Muscle tremors/shakes, "electric shocks" before sleep, constant ear ringing, memory loss

[seekmedhelp]

Physical info: 27 year old white male, 6'1, 160 pounds, non-smoking, non-drinking, with no previous serious health issues.

For about three months I've been having the following symptoms:

1. Tremoring/shaking muscles upon exertion. When resting they occasionally twitch, without being strong enough to actually my limbs. Walking down stairs has become uncomfortable as my thighs tremor when my muscles fully engage.

2. violent head shocks/zaps that have left me awake for 36 hours at a time. They occur the moment I am about to "cross over" into sleep. Sometimes sharp noises trigger them (wood, plastic cracking), but it only happens when I'm sleepy, accompanied by my vision going from black to bright gold.

3. Constant ringing in my right ear for about a month and a half. The tremors started occurring about one month before the ringing. About two days after the ringing started the head zaps began. They occur on average of 2-3 days a week. During the worst episodes I cannot sleep for 36 hours, and one time for 48. I only pass out from sheer exhaustion.

4. My short term memory and concentration have been slowly fading.

I have no insurance and no money. I am exhausted from sleeping only 2-3 hours a day for over two months. Is there any way I can get help from the government? I live in NJ, USA. A person can only endure so much.
Brian

[Forum-M.D.-SH]

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 financial department at the hospital should be able to help you apply for medicaid (if you qualify, I am not an expert in this area). The symptoms of ringing in your ears and violent head shocks associated with visual changes are of unclear etiology, but I would consider trigeminal neuralgia, seizure disorder and possible tumor as likely causes.  Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that causes shocks of pain down one side of the face and is often triggered by contact with skin of the face or sensation around the teeth.  This is often treated with medications such as tegretol.  Seizure disorders can also cause the symptoms that you describe (although the pain you describe would be less typical). Seizure disorders can also cause loss of memory and concentration, but this can also be caused by lack of sleep.  The tremors that you describe might also by attributable lack of sleep, seizures or a neuromuscular condition.  Tumors in the brain can cause pain, visual disturbances and seizures and although rare, this should be evaluated in your case.  I woudl suggest an MRI of the brain with GAD contrast (to evaluate for tumors or other structural lesion), an EEG (brain wave test for seizures).  You also need to see a neurologist to evaluate you for medications to treat your pain/shocks and to stop your sleep deprivation.
I hope this has been helpful.

[mike1105]

ou should probably start by having a physical that includes a FULL RANGE of bloodwork. If nothing is found, I'd head out place like the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. They may be able to arrange some sort of payment schedule with you. they are very pleasant to speak with. You may even want to call there to get some info. All testing/treatment is done under one roof, with some of the best doctors in the world.

[seekmedhelp]

I called and ask if they offer assistance to the uninsured. The lady told me flat out "NO", and that every patient must deposit a minumum of $3000 before being seen.

[Fionajnz]

There is a person at Cornell University hospital in NY city who specialises in tremors.  Not sure of his name, I elected, when a neuro there suggested it, not to see him as we were travelling back to our home state the following day.

If you are uninsured then you probably need to go to a county hospital, there are some states that offer the working and non working population low cost insurance coverage but you need to go to a govt office to find out what is available in NJ.  A few ph call is a good start, I would start with the medicare offices and go from there.

From the sounds of it, you definitely need a workup for your symptoms, it could be as simple as an electrolyte problem or it could be a more complicated muscle weakness issue.  Either way, you deserve some answers.

Fiona  

[seekmedhelp]

I went to the ER on 6/1/2007 at 9PM because I had no slept for almost three days. Anytime I layed down and tried to sleep, that zap/electrical shock would keep me from crossing over into sleep. They did a CAT scan and said it was negative, though an emergency doctor reviewed it not a specialist.

I overhead my young ER doctor talking to an older doctor, probably her supervise, and she said "it sounds like myoclonic jerks". But after my visit was over the discharge paper said "insomnia".

