Re: Hallucinations
These manifestions are sometimes common and occur during discrete entry and exit points from the sleep cycle, defined as hypnogogia (prior to sleep) or hypnopompic (exiting the sleep cycle). While these transitions between the sleep cycle are most often known for producing sometimes dramatic and sudden limb movements or jerking motions, they can also produce hallucinations that are quite vivid in some instances.
The events in the context you've described are most assuredly not associated with the presence of a space-occupying mass such as a tumor.
The "nocturnal panic attacks" are known as night terrors and are essentially the same as the daytime variant. If you are only experiencing the events during the night, then it is suggested that you speak with your doctor about testing for sleep apnea. The depressed respiration cycle of apnea can produce circumstances which bring the patient to the waking state rather rapidly, wherein they are experiencing symptoms associated with air starvation, confusion, racing thoughts, rapid heart rate or pounding heart, and the oft practice of jumping from the bed to one's feet in the attempt to determine what is taking place. Also know that hypnogogic and hypnopompic events occur more often in persons with poor quality sleep patterns such as those observed in persons suffering from sleep apnea.
Best regards,
Rutheford Rane, MD (ret.)
Last edited by RLR; 28-05-10 at 21:27.
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Best regards and Good Health