Body vibrations when falling asleep or waking?
After many google searches for the reason I feel vibration in my head, shoulder and arm just before falling asleep and waking, I found nothing that satisfactorily explained it. Of course anxiety seems to be a common explanation but there was nothing specific enough to help me. I am currently reading Incognito by David Eagleman. It discusses the functioning of the brain as an organ. This morning, going through my routine to get ready for work, I thought of a way to understand the vibrations. Similar to the hypnic jerks we experience occasionally just before we fall asleep, I think the vibrations are intended to arouse me to stay vigilant. Which is the fight or flight mechanism in action. So there is the anxiety connection. Originating in the amygdala. I was thinking Parkinson's or MS but my symptoms don't indicate those conditions, thankfully. It seems counterintuitive to be anxious and sleeping at the same time but the brain can do that. The cerebral cortex sleeps but the life support systems of the brain must stay online, obviously. If you thought you were in danger, sleeping would put you at risk but at some point sleep becomes absolutely necessary. I think the vibrations I have been experiencing are caused by my sympathetic nervous system and not a neurologic disease. Thankfully !
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I have been an insomniac for 50 years and take Temazepam and have taken it for many, many years. I cannot sleep unless I have a sleeping pill (unfortunately).
For the past 2 months, I have what I now call internal tremors in my stomach when I go to bed. I am afraid to take a pill but need it. I would hold my stomach to seee if I could feel the movement but it's on the inside and I am not able to discern U anything. I went to Sleep Medicine doctor to ask about Temazepam long use and, at the time, I just described what I was going through as being "asleep but awake" at the same time. Since then I discovered Internal Tremors and feel that is what i am experiencing.
I have IBS M and wondered if something was going on with my intestines.
I do not drink caffeine because of IBS but I do make a very weak cup of coffee with very small amount of coffee which helps me to have BM.
It's very confusing and it happens every night nos.
I have same exact problem, for 2 months now. Did you ever get any resolution? I do not sleep well anymore…
Any resolution?
I am 59 year old male, and for past 2 months have had internal vibrations when going calm and about to drift off to sleep. It happens every night and seems to be getting worse. I am having trouble sleeping as it wakes me up what seems like every 15 minutes. Gabapentin helped initially but not so much now.
I have Moderna Covid shot, no booster years ago and contracted Covid years ago without any issues. I felt cruddy for maybe 1 day and worked (from home) the next day. I have neurology appointment soon but not confident I will get a diagnosis. I have been blessed with incredible health my entire life, no meds, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease. Just had annual physical- everything fine. PCP doesn’t think it’s MS or PD, because no other other symptoms.
Interestingly, my vibrations have almost completely ceased. They had faded in severity over time & I haven’t noticed any in months, with the exception of my right hand. I am right-hand dominant, in case that matters—but I have not even the slightest hint of a tremor in my waking life with that hand. Also, I only notice it when I bend it to put it underneath my pillow. I can be sleeping on my side or my back & experience this tremor in my bent arm, either way. So, I’m happy that it’s now limited only to that part of my body & only in that position. I have gone months without these tremors (elsewhere in my body—mostly my neck & head) before they came back, nightly. But, as of now, I am almost completely sleep-tremor-free. I will note that I stopped drinking alcohol since last October-ish, and hadn’t thought about the connection with the tenors stopping, but maybe there’s something there.
That’s excellent news! You gave me a bit more hope today. Thanks for the quick response.
I have internal tremors upon awakening from sleep whether in the morning or from a nap. It feels electrical in nature and lasts only about a minute. My doctor does not seem concerned. Braun MRI shows no abnormality
Does anyone also have low blood counts, namely low WBC and platelets? Over the last handful of months, I've had low platelets and WBC. I'm currently seeing a hematologist (more to investigate there), and still experiencing internal trem with variable severity. If I haven't slept well, I can usually feel them when I'm in a resting position or on the computer at times during the day. Still occuring mostly around bedtime, throughout sleep and waking. My docs are doing all the same stuff, orders for brain MRI, heart monitor for second time, etc.
I had low ferritin and am now on an iron supp. Checked for Colon bleeding and nothing.
I get the vibrations more when tired. Feeling better w iron supp.
Keep us posted.
Best to you!
@violinkat Thank you. My ferritin has been in normal range so far, but I have a history of anemia from IBD...I'll try adding more iron and see if it helps.
I have entire internal body vibrations (not external) when trying to sleep, non-stop. Although gabapentin helps some, it makes sleeping extremely difficult. Neurologist has ordered tests relating to small fiber neuropathy. I don’t have any other health issues other than recent cervical stenosis diagnosis.