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Brain Shakes

I've read other posts and questions about people experiencing "brain shakes" as a result of various conditions, or as a possible withdrawl symptom from AD drugs and such. However, I  have experienced the sensation of my brain shaking, long before I had ever taking any kind of prescribed drug of any sort, and i have never even once taken an AD drug. Though I remember is occuring before this, the first time I ever remember really acknowledging the brain shake was when i was kneeling down at a church altar. I had my head in my hands and it felt like someone inside my brian was shaking it back and forth, like a vibration almost. But I experienced no other symptoms with this. No pain, no fatigue. I've experienced this many times over the last 10 or so years, and I can't seem to find a common denominator to why this is occuring. Perhaps emotional stress is to blame, since that is a rather general, wide, and encompassing possibility. Any one else experienced this?


This discussion is related to Brain feel like it is shaking, Doctors haven't been able to help.
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Naturally, I too was freaking out about this feeling like my brain was being shaken! However, unlike some of you, I am not especially anxious and I've never been on AD medication...

Here, all my fellow sufferers, I would urge you to keep a food diary for at least 21 days. It was by recording everything I eat and drink, everything I feel and everything I do that I was able to pinpoint instances of brain zaps to processed foods.

I'm not bashing processed foods; that's just the result I found. For you, it may be some other food causing your zaps.

This indicator that your body rejects what you're putting in it can be especially persnickety. For instance, consuming one brand of sliced ham yields no zaps but another brand will cause me to zap for hours. Likewise, enjoying a grilled sausage with a crisp, cold Coke Zero will shake my brain for hours but if I cut out the Coke, all is well.

Since I've cut out the foods (and the brands of foods) that caused the brain zaps, I've not had any at all.

What do you think? Would you try it?

I hope it helps...

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It’s also called rhythmic, vascular, or pulse-synchronous tinnitus.
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I feel kinda relief that im not the only one with this symptoms, i get this back head shaking usually at night , it makes me wake up , and as soon as i get up , this panic attacks gets to happen . What i do is , i try not to think about it , and do sit ups , eventually goes away .
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I stopped taking 1mg klonopin as well as cannabis almost 6 months ago during the most traumatic time of my life away from my kids and family home.  As I sit here and type this i feel my head throbbing shaking tremor if you will. I have felt it while walking and laying down. My whole body has responded to this stress as I am completely torn apart over a situation.  I know this has to do with my nerves and the shock of trauma ( ongoing trauma and it is has just increased to an new level of devastation ). I find pool workouts and walking/jogging helps but the tremor is still there. Not sure what exactly it is or means but I am very aware of it and sensitive in general to senses. I also just turned 50. Hope this helps someone. God Bless                
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I'm also feeling my brain is shaking sometimes this year ie 4 years after my head injure.feel the same feeling of brain shaking during hospitalized from accident. now, sometimes, I don't want to think anything or feel like stop thinking. It's hurt my work and became stress on me and my work.
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Inhalant abuse can cause "brain shakes".(its a long-term side effect). I was an inhalant addict for over 5 years....been sober for a year.
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I have been having the brain shaking for 2 years. I too was also just told to try Magnesium glycinate supplements. I'm 5 days in and am seeing a lot of relief already.
I too was put through all medical tests initially with no resolution.
Anyone who needs help should try a Naturopath doctor, they are willing to look past traditional tests and drugs.
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How much magnesium are you taking? I feel like I need a forehead lift because my eyes get so heavy. I have been taking magnesium on and off for sleep. I also had the head shakes when I was pregnant 7 years ago. Now I have them on an ongoing basis and have had it for 6 weeks. My neck feels tight and my forehead feels like it is pushing my eyes down. I'm so frustrated and tired because of it!
Avatar universal
Dear all, Is very interesting the fact that in many posts there are some common symptoms. First, the strange feeling in the head which is not exactly dizziness or vertigo but a vibration, or trembling. Then we have stress, muscle pain, neck pain,back pain, tests,scan,mri showing nothing and doctors look at you like you are crazy. Well you are not crazy. Something is going on! I was suffering from this vibration since June 2015 and 2 months ago i finally got an answer. It was liberating! Things are improving day after day. In my case it was magnesium deficiency. You can search about it. Google magnesium deficiency, or magnesium deficiency and brain trembling and you will find very interesting information. And dont think that a simple blood test will show that you have magnesium deficiency. Many people have magnesium deficiency and still their blood test shows normal. Just do your research. Many of the symptoms that i mentioned before are classical symptoms of magnesium deficiency. Just do your research. It worth the effort!
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Bless you....

