Brain Shakes and Dizziness

[mg409]

I have read multiple descriptions of "brain shakes" on this forum but none seem to describe my experience. I have gone to two different general practitioners and they tell me that I am suffering from vertigo but my symptoms do not seem to completely match vertigo either.

I am a 27-year-old, healthy and active woman. Several months ago, I began experiencing these random episodes of brain shakes that are followed by dizziness. The "brain shakes" feel like a jolt and vibration that last about a 1 second. These "brain shakes" are sometimes violent and because they are unexpected, I react by placing my hands to my head. But my head does not actually "shake", its is merely an internal sensation that I'm reacting to. The "brain shakes" are immediately followed by dizziness. I feel like the room is spinning and sometimes I become flushed and nauseous. The dizziness lasts less than a minute. The dizziness is initially severe and then it fades away and is completely gone in about a minute.

These episodes have occurred approximately 6 or so times. They appear to occur randomly and they are spaced out; sometimes a couple weeks and other times about a month apart. I am almost never moving when these occur. In other words, they don't seem to be caused by sudden movements or physical fatigue. Most times it has happens when I'm sitting at my desk working or in a car or at lunch with a friend. When they occur, I am immediately fine when the dizziness wears off as if nothing happened. They also occur one at a time; I've never had more than one per day. Also, these episodes to do not appear to be stress or mental health related. I am a mental health practitioner and was able to rule that out.

Although these episodes have not significantly impaired my life functioning, they are certainly scary and concerning. Any insight about what might be happening would be greatly appreciated!!

[krish12345]

I am suffering exactly with same disorder when I am sitting and reading or sitting and surfing on mobile or computer. I first experienced it a month ago. My BP is 130/90 and when I went to doctor , they started giving me medicine "Metoprolol succinate extended"  for BP control. But I think it is not related to BP or something. The first experience came when I was somewhat stressed about my project and sitting in front of computer and writing some mathematical equations on a paper put on the desk. How to get rid of this?

[macinblack]

Hi, I have suffered with these brain shakes for years. I call them "woowies" they come on suddenly with no warning and last for 5-10 seconds. I have to grab my head and stand completely still with my eyes closed. I know its silly as holding my head will make no difference but I do it anyway! I become dizzy if I open my eyes. I then get an awful headache afterwards and feel very sick. I have been put on some migraine type tablets that have been controlling it, topiramate but if a "woowie" breaks through as it has this week then thats it! Pain and shakes all day every day! I have never heard of it being related to vertigo before. Mt doctors have never really investigated beyond migraine. This thread has been very interesting, I have just discovered it as I am really suffering this time. 2 weeks without a  break this time.

[cecokc]

This has been happening to me since I was in high school. At the time, it really scared my mom and me, so I underwent all sorts of tests, including an MRI. Nothing abnormal could be found. I have the same symptoms many of you are describing, usually when I'm doing something mundane like sitting at a meeting, sitting in front of the computer, and even while driving a few times. My brain feels like it "jumps" or "shakes" in one big movement that lasts less than a second. Then I am extremely dizzy and have blurry vision for only a matter of seconds. I then feel fine, although I do feel a bit "off" for a few minutes up to an hour afterward. But no headaches, no pain, etc. I also get a slight warm feeling, like you'd feel when you are really embarrassed or during public speaking or the like. This "condition" went dormant for several years, and I only started having these events recently. I am now 30 and it happens every week or so.

I wish I could get some answers because it concerns me to have something wrong with my health. I don't have seizures (that I know of, anyway), but I do recently have some chronic ear ringing issues. Not sure if the two are related, but I never had ear ringing issues before, so I doubt they are related at all.

[ohai81]

I have this same thing.  I am 34 femail, it's been happening for years, once every 6 months or so.  I had an MRI of the brain years ago with normal result.  I think it could have something to do with dehydration, inner ear or something.  I am also vitamin D deficient.  No antidepressants or medication taken.  

[Netnas]

As you read my previous posts, we have the same complaints. I also feel that my brain shakes that lasted for 1-2 seconds. I am not dizzy, and my ent doctor ruled out vertigo. I consulted neurologist and advise to undergo MRI. According to the result, I have a little scar in my brain. (maybe because of the internal bleeding happened when i have a dengue fever). My doctor assures that nothing bad will happen, the only problem is, until I aged, I will experience this brain shakes..I understand how you feel., and I really wanted to get rid of this..

Please contact me if you are already okay..


thank you

[Wu36]

For the past few months, I have also had these brain shifts/shakes that are completely random and last only 1-2 seconds without any other symptoms. A few months ago I was diagnosed with anemia and take iron supplements but the brain shifts are still happening. The sensation is different from being dizzy and unlike vertigo. Many years ago I discontinued the use of an anti-depressant and experienced the "brain zaps" that other people mentioned but this is completely different. Once the anti-depressant was out of my system and my body was back to normal the brain zaps stopped. Anyhow, the Dr. says next step is an MRI so I'm trying to research what it could be since it's expensive and scary.