Thank you for sharing your experience. Although I can not give you any sort of definite answer, perhaps sharing an experience will open some questions that will help you along.
Being very intune with certain areas of our metaphysical reality I often perform "healing" on myself. This has allowed me to completely avoid Doctor's since I was old enough to make my own choices without parental consent. I discovered a "lump" a few years ago I have been slowly "healing".
One night (not long ago) I was meditating and "conversing" with a "friend" in "another realm". They made it clear to me that I needed help and that they had contacted someone who could help me.
That night while asleep I was awakened by a "thud'' sort of like being hit, in the area of the "lump". I opened my physical eyes and saw nothing, but felt as if I were being held down. Having experienced this before, I did the same as you, and "projected" myself from my body into the "realm' of this effect.
I saw, "small grey's" whom I have seen before and know them well, preforming what I know as "psychic surgury" on my infected area. The "lump" is completely gone, and I feel great since. Not all small greys are "related" I should be clear, to the best of my experiences.
Only because of experience with these particular beings, who I could make out clearly, was I able to relax and not "fight" them away. The first reaction is instinctual and based on survival, so you have no need to question if you made the "right" choice. It best served you at the time, and your reaction in the future will be determined by what you learned from this.. So it's beautiful in the end. Whether what was happening with you was benevolent or not, about which I could not say.
Sending your intentions out to "whatever" it was can help. Offer love and "tell" them you are only willing to accept contact with those who are acting in what you determine to be a "positive" way. A benevolent being is likely to return if needed and wanted.
Hope this offers another layer to your discovery. Thank you for sharing your experience. Best of luck 'figuring it out".. You know the truth, you just need to remember it.
In light, of love
Shaynard