They prescribed 5 pills of Ambien 10mg. On the first night, when I came back from the hospital, it put me to sleep right away, and I woke up about 6 hours later.

Last night I felt like my awake brain was battle with my sleeping brain for dominance. There was no electric shock but my legs would jerk. This happened twice that I can remember before falling asleep. I woke up 7 hours later with a loud ringing in my ears. The ringing is loud during the morning and at night, but is only moderately loud to sometimes almost gone during the day.

They referred me to a neurologist. Whether he will accept "charity care" coverage I don't know. I'll call on my Monday and find out.

Due to these shocks when trying to fall asleep i've become afraid of sleep. Anytime my eyes are closed I cant help but fear a shock will hit me at any moment.

Noises also trigger these shocks/zaps. Especially sharp noises, like plastic or wood cracking. I've come to fear sharp sounds, since I now associate them will being zapped. I turn off every electrical device in my room, because monitor, computer, printer, speakers, as the plastic their made of tends to crack as the temperature in my room goes down at night.

Luckily ambien puts me to sleep without a shock, but my legs still jerk uncontrollably. My daytime muscle tremors are just as bad as they were when not getting any sleep. Also I have a strange buzzy/wired feeling when awake, especially when I focus on something, like looking at a monitor, or reading a book.  

[dlhigh]

Here's a website I found with additional information on Myoclonus, I hope this helps. I've found that without insurance even ER's will do as little testing as possible.  You should use every means available to you to pay the Neurologist up front if necessary to get an answer, but equip yourself with as much information as you can find online to take with you.  Hope this helps and that you can rest better soon!    http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/myoclonus/detail_myoclonus.htm

[flyin2006]

Other than the Ambien that was given to you, have you been on any other meds, such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or antianxiety medication.?Many of these meds can have nasty and prolonged  withdrawal symptoms.
I know because I've been there and felt almost every symptonm you have described!

[emgscot]

I have had those same electrical shocks for 10 years.   At first it was just before I fell asleep, then it progressed to sharp noises causing them.  The latest is that those little twiches and tics that everyone gets all over their bodies have now started causing the zaps.  I get a twitch in my ankle and zap.  
I do have insurance and have seen several doctors to ask what on earth is going on.  MRIs show nothing.  One nasty neurologist diagnosed dementia because I couldn't remember the firt of three words he told me to remember.  Guess he's never heard of sleep deprivation.  
The good news is that there is apparently nothing wrong!?!  If I ever find an answer, I'll be sure to let you know.

[seekmedhelp]

Thank you guys for your comments.

emgscot & flyin2006, I would like to further discuss our symptoms by e-mail or messenger if you aren't against it.

My e-mail is  ***@****

Feel free to contact me at any time.

Here is an update on my situation:

I went to the emergency room again once my ambien ran out. I tried to sleep without it but got a nasty jolt in my head when trying to fall asleep. The ER doctor seemed very angry I came back and her words were "You can't keep coming back here like this" quote. ( i was there two times, my muscles shaking like an old man's at age 27)

She flat out said they won't do anymore tests and that she could send over a crisis counselor to see me. I told her I wasn't depressed, suicidal or anything of the sort. But did remind her that not being able to sleep for 72 hours at a clip is pure psychological torture. I asked her to write me a prescription to help me sleep, but anything other than ambien, as after 3 days it stopped working. I was given 1mg of Ativan.

That night I took the Ativan and it made me feel anxious and paranoid for about an hour, than extremely exhausted. I got a couple electric shocks before falling asleep and also a sensation that I couldn't breath. Once the sedation kicked in it did so very hard because I don't even recall when I fell asleep.

My right ear continues to ring and the tremor in my left wrist has gotten worse, though it only tremors on the counter-contraction. My left leg has a cramping sensation as if someone had kicked me in the thigh.

I finally managed to arrange to see a neurologist in a free clinic, that will be on the 21st of June.

I also applied for NJ medicaid and was accepted, pending a 30 day review. The case worker said I would get the coverage short of them finding something false on my application. Hopefully I'll be now able to receive consistent treatment in the near future thanks to this state program.

