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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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sanfan | @sanfan | 6 days ago
In reply to @macdo "I have been an over the road dedicated truck driver since early December. Recently I've noticed..." + (show)
@macdo

I have been an over the road dedicated truck driver since early December. Recently I've noticed when I'm at home in my own bed I vibrate as I'm falling asleep. And it's usually the half asleep half awake period. I'm curious if there is a connection there or not. It didn't start right away. More like a couple weeks after. It's an all over vibration feeling in my bones. I don't know if it happens when I'm in the truck since I'm pretty much vibrating because my co-driver is driving.

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My husband was an over the road driver. He also has night vibrations. I've always thought the two were connected.

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scrapdog2grand | @scrapdog2grand | 6 days ago
In reply to @jjko23 "You have described exactly what I’ve been dealing with for six months now. I feel it..." + (show)
@jjko23

You have described exactly what I’ve been dealing with for six months now. I feel it in my chest area too, along my collar bone and mostly on my left side. I was sure it was my heart but a holter didn’t show anything. It only happens when I’m falling asleep or when I slightly wake up during the night or when I’m waking up in the morning. As soon as I’m fully awake, it goes away and I don’t ever have it during the day. In the morning, especially, when I’m half sleeping and half waking up and stretching, it seems to trigger it. It happens no matter what position I’m laying in. I’m so relieved to read your experience because I have been worried about what this is for so long but like you, it doesn’t seem to be turning into anything more serious and I’ve ruled out cardiac issues. I should add that I am 42 in generally healthy. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I don’t consume caffeine and I try to walk daily. I’m not overweight.

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Do you deal with stress or stomach/digestive issues?

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