Not sure what the medical term for it is. Did you know that your body becomes paralyzed when you're asleep so you don't act out your dreams? My guess is that you wake up but your body hasn't woken up yet and is still paralyzed. How long does it last?

It would be the oppisite way though my body falls asleep before I do because it happens when i'm trying to fall back asleep. About 5 mins max then I wake up

I have experienced this once before.

I was lay in bed drifting to sleep and I tried to move, but couldnt... I lay for around 5 mins wondering what the hell was wrong and at the same time thinking how weird it was.
I then twitched which kind of kick started my body again.

Could this be to do with when you are very tired and your body falls asleep before your mind shuts off?

I have experienced this for about 5 years or more, the medical term I believe is "sleep paralysis". Supposedly when the body goes to sleep it enters a state of paralysis to stop you acting out your dreams and I believe sometimes the body and mind lag so you awake but can't move, it also happens as you fall asleep, your body goes before your mind. I've spoken to a few people who experience this and from what I gather it occurs mostly when you nap as oppose to full on sleep. Its nothing to worry about and is fairly common. On the lighter or weirder side of things its been linked to alien abduction and most commonly a thing called the "old hag", like an old wives tale. (try googling "old hag syndrome").

Hope that helps!

The term is sleep apnea it is dangerous causes are overweight, if your neck is 40 inches or more in diameter, snoring, these all contribute to sleep apnea, look it up in google you will understand it better I too suffer from it.

Apnea is a different condition!, that is when the body stops breathing for short periods. Sleep paralysis is what is being discussed in this thread, and is when the person is entirely awake, yet is unable to move his/her entire body hence the term "sleep paralysis", google it! Sleep paralysis may also be referred to as isolated sleep paralysis, familial sleep paralysis, hynogogic or hypnopompic paralysis, predormital or postdormital paralysis

Sleep paralysis

thats what i've come up with.

I've had sleep paralysis for about two years now (even though iv'e only recently found out what it is) and there are ways to help.

-my symptoms
a. "roaring" in ears
b. Can't move/ entire body is shaking
c. Vivid dreams;can anticipate waking up
d. Happens just before I go to sleep
e. Intense fear
f. Hard to breathe
g can't call for help (jaw too clenched?)

- when having an attack:
i know it's scary, but first concentrate on breathing slow and steady. Then, to "wake up" start with moving the little things( toes, eyelids, fingers, ect) then you should gradually get control back. When you wake up, don't go back to sleep in the same position you were in (especially not on your back)

-prevention:
a. Try to relax more in general; this disorder is known to be made worse by stress.
B. Don't switch up your sleep patterns
c. Try raising the head of your bed 6 inches with wooden blocks. It doesnt help prevent, but for some reason it helps you "wake up" easier; you can have more control over your body.
D. Do not nap during the day
e. Go to bed early

* about 1/4 of the population will expirience one attack in their lifetime...I have it about 3 times a month. Having it every night is not ok. I would suggest (just my opinion) talking to a doctor, there is medicine to be perscribed for extreme cases (at least once a week)

- let me know if this works out for you. Good luck

sweet dreams,
ally.

cocaine do that too