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Neurology  (Expert Forum)
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Feels like I'm vibrating!
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MedHelp Member's Question

Feels like I'm vibrating!

by smg2, Mar 22, 2007 12:00AM
I have started feeling like my body was "vibrating" - not spasms, or jerking - like there is a vibrator in my body.  Feel it most in the back, but everywhere else too.  Mostly happens when I am sleeping or relaxed - it will wake me up, but has happened once when standing. Does not hurt - just very disconcerting.  What is it?  Who do I go to for it? What words do I use to check the internet?
Doctor's Answer

by Forum-M.D.-SH, Apr 10, 2007 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.      
     The symptoms that you describe of 'vibrating' is very atypical and does not fit in a neurologic disease that I am aware of.  That being said, some people with numbness or other sensory complaints associated with multiple sclerosis, seizures or even TIAs (transient ischemic attacks) have described such strange sensory phenonenon.  I would suggest that you get an MRI of the brain with contrast to evaluate for a structural lesion (such as MS, stroke, tumor, etc).  I would also suggest an EEG (brain wave test) to evaluate for any possible seizure activity.  If the above test come back normal and you have been evaluated by a neurologist, I would suspect that your symptoms could also be due to stress/anxiety (although this diagnosis is only to be considered after the testing is done).  
I hope this has been helpful.
Member Comments (99)

by JCmcc, Mar 22, 2007 12:00AM
To: OH MY GOD!
First of all, I am 28, Male.

    I am sorry to hear that this is happening to you, but for me-I am happy to have found you at some level.
    THIS HAS BEEN MY SYMPTOM FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW AND YOU HAVE FINALLY DESCRIBED IT TO-A-T!
    But yes, you are not alone. Everything you say about it is like I am reading my own thoughts and experiences and I have never found anyone who understands it.
    I have seen about 9 doctors-of varous specialties-and none of them have answers. I have noticed that stressful situations can make it come on. Originally it started with only when I was lying down-this lasted for about 6 mo. It always seemed to be in my back, but then, it finally has become my whole body; but the epicenter, if you will, is the lower back.
    I have had contrast MRI studies of the brain,  c, t and l spine and nothing there indicates something weird, aside from 1 thing.
    I do have typical MS lesions in the brain and in the C-Spine. They think that I have Lyme disease instead of old fashioned M.S.-but who knows.
    I know the hell of this weird symptom, believe me, I do.  

by smg2, Mar 22, 2007 12:00AM
I am 56 Female with multiple medical problems.  This one is relatively new.  After several TIAs in 2002 they found a few areas on the brain - maybe MS maybe the TIAs - not sure.   Father, uncle, great uncle all  had Parkinsons.  I have fibromyalgia, arthritis, and bone spurs in several joints as well as the spine.  So many symptoms can be attributed to various reasons.  Where should I start with this "vibrating" sensation?

by Jane1, Mar 22, 2007 12:00AM
HI

I don't mean to piggyback your comments but I can associate with the vibrating feeling except it is located in my head.  I had a recent episode which was like my brain shaking, I can't describe this very well but it was a momemtary shudder in my head and I had to steady myself,  I got an awful full feeling in my face afterwards.  I am awaiting an MRI scan, it could take two months for this. But when I get these feelings, it feels afterwards like the world it slanted and I'm walking up hill on straight ground, anyone else got these sort of episodes? I had neurological tests, and they are normal so even the Docs are scratching their heads and holding out for an MRI scan to show what it is. I have a history of Sarcoidosis on the lung, wondering could there be neuro involvement?

Best regards
Jane

by reneekl, Mar 22, 2007 12:00AM
I often wear a pager at work that silently vibrates in my pocket when paged.  I noticed I continued to reach for the pager long after I returned home at night and even weeks between wearing the pager. The sensation genrally occurred at lower abdominal to upper thigh area frontal area.  Always thought it was just a memory association, electromagnentic field or something equally unusual. I stopped the vibration while wearing the pager and put it on beep, but I do continue to have the sensation.  It is truly a bizarre feeling and occurs quite frequently.

by skyhag, Mar 22, 2007 12:00AM
I am a 52 year old female with the same disturbing vibrations.  For me, it is head to toe.  I had an MRI w/wo contrast about six months ago and it was normal as was my neuro clinical evaluation.  At this point, I am so sleep deprived that I feel it has worsened the condition.  I wish I could offer insight, but I'm as lost in this maze as you are.  Sleep aids only make my symptoms worse.  I have also noticed that other stimulants (alcohol, caffein, and meds such as benadryl and tylenol p.m) increase the intensity of the "buzzing".  I hope you are quicker finding a diagnosis than I have been.  Best wishes for your continued good health.

P.S.  Do you drink diet soda by any chance?  An alternative dr. scolded me for the number of diet drinks I consume on a daily basis, and warned me of the side effects associated with aspertame (sp?)  Just a thought.

by JCmcc, Mar 23, 2007 12:00AM
To: diet drinks
I have read and heard that aspartame can cause neurological deficits. I quite them a while back-if I were any of you, I would stop.

It certainly is not helping us.

by Annie62, Mar 23, 2007 12:00AM
For those worried about the calories/sugar (and weird chemicals), stevia is a natural sweetener and an alternative to aspartame, sacharine, etc.  Some of the stevia products add silica and other junk, but SweetLeaf (and possibly some other brands) don't.  It tastes good and can be bought at a natural foods store and even supermarkets now.  I put it in tea and coffee and think it tastes good, but some people don't like it, so try it first (it's kind of expensive).

by Jadis, Mar 24, 2007 12:00AM
To: JCmcc
It sounds like we are a lot alike. I also have MS-type lesions but I also have a positive lyme test so I'm not sure which I have. I also sometimes get the "vibration feeling." In my case, it's restricted to my left leg. I also get a pulsing sensation in that leg that only occurs when I lay down. The weird thing about this is that it is the same rate and rhythm as my pulse. I can suppress it by tying something tight around the leg (gate control theory, perhaps?) and that is how I manage to sleep at night. Like you, I tend to get the vibration feeling during periods of stress. For me though, this tends to make me more anxious which brings out more paresthesias and I get a nice positive feedback loop going. I just hope these antibiotics do the trick.......

by flyin2006, Mar 24, 2007 12:00AM
I have noiced this on antidepressants ( with meand others).Also,alow TSH ( too much thryroid hormone being produced.)

by Jenny Wren, Mar 25, 2007 12:00AM
I had the "vibrating" feeling while taking Prozac, it lasted about 3 weeks after gradually tapering off.  I also had cold shooting feelings throughout my body.

by JCmcc, Mar 25, 2007 12:00AM
To: RE:
This came after my first attack with an unknown condition that caused topical numbness from the waist down-considerations were Acute Transverse Myelitis, Multiple Sclerosis or Lyme disease.
It started as an echo in my chest, then, became (epicenter low back) full body. While all of my other symptoms have for the most part subsided, this remains-but-is becoming less and less frequent.

I have never taken psychoactive drugs