Body vibrations when falling asleep or waking?

Posted by cricketlips @cricketlips, Jun 2, 2022

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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@arthur57

I suspect most people here are NOT having AFib but have vibrations during sleep or just entering or coming out of sleep. I am one of them and I can guarantee, it's NOT Afib. What you wrote above is quite accurate but not what's going on for most of these posters. It seems to be one of three things, covid related/long hauler symptom, sleep disorder, or anxiety related. No I am not a health care worker but I know enough to assume it's probably one of these reasons. Not to say some may not have AFib but that condition does not cause these forms of vibrations for extended periods of time, unless someone enlightens me otherwise! I brought this issue up with two physicians and neither thought I should be checked for AFib or even mentioned it but everyone should discuss with their own physician.

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I agree. I wore a heart monitor for 72 hrs. during that time i did feel the vibs, recorded date , and time but the monitor did not record anything.

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@jan10

hi all. I too have this vibration. Had it since 2018. told dr about it and had me wear a heart monitor, which ruled out it was heart. I notice it at night right before falling asleep. I will also notice it when I wake up for a few minutes in the morning. I am a 71yo, woman, i rarely drink, diet is keto, and i think I am fairly active by playing pickleball 3x/wk. I do have graves, but it showed in one eye. I take selenium to keep my t3 and t4 in check. I can't say if having covid made it worst dr would not test me for antibodies, even though my husband had it and found out because his dr tested him for the antibodies. I won't rule out covid or the vaccine has made it worse after hearing the spike protein could attach itself to different of the body. at night i take amitriptylin to get to sleep. It doesn't relieve the vibs, just helps me get some sleep. i couln't find anything on it 5 years ago i am happy i am not alone and not totally crazy.

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I have the exact same thing you describe and I am the exact same age as you (71 yrs old). Mentioned it to my neurologist but she wasn’t concerned. Wondering what this is. Never had this before. Very scary.

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@grammy5

I have the exact same thing you describe and I am the exact same age as you (71 yrs old). Mentioned it to my neurologist but she wasn’t concerned. Wondering what this is. Never had this before. Very scary.

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I was very scared at the start. Thought I was going to die of a heart attack it was just a matter of time. Dr. couldn't give me any answers. So now I just live with it. I am leaning towards stress-related.

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@jan10

I was very scared at the start. Thought I was going to die of a heart attack it was just a matter of time. Dr. couldn't give me any answers. So now I just live with it. I am leaning towards stress-related.

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I am trying to live with it also but when it happens I get really scared. Don’t understand how this can be stress related when you are sleeping and the second you wake up it starts. But when there is no other explanation it is always stress that causes it. .It has been a year and I am hoping it goes away as quickly as it came. Glad to see other people share on this site. Thanks.

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@lindybowers

Can we substitute the word, "vibrations" with "fluttering" and see if it fits our descriptions of the sensations we are experiencing?? Read this article:
Heart palpitations: anxiety or something else?
If you’ve ever felt fluttering in your chest or like your heart is pounding, you know it can be a little shocking or scary. “When your heart beats rapidly or irregularly for a few seconds, you might feel this odd sensation in your chest, neck or throat,” says Dr. Pugazhendhi Vijayaraman, cardiac electrophysiologist and director of cardiac electrophysiology at Geisinger Northeast.
This fleeting feeling like your heart is fluttering is a called a heart palpitation, and most of the time it’s not cause for concern.
Heart palpitations can be caused by anxiety, dehydration, a hard workout or if you’ve consumed caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or even some cold and cough medications. Women who are pregnant also commonly experience heart palpitations.
“If you experience heart palpitations that are linked with anxiety, you may feel other symptoms like an upset stomach or sweaty palms,” says Dr. Vijayaraman. You can likely attribute this anxiety to a life event like stress at work or home, or a job interview.
But if heart palpitations last more than a few seconds at a time, increase in frequency over time, or if you know you have an existing heart condition, this fluttering may be something more than just anxiety. It might be atrial fibrillation, or AFib.
“During atrial fibrillation, blood pools in the upper atria and the heart flutters, or fibrillates, as it tries harder to pump out this blood to other chambers of the heart and through the body,” explains Dr. Vijayaraman.
Other symptoms of AFib include dizziness, shortness of breath, weakness or general fatigue and chest pain.

