Uncomfortable feeling when falling asleep/waking up

[Mary]

Hello! I have come here with a problem.I have had it for about 3 months now, and I really didn't know anywhere else to turn to.If this doesn't belong here, and anyone knows, who should I ask, help would be appreciated. I'm sorry if I am describing it bad, not a native English speaker. But I hope its understandable.
The first time I had this feeling was about 3 months ago. It was very hard for me to fall asleep because it was very hot and I was thirsty.I Had lied in the be waiting for sleep for about an hour. Then I started feeling a strange buzz in my toes. ( I had my eyes closed). It wasn't exactly a buzz, but something like that. and I could literally feel it moving through my body till it reached the head. When it reached my head it was a horrible feeling. It feels like millions of crystals are poured down through my veins. Or something similar to that. I couldn't move my head or face,or swallow for some seconds. It kept returning the same way, unless I opened my eyes before I fell asleep. I ended up watching TV all night till I fell asleep almost my eyes open, so I wouldn't have to close them. It is a very uncomfortable feeling.
It has occurred several times only now I just feel it coming different way, not starting from the toes. And the only thing that seems to help is staying awake till I am physically unable to keep my eyes open.
***
Now, the last time it happened was today. I had a nightmare. Saw one of my biggest fears in my dream. It contained a lot of running. when I woke up the same feeling in my head was there. Even when I kept my eyes open. If I held my head against the pillow it kept coming in waves like after every 3-4 seconds. It really was horrible. I felt like it hurts my brain. Now, 4.42 I am exhausted and I still wont dare to sleep.

So my question is. What is it? And why does it keep coming randomly? I used to think it comes if I can't fall asleep fast, but now, after tonight I have no idea why this happens. It can't have anyhting to do with stress since it's summer. There is no school. I am not good at browsing for websites, but what I have seen nothing has explained it to me yet.
I hope somebody can help
Thank you
-Mary

[Sleepy Dwarf]

Mary, what you're describing sounds very much like a problem experienced by my best friend K. while we were in school together. She often stayed up late studying and sometime eating late, woke up early as a result of class schedules and frequently experienced headaches. For the headaches she took Excedrine and Tylenol almost everyday which led to stomach problems. She described the same tingling sensation lying in bed and nightmares which scared her so much she wouldn't even say what the dreams were about and wasn't sure if she was completely awake or what. This terrible cycle left her exhausted and eventually prompted a cycle of using pills to fall asleep and to stay awake. The cycle ended with an accidental overdose on sleeping pills in her second year of law school at age 24. I miss my friend K. terribly, but I also wish that she had talked to someone about the sleep issues. She was seeing a doctor about the stomach problems but didn't get very far with that either.

Mary, all I can say is that I feel for you. It's no fun being tired or afraid to fall asleep. Seriously, consider talking to your doctor. All the best.

[Mary]

Thank you for replying and letting me know I am not alone in this. I am not hoping there is anyone else having this problem out there, but I do hope that those, who have it will find this topic and know that they are not alone.


Just to be more clear I was just sleeping at 12.47 PM. (just got out of the bed so I can describe it better)

Now it occured IN my sleep so I woke up because of it. I was totally on conscious the whole time, trying to fight it. It was actually started by a dream, or my dream just went along with the body actions, whichever is more logical. I was heading somewhere in my dream, I was in a hurry because I had found out something bad and I had to tell someone ( I think, I can't remember quite clear). I tripped, then somewhere in the middle I woke up and the feeling started again.
This time I had less problems in my head, but it felt like somethig is pressing on my throat so I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move my legs or hands, it felt like a cramp without the pain. And when I finally managed to resist it I woke up having nothing but a bad memory and a headache.


Does anyone have any idea which doctor should I visit since my own doctor is a ...bad option. (Too long to explain). I should probably just go and ask for a reception. ( I just know it shall be blamed on either stress or
menstruation if I tryed to explain it anywhere but the right place)