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Electric/Energy surge to brain when trying to fall asleep.

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GD10
GD10

Hi guys, I'm new to the site but glad I found somewhere to share my symptoms.

I'm getting a sort of electrical shock when trying to fall asleep. This electrical shock seems to be described on other sites as 'jumps' or 'zaps' or 'surges of energy'. It happens not when I'm sleeping but the moment I am about to fall asleep. Its like a sort of butterflies feeling in the stomach and then a rush/surge of energy to the brain which gives you a 'jump' and electrical feeling in the head and sometimes upper body. The more extreme they are sometimes produce a twitch in maybe the arm or leg. Its not painful but I guess is quite scary when it happens. These can happen numerous times a night.

Many friends/family I have spoken to say this is normal and they are familiar with the symptoms (I understand what they mean as it can be quite similar to when you suddenly wake from a bad dream) but mine seem to be a lot more often and extreme. I know my symptoms don't seem to be normal.

I've been having these for about 5-6 weeks now (some nights are worse than others) but generally its been more or less every night. This has turned into a vicious cycle because when you actually close your eyes at night to go to sleep you are actually waiting for the 'shock' to happen instead of trying to sleep. Obviously the less sleep you have, the less functional you are the next day and so on and so on. You then get sleep deprived which I believe also may trigger this.

The only other thing I can add to my symptoms is sometimes during the day I get a spaced out/empty/dizzy/cloudy feeling in the head (hard to explain). Sometimes this can turn into a sort of brain/head sensation where you feel you need to kind of 'shake it off'. Again, its hard to explain, something like if you have restless feet and you need to kick out of it but its in the head so you need to give yourself a shake to snap out of it.

I have read quite a bit about anxiety/stress and these symptoms may fall into this category but the issue I have with this, is that I have nothing to be anxious/stressful about! All is OK with job, money, house, relationship etc so I'm not sure how this all started. Could I be anxious about this illness? Again, a vicious cycle?

About me - I'm a fit and healthy 35 year old guy. I actually exercise quite a lot (go to gym/swim 4 times a week and have run numerous marathons over the past year). Although this fitness regime has stopped since I have started having these symptoms as I am feeling quite weak/tired due to not getting much sleep due to it. I have no major prior illnesses and I am not on any medication. I don't want to get in the habit of taking sleep medication.

I have been to the hospital and spent the night where they performed numerous blood tests/Heart ECG/X Rays/Urine and all came back OK. The only issue I had was slightly high blood pressure (but not high enough to be put on any medication). I have also been for an MRI scan and EEG epilepsy test. I will find the results with these in about 5 weeks time.

Anyway, that's my symptoms and hopefully someone might feel at ease that they are going through something similar.

Reading similar posts on the internet I don't think anyone has come to the conclusion on what in fact is causing these problems, even though a lot of the people actually been for tests and seen doctors. Has anyone experienced these issues?

Thanks guys, feel free to get in touch smile

27 likes, 695 replies

695 Replies

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  • jax_15621
    jax_15621 GD10

    Posted

    Hi, I know it his been a while since you made this post, however im curious to see how you are getting on now? have you considered a sleep deprived eeg? A sleep deprived eeg is certainly going to pick up on this kind of brain activity and hopefully shed some light.

    Thank you 

     

  • Mjherstad
    Mjherstad GD10

    Posted

    I see ur post was over a year ago,did u have any luck figuring out the cause? I'm having similar issues,always right at the cusp of falling asleep,and when it happens,ir is accompanied by a warm tingle in my throat...I know it can't b anxiety,as I use to suffer from it,and know the feeling well,but it's nothing like anxiety or panic,and I have nothing to b upset about either at the moment..it is really scary to me,and it feels like I' can't breathe while it's happening,although it's a quick sensation,it is still terrifying! So could u let me know if it still happens to u,or if u figured out the cause?!! I haven't gone to doc yet,cuz i'm afraid they won't know,and try attributing it to anxiety!

