Something joined me in bed!, page 2

I had the exact same thing happen to me just after I moved into a new place. It felt like a small animal was in the bed next to me moving up and down my left side. I could even feel the bed depressing as it walked. At first, I though my pet (a ferret) had gotten out of his cage and hopped into my bed, so I sat up and started reaching out for it, of course there was nothing there. I even got out of bed and checked that my pet was still in his cage, he was sound asleep in his hammock. When it was all said and done, I ended up being freaked out enough to sleep on the couch and even considered moving again. I even discussed it with the folks here in chat the next night.

On a slightly weirder note, I had kept my pet caged more then normal during this time since I was moving (he normally played in my bedroom) and it takes time to ferret-proof a new place; however, I found out about a month later that he had cancer to the point I had to have him put to sleep. This was really weird because it felt so much like he had gotten loose and was climbing around next to me, I even thought that maybe he was asterally projecting since he was wanting to get more out time then he was. I personally do not even believe in asteral projection, but it was exactly what it felt like...

It has never really happened again that way since, though I have felt things move somewhat in my bed, but never again like that. The times since then I have noticed that it seems to be leg spasms.

As I work in a sleep lab, I know better then trusting things that I perceive happening when I am sleeping. Your brain is in a funny state while sleeping and about 99% of the paranormal things that people think are happening are really just a form of sleep disorder, whether it be sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations, or muscle spasms. I know in the lab here we ask people if they ever have a creepy-crawly feeling in their legs (PLMs/RLS), but I have never experienced this before myself, so maybe tomorrow I will ask the doctor if that is what is meant by "creepy-crawly".

Anyway this is what I wrote it off as:

Sleep Disorders
RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
Restless legs syndrome is a "creepy, crawly" feeling in the legs when they are still, especially at bedtime. Stretching or moving the legs temporarily relieves these feelings. The constant need to stretch or move the legs to rid of the uncomfortable sensations often prevents the person from falling asleep resulting in daytime sleepiness.
5 to 10% of people experience the pain of RLS at some point in their lives. RLS can occur at any age but is more common in the elderly. Approximately 30% of RLS cases have a hereditary case.

Symptoms:

An urge to move the legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations in the legs

Worsening of the discomfort when lying down or during other forms of inactivity

Experiencing the most discomfort at night and late in the day

PERIODIC LIMB MOVEMENT DISORDER
Periodic Limb Movement disorder (PLMD) refers to involuntary movements of the legs and arm during sleep. These movements cause arousals and sleep disturbances. PLMD are observed mostly in people over 50 years of age and are rare in people younger than 30. PLMD are more common in people who have kidney disease or narcolepsy. Individuals with PLMD may also experience Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).

Symptoms:

Repetitive movements, most typically in the lower limbs, that occur every 20-40 seconds

Brief muscle twitches, jerking movements or an upward flexing of the feet during sleep

[edit on 10/2/2006 by defcon5]