For some people, AFib lasts a few days at a time and their heartbeat returns to normal. For others, AFib can last longer or become chronic. Whether the flutters are short-lived or become permanent, AFib increases the risk of stroke and heart failure.
“Any time your blood isn’t pumping consistently through your body, you could be at risk for a stroke,” says Dr. Vijayaraman. “Patients with AFib are five times more likely to have a stroke than those without it.”
It’s important to see a doctor if you notice that your heart palpitations are occurring regularly or increasing in frequency.
“A doctor may monitor your heartbeat and conduct tests to determine if you have AFib,” said Dr. Vijayaraman. “Understanding your family health history and any current health issues can also help your doctor accurately diagnose your irregular heartbeat.”
It’s also important to note that some people who have AFib don’t experience heart flutters or other symptoms at all.
“Occasionally, a patient will be diagnosed with AFib during a routine checkup,” notes Dr. Vijayaraman. “That’s why it’s so important to see your doctor regularly, especially as you age.”
To make an appointment with Dr. Vijayaraman or another heart rhythm specialist at Geisinger, visit Geisinger.org or call 800-275-6401.

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What most people are reporting is not heart related. Most everyone have had their hearts checked and confirmed that it is something else.

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I came across the term Internal Tremors that seemed somewhat descriptive of this.
Although there seems to not be much information beyond that. 🤔

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@avril799

I have PVC’s and they are absolutely not at all like the vibrations that happen in the base of my skull/back of neck. Only when they are strong do I feel them extend down into my upper chest region, but then it also extends further up my head, also. Usually, mine are very mild & stay around my jawline. It feels like I have a vibrating cell phone inside me, whereas PVC’s/palpitations feel like a light & airy fluttering.

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I actually had a heart monitor for 5 days to rule out afib. I’m wondering now if mine have to do with hormone fluctuation.
I am also pre-diabetic and wonder if these vibrations have to do with sugar consumption. They seem to increase as I try to lose weight. I am not over weight but would like to lose 5 lbs. I also wonder if they are related to blood pressure fluctuation as well. I do not believe they are anxiety! I will see another naturopathic doctor in April who has taken me on as a challenge patient to see if she can help me figure out what’s going on. One last but very important factor is my Hashimoto’s disease. I believe changes in weight affect absorption of syntheroid med. which may affect the vibrations.
I’m very interested to see if one of us can come up with an answer to this mystery! How do we get The NY Times to take us on as one of their mystery- disease subjects?
Keep writing and let’s get to the bottom of this if we can!!
Best to you All!

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@jan10

I agree. I wore a heart monitor for 72 hrs. during that time i did feel the vibs, recorded date , and time but the monitor did not record anything.

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My heart monitor didn't pick up anything either. They are more annoying than anything. Since using my cpap machine, I don't have them anymore. I believe mine is associated with injury to phrenic nerve. Been having internal vibes since 2019. Did sleep study and after sleeping with nasal cpap, didn't have vibes for a week and a half. I use my cpap BEFORE going to sleep. Gotta be the phrenic nerve although my neurologist thinks I'm crazy.

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@jan10

I was very scared at the start. Thought I was going to die of a heart attack it was just a matter of time. Dr. couldn't give me any answers. So now I just live with it. I am leaning towards stress-related.

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My neurologist thinks it comes from an overactive central nervous system. My cpap before sleeping keeps them at bay. I think mine is from injury to phrenic nerve from swallowing huge gulp of air taking my meds.

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@grammy5

I am trying to live with it also but when it happens I get really scared. Don’t understand how this can be stress related when you are sleeping and the second you wake up it starts. But when there is no other explanation it is always stress that causes it. .It has been a year and I am hoping it goes away as quickly as it came. Glad to see other people share on this site. Thanks.

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I've had them since 2019. I keep a journal with a scale of severity. They stop the minute I get up and I place my hand on my side and actually feel it vibrating. They move around. If they are very bad, a level 8 or higher, I have to sit on edge of bed a minute because my whole insides tremble.

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