Does anyone here have experience with neurologists who accept medicaid? Do they have long wait times? Are they allowed to authorize MRIs?

[dlhigh]

If this is the neurologist that the ER doc referred you to, then they should accept it.  Wait times vary, but generally free clinics can be a long wait.  The neuro can authorize MRI's as well as many other tests.  Sometimes it can take a while to determine etiology as emgscot mentioned, but patience and persistance are the keys.  Since you will be getting medicaid, you need to get a family practice doctor to follow your condition and refer you other doctors if/when necessary, as well as repeated visits to them often enough ensures that this is a continuous concern and not an occasional occurance.

[nerohelp]

try and contact the  montel williams show there seems to be something in the
jersey area that he might be able to help you with.. to much of this around.

[johnflox]

What drugs did you take before the onset of your symptoms?. You have to check what medicines you took up to 6 or 9 months before your symptoms began. Some common antibiotics cause all the symptoms that you describe, and other drugs like antimalarials, as well.

[seekmedhelp]

I took a two week course of Floxin for what the radiologist diagnosed as lower left lung pneumonia. The doctor said it was a severe case of bronchitis. I had a fever of 104. This all occurred 14 months before my neurological symptoms started. Other than those antibiotics I took no medications for the past two years.

After about 2 weeks all my pneumonia symptoms went away and I felt absolutely fine. After a couple weeks I was back on my bike riding several miles a day and felt great. That was fabulous summer, one of my best, both physically and emotionally. I would be really surprised if the medication is causing my health problems, because I felt no side effects after taking them, not even a stomach ache.

I have an ENT appointment on the 19th, and a neurology appointment on the 21st. Hopefully they can tell me something... I'm completely demoralized from a lack of sleep, ear ringing, and frequent electric shocks.

[Hannah1986]

Hey,
I get the same "zaps" you are describing. They happen just as I'm about to fall asleep, and are usually triggered  by a startling noise -- a phone ringing, a door creaking, etc. The zap starts in my brain and travels down my arms/spine. Sometimes I also feel like my lungs are paralyzed. This all started when I began taking SSRI antidepressants last summer. The zaps worsened as my dosage was increased. I went off the meds about 6 months ago, and the zaps have gotten a lot less frequent, though they still occur from time to time. I personally think that my own electric sensations are due to some kind of serotonin imbalance, as they were intensified by SSRI drugs. If you havent already, maybe ask your doctor for a  thorough blood workup?

[seekmedhelp]

Hannah,

I had a basic blood workup done at the ER which included liver, thyroid and electrolytes.  They all came back normal. How was your blood work? What did your doctor diagnose you with? Are you on any kind of treatment regimen?

Would you like to discuss this further on an instant messenger? We can try to go over our medical history and possibly find a link. Our symptoms are almost identical. You can e-mail me at ***@****

[johnflox]

Among all fluoroquinolones, floxin is the one that has the most delayed toxicity profile. It is not possible to tell  whether some injuries caused by floxin are surfacing now, but you might getting a more precise idea consulting the subtle symptoms that herald a delayed (up to 18 months) toxicity caused by floxin, having a look at:
www.fluoroquinolones.org
www.fqresearch.org

I know almost twenty persons that took floxin, had mild or moderate symptoms shortly after the treatment, then reached a plateau of some months, or got nearly recovered, and by month 15 on average got plagued with several symptoms identical to yours, and extremely debilitating. It is not the norm, and indeed a rare situation but it is also a posibility, not so remote.

The classical presentation of a fluoroquinolone toxicity (like floxin) for an athlete is to have small abnormal issues starting some weeks after exposure, then have 18 months or so of increased and new symptoms, and then several years of recovery, depending on many factors. Floxin has the most delayed onset toxicity of all fluoroquinolones.

