Hello All,

I was referred to your site today and I am very excited to explore. I have read a few newbie posting things but haven't had the opportunity to get into the good stuff yet.

Some brief info about me and the reason I am interested in the site.

Today I had the opportunity to speak with a perfect stranger from the opposite side of the United States. For some reason I feel that conversation was meant to be which ultimately brought me to this site.

I am 33 and have dealt with sleep walking since I started walking (or so my parents have said) I use to be the typical sleep walker in which I would just get myself lost in the house and get frustrated not knowing why I was in the corner of the kitchen instead of in my bed or the bathroom which was usually the desired destination.

However, when I was a bit older I learned how to open doors and get lost outside. I usually didn't go far until about 5 years ago when I found myself in a scary situation. I woke up in the drivers seat of my car at a stop light in front of Safeway. This is not only unsafe for me but think of the poor drivers around me. I would have felt safer with a drunk on the road then a sleepwalker. My husband said he noticed my eyes seemed glossy and that I seemed to be on a mission. I grabbed my purse, my keys and shoes and apparently told him or conveyed to him that I was heading for the store. I am not sure that I actually talked to him but remember telling him that after my nap I was going to the store. I went to sleep thinking of my grocery list and dreading going. I guess I must have had dreams about it or something because that is where I ended up only I was still asleep.

This has bothered me quite a bit as I am not sure how often it happens. I now live alone and have a great feer that this could happen again only this time I wouldn't have anyone around to watch after me until my episode is over. All of my relatives have dealt with me since the begining and it is a fact of life for them. My friends are all aware of my extreme sleep walking but have not experienced it.

My children are sleep walkers too, I only hope I can figure out how to control myself so I can know what to do for them.

As I have said, I have not been able to explore the site yet but from what I have heard this may be a great place to learn about the issue and hopefully learn how to control it.

I am a light sleeper, I hear everything. I can tune out whatever I want but a new noise will send me straight up in the bed. It can be as quiet as the neighbors sprinklers coming on with all my doors and windows shut (not normally a noise that would wake someone). I don't think I am getting the deep sleep I should but have never gone to a sleep clinic to find out. I have quite a few dreams each night that I can actually recall in the morning. Every few years I have the most wonderful re-occuring dream in the world. It doesn't make sense when I try to put it into words and the magic seems to get lost but I remember it like it is part of my childhood. I get warm fuzzies whenever I think of it. I know the ending so well that I know if I go through the door at the end I will wake up. I have learned to linger in the last room as long as I can. that control is amazing to me. I try to control other dreams and only the scary dreams can be controlled. I can talk myself out of them and wake up.

anyway. I am sorry this is so long winded, I guess I had a lot to talk about!

I am looking forward to reading and interacting with all of you! thank you for creating a space to talk about this subject. I have not found anyone in person that seems to understand me and my fear of what could happen if I continue to sleep walk.

hugs to all
Sysnan