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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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My chiropractor said that our cortisol levels are the highest around 4 - 6 AM in our circadian cycles and the cortisol could be causing the vibrations. I take magnesium, 5 - HTP, Melatonin, and GABA before bed every night. And I sleep beautifully. My vibrations start after I wake up, roll over from my right side (in fetal position) and roll on my back, stretch my achy legs. It's like I'm trying to get the circulation in my legs started, and my heart begins to pump a little more causing these vibrations in my central upper and middle chest. I have venous insufficiency in lower legs. Also Raynaud's in feet/hands. 2 of my first cousins have Parkinson and M.S. My neurologist said I don't have either as I was tested twice. But we never discussed E.T. Essential Tremor. I had a bad concussion on my head in 2017. Now I have post concussive syndrome. Visional problems, needles pins in extremities. Gait and balance problems. High cholesterol & triglycerides. Borderline glucose /A1C prediabetes. I'm working so hard to eliminate sugar, gluten, all processed foods. Eating 99% clean whole foods, and working in my organic veg garden to grow healthy foods. I'm slow as a slug, and get SOB when I work more than 30 minutes clearing weeds and planting. I have zero tolerance gardening in the heat. I'm 74 years old. Hope this helps someone.