[Hannah1986]

I did have blood work done...everything came back normal, except for mild hypothyroidism. The doctors thought I might have autoimmune thyroid disease, but I tested negative for that. Apparently this means that my thyroid was most likely damaged by infection. About a year and a half ago, I had a really horrible case of epstein-barr virus that lasted for months on end. I wouldn't say it was debilitating, but it was by far the sickest I've ever been in my life...constant recurring high fevers, body aches, sore throat, for like 6 months. In retrospect...the zaps started right as my symptoms began to end. Maybe there is a link? If my thyroid was damaged, im sure some nerves could have been also. Given the length and severity of the virus i had, I always secretly feared it could leave some lasting damage in me.

But no doctor has yet been able to explain the "zaps" to me. According to doctors, my thyroid problem isn't severe enough to cause any symptoms, let alone cause electric shocks throughout my body. And according to blood work, that thyroid problem is the only thing that is wrong with me.

[seekmedhelp]

Here is an update on my condition:

Today I went to see an ENT at a Catholic hospital's free clinic. He was the second ENT I saw there, as they rotate every two weeks.

The previous ENT ordered an audiogram and referred me to a neurologist (more on that later). Today's ENT said the audiogram showed some hearing loss and he thinks it may be due to a nerve polip though at my age it is unlikely, but nonetheless should be ruled out. He also ordered a Lyme disease titer, some additional blood tests, and an MRI.

Here is a scan of the MRI prescription.

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/3351/entmriscriptdx8.jpg

If anyone is familiar with the language could you please explain to me what it means? I didn't want to waste the ENT's time by asking. He was extremely nice and seemed to genuinely care about my condition. There were a lot of other patients in the waiting area, his day looked swamped.

The free clinics at this hospital tend to be packed, though I always come in very early to secure the 1st spot. You probably get a better diagnosis when the doctor hasn't been fatigued by seeing two dozen charity cases, which include musclebound tatooed convicts in chains from Rahway state prison and also insane asylum patients. One of the guys kept banging his head on the wall and others talked to themselves, pacing back and forth. It looked like that scene from the movie 12 monkies. At that point I almost felt like my problems were small in comparison, despite the constant ringing in my ear and barely sleeping from constant electrical shocks.

Hopefully this upcoming MRI will give me a diagnosis. I feel lucky to receive it, considering many middle class working people are denied MRIs by their company insurance.
  

  

[seekmedhelp]

Another update:

I finally got in to see a neurologist. Actually three at the same time. The elder neuro totally ignored me and instead spoke through his two residents. He didn't even want to look me in the eye.

After showing them my tremors, and explaining how exhausted I am from the electrical shocks disrupting my sleep, the elder neuro performed a brief physical, and said to his resident "It looks like a benign essential tremor. Neurologically he is fine and I believe there will be no acoustic neuroma or brain de-mylenation of any kind on his upcoming MRI."

It was all rather strange because after asking him questions he answered them to the resident who then repeated them to me. The guy was a complete jerk. He then suggested to the intern I might have taken LSD or some other psychotropic drugs. When I insisted thats not true, that I don't even drink alcohol or caffeine, he didn't even look at me, instead just kept on talking to the resident.

Then the resident repeats exactly what the elder neuro said, which I thought was absurd as we were all 3 feet from each other.

That kind of puzzles me. How can nothing be wrong with me neurologically, if I have tremors worse than some 70 year olds. (i'm 27). Electric shocks keep me from sleeping sometimes for days. Sharp noises also trigger the effect. My right ear rings constantly which began months ago with the rest of the symptoms - yet i'm fine neurologically. After waiting 4 months for this appointment, I was extremely dissapointed by the expertise of a supposed "teaching" neurologist.

On the plus side, he told the resident "a sleep study would be acceptable in this case".

So a few days from now I'll be fortunate enough to have a sleep study despite having no insurance. According to the secretary at the hospital's sleep center, I will stay there overnight while they monitor me with electrodes attached to a computer. A test that labor intensive probably costs at least 2-3 thousand dollars, and without the catholic hospital's charity care I'd never be able to afford it.

I'll post another update once the MRI and sleep study results are in.

