealt with sleep paralysis on and off - my heart goes out to you that is scary!! Lately it had been happening again every night after withdrawing from ambien (I was horribly addicted for years, so glad to be off it now!), and my sleep quality was awful, just in and out all night, restless, night terrors, feeling weird sensations, and the sleep paralysis - I'd always end up having nightmares that I was trying to scream and couldn't and then I'd realize I was paralyzed and...yeah, it was rough.

The only things I can attribute to it going away by now are that I increased the dose of my melatonin from 3 to 6 mg, and also that I just plain got used to it, which sounds easier said than done, I know. I was so terrified and reluctant to sleep, but it just kept happening and it pretty much just lost its power over me. You could also try things like chamomile or sleepytime tea before bed, or calms forte which is very safe. I'm sorry you're dealing with this on top of everything else, but take it from someone who has been terrified of sleeping since she was a kid - you can get past this stuff, and without drugs. Good luck!
Posted 8/31/2012 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
I was bitten by a tick on my head when I was about 3 and not diagnosed until I was 20. I had 2 years of IV doxy, refampin, recefton, primaxin, clindamycin (sp). I also had detox treatments at this time. I have also been on oral mepron, cypro, levaquin and many more antibiotics and a large number of supplements. I also have neurobartonella and I've been recently diagnosed with black mold. I had to stop after two years because of the severe herxing. I have terrible problems falling asleep. I tried lunesta and ambien which were both bad for me...terrible agitation. I have tried other sleep aids. I can't even take melatonin. I can relate to nightmares. When I do sleep I frequently talk in my sleep and often don't get into a deep sleep. I have been ill for about 20 years. My first symptoms were OCD and attentional problems. I still have these. My brain feels like it is racing in some parts and dead in others. My concentration isn't good. I'm unable to focus to work or go to school. I would love to connect with someone about my age (26) who might have similar challenges.

My best to everyone out there who is battling this illness!
Posted 9/1/2012 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
I experienced sleep paralyasis a few times last summer when I was on an antidepressant for a brief period of time...It was a horrific feeling to wake up on my stomach living alone and not be able to move.  I got off it and have never had a problem again.  Something to consider if you are on any antidepressant type of drug...

I do take ambien and for me it has been WONDERFUL...but I understand you hesitatation.  I was in a roll over 4 years again and I was in such pain it would wake me up and I chose it over pain meds at least at night..lesser of the evils I felt.  I too cant take melatonin either...and over the counter didn't work for me.

Posted 9/2/2012 6:21 AM (GMT 0)
so glad, although unfortunate, to hear others have the paralysis thing.
i mentioned it to 2 ID docs in the past 18 months and they think i am nuts. t happened to me about 5 times and 3 times while i was standing ly legs gave out. not dizzy or anything, just , like someone pulled a plug.
really scary.

docs don't listen or care IDK but you would think they would be alarmed when i told them.
they reacted like it happens everyday!
Posted 9/2/2012 10:51 AM (GMT 0)
I have also have my head numb to the point I would fall flat on my face but it was not sleep paralyasis.
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