  • julianatulipz
    julianatulipz GD10

    Posted

    I get this feeling all the freaking time. Ever since I was 4 or 5 years old, It started, and I'be always wondered what the cause was. I have the same symptoms, except it starts at my theighs, the night goes straight to my head, then it goes all the way downcast my body to the tips of my toes, and I start to have trouble breathing and can't movement much as this occurs. It takes about 5 to 7 seconds for this to occur, then it happens again after 10 to 14 seconds.

  • Pwrxas
    Pwrxas GD10

    Posted

    Have to reply to this one..  These are called one of a few different terms.  Hypnic Jerk, Myoclonus, Myocolnic Jerk.

    There are a bazillion different reasons for this, most often stated to be benign and nothing to stress about (apart from it freaking you out).

    I get these all the time and it can go on for hours, waking you over and over.  What really sets it off in me:  I have obstructuve sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine.  I used to snore like crazy but since using the CPAP machine I no longer snore.  If I attempt to go to sleep now without my CPAP machine, the moment a snore attempts to start I'll get one of these jerks.  Some writeups reference the sensation to jumping out of a tree - that happens now to me any time I attempt to snore.

    Before the CPAP, I was prescribed a benzodiadepine to take at bedtime.  That also helped with these.

  • darren29510
    darren29510 GD10

    Posted

    I know comment is over a year old but has anyone found out what this is I have the exact same symptoms and more for a while now it started off as shocks in my head that would send me across the sofa whilst watching tv in the dark then it turned into aggressive jolts while I'm just falling asleep, short sharpe headaches unable to look at TVs screens for long, dizziness lightheaded and generally just weak, any ideas as I'm starting to lose my mind

    • sarah14014
      sarah14014 darren29510

      Posted

      omg me too i cant look at screens for a long time, im still searching ill let you know if i found an answer

       

  • dlittle89
    dlittle89 GD10

    Posted

    Hi i would research a diesase called Trigeminal Neuralgia . I have it and get frequent shocks to the face when going to sleep but now take meds for it and they seem to help. The disease isn't life threatening or anything but just can be painful. Hope this helps

  • chad12511
    chad12511 GD10

    Posted

    Have you or anyone with these symptons been or take Methadone or opiates? I was on a medicaine years ago c alled Ultram,now called Tramadol and thats when mine started. it comes and goes,but when they are bad its b ad,i wake feeling light im in a siezure or something. Doctors dont have a glue.but i started taken Klonopin and i rarely have them when i take it.Its like when i take something to sleep or really tired it rarely happens. I started recording myself to show doctor since they cant seem to understand.Good luck God bless
  • sarah14014
    sarah14014 GD10

    Posted

    i have the same exact symptoms and its really scary yet they say its not serious , and i suffer from anxiety as well. 
  • anton76370
    anton76370 GD10

    Posted

    Well I had the same symptoms for years and I think I finally found the solution. As a matter of fact I haven't slept so well in so long. I don't get outside during the day much and I work midnights so I pretty much sleep during the day. As a sesult I don't think I was getting enough Vitamin D. I started taking 5000 UI of Vitamin D-3 a day and not only did it get rid of the shocks through my head but I woke up rested which hasn't been the case in I don't know how long. If you have these problems give this a try, it won't hurt. I just bought the D-3 that had 5000 UI in one pill and took one pill a day. I hope it works for others, it sure helped me.

    • emma92137
      emma92137 anton76370

      Posted

      Hello I just wanted to know if your symptoms were electric shocks and heart racing when trying to fall asleep? And if so, does the Vit D still work so that you don't get them anymore? Thanks for any help!

  • desmond74976
    desmond74976 GD10

    Posted

    Hi I haven't slept good for many months now. I get these brain zaps every night. Then it feels like my heart is zapping at the same time. I had mri scan blood test all clear. Guess I have to live with it as the doctors don't know what it is and just fob u off with pills.

