Head Shaking

[Antobro]

Not sure where this post belongs in sleep disorders forum.

But about 2 and a half years ago it started I'm 18 now, when i finally drift off to sleep sometimes my head shakes violently, i can't move but sometimes i can feel my index finger and little finger moving when i try to move them i cannot open my eyes and everything else is paralysed, my fingers move jerkily like limited movement not sure if i dreamed them moving or whatever.

I never smoke, and i dont drink often maybe once a year? but when i do have something to drink i notice i sleep fine.

One night i looked into it and only found sleep paralysis etc it mention it happens sleeping on my back which i was doing and i had it 8 times in a night once which was a horrifying experience.

After the experience i feel weak, and when i do sleep on my side its uncomfortable and when i have one leg ontop of the other it reoccurs also.. also a drink before i sleep one with sugar in seems to trigger it off also.. but its really getting to me now after 2 years and hasnt passed, can anybody help PLEASE.

Thanks in advance

[Joe_Forrester]

Started night I was born.  Stopped at 19 years old after leaving home and getting a roommate.  I overcame it with no help and no one ever knowing how I struggled with it.  I am 70 years old now with no reoccurrence.  Wish you well.

[Sara_MHModerator]

Thank you for telling us about your story.  How did you overcome it?  Any additional information may be very helpful to our readers.  thank you again.

[Joe_Forrester]

The trashing peaked in my teenage years.  I discovered I could toss my head to the beat of music on the radio.  This always went on for hours and felt like relief.  Like finding a cure for the pain of restless leg syndrome.  

When I quit, I still rocked my head a little the first few months, just mildly after my roommate was asleep.  It took years to lose the urge and felt like an addiction.  It took two years before the urge finally went away.

I had my neck broken at 18 playing football.  The head movement became painful after that.  This helped me stop because I thought the head rocking might paralyze me.  More motivation.

After my first post here I tried gently rocking my head a couple of nights to see if it still helped remove anxiety.  It did but I will not get addicted again.  I have overcome it by years of trying.  It got easier as the yers went by.  Don’t know of any other way.  

I wish you success in your own battle.

[Jayj131]

I have the same things happen to me. Every once and a while my head violently jerks side to side only a few times but my head moves so fast that it hurts the back of my head and I feel like Im going to puke. When this happens I wake up suddenly, like from a bad dream and Im terrified to go back to bed because although this only happens once and a while when I do it I cant stop, every time I close my eyes it happens. I am 13 years old and pretty healthy. The only time somone had seen me do this is one time when I was having a sleepover with my friends. It was cold where I was sleeping so I was shivering as well as shakeing my head. My friends thought I was having a seizure so they got my parents. I dont know whats happening can anyone help?

[Jordan_2]

All of these are common signs of early seizures. Please have your self examined immediately. Ignoring these signs could have fatal results.  

[SpicyTex]

I kinda have the same problem. Not all the time, but sometimes when I fall asleep I shake my head back and forth to wake myself up. I am paralyzed from the neck down, and I feel that if I don't wake up I will die. That's what my brain tells me anyway. I can hear what's going on around me, but I cannot speak. If sometimes touches me, I wake right up with no problem. I remember the first time this happened when I was 5 yrs. old. I'm 31 now, and it happens like once a month. Why does this happen??

[ptfary]

Jafra- you described to a T what my boyfreind experiences sometimes, exactly.  He can hear me and he knows he is shaking, but he can't open his eyes, and he says that sometimes he will wake up, but he can't move speak or open his eyes.  I read about sleep paralysis, have you read about this? Has any of you been formally diagnosed with anything?

[jafra]

I have a similar or same problem.When I put myself to sleep and before falling into deep sleep, my head starts moving in a jerkily manner to the right or left. I can feel it but can not stop it or even open my eyes. I am aware of what is happening and I can hear my wife telling me that I am shaking my head and I can talk to her back that I know and feel it but can not stop it or open my eyes.Also when the head shaking starts I feel ear pressure or drumming, with my heart barely beating.
I am 32, and I never drank in my life. But I do smoke.

Any help or ideas what the cause might be ?

[Suri123]

Hi Antobro, how are you? Hope you might have got evaluated yourself with a neurologist. Are you still getting these head movements while sleep? Do you think these movements continue even when you are asleep? Are you on medications? Is there anything that you do or it stops on its own? You may also be suffering from severe stress and anxiety, which can also be a trigger factor. Also you might probably be having Rhythmic movement disorder. Do try to overcome the stress and relax. Avoid smoking, alcohol and going to bed late night. It is better to consult a neurologist and sleep specialist for further evaluation. Take care and update on your progress.