Avatar universal
I had this "brain shake" episode 2 nights ago. It started out of nowhere while I was sitting on the couch. It felt like the back of my brain was vibrating or someone was shaking it back and forth very fast. It immediately caused my vision to go crazy and I started to black out. This only lasted a few seconds. When I tried to move my head offer it stopped, I was VERY dizzy. I went to the ER because I thought I had a stroke or aneurysm. They did CT of the head without contrast, which was normal. They also looked at me like I was a little crazy.  I do feel like I've been stressed lately due to my grandfather being in the process of dying, stress at work, stress due to the kids and my husband, etc. But I felt like I was coping with everything quite well. It was a scary feeling and very distinct, but no pain.
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I have this happen to me also, but it only happen in my sleep. it is almost like i am having a seizure i also have anxiety very bad a night so maybe this is why this happen,
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Brain shakes are also supposed to be like a spirit trying to talk to you. Of course the answers everyone else is coming up with makes more sense, especially since I have moderate anxiety
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My daughter is currently experiencing these "brain shakes or quakes" and they are frightening. She is 20, healthy, thin, and has very low blood pressure in general, but when this happens her BP goes quite high. She almost always blacks out for a second during the brain shake. She then becomes dizzy and feels that her vision is delayed, meaning that if she moves her head she feels the eyes follow slower behind. She typically has some memory/recall issues and oftentimes a headache. Wish we knew the cause.
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I'm glad I read all of these; most all of them were helpful and related to my situation, but the last one over the past 5 years was most closely related. I suspected I might just need to exercise more, get an back adjustment, and cut out the caffeine. These posts have helped confirm my belief. I do still want to see a doctor, but since I have been getting these over the past year and have been inactive, at a desk job, I have been experiencing these brain shakes more and more. I also drink a lot of coffee. The only thing I didn't see listed here that was wondering about is my staring at a computer screen all day. And when I'm not, sometimes it's my cell phone or a tv. I think that might be related... when I get these brain shakes that last only a few seconds, my vision is slightly blurred as well. Also, lately, I have been feeling a pulse in my head behind my eyes with sudden eye movement or even when I make a small realization. My brain has a spasm of a reaction. Please, let me know if anyone has any insight to the vision problems
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Avatar universal
I too have had these brain shakes.  Initially they happened once a week (2 months ago) and they were a shake only lasting less than 2 seconds, no pain, nor sound. Then they became more frequent so I got my whoel body massaged and triggered into place.  I also had an MRI which showed everything was ok... I have been through a lot of stress lately due to a sore back, which is good now.  I spoke to a friend today whom had also been experiencing the same brain shakes and she was diagnosed as having Diabetes type 2 or borderline and recomends for me to have a blood test... which I will in time to rule it out as the shakes have gone away now as I have lessened my stress levels and become more active.
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Avatar universal
I too have had these brain shakes.  Initially they happened once a week (2 months ago) and they were a shake only lasting less than 2 seconds, no pain, nor sound. Then they became more frequent so I got my whoel body massaged and triggered into place.  I also had an MRI which showed everything was ok... I have been through a lot of stress lately due to a sore back, which is good now.  I spoke to a friend today whom had also been experiencing the same brain shakes and she was diagnosed as having Diabetes type 2 or borderline and recomends for me to have a blood test... which I will in time to rule it out as the shakes have gone away now as I have lessened my stress levels and become more active.
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Avatar universal
i have brainshakes too, all day long, and heart palpitations, and i can't concentrate very well, and i'm tired all day..

I have chronic Lyme disease, and i suspect that some of you have Lyme too, can't hurt to let the doctor do some tests, cause if you do have Lyme, you don't want it to get out of hand.
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I experienced severe "brain shakes" in my college days (18-22 yrs) right as I would lay down and close my eyes. I never drank coffee or energy drinks then, was not on prescriptions drugs, nor did I ever use recreational drugs. I have not experienced it since those days (I'm now 30).  They went away once I graduated and my stress levels returned to normal and I was able to get a full night of sleep every night (8 hours).