    • dawn19609
      dawn19609 desmond74976

      Posted

      Hi Desmond74976,

      Do these zaps happen only as you're trying to fall asleep? When you're really tired/eyes closed? If so, I have had the exact same thing just about every night for approx 3yrs now. So I can tell you it's not life-threatening at all. The biggest problem is that it disrupts sleep so much. Sometimes the zaps during the night will trigger my heart to beat sporatically as well. I have been told it may have something to do with the vagus nerve since it's connected to the base of brain and runs to the heart. I researched it for countless hours over the past 3yrs and finally concluded since it hasn't killed me I'll be ok. I've also had multiple MRI's, cat scans, eeg's, sleep studies, etc. Nothing ever detected. I have tried many meds/supps and nothing has resolved them. I currently use magnesium a few hours before bed each night and that has settled them down to a managable level. Hope that helps.

    • desmond74976
      desmond74976 dawn19609

      Posted

      Hi dawn thanks for reassurance i needed that as I'm even getting to the stage where I'm getting scared to go to bed lol.I get all on edge

    • dawn19609
      dawn19609 desmond74976

      Posted

      Yes I'm the same way. You eventually fall asleep though right? It's very disturbing indeed. Just wonder what the heck is causing all that electrical mis-firing to occur... could be hormonal imbalances too. Whatever the cause it's definitely not life-threatening so take comfort in that. smile Save yourself a lot of time and expense from going to hundreds of doctors/specialists like I did... you may have them a short period and they'll go away, but maybe you'll be like me and just realize it's part of the process for your brain to calm down to sleep... slight malfunction but nothing to worry yourself sick over. I'm here if you ever want to chat. Take care. smile

    • desmond74976
      desmond74976 dawn19609

      Posted

      Thank you your very kind. I brought some epsom bath salts as I got told this will make you feel relaxed and will make u sleepy I do anything for a nice sleep lol.like wise if ever you need a chat I'm always here. Thank you ?

    • emma92137
      emma92137 dawn19609

      Posted

      Hi Dawn did the electric shock problem ever go away? I'm having the same issue and its awful! Just looking to see if you Found a remedy or if iT just Passed. Thanks for any help smile

    • dawn19609
      dawn19609 emma92137

      Posted

      Hello Emma, the electric shocks have not gone away totally but I will tell you it's improved quite a bit. Some nights I barely feel them. I have been taking benedryl and robitussum for a bad cold and I noticed that I haven't been feeling them much at all for the past week or so. I have had them for quite a few years so I guess I'm kind of used to them. I have seen a few different neuroligists and (after MANY tests) they all told me it's nothing life threatening, just very sleep disrupting. Are your shocks only when your eyes are closed and trying to fall asleep? That's when mine have been. It is very disturbing and even scary at times thinking your brain isn't operating properly, but I'm living proof it's nothing to worry yourself sick over. Did yours just start recently? If so, have you stopped any medications recently? Mine weren't a result of anything except just life changes, maybe hormonal in nature since I'm menopausal now. Hang in there. It will get better as time goes on. Magnesium has helped me A LOT.

    • emma92137
      emma92137 dawn19609

      Posted

      Hi Dawn, thanks for replying. I was hopng you would say they were completly gone smile Sounds like they are much better though which is good. I wasn't coming off any drugs. They just started out of the blue. I had been pretty stressed recently I guess. I went to the doctor this morning and he told me they were probably due to stress which i knew he would say. I am going to get my thyroid checked and magnesium potasium etc. Interesting that the magnesium has helped you. So do you manage to get a full night's sleep now? I am just worried that I am going to spend the rest of my life sleep deprived and in fear of sleeping sad I am 42 with two young kids. I just want my life to return to normal! It's only been happening to me for three nights! Do you still worry about them? Yes mine are only when I am trying to fall asleep. They send my heart racing like it's going to come out of my chest then I can't sleep. Horrible. 

    • emma92137
      emma92137

      Posted

      I also have a hiatal hernia. Just wondered if you have this too? You mentioned the vagus nerve above and I read that can sometimes be affected by a hiatus hernia.....just a thought....
    • dawn19609
      dawn19609 emma92137

      Posted

      Hi Emma,

      No they aren't completely gone unfortunately, but they are a lot better than before. When they first started they would jolt me out of a sleepy state to being fully awake with my heart racing. That would go on all night long some nights. It was horrible. I felt like I was losing my mind from lack of sleep at times. Sounds like that might be the phase you are in now... I pray yours passes much quicker than mine did. I was pretty bad like that for a few months and then they started to taper a bit.

