Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

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I had a vision/hallucination once, it was 3:16 AM when the ordeal was over (I don't know why I remembered the time) and something was right beside my bed. I don't know what it was (I was half asleep) but at the time I thought it was a demon or the devil himself. I was absolutely racked with fear that I was totally paralyzed and unable to move even the slightest bit. I then heard the figure, it was whispering something in my ear but I didn't want to listen to it because I know the devil is all lies, so I simply thought in my mind over and over "Jesus help me!" . . .

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I have these types of waking halucinations about two or three times a month, but without any other symptoms such as headaches or ringing in the ears. The best explanation is that you probably woke yourself up during REM sleep, when your brain is firing off random impulses. I too experience sleep paralysis during these episodes, which was quite frightening when these waking halucinations first started about 10 years ago. I have actually trained myself to control the halucinations. In fact, I actually morphed my grandfather into a dancing Mickey Mouse one time. I still freak out a bit right at first, but then I quickly recognize what is going on and enjoy the ride. It's a lot cheaper than shrooms.

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It was interesting to me that you also had the paralysis, do you get it even now when you can manipulate your hallucinations? Also, did your temples feel like they were going to explode? Mine sure did. Out of curiousity, do you take ginko biloba as well? Or other brain stimulating herbs? I'm just asking because I would love to find the cause of these crazy experiences!

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Still get them and still control them. The paralysis is probably the spookiest part, especially when you can move your lips but can't utter a word. I don't experience any throbbing though, and I don't take ginko. I have found that these hallucinations come on right after I go to sleep, usually within an hour. What seems to bring them on is poor sleeping habits and drinking. If I tie one on a couple nights in a row, the third night my body really needs quality REM sleep and that's when the halucinations start, both visual and auditory. Halucinations also occur when I'm really tired, like only getting 3 hours of sleep the night before. The common theme is that my brain is a little tired and goes wild when it gets the chance.Added in edit: the throbbing thing may have been due to an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. These episodes often cause my heart to race, kind of a fight or flight response, adrenaline rush sort of thing.[This message has been edited by Loudmouth, 04-30-2004]