[taherkody]

Hi. I was going through those same symptoms and more a couple months ago and  I was also getting arrythmias and high blood pressure with numbness and pins and needles in my right leg along with those muscles twiches and weakness and tremors ear ringing and memory loss. I went from doctor to doctor and they wouldnt know the reason got so many scans ,mri's xrays  and tests ..... In the end it turned out to be thyroid problem I was going through a thyroxic state ...Myabe you should get your thyroid checked?

[seekmedhelp]

My blood test had a thyroid check and they said the results were normal:

T4 Total: 9.9
T3 Uptake: 36
Free T4 Index: 10.2


What part of your thyroid blood test was off? I've read there are many different types of thyroid tests. The doctors at my clinic probably gave me the most basic one.

[flyin2006]

What was your TSH? It's a big part of the thyroid test.

[taherkody]

Unfortunatly by the time The doctors knew my problem was from my thyroid ((2 1/2 months later) I was over the thyroid storm and I was moving into hypothyroidism ..My thyroid tests then were ;
Tsh 3.15 normal 0.4 -4
Ft4 1.2 normal 0.8 - 1.9
Ft3 3.3 normal 1.5 - 4.1
It wasnt the tests thats got my diagnosis ..It was the my fast growing goiter and high blood pressure and heart beats that finally got them to realise that I had a thyroid problem.. I think you should get you TSH tested also...It is also important with the freeT4 and free T3 tests.. I got those done and also ultrasound.  Im so sorry for what you are going through, Ill keep you in my thoughts and hope you get a proper diagnosis and get better soon..

[taherkody]

by the way. what are the normal ranges for your thyroid levels?? each lab has different normal ranges. sometimes you can be in normal ranges but high normal or low normal.

[chloestartzman1224]

Ive had tremors for 2 years a few night they got so bad i had to go to the hosbital the musles in my cheast were convulsing and i stoped breathing i had to be intabated my doctors never gave my a MRI or CT a few blood  test but thats it ive been hosbitalized for psycological problems and every time i stayed all the nurses and doctors always talked about how strange it was ive acctually had a few nurses fight for me to be put in some nero studies. My docter is concerned but the only thaing he does is give me a bottle of lorazapam and send me on my way its progressively getting worse im 15 years old and its so bad i havent gone to school in a year im forced to do home school i have them every day its in every part of my body my legs toes face arms fingers back neck stomach ...ext....i dont know whats wrong can anyone help me?

[Merilee123]

I am extremely anxious to hear the results of your sleep study. I've been experiencing most of the same symptoms for eight months. I haven't had tremors but I jolt awake all night as I drift off to sleep and my ears have been ringing the entire eight months. (Which, I'm told sometimes causes hearing loss) I also get headaches and occassional dizziness, some muscle aches and a general feeling of being unwell and run down. I had the CAT and the blood work done. Everything came back normal. It's disheartening when everyone I've spoken to online or read about hasn't had it resolved. I sincerely hope you get to the bottom of it while I'm trying to do the same. Good luck.

[seekmedhelp]

Hi again,

The sleep study did not go as I had hoped. It took me four hours to fall asleep, and I only had mild shocks, mostly triggered by sharp noises. In this case it was the A/C switching on and off.

I wanted to showcase my worst symptoms, the violent shocks/jerks that make me convulse for a second. Unfortunately some days are worse than others and you just can't predict when they'll occur. Well hopefully they got some data from the noise triggered brief zaps.

It took me forever to fall asleep, even though I had woken up the morning of my study at 6am. By 10pm I still was not sleepy. I laid there with 20 wires on my head, face, and in my nose, along with white surgical dressing wrapped all around them (think of that old twilight zone episode with the pig faces).

As uncomfortable as wearing so many wires may sound, you get used to the accessories. In about a half hour I forget they are even there except when rolling over. After four hours I finally fell asleep - I think.

The nurse woke me up but I felt like I had only slept two hours. I asked her "I think I slept, did I?" She replied, "Yes you did sleep, but we don't talk about studies in the morning because we want patients to fill out the post-test report with no preconceived notions."