      So yours just started 3 days ago? Wow, mine have been around since January of 2013, so almost 4 years now. I remember the first night I had the shocks. I was like "what the heck was that??!!". It felt like a lightning bolt buzzing through my head. Mine happened right out of the blue too. No meds or anything. But... I was under a LOT of stress prior to that with my daughter and some other things so that's most likely what set off the imbalance, coupled along with fluctuating hormones with starting to go through menopause. I was 46 at the time.

      The difficulities we women have to go through with wacky hormones and all. Plus a stress-filled life just tips the scale too much and then we're all out of whack. I have started excersising and making an attempt to relax and have quiet time more often. I think that has helped immensely, along with the daily magnesium I mentioned. I take malate, which is a form that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Here's what is says "malate does not react with gastric acids, it does not upset the digestive system as is sometimes the case with other forms of magnesium. ... Malic acid crosses the blood-brain barrier easily and binds to aluminium in the brain, preventing an unwelcome build-up of the metal." So for me that has been the best form. It feel it helps with sleep too.

      I am getting a pretty full nights of rest these days. Thank the Lord. I may wake up 2 or 3 times to use the bathroom but I typically dose right back off to sleep. So hang in there, it will get better. Maybe your hormones are fluctuating now, possibly peri-menopause? Have you had blood levels checked recently?

      I don't have a hernia. The vagus nerve is a very interesting thing. It seems to help regulate so much.... like breathing, heart rate, digestion, the entire nervous system really... It stems right out from the brain. It appears a lot of disfunction of the vagus nerve happens with digestive issues like IBS, crohns, and even hiatal hernia's like you have. So maybe you're on to something there. But how it ties to the brain and causes shocks/zaps like we get, I have no clue. The body is SO complex...

      I'll keep you in my prayers. You're going to fine, trust me. I went on almost no sleep for literally weeks. It's incredible how much our bodies can handle. Just try your best to get in some "you time". It's really critical for your well-being. I know it's very tough with two young children. Mine is a teenager now so it's better but I still have to force myself to make time for me or it never happens; life will see to that! Always something to do that demands our attention.

      Try your best not to worry and take time to enjoy the Christmas season. Think about the Prince of Peace who made you and loves you.... smile God Bless. I'm here if you ever need encouragement. Others have been there for me along the way too.

    • emma92137
      emma92137 dawn19609

      Posted

      Thanks so much Dawn. I'm glad to hear you are doing so much better now. I Managed a full night sleep last night although I was so stressed going to sleep worrying if iT would start up but I focused on my breathing and all was ok. I was also Very stressed recently due to this and that more so than I have ever been. My diet was also pretty lousy in that I was eating junk/comfort snacks in the day while working. I have cut all that out already (early days of course!) have bought a magnesium similar to yours. I also got my blood taken this morning and will get results in a week. Doctor says its stress and looked at me like I was mad When I told him the electric shock thing smile he was Very sympathetic though and said this was all normal and we would find a solution. He told me he has other patients react similarly to a lot of stress. He told me to take magnesium and eat foods Rich in potassium. My thyroid is borderline hypo after a test a couple of years ago so that is also being tested. Yes women have it tough with the hormones etc. Anyway I am going to stop trying to figure out the cause for now and not analyse too much and instead get on with Some relaxing and Christmas shopping!! Its Definitely been a wake up call for me in more ways that one smile thanks for your support.

    • sandra12738
      sandra12738 emma92137

      Posted

      Mine started 3 nights ago, some small jolts and some bigger scary ones. I have had no sleep in 3 days at all, I am a bit of a worrier, particularly where health is concerned, however I had just had a clean bill of health and a pat on the back from my doctor for doing so well in weight loss and diabetes control. A soon as I feel myself drifting off a surge courses through me and I am awake again, and it just repeats over and over. Have you any more info on the magnesium and Vit D, I see you were getting your levels checked.. sad that other people have this, but relieved I am not going mad..
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