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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I also have inner vibrations. They started in Jan 2020. They always occur when waking. On some days, they'll just last a few mins to an hour after waking, but generally there is a consistent pattern of lasting all day for two days and the next two days I only have them for a short time after waking. I too think they must be related to sleep cycles/quality. None of my providers have dealt with the condition. If anyone has received any answers that has helped with this condition, it would be great to know.

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@bille76 I have them also. I called them heart palpitations but the cardiologist ignored my complaint and ordered a sleep apnea test. Not that either. Interested in this. Linda

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