So in a week I'll know what the results are and hopefully they will have a specific diagnosis, not just "insomnia" or "stress". I still don't know when my MRI will be because the nurse has yet to call and make the appointment.

[seekmedhelp]

Chloe,

Your symptoms sound terrible. Not giving you an MRI is just plain barbaric. If a nurse bothers to fight for you, something MUST be wrong, because they can get in trouble for questioning a MD's judgement, who in turn must answer to an insurance company, which in turn gives out bonuses to MD's for saving them money. And so goes the merry go round.

Do your parents have insurance? I suppose not if you cannot get proper tests performed. Sign up for charity care if your state has it. Your parents should apply for Medicaid.

Ask to see hospital's social worker, who by law has to provide you with all treatment options available, both in the state and federal government. Many programs exist for adults, and even more for children.

You urgently need to see a neurologist and have an MRI performed. It took me five months to see one after much pain and paperwork. Hang in there...

[seekmedhelp]

Why haven't you had an MRI done? CAT scans are only good for hard tissue like bones and will not see neurological problems except perhaps a large tumor or extensive damage from a stroke.

You probably don't have insurance otherwise your neuro or family doctor would have already ordered an MRI. In that case all I can say is dig deep for state programs that offer assistance, be it a catholic hospital, medicaid or free clinic. Try calling Universities with an MD program of the state in which you are a resident. They almost always have a free clinics, but wait times will probably be months.

Our symptoms sound very much alike. Hopefully my tests will give you a clue as to whats happening. I truly feel your pain...

  

[betsyb]

First of all I cannot believe I found this website with so much information relating to something I have had no idea what to call.
I've had the "shocks" intermittently for quite some time---several years---but pretty infrequently---usually proceeded by a loud buzzing noise in my head --which apparently could be labled "exploding head syndrome".
Anyway, was in the hospital on 6/26/07 with a fractured tibia, and had the subsequent surgery to put things back in place.  From the time I went into the hospital to the day I left I had these shocking jolts in my head that would literally jerk me right off the bed (the worst was when I was pre-op and my leg would go into spasms...try to explain that to the nurse).  So the entire time I was in the hospital virtually each time I'd drift off I'd experience only what I can describe as a loud electrical jolt (kind of like a transformer being hit by lightening) in my head and then going through my body.
I was on major doses of pain medication throughout my stay and only have had one episode since I've been home(occurred the first night home).  I'm wondering if mine had to do with obvious physical and emotional stress AND drugs, anesthesia, etc...PLUS, I usually take anti-depressants and did not get any while in hospital.
So, to read your accounts really takes my breath away as I thought I was just plain strange and/or somehow an alien test subject (that's a joke btw).
Anyway, I am very excited to read about the sleep study results as I have had sleep problems for about 10 years--am currently taking a prescription (xanax), but didn't have any in the hospital and haven't had to take any since I've been out and am pretty darn happy about it.
Thank you for posting this comment board...it will be interesting to see where it leads and I send you all the best as you continue to find solutions to your medical challenges.  And darn those bad doctors for being so rude to you seekmedhelp...I'm sure the four of you were crowded anyway in a room with that huge ego.
best of luck
betsy

[flyin2006]

LOL

[tlh1970]

Hi, I have been struggling with many of the same symptoms and was uninsured until recently also.  I have learned a few things that might help you, but am still searching for a diagnosis.

1.  I have a history of hyperthyroidism and even if your thyroid is slightly off it can do some very strange and unpleasant things to you!

2.  I have Polycystic Kidney Disease which increases my risk of stroke and heart attack.  I am also severely hard of hearing.  So far, with my cardiac tests have come back fine.  I do not have something called a carotid bruit but am worried about aneurysm.  I will have an MRI as soon as my new insurance approves it.

3.  One DR. told me he suspected an electrolyte imbalance.  I couldn't afford the test but after doing some research decided to try Magnesium supplimentation.  After a month, this seemed to really alleviate most of the zaps, but I still have the sharp pain in the top of my skull and the ear sound only when lying down.

