welcome to the site! you'll learn a lot here.

Anyway, my problem w/lucid dreams is, once I realize I'm dreaming, I go into a state of paralysis, panic, and wake up. [/b]
what the? you mean to say that your dream body becomes paralyzed, you panic and then wake up? and this happens EVERYTIME you've become lucid? when you become lucid, do you suddenly get excited or run around and doing things that would normally excite you?

well anyway sqwiggle said it. stop, relax, and concentrate. you may need practice to get used to this and stop waking up. try sitting down and meditating in your dream or clear your mind. I've heard that people who become to excited in a dream wake up. this doesnt happen to me, but i heard its common.