sleep disorders

[dottye]

have had 2 episodes of sleep paralysis since may (just received diagnosis of diabetes at that time). i also take citalopram.  Could the citalpram cause the sleep paralysis or would the diabetes be a more likely cause?

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, that can be psychological and can influence the parasomnia. The anatomical or physical condition seems to be unlikely cause for the breathlessness. You both need to take your stress out and secondly can try replacing the fan with new one or change the sleeping place. Take care and regards.

[worriedkymom26]

hi im a 26 yr old female and have had a few episodes of sleep paralysis the last one was the worst. i was awake and could see the room fine and my boyfriend sleeping next to me but i couldnt move then it felt like i was being strangled i couldnt breath it felt as if someone had their hands around my throught i kept trying to move trying to scream anything to wake up my boyfriend to help me but all i could do was see him out of the cornor of my eye sleeping. i kept thinking i was going to die then all of a sudden it stoped. i stayed up the next 2 nights scared to fall aslepp. also my boyfriend also has the same episodes he just has them more frequently but pretty much the same way now the bizare thing is its always the sam thing that triggers it in both of us and its the sound of the fan moving for some reason can anyone explain this to me or are me and me just losing our minds

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, welcome to the forums, your symptoms are suggestive of rapid eye movement (REM) related parasomnias involve the intrusion of the features of REM sleep into wakefulness (eg, sleep paralysis). It is a type of sleep disorder.

Few of the individuals are known to suffer from parasomnias esp. when they are on non-benzodiazepine sedatives, drug abuse etc. otherwise no definitive cause exists in few individuals apart from stress, positive past history of abuse etc. Neither Diabetes nor escitolopram is associated with sleep paralysis.

The associated symptoms with the following disorder are confusional wakefulness, sleep paralysis, nightmares and night terrors. This can occur in any sleep stage (REM and non-REM stage) . Do not panic when you have the attack.

To rule out parasomnias you need to undergo Polysomnyography and sleep analysis. she needs to take out time for further evaluation. Sleep with light on. Short term benzodiazepine against prescription will help. I suggest you to consult sleep specialist. Take care and regards.