4.  ER Dr's tend to think you are nuts and you will ruin your credit trying to get them to diagnose you.  See if your state has what is called High Risk Pool insurance coverage.  

5.  I too, have a history of pneumonia and have also had shingles even though I am only 35 years old.

6.  Try not to panic it makes the symptoms worse.  The way I look at it is that I have to just keep insisting that something is wrong.  The Dr's didn't catch my thyroid issues in relation to my kidney disease for 8 years!  During that time I was prescribed sinus meds and even narcotic pain killers when what I only needed a beta blocker.

Good luck, I will post more as I find out more.

[seekmedhelp]

Would one of the Cleveland Clinic MDs or any other qualified person please read my MRI?

It was taken today and they gave me a copy of the images on CD.

You can download the full DICOM series here (compressed as ZIP):

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WJPBT2MC

*note: I removed my name, dr's name, address, etc from the original file headers, using an anonymizer.

For those not familiar with MRIs, they write images in a special format called DICOM, so you will need to use a special file reader. I used DicomWorks, but there are many free programs out there.

Also you must decompress the zip file. Most windows systems have a decompresser installed, but if you can't open it for whatever reason, let me know and I'll try to figure out a different upload method.

I won't be able to see a neurologist for awhile, since the wait time at my clinic is very long. If one of the MDs reading this forum could take a look I would be very greatful.

Thank you,
Brian

[seekmedhelp]

For those who can't install a DICOM reader, I managed to convert all the images to JPEG format and uploaded them to a free server.

Directories are labeled according to the type of images taken and whether they had contrast.

http://one.fsphost.com/seekmedhelp/

[Merilee123]

I haven't had the MRI yet because I'm on a waiting list. I live in Canada so I don't need insurance, but sometimes getting these tests done is a bit of a wait.

[tiffycan]

My husband has the same thing and they found he had partical seizures

[seekmedhelp]

Here is the Radiologist's report of my MRI:

"MR of the brain and IAC's was performed in multiple planes using multiple pulse sequences. Post-contrast images were obtained following the administration of 15 cc's of Gadolinium. Comparison is made with some of the images from a previous head CT of 6/2007.

Diffusion weighted images were obtained as well as postcontrast images of the brain.

The vestibular cochlear nerve complex is normal and symmetric in appearance. The are no masses in the CP angle cisterns. The pons, brain stem and cavernous sinus regions are normal. There are normal flow voids in the carotid.

Postcontrast images of the brain demonstrate anomalous draining vein in the left parietal lobe likely representing an incidental venous angioma.

There are no acute infarcts. There is no mass effect or shift. There is a normal gyral pattern and gray/white matter distribution.

Some minimal chronic frontal and ethmoid sinustis is present.

The pituitary is within normal limits.

IMPRESSION:

NORMAL IAC'S

INCIDENTAL VENOUS ANGIOMA LEFT PARIETAL LOBE

NO ACUTE INFARCTS.

-----------------------------------------------

Sleep Study Report:

"Mr. X's study was notable for the presence of significant sleep architectural abnormalities namely severe reduction in REM sleep and increased deep sleep. There was also mild sleep fragmentation related to some respiratory effort related arousals. The was minimal sleep fragmentation related to some respiratory effort related arousals. There was minimal sleep disordered breathing, however, no cardiac arrhythmias or other abnormal findings were seen."

There are also 3 pages of data, which is too much for transcription, I'll have to scan it later and upload to a free server.

[Jmm2]

I noticed you said you were in NJ and  have no insurance.  There is a great doctor at Saint Peters University Hospital in NJ who specializes in seizures. I believe he also teaches at UMDMJ.   (Saint Peters has programs for those who are financially unable to pay and without insurance. But I would get all the finance info from them.)  They have an in house 3 or more day video EEG, if the doctor deems appropriate, to diagnosis Seizure disorders.  What your symptoms appear to mimic are the seizures many of us have.  Be aware though, if you are diagnosised in NJ you will most likely lose your DL for a year or more.  If you go to NY and get diagnosised & treated, they do not report to NJ MVD.  Which means, no loss of License.   Best of luck to you & I hope you feel better soon.