Exhaustion, I believe, triggered my episodes.
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Thank you all for your posts. The "brain shakes" started with me about 3 weeks ago and are getting worse. As I have vertigo, lupus, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia and w few other things I could excuse the fatigue and my eyes feeling out of focus. A bit of dizziness was nothing new. But these brain shakes are getting worse. I work for a Physical Therapy place so I spoke with one of the therapist. I told her this is not vertigo, I know exactly what that feels like. I don't have any inner ear problems or sinus issues and I haven't had any changes in my medications since October. She had no idea what it could be. I have an appointment with my neurologist in 2 weeks, but I'm afraid he'll just put me on another pill without blinking an eye. I have an appointment with my Rheumatologist at the end of March and he'll just think I'm nuts. If anyone gets an answer - please post it!
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Avatar universal
Thank you all for your posts. The "brain shakes" started with me about 3 weeks ago and are getting worse. As I have vertigo, lupus, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia and w few other things I could excuse the fatigue and my eyes feeling out of focus. A bit of dizziness was nothing new. But these brain shakes are getting worse. I work for a Physical Therapy place so I spoke with one of the therapist. I told her this is not vertigo, I know exactly what that feels like. I don't have any inner ear problems or sinus issues and I haven't had any changes in my medications since October. She had no idea what it could be. I have an appointment with my neurologist in 2 weeks, but I'm afraid he'll just put me on another pill without blinking an eye. I have an appointment with my Rheumatologist at the end of March and he'll just think I'm nuts. If anyone gets an answer - please post it!
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I have just stopped citalapram 20mg and my doctor put me straight on mirztazapine, a AD that I take at nite, but because I've suddenly come of the citalapram my brain shakes all the time, every time I move my head it's like an electric pulse in my head, awful, just praying this will go away when the other tablets kick in !!!
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It was really good to come on here and see I wasn't the only one that has these. I didn't even know how to google a brain shake. Was very surprised to see other people get them. I've never seen a doctor for them. But lately they have gotten worse..or should I say scarier. Twice already driving through the bank drive thru I've had a brain shake..and I've ended up coming too close to the sides of the drive thru. I've had them just standing still. Was standing still getting ready to take a family picture..my brain shook. I thought I was gonna lose my balance. It's such a weird feeling..it scares the hell out of me. Seeings that it's happening while I'm driving..I think it might be time to go see a doctor and hopefully see why it keeps happening. Just plain scarey! I've also noticed my short term memory has gone nuts. I can't even put together a recipe without making a mistake. I guess I was scared to go see a doctor in fear of being told I'm crazy..
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It's nice to see a community coming together regarding these brain shakes/shudders/quakes. For the last 8 years I have called them "brain quakes". I have had a multitude of tests, MRIs and crazy looks. When they first started I would wake up and wake my husband up asking if he felt the earthquake (we live on the East Coast). I would ask our neighbors and wait for something to be on the news. Nothing! I began having problems with my balance and walking in general. Stairs I was always falling up or down them. Had a constant headache for over a year, was told I have optic neuritis. Would develop speech difficulties - recalling words, pronouncing words, putting words in correct order, etc. The latest neurologist I went to see asked me if I was certain they weren't "just hallucinations." As the years have gone on I occasionally get brain quakes without any other symptoms and at times I get all of the above symptoms.
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This is quite strange.

I have this problem where I feel my brain is shaking or trembling inside. As a result I'm unable to focus on one thing, the attention spam has gown down, the body feel weak, and I tend to forget things more often as days passes. It feels as if there is a void inside that has developed over the years and the weakness will not go away.

The days goes normally, but when this mild shaking or trembling occurs, the day breaks there, and what ever I was doing, focusing, thinking shatters. As I try to wonder what's happening, I realize my body has gone into a emergency mode, where it can't focus on anything else, but the shaking, its like the body is using all its powers to tackle the shaking, without you knowing about it, unless you STOP and think what's wrong.

Tension, high stress levels, financial losses is again common cause that I can see here.

Meditation has helped me a lot, to become calm inside, control the shaking and feel strong inside, instead of shaky, broken and lost inside. Moreover Yoga helped a lot too.

Strangely my family has the same problem, though its more severe with them. As someone mentioned, when my mom puts on a hair band, the shaking inside her rises to a new level and her head also starts spinning. We call can see her spin her head.  

Another reason I'm speculating is black magic. Something you can't see but you can feel it. The unexpected financial losses, followed by illness in the family and co-incidences (bad/ugly) which surprises you.
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I have also such kind symptoms. It's like smth inside shakes my head. But I also have a new symptom connected with my heart. Palpitations causes also my backside of my head
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Hi, I read your comments on brain shaking, and I just want to say you are not alone. My neurologist did look at me like I was nuts. He was of the opinion that a  person cannot feel anything inside the brain. Oh really? My brain was shaking all day, all night for 2 years solid. I also had an injury in my neck at c-6 c-7, and then a whiplash injury that involved 2 nerve root decompression surgeries at C-2.  My brain shaking started one day when I was sleeping in a reclining chair. It felt like an earthquake in my head. I thought wow that was weird. And it went away quickly. Then the earthquakes happened a couple more times, and then it went in to a permanent shaking for 2 solid years. It did not hurt, but I got extremely exhausted from not sleeping much. Doctors did not believe me, and I grew increasingly frustrated with them...so I stopped going. Eventually, somehow they (the brain shakes) just stopped. Then the shaking started happening in my face, my chin, my nose. I noticed I could make it worse by turning my head to my far right when lying on my side. So I know its all neck related. But test after test confirmed nothing. MRI's, CAT scans, physical exams, trying different things like glucosamine, omega 3 fish oil, ibuprofen, and more horrendous drugs (that all made me sick). I don't drink or do drugs. I even eliminated caffeine from my system to prove that 'that' wasn't the real issue to the doctor. In my case its neck related, and I think you also have neck issues that are messing with some nerves that go to your head.  I hope you have found out something since your post from August 29, 2010.  Let me know. You can write back to spalted_wood***@****
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