Help for sleep paralysis?

[jimmiejackson]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm enquiring on behalf of a friend of mine who lives in Bangkok but who isn't a member of this forum.

 

He is having a lot of trouble recently with sleep paralysis/night terrors. He describes it as waking up and not being able to move. He tries to shout out but he can't. Although he doesn't know how long it lasts he feels it can be up to 8-10 minutes sometimes. Sometimes he sees a "demon" type creature standing over him and he's always wearing the actual clothes he's wearing in real life during these "episodes". Once he eventually regains control he wakes up screaming to make sure he's in reality.

 

He says this happens several times a night recently so obviously he's suffering from lack of sleep which just makes the problem even more stressful.

 

Looking online it seems that there's no real known cure for this. A lot of people say avoiding sleeping on your back helps (which I've advised him) but he says it happens whether he's on his back, side or stomach.

 

He is a type 2 Diabetic who self treats with insulin, if that makes any difference.

 

Is there any help either in person or online that anyone is aware of, or any tips/tricks/supplements/drugs that you'd recommend or have heard that works?

 

Thanks for your advice!

[tonray]

He may be experiencing bouts of low blood sugar levels. You say self treats with insulin...is he under a doctor's plan or he just takes it as he sees fit ?

[Sheryl]

Yes, possible hypoglycemia is the first thing I would consider too.

 

He should discuss with the doctor who manages his diabetes and if he doesn't have one, get one. Befiorer seeing the doctor, have him check his blood glucose just befire bed several nights in a row and if possible in the middle of the night (set alarm clock), this information will help

 

 

See https://www.diabetes.co.uk/nocturnal-hypoglycemia.html

 

If his sugars are running low at night, might experiment with having  a snack at bedtime. A banana for example, though rich in sugar it is comparatively low on the glycemic index because its fiber causes the sugar to be released more slowly, which makes it a good food for staving off middle of the night drops in blood sugar.

 

The other thing to consider is what other medications he is on as there are some that may contribute to sleep disorders.

 

 

[jimmiejackson]

Thank  you both for your  input, I'll pass that on.

 

As far as I'm aware the  only medication he's on is insulin. He is currently self treated, which is far from ideal, he knows it. He is on a budget and doesn't really speak Thai so I think  he's struggled with the  "cheaper" Doctors and got frustrated and given up. It's not that he doesn't care but depression can  make these things more of a struggle than  they need to be - adding on the night terrors doesn't help of course. I'm trying to help him back on track.

 

Are there any recommendations for a good Doctor that could manage his condition for a reasonable price and speak good enough English to avoid too many  frustrations? He is in the Sukhumvit area so locally would be most ideal.

 

Thanks again.

Edited February 6, 2018 by jimmiejackson

[dddave]

I wonder if your friend is actually in a vivid dream state though he believes he is awake.  I have had vivid dreams, like being attacked but unable to run or defend myself and have really convinced myself I was awake.

 

For me, taking Ibuprofin at bedtime increases the likelihood I will have vivid dreams...not necessarily what would be called "nightmares", but dreams with particularly vivid images that feel very real upon waking.

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, jimmiejackson said:

Thank  you both for your  input, I'll pass that on.

 

As far as I'm aware the  only medication he's on is insulin. He is currently self treated, which is far from ideal, he knows it. He is on a budget and doesn't really speak Thai so I think  he's struggled with the  "cheaper" Doctors and got frustrated and given up. It's not that he doesn't care but depression can  make these things more of a struggle than  they need to be - adding on the night terrors doesn't help of course. I'm trying to help him back on track.

 

Are there any recommendations for a good Doctor that could manage his condition for a reasonable price and speak good enough English to avoid too many  frustrations? He is in the Sukhumvit area so locally would be most ideal.

 

Thanks again.

There is certainly no lack of western trained, fluent English speaking doctors in the Sukhumvit area!

 

So I suppose it comes down to what he considers to be a "reasonable price". Consultations will run around 1500 baht at Bumrungrad and Samitivej.  No need to buy meds at the hospital and no matter where he goes, he should refuse to do that. He can also reduce costs by getting his blood work done elsewhere. For example, can get a fasting glucose for just 250 baht and an Hb1AC for 500 baht here  https://www.medconsultasia.com/health-check-ups

 

I suggest he see one of these doctors, all of them western trained:

 

Bumrungrad

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Chorthip-Phattanasri

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Poj-Tannirandorn

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Rachanon-Murathanun

 

Samitivej

https://www.samitivejhospitals.com/en/doctors/kansuda-thongthai/?initial=all&hospital=all&specialty=sspc_416&keyword=

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[norrska]

try to wiggle toes and fingers first

Of course if your friend knows how to use a computer, then google is his friend

http://dreamstudies.org/2010/04/29/9-ways-to-wake-up-from-sleep-paralysis/

 

[jimmiejackson]

Thanks again for all of the input. I will pass the information along and hopefully it will help him to get a handle on everything.

 

I appreciate you all taking the time.