[Skelly88]

Are you under a lot of stress? stress can do horrible things to your body, i have similar symptoms as well when i take hydroxyzine which was prescribed to me for anxiety (its only a antihistamine though which they said would possibly calm me down) whenever i take that medicine though, after a couple of hourse i get the same thing, if someone slams a door i'm jolted awake, and i cannot sleep, although its not as severe as your case...its still there, i dont take the medicine anymore and i dont have the problems either.  Also, do you have an anxiety problem? along with stress it might be possible that your body is jolting you awake due to being in a state of panic when you hear a noise.  I'm no doctor, nor do i know if this info will help, buuut....perhaps you should do more to keep your mind occupied? or just relaxation techniques before you sleep, meditation is PRICELESS.  Can't hurt to try no?

[Coordinatorinpink]

Have you found anything as of yet? I am going through the same thing. I have these "jerks" that have been getting progressively worse and tinnitus all day..sometimes I can't even hear anything other than the loud hum. I've also been getting headaches. I am currently seeing a neuro after going through several other specialists including an endo as my thyroid was a concern..my mother has hypothyroid. Those all came back normal. Frustrating and hoping you can shed some light...

[seekmedhelp]

coordinatorinpink,

I've had an MRI of brain and c-spine, Sleep Study, blood tests, ear exam, and all came back normal except the sleep study. (read above)

For the last three weeks my shocks have calmed down, but the ringing is about the same or louder. My shocks tend to have "off" and "on" periods. I will be shock free for about 3-4 weeks, then have a series of attacks that last just as long. It gets to the point where I don't sleep for 4 days, due to being hit by what feels like a cattle prod just before i'm about to doze off.

I have also developed a lot of neck pain as of late.  My c-spine MRI showed minor bony changes and levoscoliosis but "no significant stenosis".

I'm at a loss and so are all the doctors I saw. They have a god-like attitude and talk to me as if I'm faking it. I am sick of hearing the diagnosis of stress or that these symptoms are typical of former drug use. I am not a druggie never was!!! Its just a cop out for god ego doctors. Just say "I can't diagnose you based on today's science", but please don't insult me by saying i was on LSD or am stressed out.  

Sorry for the rant, but a person can only take so much...

I hope you spontanerously remit, thats what I hope for myself, because there seems to be no treatment for our condition. If you want to correspond, my email is ***@****    Maybe we can find a common link.

[hockey41189]

i am a 18 year old male

Once in a while I will have this weird thing happen to me in my sleep. I will be sleeping, i will be in the middle of dreaming and all of a sudden i will feel sort of light headed. And all of a sudden I will go into what you guys call the "electric shock feeling," My brain will feel like it is vibrating at 100 mph nothing else feels like it is moving. It feels like my brain is ready to explode. I hear a very loud buzzing noise with it to. I cant talk. I want to yell for help, but i cant. I cant move and everytime i try to move my my arm the vibrating sensation will get worse and faster it feels like. The buzzing noise gets much louder. I will sleep from 11-6:30 wake up go to the bathroom. go back to sleep and it usually happens from 7-10. it even happened when i was napping on the couch with my mom right next to me and she didin't notice a thing. I try to explain this to my parents, but it is so hard to explain. like i said i will be dreaming i will shoot right into it and wake up like nothing happend. I am confused about this.

I dont drink. I dont smoke. I dont do drugs. i am not allergic to anything. I am healthy as they come. I am deathly afraid to go to sleep now. This has happened the last 2 nights, but usually occurs once a month. I am going to see a neurologist in a few weeks. PLEASE HELP!!!

thanks

[yesmom]

A related discussion, Sleep Tremors - something to consider was started.

[okeefed]

A related discussion, zaps was started.