When I was very little I used to call myself the 'Master of Dreams', because I could control many aspects of my dreams, dream of whatever/whomever I wanted and fly as fast and high as I wanted.
I'm 23 now and having lucid dreams and Obe's like never before in my life, but there are some things that I can't do as well as before.
I can fly pretty well but not half as fast as I used to, and I can't control my altitude. If I intend to fly towards a visible place that is very far, it's rare I get there before waking up.
One thing that bothers me the most is that I can't go under the water. I can't open my eyes underwater cause I'm too afraid. It didn't happen when I was a child though.
I don't recall having Obe's as a child, paralysis, vibrations, exit sensations, and etc. Only very vivid dreams, lucid dreams and nightmares, lots of nightmares. Often had trance imagery with my eyes opened also, which would make me jump into my parents bed.
Have the years taken away any of your abilities? I'm interested to hear from you people.
I don't think we 'lose' abilities with age, I think we can get out of practice or distracted quite a bit more with age. Think of all the things you have going on now and think back to when you were younger. Life is just a little less stressful when you're younger.
I can't say this enough... meditate. You sound like a natural OBE'r so meditation should come easy for you and I'll bet you'll slip right back into your groove again!
Fliesatnite
I think that we tend to close things off as children. Either we get frightened by some aspect, and that causes us to close off that gift (maybe one of the nightmares did it for you?!), or we discover that we are different, or we are encouraged by adults to conform to what is "normal" and accepted.
They can be redeveloped, but this takes time. If only it was as easy to reopen the door as it was to close it! :x
I speak from experience here. I used to see spirit as clear as I see a physical person in the room, when I was small. It has taken some years, but I can see spirit again, although not as clear as when I was small (yet!).